Innovative Setups for Photovoltaic Solar Trackers to Really Boost the Electricity Generation per Square Meter of Occupied Surfaces

The new energy transition paradigm imposes the maximum exploitation of renewables. So, in order to maximize the photovoltaic (PV) electricity generation, the optimal exploitation of the terrestrial surface profitably exposed to the sunlight is now became a must. In this contest, the main aim of the proposed idea is to maximize the electricity generation capacity per square meter (m2) of the surface area occupied by a PV-installation. Specifically, starting from the well-known advantageous of solar tracking systems, and considering also their main drawbacks, to achieve our goal, we propose to reformulate the conventional installation of PV-plants endowed with single-axis solar tracking systems, by reconsidering both their installation consistency and also their solar tracking logics. In particular, some innovative ideas are introduced, discussed and experimentally tested. Specific attention is devoted to some (patented) techniques that aspire to maximize the PV-generation of PV-installations endowed by innovative single-axis solar tracking systems, per m2 of the occupied surface. Firstly, the setup of conventional and well known “single-layer” PV-installations endowed by single-axis solar trackers is reformulated, by forcing the maximization of the PV-power installed per m2 of the available (and occupied surface), also reconsidering the solar tracker control logics. Finally, an innovative “double layer” PV-installation, recently introduced by the authors within an international patent application, is also briefly described, for giving some first insights on how the PV-generation can be increased even more. Experimental tests are performed by taking advantage of a home-made prototype.