Tracker pitch refers to a key measurement in solar tracker systems, specifically defining the spacing between rows.
According to the provided reference from December 15, 2017, in a N-S tracker system, pitch is defined as the E-W (East-West) distance from post to post for the tracker.
This measurement is crucial for the design and performance of a solar farm utilizing single-axis trackers. It essentially determines how far apart parallel rows of solar panels are placed.
Why is Tracker Pitch Important?
Understanding and correctly calculating tracker pitch is vital for several reasons:
- Shade Avoidance: The primary reason for careful pitch calculation is to prevent inter-row shading. As the sun moves across the sky and the trackers tilt the panels, one row can cast a shadow on the row behind it. Proper pitch ensures that shading is minimized or eliminated during critical production hours, maximizing energy yield.
- Site Density: Pitch directly impacts how many rows of trackers can fit onto a given parcel of land. A smaller pitch allows for more rows and potentially higher total capacity, but increases the risk of shading. A larger pitch reduces shading risk but decreases the number of panels on the site.
- Energy Yield Optimization: Finding the optimal pitch involves balancing site density with shading losses to achieve the highest possible energy production for the project footprint.
- Construction Logistics: The pitch dictates the layout on site, influencing access roads, cabling, and construction efficiency.
Practical Application
Let's consider a simple example:
Imagine you have a large field and plan to install solar trackers. If each tracker row has posts aligned in an East-West direction, the pitch is the distance you measure directly West (or East) from a post in one row to the corresponding post in the adjacent row.
| Metric | Definition | Direction | Importance |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tracker Pitch | E-W distance from post to post for the tracker | East-West | Shade avoidance, Yield |
Engineers use specialized software to simulate solar paths and tracker movements to determine the optimal pitch for a specific location, taking into account factors like latitude, panel size, tracker tilt range, and desired production profile.
In summary, tracker pitch is a fundamental design parameter for solar tracker projects, specifically measuring the East-West spacing between rows, primarily calculated to manage inter-row shading and optimize site utilization.
