Optimization of Solar Tracker Designs for Maximizing Energy Yield in PV Power Plants: A Simulation-Based Approach : A Comparative Analysis of Fixed and Single-Axis Tracker Systems

Sammanfattning

The global transition to clean energy has intensified the need for efficient solar power generation. This study investigates how to maximize energy output from photovoltaic power plants by comparing three system configurations: Fixed-tilt, Horizontal Single-Axis Tracking (HSAT), and Vertical Single-Axis Tracking (VSAT). The primary research question focuses on identifying which tracking system yields the highest energy production across diverse European locations, accounting for inter-row shading effects. A custom simulation framework was developed in Unity 3D, utilizing solar irradiance data from the PVGIS-SARAH3 database and implementing shading loss calculations based on the bypass diode model by Martínez-Moreno et al. Simulations were conducted for five cities with varying climates, and production was evaluated on monthly, daily, and hourly scales. Results show that VSAT consistently achieves the highest total energy yield, particularly excelling in spring and autumn months and in early morning and late afternoon hours. However, it also suffers from the highest shading losses, highlighting a tradeoff between performance and row spacing. Fixed-tilt systems demonstrated the lowest variability and shading loss but also the lowest yield. Welch’s ANOVA and Games–Howell post-hoc tests confirmed that the performance differences between the systems are statistically significant. The findings support the adoption of VSAT systems in locations with low land costs or dual land use potential, such as AgriPV, where increased energy yield justifies greater row spacing.