Advanced Dual-Axis Backtracking Improves Output While Reducing Project Costs—Technology That Produces the Best Project Internal Rate of Return in the Solar Industry

This paper reviews the results of 3 years of research and development in optimizing solar project internal rate of return (IRR) through various solar mounting strategies, including fixed-mount, single-axis, and dual-axis tracking. Various tracking algorithms are explored. The results of the research show that shadowing from adjacent photovoltaic (PV) arrays, as well as horizon clouds, significantly impact power output in traditional mounting architectures, but that innovative tracking algorithms and array shape can reduce the negative impact of shadowing. These innovations produce greater power output while reducing project costs and substantially increasing project IRR.