We Shed Some Light on Solar Tracker Costs

By Geoffrey Sperring

October 21, 2024

You've just installed a residential solar system at some considerable expense, but you're not getting the power you expected. The problem seems worse in winter when the sun is low on the horizon, but even in summer, you're only getting full power from the solar installation when the sun is directly above.

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Your installer suggests adding more panels, but you don't have the space. You've heard of solar trackers and want to know how much a solar tracker costs.

What Is a Solar Tracker?

A solar panel sun tracker is a mechanism that lets you adjust the angle of the solar panels so they're perpendicular to the sun. A solar tracker system allows the panels to produce significantly more power. According to the U.S. Energy Information Administration, a single-axis tracker can increase the cumulative power generated by 21% compared to solar panels mounted at a fixed angle. A dual-axis solar tracking system is even better, achieving a 31% power increase over the year.

How Much Does a Solar Tracker System Cost?

The cost of solar array trackers depends on their size, method of operation and complexity. The simplest type is a manual solar tracker. These are cheap but unwieldy and only suited for adjusting the angle of the solar panels to compensate for seasonal changes in the position of the sun.

A home system typically has a capacity of 4.5 kW and could consist of around 15 panels of 300 watts each. As a single-axis solar tracker costs around $500 (CAD 679) per panel, according to Solar Reviews the total cost for 15 panels would be $7,500 (CAD 10,185). For a dual-axis solar tracking system, you can expect to pay around $1,000 (CAD 1,358) per unit, doubling the cost to $15,000 (CAD 20,371).

In addition to the tracker cost, you need to consider solar panel costs. These prices have dropped recently, and you can expect to pay between $1 and $1.50 (CAD 1.36 and CAD 2.04) per watt. For 15 panels providing a total of 4.5 kW, the cost will be $4,500 to $6,750 (CAD 6,111 to CAD 9,166) for the panels only.

How Much Does Installation and Labor Cost?

The above figures don't include panel supports and wiring materials. If the panels are mounted on the ground, you need a foundation, and if they're mounted on the roof, you'll need to prepare the roof to accommodate roof-mounted trackers.

Taking these factors into account, Forbes says you can expect to spend another $1.40 to $2.10 (CAD 1.90 to CAD 2.85) per watt, so the total installation cost for a 4.5kW solar installation would be in the region of $6,300 to $9,450 (CAD 8,556 to CAD 12,834). The installation costs for standard solar panels and tracker-mounted panels are similar because the trackers replace the standard solar panel supports.

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What Factors Influence the Cost of These Units?

When estimating how much a solar tracker costs, no allowance is made for site conditions. Most solar power tracker installations are on the ground and need clearance between panels to prevent shadows from adjacent panels from interfering with solar energy tracking. The same applies to roof trackers, and these may not suit all roof types.

Passive solar trackers are self-contained and don't need an external power source. Instead, they use a liquid that evaporates when exposed to the sun, tilting the panel to face the sun. Active solar trackers use hydraulic cylinders and motors. Depending on the installation, it's often possible to tap into solar power, but in other instances, these motors require an external power source.

Provided the system complies, you can claim a federal solar tax credit on the cost of the panels and their installation. Certain states and utilities also offer rebates and tax credits.

Are Solar Panel Trackers Worth It?

The total installed cost of a 4.5 kW solar installation with trackers is between $18,300 and $31,200 (CAD 24,852 and CAD 42,371), depending on your solar tracking kit. This is significantly higher than the cost of a fixed solar system, which can be from $10,800 to $16,200 (CAD 14,667 to CAD 22,000).

There's no doubt that solar tracking systems significantly increase the output of a solar installation. But the cost is high, and when comparing how much a solar tracker costs, you may achieve the same result with more solar panels.

But if space is limited, you need the additional flexibility of a solar power tracker system. Also, if you're off the grid, a solar tracker can help you consistently meet your household's power demand during the year.

All CAD conversions are based on the exchange rate on the date of publication.

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