Field Measurement of Single-Axis Tracking Algorithm Benefits in Operating Solar Power Plants

Single-axis tracking systems have become the most common racking structure in utility scale photovoltaic power plants for reasons of yield density, control, and equipment protection from environmental conditions. Several yield enhancing strategies have been proposed, tested, and in the case of some vendors successfully commercialized at scale. However, appropriate procedures for fairly evaluating the actual benefits of different tracking strategies have not been well addressed, and thereby directly affect the confidence that plant operators and owners have in such technologies. We present multiple approaches to field testing tracking algorithms in operating power plants, and consider their relative advantages and drawbacks, and consider typical real-world complications and uncertainties associated with any field validation efforts in the context of Nextracker’s TrueCapture technology.