Horizontal Single-Axis Tracking Support

2. Horizontal Single-Axis

Detailed introduction to the horizontal single-axis photovoltaic support:

• Structural Composition

• Column: Usually made of steel, playing the role of supporting the entire support structure. Its height and spacing are determined according to the site conditions and design requirements of the photovoltaic power station.
• Cross Beam: Connected between the columns for installing photovoltaic modules. Generally also made of steel, with sufficient strength and rigidity.
• Rotation Axis: Located at one end or the middle of the cross beam, enabling the cross beam to rotate in the horizontal direction. Usually made of high-strength alloy steel, equipped with bearings and drive devices.
• Drive System: Including motor, reducer, transmission mechanism, etc., used to drive the rotation axis to rotate so that the photovoltaic modules track the position of the sun. The drive system can be electric, hydraulic or mechanical drive, and an appropriate drive method is selected according to the actual situation.
• Control System: Composed of sensors, controllers and communication modules, used to monitor the sun position and control the operation of the drive system. Sensors can be photoelectric sensors, GPS sensors, etc. The controller calculates the position of the sun based on the sensor signals and issues instructions to control the drive system to adjust the angle of the support.
  • Working Principle: The axis of the horizontal single-axis photovoltaic support is generally in the north-south direction. The photovoltaic array plane rotates east-west with the rotating axis according to the position of the sun. Through the automatic tracking system, the photovoltaic modules automatically track the rotation of the sun, maximizing the light intensity of the sunlight perpendicular to the battery panel, thereby improving the photovoltaic conversion rate.
    • Advantages
    • Increase Power Generation: Compared with fixed supports, horizontal single-axis tracking supports can significantly improve the solar energy reception efficiency, thereby increasing power generation. Depending on different regions and climate conditions, power generation can be increased by about 10%-20%.
    • Simple Structure: Compared with dual-axis tracking supports, the drive system and control system of horizontal single-axis tracking supports are relatively simple, with higher reliability, and relatively lower installation and maintenance costs.
    • Strong Adaptability: Suitable for relatively flat and open areas, with relatively low requirements for the site. At the same time, the horizontal single-axis tracking support can be adjusted according to different latitudes and solar altitude angles.
      • Application Scenarios
    • Large Ground-Mounted Photovoltaic Power Stations: It is a commonly used type of tracking support in large ground-mounted photovoltaic power stations. Due to its simple structure, lower cost and higher power generation, it can meet the needs of large photovoltaic power stations.
    • Distributed Photovoltaic Projects: In distributed photovoltaic projects, especially rooftop photovoltaic projects, the horizontal single-axis tracking support can be adjusted according to the shape and orientation of the roof to improve solar energy reception efficiency.
    • Agricultural Photovoltaic Projects: It can be combined with agriculture to realize the comprehensive utilization of photovoltaics and agriculture. For example, in photovoltaic greenhouses, the horizontal single-axis tracking support can enable the photovoltaic modules to track the position of the sun, increase power generation, while not affecting the growth of crops in the greenhouse.

Technological Development Aspects

• Improvement of Intelligence Level: With technological progress, the control system of horizontal single-axis photovoltaic supports will become more intelligent, able to more accurately track the sun position and further improve power generation efficiency. For example, the operating accuracy of Mibet intelligent horizontal single-axis tracking system can reach ±1°2. In the future, it may also be combined with big data, artificial intelligence and other technologies to realize functions such as intelligent operation and maintenance, fault prediction and diagnosis, reducing operation and maintenance costs.
• Application of New Materials and New Processes4: The emergence of new materials will improve the strength, stability and durability of horizontal single-axis photovoltaic supports, and may also reduce costs. For example, using new high-strength aluminum alloys or composite materials can reduce the weight of the support, improve corrosion resistance and prolong service life.

Policy Support Aspects

• Promotion by Global Energy Policies: To achieve carbon neutrality and carbon emission reduction goals, countries around the world have introduced a series of policies supporting photovoltaic power generation, such as subsidies and preferential electricity prices. This indirectly promotes the development of horizontal single-axis photovoltaic supports, because they can help photovoltaic power stations improve power generation efficiency and better achieve policy goals.
• Improvement of Industry Standards and Specifications: Relevant departments continuously formulate and improve industry standards and specifications for photovoltaic supports, which helps the standardized development of the horizontal single-axis photovoltaic support market, ensures product quality and performance, promotes healthy and orderly development of the industry, and creates a good market environment for enterprises.

Cost and Benefit Aspects

• Gradual Cost Reduction: With the expansion of market scale and technological maturity, the production cost of horizontal single-axis photovoltaic supports shows a downward trend. On the one hand, raw material procurement costs decrease due to scale effects; on the other hand, the improvement and optimization of production processes improve production efficiency and reduce labor and other cost inputs.
• Improvement of Economic Benefits: Horizontal single-axis supports can bring about 10%-20% power generation gain. Compared with fixed supports, they can bring more power generation revenue to photovoltaic power stations. Under the background of photovoltaic grid parity, their economic advantages are more obvious, with higher return on investment, attracting more investors to choose horizontal single-axis photovoltaic supports.