Solar Trackers vs Fixed Mount? How to choose

Solar trackers are the future of solar energy, which is why we’re excited to see them become more accessible to homeowners. However, many people wonder if they have the space and money for a tracker installation. The answer is yes! Trackers are great at capturing more sun in their panels during every hour of daylight. That means you can get more power out of your system than with a fixed mount installation—even if you don’t have quite as much room to spare on your property as other homeowners might have had in years past. It can be easy to trust our work with our contractor's extensive history. You can get more information at Reliable Renewable Solutions!

Trackers vs. Fixed

You can choose between tracker-mounted and fixed solar panels. For most people, trackers are a great option if you have the space and budget for them. But what if you don't have the room? Is there an alternative?

Trackers are generally more expensive than fixed mounts, but they're also more efficient because they follow the sun across its path throughout the day (and year). A tracker will generate about 10% more energy per square foot than a comparable non-tracking system over its lifetime--but that extra efficiency comes at a cost: about $2 per watt when compared with fixed mount systems ($1.60/W vs $1 per W). The higher price tag is usually worth it if your property has enough space to accommodate tracking hardware without interfering with other uses of your land or structure; otherwise, stick with non-tracking options like ground mounts or roof mounts instead!

The Advantages of Trackers

Trackers are the most common type of solar array mounting system in use today. Their advantages include:

• They can follow the sun as it moves across the sky, keeping panels at a consistent angle to maximize energy output.

• Trackers also help with shading issues by rotating out of direct sunlight when necessary and into direct sunlight when possible. This helps prevent energy loss due to shade, which can be caused by clouds passing over or nearby trees casting shadows on your panels' surface area.

Fixed Mount Solar Panels

Fixed mount solar panels are less expensive than trackers, but they're also less efficient and can only be installed in certain locations. Here are some pros and cons of fixed mount:

• Pros: Fixed mounts are easy to install and maintain. They're also ideal if you don't have enough room on your roof or ground for a tracker system, like if there's an obstruction like a tree or fence in the way.

• Cons: Fixed mounts may not get as much sunlight as trackers because they face south instead of tracking the sun throughout the day (though this problem varies depending on where you live).

How Many Solar Panels Do You Need?

The amount of panels you need depends on the size of your home, how much electricity you use and how much sun you get. If you're just looking for an estimate, this calculator can help determine what kind of system is right for your home.

You can also use an online tool like Solar Calculator from PG&E or the National Renewable Energy Laboratory's Solar Calculator to get more specific information about how many panels will work best with your situation. We can help you determine at Reliable Renewable Solutions!

Case Study: The Dunbar School District Builds a Community Solar Project

The Dunbar School District in Washington DC has a community solar project. The school district partnered with Clean Energy Collective (CEC), an energy services company that develops and manages renewable energy projects. CEC designed, financed and constructed the solar array on top of the Dunbar High School's roof using tracker technology to maximize energy production.

The benefits of this type of system include:

• Solar panels are installed on the roof of the school

• No need for land acquisition or permitting fees because it's already part of their building

Trackers are a great option if you have the space, but fixed can work too!

Trackers are a great option if you have the space and want to maximize your energy production, but they're not the only way to go. Fixed mounts can also be an economical choice, especially if you live in an area with lower solar potential or want to keep costs down.

Fixed mounts require less maintenance than tracker systems because their panels don't move around (though they do still need cleaning). If you're on a tight budget and don't plan on expanding your solar array anytime soon, fixed may be your best bet! We do both at Reliable Renewable Solutions!

Conclusion

The choice between a fixed mount and a tracker is a big one, but it doesn't have to be. If you're unsure about which type of system is right for your home or business, we recommend getting in touch with an installer who can help guide you through the process. They'll be able to answer questions about whether solar panels will work at all on your property (which can often depend on things like shade), what kind of budget you should set aside for installation costs (this depends on how much electricity needs replacing), and so forth. And remember: even if you don't go with trackers right away, they may still be worth considering down the road when upgrading existing equipment! You can contact us at Reliable Renewable Solutions!