Performance Analysis of A 3.6 MW Solar Photo-Voltaic (PV) Plant with Single-Axis Tracking and Fixed Tilt Type of PV Array in A Single Site: A Comparative Study

Abstract

This work is focused on techno-commercial feasibility of a single-axis solar tracking system compared to fixed tilt system based on real energy yield data. For this purpose, an existing solar PV plant situated in Infosys SEZ Campus, Hyderabad, India of cumulative capacity 3.6 MW (DC) has been considered. The Plant constitutes 3.6 MW capacity with an installation of 1.8 MW as Fixed Tilt (FT) system and 1.8 MW as Single-axis Tracking (SAT) system. The analysis shows that the SAT system is technically effective in terms of Energy Gain, Performance Ratio (PR) & Capacity Utilisation Factor (CUF) compared to the fixed tilt system. It also prevails that the SAT system is cost effective compared to the FT system. Therefore, the use of tracking system, either be it single-axis or dual-axis may be done in those regions where land acquisition is a serious issue and thus proper utilisation of precious land may be done.