How much space does a single axis solar tracker need?

On average, fixed-tilt systems will require four to five acres per MW and a single-axis tracking system will use about four to seven acres per MW 3. The good news is that even with the additional maintenance and space for single-axis solar trackers, it’s likely you will need fewer panels to meet your solar power demands.

Why is a single-axis tracker better than a fixed-tilt rack?

Simply put, a single-axis tracker allows for more direct sunlight, producing more energy than a fixed-tilt rack. This makes the single-axis tracker more effective at absorbing energy as the system can track the sun’s movements throughout the day. Trackers increase the production of a site by roughly 15% to 25%, compared to fixed-tilt systems 1.

How much does a fixed-tilt racking system cost?

As mentioned, the absolute cost for fixed-tilt racking systems tends to run lower than single-axis trackers. A 2020 price benchmark from National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) listed the average price in U.S. dollars for the fixed-tilt utility-scale system at $0.94/W DC and the single-axis tracker at $1.01/W DC .