Mobile Testing Device to Determine the Accuracy of Photovoltaic Solar Tracking Systems

Solar photovoltaic (PV) systems play an increasingly significant role in global energy production. Compared to fixed-mount installations, PV power plants equipped with solar tracking technology can utilize solar energy more efficiently by continuously orienting the modules toward the sun. This approach can boost energy output by 20–30% for conventional monofacial PV modules, and by up to 50% for bifacial technologies. However, solar tracking systems vary widely in terms of design, accuracy, and cost, making it challenging for investors to identify the most suitable technology for a given project. Selecting the optimal tracking strategy requires careful consideration of technical goals, financial constraints, and site-specific conditions. In practice, investors often rely on manufacturer documentation and anecdotal operational experience prior to installation. Unfortunately, performance limitations or tracking inaccuracies frequently become apparent only after commissioning—leading to costly post-installation corrections. To address this issue, the present study introduces a mobile testing platform designed to evaluate the real-world performance of various solar tracking systems. The proposed device allows for flexible integration with multiple commercially available tracking controllers, enabling direct, field-based validation of their accuracy and behavior. The innovation lies in the platform's modular architecture, which facilitates broad compatibility and practical pre-investment analysis under realistic conditions.