PV bracket structures can be divided into two main types: fixed structures and tracking structures. Fixed bracket is mainly the best tilt angle fixed bracket and adjustable fixed bracket. Tracking brackets mainly include flat single-axis tracking brackets, inclined single-axis tracking brackets and dual-axis tracking brackets, which can make PV modules follow the sun's position movement throughout the day, reduce the angle of incidence of sunlight and improve the solar energy absorption rate of PV modules.
The specific selection of solar tracker is closely related to the project's dimension, topography, climate environment and other factors, and is more often used in large ground power plants. Because distributed PV projects have problems such as limited sites and general lighting conditions, the economics of installing solar trackers are not high.
Among solar trackers, the flat single-axis tracking bracket has the highest cost performance, and thus is widely used. Generally, it can bring 15%-20% increase in power generation for PV power plants, and even more than 20% increase in power generation in some low-latitude areas with more abundant sunlight resources.
Although the use of solar trackers will increase the initial investment and operation and maintenance costs, but because of the significant power generation gain, can achieve lower cost of electricity. According to Bloomberg New Energy, in the first half of 2021, the global average cost of electricity for PV power plant projects with tracking bracket system is about $38/MWh, which is significantly lower than fixed bracket PV projects.
Affected by the COVID-19 epidemic and module prices, project start-up rates are low in some regions, while the rising prices of silicon, steel and other raw materials have led to increased costs. All this has intensified the competition of PV power plants and the decline of yield. In this context, the value of tracking the cost of electricity consumption and improving the yield of the bracket is highlighted.