Abstract
•Seven tracking systems are examined to determine the most efficient alternative.•Two-axis tracker design shows the highest power generated from the PV system.•Fixed-axis demonstrates the lowest performance with the lowest NPC and LCOE.•PV panels mounted with horizontal-axis show minor differences in capacity.•VCA offers a significant technical and economic performance.
This research contributes to the ongoing discussions about the grid-connected solar photovoltaic (PV) systems and draws attention to the optimal design by considering various PV array tracking systems towards enhancing the power generation. The PV tracking system configurations considered in this study include horizontal-axis (monthly adjustment, weekly adjustment, daily adjustment, continuous adjustment), vertical-axis (continuous adjustment), and a two-axis tracking system. HOMER (Hybrid Optimization of Multiple Energy Resources) software is employed whereas the actual data required by the model have been collected in Makkah, Saudi Arabia.
The results show that the two-axis tracker can produce 34% more power than the fixed system, while the vertical axis tracker with continuous adjustment was able to generate up to 20% more power than the fixed system. Horizontal tracker with continuous adjustment shows the highest net present cost (NPC) and the highest levelized cost of energy (LCOE), with a high penetration of solar energy to the grid. For the case of Makkah, the vertical axis tracker with continuous adjustment is the best option as it has low LCOE and NPC values with a positive return on investment (ROI) as well as high renewable energy penetration to the grid, which enhances its viability for a utility-size solar PV grid-connected system.