Abstract
Sun-tracking is an important mechanism to boost the electricity generation from photovoltaic systems by adjusting the orientation of the systems to receive more solar radiation. However, compared to the fixed-array systems, the use of the single-axis and dual-axis sun-tracking systems is usually impeded by increased cost, decreased reliability, and cumbersome maintenance. In this paper, we compare the performance of fixed-array, single-axis, and dual-axis rooftop photovoltaic systems in California using the data envelopment analysis method. For each system, an efficiency score is computed based on capacity, electricity generation, system cost, module use, solar irradiance and ambient temperature. We find the single-axis systems perform significantly better than the fixed-array and dual-axis systems. The fixed-array systems are more efficient than the dual-axis systems but the difference is not significant. The results imply the policymakers and solar installers should promote the single-axis sun-tracking and be cautious of using the dual-axis systems.
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