A solar tracker system is a mechanical structure that changes the position of solar photovoltaic (PV) panels so they can follow the movement of the sun. Unlike a fixed solar mounting system, a tracker can adjust the angle of the panels during the day. This helps the panels receive sunlight from a more favorable direction as the sun moves across the sky.
Solar tracking developed from the need to improve how photovoltaic panels interact with changing sunlight. A fixed panel has a predetermined orientation, while a tracking system uses mechanical movement and control methods to change its position. Solar trackers are mainly used in ground-mounted solar installations where there is sufficient space for moving structures.
A typical solar tracker combines structural components, motors or actuators, sensors or control algorithms, bearings, and electronic controls. The system coordinates these parts to move a group of solar modules along one or more axes.
What Is a Solar Tracker?
A solar tracker is a mounting mechanism designed to change the orientation of solar panels according to the position of the sun. The primary objective is to keep the panel surface more closely aligned with incoming sunlight during relevant periods of the day.
Solar trackers generally fall into two major categories: single-axis and dual-axis. Single-axis systems rotate around one primary axis, while dual-axis systems can adjust movement around two axes.
Why Solar Tracking Is Used
The amount of sunlight received by a photovoltaic module depends partly on the angle between the sun's rays and the module surface. Because the sun's apparent position changes throughout the day and across seasons, a fixed installation cannot maintain the same alignment at all times.
A tracker attempts to reduce this angular difference through controlled movement. However, its usefulness depends on factors such as location, land characteristics, weather conditions, system design, energy requirements, and additional mechanical complexity.
Importance
Solar tracker systems are relevant to large-scale renewable energy projects because the orientation of solar panels affects how sunlight reaches photovoltaic modules. As solar power installations expand, different mounting approaches are used to match local conditions and project requirements.
India has experienced substantial growth in solar generation capacity. According to the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy, cumulative solar power capacity reached about 164.59 GW by the end of July 2026, including ground-mounted, rooftop, hybrid, and off-grid installations. Ground-mounted solar accounted for approximately 122.57 GW.
Tracking technology is primarily associated with ground-mounted installations because these projects can accommodate the movement, spacing, foundations, and mechanical equipment required by trackers.
Benefits of Solar Tracker Systems
A solar tracker can provide several potential advantages when its design is appropriate for the site.
- Increased sunlight alignment: The panels can remain oriented toward the sun for a larger portion of the operating period.
- Improved energy capture: Better alignment can increase the amount of solar radiation received by the modules under suitable conditions.
- Better use of solar resource: Tracking can be useful in locations where the available solar resource and project design justify movable structures.
- Programmable operation: Electronic controllers can determine movement according to calculated solar positions or sensor information.
- Adaptation to changing sun angles: The system can adjust its position as the sun's apparent path changes.
These benefits should be considered alongside additional structural, electrical, land-use, and maintenance requirements. A tracker does not automatically provide the same results at every site.
Challenges and Considerations
Moving structures introduce additional components compared with fixed mounting systems. Motors, actuators, bearings, controllers, wiring, foundations, and structural joints all need appropriate design and inspection.
Wind can also be an important consideration. Tracker structures may need to move into a designated position during strong wind conditions to reduce mechanical loads. Site-specific engineering is therefore important when designing a tracking installation.
Recent Updates
From 2024 through 2026, solar development has continued to expand alongside increased attention to automation, larger photovoltaic installations, digital monitoring, and system-level efficiency. India's Ministry of New and Renewable Energy has continued publishing solar PV policies, bidding guidelines, equipment requirements, and updated information related to photovoltaic deployment.
The ministry also issued amendments to the standard bidding guidelines for solar PV projects during this period. Such changes are relevant to project development even though they do not specifically require solar trackers.
Automation and Digital Control
Modern tracker systems increasingly use electronic controllers and software-based positioning calculations. Instead of relying only on simple light sensors, many systems can calculate the sun's expected position from geographic location, date, and time.
Some installations also use monitoring systems to track motor activity, position, faults, wind conditions, and other operating information. These capabilities can help identify abnormal movement or mechanical problems.
Growing Ground-Mounted Solar Capacity
The expansion of ground-mounted photovoltaic installations creates a larger potential application area for tracker technology. MNRE's current capacity information identifies ground-mounted solar as the largest component of India's installed solar capacity.
At the same time, tracker adoption remains dependent on project economics, land characteristics, module configuration, climate, terrain, and technical requirements. Fixed-tilt systems continue to be appropriate for many installations.
Standards for Solar Trackers
Indian standards and international IEC references also cover photovoltaic tracking technology. BIS materials reference IEC 62817 for photovoltaic system design qualification of solar trackers, providing a technical framework related to tracker design qualification.
Laws or Policies
Solar tracker systems are part of larger photovoltaic installations, so applicable requirements can involve electrical safety, structural design, land use, grid connection, equipment standards, and renewable-energy policies.
In India, the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy publishes policies and guidelines for grid-connected solar PV projects. Current policy resources include guidelines for tariff-based competitive procurement of power from grid-connected solar PV projects.
Equipment used in photovoltaic projects can also be affected by Indian standards and applicable government notifications. The Bureau of Indian Standards lists photovoltaic modules, power converters, and other solar-related products under applicable conformity and registration frameworks.
The Ministry of New and Renewable Energy also maintains an Approved List of Models and Manufacturers (ALMM). Current MNRE information states that listed solar PV modules are relevant to government projects, government-assisted projects, projects under government schemes and programmes, and specified open-access or net-metering projects in India.
The exact requirements for a solar installation can vary according to project type, location, grid connection, equipment category, ownership, and applicable state or central rules. Solar trackers themselves should therefore be considered within the wider regulatory framework of the photovoltaic project.
Tools and Resources
Several technical resources can help readers understand solar tracker systems and photovoltaic projects.
Solar Position Calculators
Solar position calculators estimate the sun's position based on geographic coordinates, date, and time. They can help explain why the required panel angle changes throughout the day and across seasons.
PV Performance Tools
Photovoltaic modelling tools can estimate energy production based on solar resource, module orientation, shading, weather information, and system configuration. These tools can be useful for comparing fixed-tilt and tracking arrangements.
Manufacturer Technical Manuals
Technical manuals for trackers normally describe operating ranges, mechanical components, controller functions, wind-position procedures, electrical requirements, and installation conditions. These documents are useful for understanding the characteristics of a particular tracker design.
BIS Know Your Standard
The Bureau of Indian Standards provides a "Know Your Standard" platform where users can search Indian Standards using a standard number or keyword. The platform can provide information such as standard documents, amendments, related notifications, testing information, and laboratory details.
MNRE Solar Resources
The Ministry of New and Renewable Energy maintains information covering solar policies, installed capacity, renewable-energy statistics, and photovoltaic programmes. Its renewable-energy statistics cover installed capacity and generation information at national and state levels.
Basic Solar Tracker Comparison
| Feature | Fixed-Tilt System | Single-Axis Tracker | Dual-Axis Tracker |
|---|---|---|---|
| Movement | None | One primary axis | Two axes |
| Mechanical complexity | Lower | Moderate | Higher |
| Sun alignment | Fixed | Changes during operation | Changes in two directions |
| Typical application | Rooftops and many ground systems | Large ground-mounted systems | Specialized installations |
| Control system | Usually simple | Required for movement | Required for two-axis movement |
| Land considerations | Relatively straightforward | Requires movement and row spacing | Requires additional movement space |
| Maintenance requirements | Generally simpler | Includes moving components | Includes more moving components |
FAQs
What is a solar tracker system?
A solar tracker system is a mounting structure that changes the orientation of photovoltaic panels to follow the apparent movement of the sun. It can use mechanical drives and electronic controls to position the panels.
How does a solar tracker work?
A solar tracker uses motors or actuators to move the panel structure around one or more axes. A controller determines the required position using calculated solar angles, sensors, or a combination of control methods.
What are the main types of solar tracker systems?
The two main types are single-axis and dual-axis solar trackers. Single-axis trackers move primarily around one axis, while dual-axis systems can change position around two axes.
What are the main components of a solar tracker?
Common solar tracker components include the supporting structure, drive mechanism, motor or actuator, bearings, controller, position sensors or calculation system, electrical connections, and photovoltaic module mounting hardware.
Where are solar tracker systems commonly used?
Solar tracker systems are commonly associated with ground-mounted photovoltaic projects, particularly larger installations where the site layout can accommodate moving panel rows. Their suitability depends on terrain, climate, solar resource, system design, and project requirements.
Conclusion
Solar tracker systems adjust photovoltaic panels so they can follow changes in the sun's apparent position. Single-axis and dual-axis designs use different mechanical arrangements, controls, and movement patterns. Recent developments have focused on automation, digital monitoring, larger solar installations, and continued development of photovoltaic standards and policies. In India, tracker projects operate within the broader regulatory, technical, and safety framework applicable to solar PV installations.