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  • 1.  Costs for small single axis tracking system

    ASES Life Member
    Posted 01-12-2026 03:39 PM
    Hello PV community
    I am involved in a project to install one or more small (100-200 kW) single axis tracking (SAT) arrays on the U Delaware campus. We already have the modules. My questions are: 

    1. Has anyone installed SAT at this small of a scale? I know most racking arrays are > 10 MW. I have read that the motor drives and linear tubing are typically designed for 50-80 kW per segment. Anyone have experience with working with a manufacturer or installer to install only 2-4 trackers? Can it be done? 
    2. Does anyone have relatively recent costs for installing SAT at at any scale but especially < 5 MW scale? Inverters, labor, trackers, etc. The most recent numbers I can find from LBNL 'Tracking the Sun' report are from 2021.

    I look forward to hearing from you. 

    Steve   


    Steven Hegedus
    Professor, Electrical and Computer Engineering
    Senior Scientist, Institute of Energy Conversion
    University of Delaware
    Newark DE 19716
    302-831-6253
    ssh@udel.edu

    Co-editor, Handbook of Photovoltaic Science and Engineering, 2nd Ed 
    (Wiley and Sons 2011) 








  • 2.  RE: Costs for small single axis tracking system

    Silver
    Contributor
    Posted 01-12-2026 03:46 PM

    Sounds like an incredible project, Steven! I look forward to hearing from the ASES members on this!



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    Ella Nielsen
    Membership & Engagement Director
    American Solar Energy Society
    Boulder CO
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  • 3.  RE: Costs for small single axis tracking system

    Silver
    Contributor
    Posted 01-13-2026 10:46 AM
    Edited by william fitch 01-13-2026 10:50 AM

    Hi: Trackers are not simple. I have six single axis trackers that follow the sun with seasonal (Twice) adjustment. Pseudo polar axis tracking, etc..

    The type you are discussing are usually row trackers from East to West. They have really good results from March thru Sept when the sun is higher. Less so in the Fall and Winter. You can track any thing from a single collector thru MW arrays. Its all about the way you want to track. My trackers only have 6 panels on them, about 2KW per tracker.

    2KW trackers

    Those are our 3 EV's in and around. 

    But to your specific situation, yes you can do East/West tracking. The ideal location is a hill sloping down to the South, then the East/West on that. Evens out production over the year. You only need a 15 or 20 deg slope to help allot...

    Regarding price, like any solar, you have to shop around for your area.... Look for grants, tax breaks,  break off to an LLC, etc.. Get real quotes though. 



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    william fitch
    Owner
    www.WeAreSolar.com
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