Solar trackers track the sun’s movement and position throughout the day, allowing solar panels to optimise their angle and position for maximum power generation.

Solar is at the heart of the UK’s mission to become a clean energy superpower. Government data shows there was a total of 21.5 GW of solar capacity in the UK across 1.9 million installations as of the end of November 2025. Harnessing as much solar energy as possible is critical to maintaining a secure energy supply and the transition to net-zero carbon.

Solar trackers make it easier to generate as much energy as possible throughout the day. They’re usually installed on ground-mounted solar panels and are rarely used in domestic installations. Panels that track the sun promise higher output from the same patch of land, squeezing more value from every ray of sunlight.

However, solar trackers introduce moving parts, higher costs, and greater maintenance demands. Understanding where trackers genuinely add value, and where fixed panels remain the smarter option, is essential before deciding whether tracking technology belongs in a UK solar system.

Key Takeaways on Solar Trackers:

• Solar trackers move panels to follow the sun, increasing energy exposure.
• Mainly used for ground-mounted commercial or agricultural installations.
• Single-axis trackers can increase output by 10–20%; dual-axis by 20–30%.
• Higher upfront and maintenance costs compared to fixed systems.
• Moving parts require regular inspections and occasional component replacement.
• Best suited for large-scale farms, agricultural sites, and off-grid systems.
• Not recommended for domestic rooftops, small commercial sites, or budget-limited projects.
• Alternatives like optimised panel tilt, east-west layouts, additional panels, or battery storage often provide better value.
• Ground-mounted trackers may require planning permission and specialist installation.
• Trackers increase energy but don’t always improve financial returns in the UK; fixed panels are more practical for most installations.

What Is a Solar Tracking System?

A solar tracking system is a mechanical structure that allows solar panels to move throughout the day so they remain aligned with the sun’s position in the sky. Instead of staying fixed at one tilt and direction, the panels adjust their orientation as the sun rises, moves across the horizon, and sets.

The goal is simple. Keep sunlight hitting the panels as directly as possible for as long as possible throughout the day.

Fixed solar panels are installed at a compromise angle. In the UK, that angle is usually chosen to balance annual output rather than maximise generation at every moment. Solar trackers remove that compromise by actively adjusting the panel position, helping systems capture more direct sunlight in the mornings, afternoons, and during seasonal shifts.

Most solar trackers are mounted on the ground rather than on rooftops. Roof structures are rarely designed to handle the additional weight, movement, and mechanical stress involved. Ground-mounted systems allow trackers to rotate freely, avoid shading issues, and maintain stability during operation.

This is why tracking systems are far more common in commercial solar farms, agricultural land, and large-scale energy projects than in typical homes.

How Do Solar Trackers Work?

Solar trackers continuously adjust the position of solar panels so they face the sun as directly as possible throughout the day. As the sun moves from east to west and changes its elevation in the sky with the seasons, the tracker adjusts its tilt, rotation, or both. This keeps sunlight striking the panel surface at a more direct angle, which improves energy generation compared to a fixed installation.

Most tracking systems rely on one of two control methods. Some use light sensors that compare sunlight intensity across different points and move the panels toward the strongest signal. Others follow a programmed path based on time, date, and geographic location, calculating where the sun should be in the sky at any given moment. In practice, many modern systems combine both approaches to improve accuracy and reliability.

Movement is usually powered by electric motors connected to gears or hydraulic components. These motors operate slowly and incrementally, making small adjustments throughout the day rather than constant motion. On overcast days, trackers still follow their programmed path, even when direct sunlight is limited.

While this means the performance advantage is reduced during cloudy conditions, the system remains ready to capture stronger sunlight whenever it appears.

Types of Solar Trackers Used in the UK

Solar trackers are not all built or designed in the same way. The differences are not just technical. They affect installation space, cost, reliability, and the amount of extra energy a system can realistically produce in UK conditions. Understanding these distinctions helps clarify where tracking systems make sense and where they introduce unnecessary complexity.

Single Axis Solar Trackers

Single-axis trackers rotate panels along one direction, usually from east to west. This allows the system to follow the sun’s daily path across the sky without adjusting for seasonal changes in the sun’s height.

These trackers are the most common option used in UK solar farms. They offer a noticeable increase in energy generation compared to fixed panels while keeping mechanical complexity relatively low.

Key characteristics

• Follows the daily sun movement
• Lower cost and fewer moving parts than dual-axis systems
• Easier to maintain over long periods

Dual Axis Solar Trackers

Dual-axis trackers allow panels to move in two directions. They follow the sun from east to west and adjust the tilt angle as the sun rises higher in summer and lower in winter.

This design captures the maximum sunlight exposure but comes with significantly higher costs, larger space requirements, and greater maintenance demands. In the UK, dual-axis trackers are mostly used in specialist or research-driven installations rather than large-scale commercial sites.

Key characteristics

• Tracks both daily and seasonal sun movement
• Highest potential energy gain
• Most complex and expensive tracker type

Manual, Passive, and Active Tracking Systems

Beyond axis movement, trackers are also classified by how they adjust their position.

Manual trackers require periodic manual adjustment. They are simple and low-cost but impractical for larger systems.

Passive trackers use thermal expansion or fluid pressure to move panels in response to heat differences. They operate without motors but offer limited precision.

Active trackers use motors and electronic controls. They provide the most accurate tracking and are the standard choice for commercial installations.

Solar Tracker Type Comparison

Tracker Type	Movement	Typical Use in the UK	Complexity	Maintenance Needs
Single axis	East to west	Solar farms, commercial arrays	Medium	Moderate
Dual axis	East to west plus seasonal tilt	Specialist and research sites	High	High
Manual	Hand adjusted	Small or experimental setups	Low	Low
Passive	Heat responsive	Niche applications	Low to medium	Low
Active	Motorised and controlled	Commercial installations	Medium to high	Moderate

Understanding the different types of solar trackers highlights why most UK installations favour simpler designs. The balance between added energy generation and long-term reliability is more important than maximum theoretical output.

How Much More Energy Do Solar Trackers Produce in the UK?

The main reason solar trackers are considered at all is the promise of higher energy output. The reality is that performance gains vary widely depending on tracker type, location, and seasonal conditions. In the UK, those gains are real but more modest than figures often quoted from sunnier regions.

Typical Performance Gains in UK Conditions

In practical UK installations, solar trackers increase annual energy generation by improving exposure during mornings, evenings, and periods when the sun sits lower in the sky. The biggest improvements tend to appear during late spring and summer, when daylight hours are longest, and skies are clearer.

Performance gains are usually measured against fixed ground-mounted systems installed at an optimised tilt.

Realistic UK Energy Yield Increases

System Type	Average Annual Output Increase	Seasonal Variability
Fixed panels	Baseline	Low
Single-axis tracker	10 to 20 percent	Moderate
Dual-axis tracker	20 to 30 percent	High

These figures reflect real-world UK conditions rather than ideal laboratory settings. Dual-axis trackers can exceed these ranges on clear summer days, but annual averages remain constrained by winter daylight hours and cloud cover.

Why Output Gains Are Limited in the UK

Several factors restrict how much additional energy trackers can deliver.

• Short winter days significantly reduce tracking benefits
• High cloud cover limits the impact of direct sun alignment
• Lower sun angles reduce peak intensity even when tracking is accurate

As a result, trackers improve generation consistency across the day rather than transforming total annual output.

What Performance Gains Do and Do Not Mean

Higher energy production does not automatically translate into better financial returns. The additional output must outweigh higher installation costs, ongoing maintenance, and potential downtime. For many UK systems, particularly smaller ones, the energy gains alone are not enough to justify the added complexity.

Understanding realistic performance expectations is essential before moving on to cost and value considerations, which often play a much larger role in deciding whether solar trackers are worth installing.

Solar Tracker Costs in the UK

Solar trackers add mechanical complexity to a solar installation, which directly impacts cost. While trackers can increase energy output, they also raise upfront investment and long-term ownership expenses. In the UK, cost is often the deciding factor in whether a tracking system makes sense.

Typical Solar Tracker Costs

Tracker pricing varies depending on system size, tracker type, and site conditions. Costs are usually quoted per kilowatt of installed capacity and do not include the cost of the solar panels.

Tracker Type	Typical Cost per kW	Cost Impact Compared to Fixed Mounts
Fixed mounting system	Baseline	Lowest
Single-axis tracker	£500 to £1,200	Moderate increase
Dual-axis tracker	£1,200 to £2,500	Significant increase

These figures reflect typical UK commercial installations and may vary depending on supplier, scale, and site access.

Installation Cost Factors

Several elements influence the final installation price.

• Ground preparation and foundations
• Electrical and control system complexity
• Access for machinery and maintenance
• Wind loading and structural reinforcement

Sites with uneven terrain or restricted access often see higher installation costs than flat, open land.

Solar Tracker Ongoing Maintenance and Repair Costs

Unlike fixed systems, trackers contain moving parts that require regular inspection and servicing.

Cost Area	Fixed Panels	Solar Trackers
Routine inspections	Low	Moderate
Mechanical servicing	None	Required
Repair risk	Minimal	Higher
Long-term reliability costs	Low	Moderate to high

Over the lifespan of a system, maintenance costs can significantly reduce the financial advantage gained from additional energy production.

Why Trackers Often Cost More Than Adding Panels

In many cases, increasing system output by installing additional fixed panels is cheaper than investing in tracking equipment. Panels continue to fall in price, while tracker components remain specialised and mechanically complex. This cost imbalance is a key reason trackers remain uncommon in UK domestic installations.

Cost alone does not determine value, but it heavily shapes whether solar trackers deliver meaningful returns in real-world UK conditions.

Are Solar Trackers Worth It in the UK?

Whether a solar tracker is worth installing depends less on headline efficiency gains and more on how those gains translate into long-term value. In the UK, the balance between added output, higher costs, and ongoing maintenance is finely weighted.

Cost Versus Additional Energy Generated

Solar trackers increase annual generation, but they also raise the total system cost. When the additional energy produced is measured against the extra investment, the financial return is often marginal.

Option	Upfront Cost Impact	Typical Output Gain	Overall Value
Fixed panels	Lowest	Baseline	Strong
Fixed panels with extra capacity	Moderate	15 to 25 percent	Strong
Single-axis tracker	Higher	10 to 20 percent	Mixed
Dual-axis tracker	Highest	20 to 30 percent	Weak to mixed

For many UK projects, adding more fixed panels delivers better value per pound spent than installing a tracker.

Payback Period Considerations

Trackers typically extend the payback period of a solar installation. Higher installation costs and maintenance requirements slow the rate at which energy savings offset the initial investment. In regions with limited winter sunlight, this effect becomes more pronounced.

In commercial settings where land is restricted or grid export limits apply, trackers can shorten payback by maximising output from a fixed footprint. Outside of these scenarios, payback periods tend to lengthen rather than improve.

Situations Where Trackers Make Financial Sense

Trackers are most viable when space is limited, and panel expansion is not an option.

• Utility-scale solar farms with fixed land boundaries
• Agricultural sites where land use efficiency is critical
• Off-grid systems where maximising generation hours matters

In these cases, improved output consistency can justify higher system complexity.

Situations Where Trackers Rarely Pay Off

For many installations, trackers introduce costs without sufficient returns.

• Typical UK homes
• Small commercial rooftops
• Budget-focused solar projects
• Sites exposed to high winds or difficult ground conditions

In these scenarios, simplicity and reliability usually outweigh the benefits of tracking.

Understanding value in the UK context means recognising that more energy does not always mean better economics.

Pros and Cons of Solar Tracking Systems

Solar trackers offer clear advantages in specific scenarios, but those benefits come with equally clear drawbacks. Looking at both sides side by side helps clarify why tracking systems remain a niche choice in the UK.

Advantages of Solar Trackers

Solar trackers improve how efficiently a site uses available sunlight.

• Increased energy generation during mornings and evenings
• Better utilisation of the limited land area
• More consistent power output across daylight hours
• Useful for off-grid and specialist installations

These benefits are most relevant where maximising generation from a fixed footprint is a priority.

Disadvantages of Solar Trackers

The same features that increase output also introduce new challenges.

• Higher upfront installation costs
• Moving parts that increase failure risk
• Ongoing maintenance and servicing requirements
• Greater exposure to wind and weather damage
• More complex planning and engineering

For many UK projects, these disadvantages outweigh the additional energy gained.

Pros and Cons Comparison

Aspect	Solar Trackers	Fixed Solar Panels
Energy output	Higher	Lower
Upfront cost	Higher	Lower
Maintenance needs	Moderate to high	Low
Mechanical complexity	High	Minimal
Suitability for homes	Poor	Excellent
Long-term reliability	Moderate	High

Seeing the trade-offs clearly helps explain why most UK solar installations still rely on fixed mounting systems despite the theoretical efficiency advantages of tracking technology.

Installation and Planning Considerations in the UK

Installing a solar tracking system involves far more planning than a standard fixed array. The requirements go beyond panel placement and extend into land use, structural engineering, and regulatory considerations that are particularly important in UK conditions.

Space and Layout Requirements

Solar trackers require clear, unobstructed space to move freely. Panels must be spaced further apart than fixed systems to prevent shading as they rotate throughout the day. This increases land requirements and limits where trackers can be installed.

Ground-mounted trackers also require sufficient clearance for maintenance access, further reducing usable panel density on smaller sites.

Wind Loading and Weather Exposure

UK weather introduces additional challenges for moving solar systems. Trackers present a larger surface area to wind, increasing structural stress during storms. For this reason, systems must be engineered with stronger foundations and safety mechanisms that allow panels to move into protective positions during high winds.

Sites exposed to coastal conditions or elevated terrain often face higher engineering and insurance requirements.

Planning Permission and Regulations

Most solar trackers are ground-mounted and may require planning permission, particularly for larger installations. Local planning authorities assess visual impact, land use, and environmental considerations. Agricultural land and rural sites may face additional scrutiny.

Early consultation with planning officers can help identify constraints before committing to a tracker-based design.

Installer Expertise and System Design

Trackers require specialist installation and commissioning. Not all solar installers have experience with tracking systems, and poor design or setup can reduce performance or increase failure rates.

Choosing an installer with proven tracker experience is essential for long-term reliability and safety.

Maintenance, Reliability, and Lifespan

Solar tracking systems operate for decades in outdoor conditions, which makes long-term reliability a critical consideration. While trackers are designed for continuous operation, their mechanical nature introduces maintenance demands that fixed systems simply do not have.

Routine Maintenance Requirements

Trackers require regular inspection to ensure motors, bearings, and control systems remain aligned and responsive. This typically includes checking lubrication points, electrical connections, and structural fastenings.

Maintenance schedules vary by manufacturer, but most commercial systems require periodic servicing throughout the year rather than occasional visual checks.

Reliability Over Time

Fixed solar panels have no moving parts and therefore experience minimal mechanical wear. Trackers, by contrast, are subject to gradual component fatigue from daily movement, wind loading, and temperature changes.

While modern trackers are engineered for durability, failure risk increases over time. Even minor mechanical issues can prevent panels from tracking correctly, reducing output until repairs are completed.

Expected Lifespan Compared to Fixed Systems

Trackers are usually designed to match the lifespan of the solar panels they support, often around 20 to 25 years. In practice, some mechanical components may need to be replaced during that period.

Component	Typical Lifespan	Replacement Likelihood
Solar panels	25 years or more	Low
Tracker motors	10 to 15 years	Moderate
Control systems	10 to 20 years	Moderate
Fixed mounting frames	25 years or more	Low

Impact on System Availability

Downtime affects tracking systems more directly than fixed arrays. If a tracker becomes stuck or enters a safety position, energy production drops immediately. For large installations, this can significantly affect overall output.

Reliability is not just about avoiding failures. It is about how quickly issues are detected, repaired, and prevented from recurring.

Long-term ownership of a solar tracker system requires a willingness to manage mechanical assets. For many UK installations, this added responsibility is a decisive factor when choosing between tracking and fixed solar solutions.

Who Should Consider Solar Trackers?

Solar trackers are designed for specific use cases rather than broad adoption. In the UK, they tend to perform best where land, scale, and operational priorities align with the strengths of tracking systems.

Large Scale Commercial and Utility Installations

Solar trackers are most commonly used in commercial solar farms where maximising energy output from a defined land area is critical. These projects can absorb higher upfront costs and maintenance demands because even small percentage gains translate into large absolute increases in generation.

Dedicated operations and maintenance teams also make ongoing servicing more practical.

Agricultural and Rural Landowners

Trackers can suit agricultural sites where land availability is high, and ground-mounted systems are already planned. In some cases, trackers allow landowners to generate more power without expanding the footprint of an installation.

This can be valuable where land use efficiency or grid export limits restrict system size.

Off-Grid and Specialist Applications

Off-grid systems benefit from extended generation hours rather than solely peak output. Trackers can help improve morning and evening generation, reducing reliance on batteries or backup generators.

Research facilities and demonstration projects may also use trackers to study performance optimisation or emerging technologies.

Suitability Overview

Installation Type	Tracker Suitability	Reasoning
Utility-scale solar farms	High	Output gains justify added complexity
Agricultural land	Moderate to high	Space and flexibility available
Off-grid systems	Moderate	Extended generation hours
Commercial rooftops	Low	Structural and space constraints
Domestic homes	Very low	Cost and complexity outweigh benefits

Solar trackers work best where scale, space, and operational resources are available. Outside of these conditions, simpler fixed systems usually deliver better value and reliability.

Alternatives to Solar Trackers

For many UK solar projects, increasing energy generation does not require moving parts. Several alternatives can deliver meaningful performance improvements with lower cost, less maintenance, and greater long-term reliability than tracking systems.

Optimised Panel Orientation and Tilt

Careful panel placement remains one of the most effective ways to improve output. Fixed panels installed at an angle tailored to UK latitude can achieve strong annual generation without mechanical complexity.

Even small adjustments to tilt or orientation can deliver noticeable gains compared to poorly aligned systems.

East West Panel Layouts

East-west configurations split panels across two orientations rather than facing them all south. This approach increases generation during mornings and evenings, smoothing output across the day.

While peak output is slightly lower, total daily generation can remain competitive, particularly where self-consumption is a priority.

Adding Additional Fixed Panels

In many cases, the most cost-effective way to increase output is simply to install more panels. Falling panel prices mean additional capacity often delivers better returns per pound than trackers.

This approach avoids mechanical risk while increasing total generation.

Battery Storage Integration

Battery systems do not increase generation but improve how energy is used. By storing excess solar power, batteries extend usable solar energy into evenings and periods of low generation.

For many households and businesses, batteries offer a more practical upgrade path than tracking systems.

Final Thoughts

Solar trackers offer a clear technical advantage. They allow solar panels to follow the sun and generate more energy throughout the day. In the UK, however, performance gains are constrained within narrow limits by weather, daylight hours, and cost.

For large-scale solar farms, agricultural landowners, and specialist off-grid systems, trackers can make sense. In these settings, land-use efficiency, extended generation hours, and scale help offset higher installation and maintenance costs. When managed properly, the additional output can justify the added complexity.

For most UK homes and smaller commercial sites, fixed solar panels remain the better choice. Falling panel prices, simpler installation, and higher long-term reliability often deliver stronger financial returns than tracking systems. Alternatives such as improved panel orientation, east-west layouts, additional capacity, or battery storage usually offer better value with lower risk.

The decision comes down to priorities. Solar trackers reward projects that can support mechanical systems and absorb higher costs. Fixed systems reward simplicity, resilience, and predictable performance. Choosing the right approach means matching the technology to the site’s realities, the budget, and long-term energy goals, rather than chasing maximum output alone.

FAQs on Solar Trackers

Are Solar Trackers Worth It?

Solar trackers can be worth it for large-scale commercial, agricultural, or off-grid installations where maximising energy per unit of land matters. For most UK homes and small commercial rooftops, the added costs, maintenance, and complexity usually outweigh the benefits. Fixed panels often deliver better long-term value and reliability.

What Are the Disadvantages of Solar Trackers?

• Higher upfront installation costs compared to fixed systems
• Moving parts increase the risk of mechanical failure
• Require regular maintenance and occasional repairs
• Greater exposure to wind and weather stress
• May need planning permission for ground-mounted systems

What Are the Two Types of Solar Trackers?

1. Single Axis Trackers – Rotate panels east to west to follow the sun’s daily path. They offer moderate energy gains with lower mechanical complexity.
2. Dual Axis Trackers – Adjust panels both east-west and for seasonal tilt, capturing more sunlight but increasing cost, maintenance, and mechanical complexity.

Do Solar Trackers Work on Cloudy Days?

Yes, solar trackers still operate on cloudy or overcast days, but their performance advantage is reduced. Diffuse sunlight limits the benefit of tracking, so output gains are smaller compared to clear, sunny conditions.

How Much Maintenance Do Solar Trackers Need?

Solar trackers require periodic inspections and servicing, including:

• Checking motors, bearings, and electrical connections
• Lubricating moving parts
• Ensuring control systems are correctly calibrated
  Typical commercial systems are serviced several times a year, while fixed panels usually need minimal maintenance.

How Accurate Is a Solar Tracker?

Modern solar trackers are highly accurate, often keeping panels aligned within a few degrees of the sun’s optimal angle. Accuracy depends on the control method, quality of sensors or algorithms, and proper installation. Even small misalignments can slightly reduce energy output but generally do not have a major impact on annual generation.

How Much Power Does Solar Tracking Add?

The additional power depends on the tracker type and UK conditions:

• Single-axis trackers typically add 10–20% more annual energy than fixed panels.
• Dual-axis trackers: typically add 20–30%, though gains are higher in summer and lower in winter.
  Cloud cover, shorter winter days, and site shading reduce the actual annual increase.

Sources and References

GOV.UK – Solar photovoltaics deployment