Advanced Solar Tracking for Resilient Energy Systems

Objective

Solar photovoltaics (PV) dominate new electricity deployments globally, but this growth causes a mismatch between electricity supply and demand that can disrupt electricity markets and limit further PV adoption. This challenge is mitigated by single-axis trackers (SATs), which rotate PV panels to follow the sun, creating a wider daily generation profile and increasing electricity output by up to 25% compared to fixed-tilt systems. However, standard SAT algorithms are inadequate for regions with variable terrain or frequent cloud cover. This leads to energy losses and lower profits, slowing solar deployment in otherwise promising locations. This project aims to develop advanced tracking algorithms that maximize the power output of SAT systems in these challenging conditions. These novel algorithms are expected to increase energy yield by 1-4% with no additional hardware costs. The algorithms will be validated at scale on over 10 MW of operational solar plants in direct collaboration with industry partners. Model and field results will quantify the impact of advanced tracking on PV plant energy generation and profitability. The results will then be integrated into a European energy system model to demonstrate the benefits for energy system reliability. By increasing the efficiency, profitability, and versatility of solar power plants, this project will accelerate the adoption of renewable energy and support Europe’s decarbonization goals. All models, algorithms, and datasets will be released as open-source resources, ensuring widespread scientific and industrial impact.