SgurrEnergy, an independent renewable energy technical advisory and engineering company, has released findings from an independent techno-economic assessment comparing Fixed-Tilt (FT) and Horizontal Single-Axis Tracker (HSAT) mounting systems across key solar geographies in India.
The study indicates that tracker-based systems can deliver up to 23% higher specific yield under certain site conditions, while also offering the potential to reduce overall EPC costs by up to 10%, depending on project design, location, and modelling assumptions. The analysis underscores the importance of site-specific evaluation in mounting system selection for utility-scale solar projects.
The assessment covered representative states including Rajasthan, Andhra Pradesh, and Madhya Pradesh, chosen for their diverse irradiation profiles, terrain conditions, and climatic variations. Using high-resolution SolarGIS resource data and advanced PVSyst simulations, the study evaluated system performance under both CUF-matched and constant-DC scenarios to ensure a robust comparison.
Findings from the simulated scenarios show that HSAT systems may require 14–18% lower installed DC capacity to achieve CUF levels comparable to fixed-tilt systems, indicating reduced infrastructure intensity. At equivalent DC capacities, tracker systems demonstrated a 3–4 percentage point improvement in CUF. Additionally, HSAT configurations achieved 15–23% higher specific yield and 12–16% higher transposition gains, driven by continuous sun tracking and improved irradiance capture.
Commenting on the findings, Jawwad Shaikh stated that system-level optimisation can significantly influence project economics. He noted that tracker systems not only enhance performance but also reduce infrastructure intensity and lifecycle costs, making them increasingly relevant for developers operating in competitive markets.
Rajeev Kashyap, Senior Vice President and General Manager at Nextpower India Private Limited, added that mounting system selection has evolved into a strategic decision, particularly in tariff-sensitive markets. He emphasized that optimised tracker configurations can improve energy productivity while strengthening lifecycle economics, enabling more informed decision-making for developers, investors, and lenders.
The study further highlights that optimised HSAT systems can be deployed without increasing overall capital costs. Under the evaluated scenarios, tracker-based systems demonstrated the potential to reduce EPC CAPEX by approximately 7–10%, primarily due to lower module procurement requirements, reduced DC balance-of-system components, and decreased civil and structural needs.
As a result, HSAT systems consistently showed lower Levelized Cost of Energy (LCoE) across all assessed geographies. The combination of reduced capital intensity and higher energy yield provides a strong economic advantage, positioning tracker systems as a capital-efficient solution in India’s competitive solar procurement landscape.
Discover more from SolarQuarter
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
