Indexes for the evaluation of a Solar Tracker*

Abstract

The usage of solar trackers in solar energy technologies represents an alternative to increase the capture of solar radiation. However, the costs involved make it a prohibitive technology, having indexes and procedures that allow for its evaluation and determination of the viability of its use is of vital importance at the time of deciding its implementation and so to form the objective of this study. In the investigation carried out, the indexes of average gain, comparative efficiency and profitability are introduced and a procedure for the evaluation is developed, as a contribution to the decision-making process as to whether or not to use a solar tracker. It is confirmed that the use of trackers is completely viable when used with higher power technologies. Furthermore, it is shown that theoretically, the average gain index is higher than the values currently registered in scientific literature. Such factors support the possibility of designing and developing solar trackers with a higher gain, lower production costs and lower consumption indexes, as a way for their mass use in low power photovoltaic generators.