The efficiency of both photovoltaic and thermal solar power generation depends on the ability to move solar panels or mirrors to very accurately follow the movement of the sun across the sky. Cyclo drives & gearboxes are an excellent solution for electro-mechanical and hydraulic solar tracker systems to ensure that solar photovoltaic panels or reflective mirrors are able to very accurately track the path of the sun for optimal absorption or reflection of solar energy.

Cyclo Drives for Power Industry Solar TrackersWhat is a solar tracker?

A solar tracker is a mechanism that moves solar panels or mirrors to follow the path of the sun’s movement during the day. This maximizes the capture of sunlight for power generation, either by photovoltaic panels for direct electrical conversion or for reflection onto a central tower in solar thermal power generators.

What are five features of solar trackers used for power generation?

  • There are two types of solar tracker: single axis, and dual axis.
  • Single axis trackers follow the movement of the sun across the sky
  • Dual axis trackers track the movement of the sun across the sky and also make adjustments for the height of the sun as it moves overhead.
  • Single axis trackers are simpler and cheaper, but dual axis trackers are more efficient, although they require more sophisticated control systems.
  • Both types of solar tracker need to operate with high precision for maximum efficiency, which is what makes cyclo drives the best option for powering solar trackers.

    • What are the two types of solar power generation?

    There are two forms of solar power generation that are commonly used today at an industrial level. The most well known is photovoltaic generation, which converts sunlight into electrical energy directly, and is effective from very small to very large scale installations, and can be achieved with no solar tracking, single or dual axis tracking.

    The other method of power production is solar thermal power generation, in which solar energy is concentrated by mirrors onto steam pipework in troughs with single-axis solar tracking or by dual axis tracking onto towers to melt salts that transfer the heat energy to drive steam powered electrical turbines, or to directly power Stirling engines at the focal point of parabolic dishes.

    At a commercial scale, both types of solar power generation require accurate solar tracking to make them more efficient and increase their cost-effectiveness. Accurate solar tracking depends on the use of precision gearboxes and drive motors across solar arrays that can be extremely large scale, often involving the coordinated movement of many thousands of mirror elements.

    Cyclo gearboxes and cyclo drives are perfectly suited to both single and dual axis solar tracking functions, being capable of very fine and accurate control by design, as well as rugged enough to offer a low maintenance long-life solution for operation in the high temperature and remote environments that are commonly used for large scale solar power generation.

    Large scale photovoltaic power generation using a single axis solar tracking system

    Large scale photovoltaic power generation using a single axis solar tracking systemSolar thermal power stations rely on accurate solar tracking to function

    Solar thermal power stations rely on accurate solar tracking to functionWhy are cyclo gearboxes the best choice for solar trackers?

    Why are cyclo gearboxes the best choice for solar trackers?Efficiency challenges for solar energy production need cyclo drives for better solar tracking solutions

    There continues to be a strong market demand for more efficient ways of capturing solar energy as part of a movement towards sustainable energy generation. The use of cyclo drives to maximize the efficiency of solar tracking systems is a simple way of increasing the competitiveness of any solar energy installation.

    This is because the solar energy market is becoming more mature, and the availability and government approval of solar energy generation sites is becoming more difficult as people, especially in more urban countries, compete with solar panels and mirrors for access to land for building or agriculture.

    Photovoltaic solar panel energy efficiency has improved over time, but it is less efficient than wind generation, and power output drops significantly if the panels are not accurately aligned to the position of the sun. Continuous, efficient, solar tracking using cyclo gearboxes provides the most reliable way to ensure maximum solar energy throughput at all times of day.

    Contact us to discuss how our precision cyclo gearbox designs could be the solution you are looking for to maximize the efficiency and energy competitiveness of your solar power generation system by combining solar tracking accuracy with reliable, trouble-free operation.