How Solar Trackers Will Shape India’s Renewables Opportunity
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India is stepping up its renewable energy game, and its solar power sector is leading towards a greener future. The country’s renewable energy capacity stands at 221 GW (excluding large hydro) as of March 2025, with solar capacity at 106 GW. Solar trackers are set to become a game changer to improve the efficiency of this solar plant, allowing panels to move along the sun’s arc and harvest more sun rays. This breakthrough will help increase the energy yield and contribute to President Modi’s green energy mission.
Understanding Solar Trackers
Solar pole trackers are apparatuses for positioning solar panels to track sun positions. Trackers increase energy generation compared to fixed-axis systems by holding panels perpendicular to the sun. Single-axis trackers can drive efficiency up by 22% and dual-axis up by 27%. This innovation also reduces the levelized cost of energy (LCOE) and makes solar power more price-competitive with other forms of conventional power generation.
Applications Driving Impact
Solar trackers are especially useful in utility-scale solar farms where the scaling effect of hundreds of megawatts of solar energy output is substantial. They are also an essential component of revolt. Raised off the ground like this, they leave room under the panels for shade-tolerant crops—like lettuce—to grow beneath, maximizing land use and supporting clean energy and food security simultaneously.
Challenges to Adoption
Solar trackers, for all their benefits, also have some limitations that hinder their adoption. The upfront cost of capital, about 10% of a project’s budget, is a significant barrier. Due to their complex structure, trackers also need more land and have higher operating and maintenance costs. India’s tariff-based solar market places a lot of pressure on developers to go for the lowest upfront cost, and a lack of awareness of the benefits of trackers over the life of a plant has made adoption slow.
Solutions for Our Children’s Future
Various strategies are being employed to address these challenges:
- Technological Innovation: Trackers that are terrain-adaptive and weatherproof devices are being developed to cater to India’s array of landscapes.
- Financial Support: Developers are in the early stages of affordable housing deals this year, and low-interest loans and subsidies moderate initial costs.
- Policy Initiatives: Extending the PLI to add trackers and driving optimum solar farm designs.
- Capacity development: Technician training and awareness campaigns are advocating the benefits of the tracker.
A Path to Sustainability
Solar tracking is a crucial system that can significantly increase the efficiency of solar energy in India as it works towards achieving its renewable energy targets. However, by addressing these adoption challenges through innovation and supportive policies, India can unlock the true potential of this technology to usher in a cleaner, brighter future.
Disclaimer: This post is informative and should not be considered financial/investment advice. Readers should research and, if appropriate, obtain independent professional advice before making an investment decision.
