Solar Trackers

[david16]

How much do solar trackers help the performance of the solar panels, how do they work?

[natterjack]

Can't offhand give figures for how much they improve performance, but they are basically a system of optical sensors, a controller and motors. The sensors detect where the brightest point in the sky (the sun) is and the controller then uses the motors to turn the panels to face that point. The motors are fairly low powered, of course, or else they'd cancel out any gains made.

[mgopilot]

My main array tracker is what is called full tracking--both ways. My 8 panels are equivalent to 12 in a fixed-seasonably adjustable mounting system.
There are also the cheaper east west trackers with seasonal adjustment. They don't have an auto return at night and take a while in the morning to face the sun. They increase efficiency about 25% vs. 40% for the full tracker. This data is for glass panels.
The Unisolar Panels can be used in totally cheapo fixed mounts and are hail proof. They take in 90% power with the sun at a 45 degee angle to them!
Just set them due south at the latitude angle, and use the money saved on mounting (easy to do it yourself) for more panels. The 23 degree seasonal adjustment is unnecessary, and they get only 20% less power than the expensive, maintenance item, full trackers. 20% more than the seasonally adjusted reflective glass panels. It is all a balancing act of your own particular situation, space, sale items, etc.