How much does a solar tracker cost?

Solar trackers can greatly increase the cost of a photovoltaic solar installation. A standard 4-kilowatt ground-mounted solar system will cost about $13,000. Tracking equipment can cost anywhere from $500 per panel to over $1,000 per panel. If you included a single-axis tracking system on the same array, it would drive the cost up to about $20,000.

What is a solar tracker system?

A solar tracker system helps maximize your solar production by following the sun throughout the day. Solar trackers are usually reserved for large-scale ground-mounted solar systems. Solar trackers are typically used in commercial installations or other large ground-mounted arrays.

Should a solar tracker be designed to track the Sun?

Compared to single-axis trackers, the initial cost of dual-axis trackers is higher, and they require more space to avoid being shaded by other panels. In general, the question of whether a given system should be designed to track the sun boils down to costs versus benefits.

How do solar trackers work?

Solar trackers are usually paired with ground-mount solar systems, but recently, rooftop-mounted trackers have come onto the market. Typically, solar tracking equipment will be connected to the racking of the solar panels. From there, the solar panels will be able to move along with the movement of the sun.

Which solar tracker should I buy?

This depends entirely on the situation. In some cases, a dual-axis active tracker may be ideal, but with some builds, a single-axis active solar tracker, or a passive solar tracker, might be the best option. In 2019, NEXTracker was the most popular solar tracker seller.

Are solar trackers worth the investment?

It often isn’t worth the investment to add solar trackers for residential installs. However, for commercial installs, such as businesses with limited roof space but a higher power output, the increased efficiency of a solar tracker might be worth the investment.