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One- and two-axis solar trackers

zimny8  34 19818 Cool? (+23)
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TL;DR

  • Two homemade solar tracker builds are shown: two single-axis trackers and a two-axis tracker with truss-based structures.
  • Actuators drive the structures; the single-axis units use reed switches and a 9-channel controller, while the two-axis unit sequences two actuators and a third sun-tracking actuator.
  • The single-axis trackers cover about 150 degrees with a constant 40-degree tilt and 2.4 kW total power.
  • The two-axis tracker reaches up to 200 degrees, but limit switches are set around 170 degrees because of terrain.
  • Costs were around 7,000 zloty in 2020 and about 9,000 plus 5,000 zloty for the inverter in 2021; the wind sensor can require manual reset.
Generated by the language model.
Let me present my own constructions of my own performance.
I have presented them very briefly / roughly in another topic, not in this section, here they will probably be subject to professional evaluation / criticism.
Maybe they will inspire someone, help someone, building prototypes is really difficult, but users of the DIY Constructions section probably know that.

Two single axis trackers:


Two-axis tracker, trusses based on uniaxial:



The structures use actuators as a drive.
The uniaxials have a tracking range of about 150 degrees, a constant angle of inclination of about 40 degrees and a total power of 2.4kW, at the beginning the 9-channel second controller gives 8 seconds after time intervals. impulses. In addition to the limit switches in the actuators, the system with two reed switches on the first tracker, the second one works synchronously.

The two-axis can track up to 200 degrees, the limit switches are set at about 170 degrees due to the terrain conditions, its power is 3.0 kW. The second 16-channel driver (for now), gives 6 sec. impulses. A unique system of two actuators rotates the load-bearing structure sequentially: first one works, after the work is finished the other. When polarity is reversed, reverse.
The second axis is moved by the third actuator via the sun tracking controller. At the top, the wind force sensor, which activates the third actuator, works until the pulses are flattened and the pulses are disconnected, to restore the functions, it must be done manually with the "work" button.

There is a box on the main pole, it has switches, but they are only for service.

Costs:
2020 - around 7,000 zloty.
2021 - considerable, around 9,000 + 5,000 inverter zloty
Does it all make sense? only thanks to the contribution of my own work.
I have orders locally, but there are other ideas in my head.
About Author
zimny8 wrote 3654 posts with rating 502 , helped 26 times. Live in city żywiec. Been with us since 2011 year.

Comments

CosteC 29 Aug 2021 12:00

Impressive structure, or rather structures. What is "second driver" - is this some kind of photovoltaic slang? I am worried about cables - they look ordinary, indoor installation, and hang freely, susceptible... [Read more]

zimny8 29 Aug 2021 13:50

Yes, it's the jumper cables, they'll be different, connected. The complete flattening in the case of wind takes as much, depending on the initial position, as max. actuator operation time 24 ",... [Read more]

ADI-mistrzu 29 Aug 2021 15:14

PLN 21k (i.e. PLN 7k + PLN 9k + PLN 5k) is the cost of both structures + an inverter that supports both masts? [Read more]

krzbor 29 Aug 2021 20:02

I wonder if it pays off. I mean, isn't it cheaper to install more panels on the roof? [Read more]

KamiJas 29 Aug 2021 20:42

Aren't you afraid of higher winds that it might act like a sail and fly? [Read more]

marik_te 29 Aug 2021 23:27

Allow me to insert a photo of the construction that I had the pleasure to create some time ago. Two tables on separate trackers, 15 340W panels each. https://obrazki.elektroda.pl/9108151800_16302... [Read more]

zimny8 30 Aug 2021 07:09

To this "power plant" you have to add two previously placed, such as those from 2020, with a total capacity of 2KW for 5k PLN. The roofs are different, I have a gable but unfavorably oriented, the neighbor... [Read more]

bambus94 30 Aug 2021 07:37

And I am curious what this wind strength sensor looks like. Because it would be useful for my project. [Read more]

Anonymous 30 Aug 2021 08:02

Trackers made any sense from 20 years ago, when the panels were terribly expensive. Today for the 21 thousand. PLN, you can order a team that will install a 5kW installation without moving your butt.... [Read more]

zimny8 30 Aug 2021 08:19

This sensor is not extremely precise, but it works fine. Tiltable, i.e. a plate with a selected surface with an integrated magnet, a reed switch on the side boom. I see these teams of pullers, in my... [Read more]

Slawek K. 30 Aug 2021 10:46

It is not always possible to add an infinite number of panels, because there is no space on the roof, no space on the plot, etc. etc. - then the tracker makes sense, because it is basically the only solution... [Read more]

zimny8 30 Aug 2021 12:40

As for the economy, let's take a two-axis tracker made with our own work - PLN 9k. - 4k PLN for the inverter panels also, because it is always needed, so we are talking about 5k PLN. For 8 hours work... [Read more]

Anonymous 30 Aug 2021 13:08

Oh, and you assume that every installer is a liar, bastard and thief? Because I don't understand - could you specify what exactly you wanted to say? Why the belief that everyone else is definitely... [Read more]

Slawek K. 30 Aug 2021 13:12

Nobody attacks, I just referred to the fact that the hobby is not always about money and economic sense. If you do everything just to make it profitable and beneficial, then I feel a little sorry ;) I... [Read more]

Anonymous 30 Aug 2021 13:19

Well, but I agree with this from the very beginning - if it is a form of hobby that someone wants to do it themselves - then only congratulations. Because every hobby costs money - and it's not about... [Read more]

trojan 12 30 Aug 2021 13:25

Colleagues, you are a bit detached from reality. The power industry will force the storage of electricity and with the tracker, the production will be spread more evenly, you need a smaller warehouse. ... [Read more]

zimny8 30 Aug 2021 16:00

I will only refer to this, on other points I fully or partially agree (not the 35% difference). I did not write that they are all bunglers and liars, but there are probably a lot of them, because in a... [Read more]

Anonymous 31 Aug 2021 08:11

So what's the difference in your opinion? [Read more]

zimny8 31 Aug 2021 08:58

From my observations and comparisons to my neighbors, I have over 40% of them, but this difference will not be everywhere. The photos show the topography and vegetation. Those who have panels low to the... [Read more]

FAQ

TL;DR: DIY single-axis trackers raise yield by 35-45 % and a 3 kWp two-axis rig can output about 3 000 kWh a year [Elektroda, zimny8, post #19587306] “Not everything has to pay off; the fun and satisfaction are priceless” [Elektroda, Slawek K., post #19587361] Why it matters: Understanding real-world numbers helps decide when a moving mount beats extra fixed panels.

Quick Facts

• Typical single-axis range: 150 °-180 ° sweep, 40 ° fixed tilt [Elektroda, zimny8, post #19585358] • Two-axis tracker yield gain: +35 % to +45 % vs. fixed south-facing array [Elektroda, zimny8, post #19588693] • DIY material cost: PLN 7 000–9 000 for structure + PLN 5 000 inverter (≈€2 600–3 100) [Elektroda, zimny8, post #19585358] • Emergency stow time: ≤40 s for 24" actuators at full travel [Elektroda, zimny8, post #19585689] • Edge case: rail-guided trackers can seize after freezing snow accumulation [Elektroda, alt11, post #19593781]

What power increase can I expect from a tracker in Central Europe?

Forum measurements show about 3 000 kWh per 3 kWp (≈+40 % vs. fixed 2 100 kWh) on a two-axis design [Elektroda, zimny8, post #19587306] Independent studies quote +35 % as typical for Poland [“PVGIS EU”, 2023].

How much does a DIY tracker cost?

Materials for a two-axis steel frame and three actuators ran PLN 9 000 in 2021; adding panels and inverter lifted the full system to ~PLN 21 000 [Elektroda, zimny8, post #19585358]

Is a tracker still economical when panels are cheap?

Payback emerges in ~10 years if the extra structure costs ≤PLN 5 000 and electricity credit is PLN 0.65 /kWh [Elektroda, cefaloid, post #19587332] Higher steel prices or paid labour can erase gains.

What happens if sensors or power fail during a storm?

Edge-case reports show that frozen reed switches or snow-jammed rails can stop stow; manual override buttons and insurance are recommended [Elektroda, alt11, post #19593781]

Which drives and controllers are used?

Builders reuse 24" linear actuators and small 50-100 W gear-motors connected to low-cost multi-channel aquarium timers or Reivision sun trackers [Elektroda, zimny8, #19585358; marik_te, #20810405].

Can I monitor each panel on a moving array?

Yes. Micro-inverters such as APSystems YC-1000-3 mount directly under the table and report per-module data over power-line comms [Elektroda, czarodziej1968, post #19597619]

How tall should the mast be?

A 5 m truss mast built from four 60 × 3 mm tubes provides clearance over nearby roofs while weighing less than a single 320 × 8 mm pipe [Elektroda, bachin, post #20809219]

Do single-axis tilt-only systems pay off?

Tilting for seasons adds ~10 % annual yield; adding east-west tracking boosts to ~35 % [“NREL Best Practices”, 2022]. With seven actuators at PLN 1 300, seasonal tilt often breaks even sooner than full tracking.

How do I compute light loss when panels are off-angle?

Irradiance scales by cos θ; at 45 ° incidence the usable power drops to 71 %, not 50 %, because cos 45 ° = 0.71 [“Solar Engineering”, Duffie & Beckman].

What routine keeps the tracker safe during a gale?

  1. Issue park command to flatten table.
  2. Attach three transport belts to ground anchors.
  3. Verify actuator power off. The whole process takes under five minutes [Elektroda, zimny8, post #19590502]

Will future grid rules favour trackers?

Evening-skewed output smooths feed-in; smaller batteries suffice when production is more evenly spread, lowering storage costs [Elektroda, trojan 12, post #19587382]
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