solspårare

A solspårare, translating to "sun tracker" in English, is a device that follows the apparent movement of the sun. This is typically achieved through a mechanism that continuously adjusts the orientation of a solar collector, such as a solar panel or a solar thermal collector, to face the sun directly. The primary purpose of a solspårare is to maximize the amount of solar radiation captured by the collector, thereby increasing its energy output.

There are two main types of solspårare: single-axis and dual-axis. Single-axis trackers typically rotate the collector on one axis, usually from east to west to follow the sun's path across the sky. Dual-axis trackers, on the other hand, can rotate on two axes, allowing them to track the sun's position more precisely throughout the day and across different seasons, accounting for changes in solar altitude as well as azimuth.

The control systems for solspårare can range from simple clockwork mechanisms to sophisticated electronic systems employing light sensors or astronomical algorithms. Light sensors detect the direction of maximum solar intensity and adjust the collector's position accordingly. Astronomical algorithms use pre-programmed data about the sun's position based on time and location to predict and follow its movement.

The increased energy yield from using a solspårare can significantly improve the efficiency of solar power generation. However, they also add complexity and cost to solar installations, requiring maintenance and potentially being more susceptible to damage from strong winds. Despite these drawbacks, solspårare are widely used in both large-scale solar power plants and smaller residential installations where maximizing energy production is a key objective.