Here are a few links to some articles analyzing the photovoltaic advantages of solar tracking systems.
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In this paper, an electromechanical, two axes sun tracking system is designed and constructed.
An experimental study was performed to investigate the effect of using two axes tracking on the solar energy collected. The collected energy was measured and compared with that on a fixed surface tilted at 32° towards the south. The results indicate that the measured collected solar energy on the moving surface was significantly larger than that on a fixed surface.The two axes tracking surface showed a better performance with an increase in the collected energy of up to 41.34% compared with the fixed surface.(Emphasis added, Webmaster.)
Maximum Collectable Solar Energy by Different Solar Tracking Systems Authors: Helwa N. H.; Bahgat A. B. G.; Shafee A.M.R.E.; Shenawy E.T.E. Source: Energy Sources, Volume 22, Number 1, 1 January 2000 , pp. 23-34(12) Publisher: Taylor and Francis Ltd
Abstract: The output energy from any solar energy system depends on the solar energy input to that system. Using different ways to track the solar energy system to follow the sun can increase solar energy input according to the type of the tracker. A practical study was carried out on different solar tracking systems. The layout of these systems are a fixed system facing south and tilted 40 degrees, a vertical-axis tracker, a 6 degrees tilted-axis tracker, and a two-axis tracker. All the trackers are microprocessor controlled systems, and all systems have photovoltaic arrays for electric energy production. The evaluation of the different systems is based on a complete year of measurements for solar radiation input to the systems and the electric power output from them. The study also includes the effect of some operating parameters on the tracker operation. These studies showed that the collected solar energy as well as the electrical output energy of the tracking solar system are more than that of the stationary system.(Emphasis added, Webmaster.) These gains are higher in the case of the two-axis tracker and decrease gradually from the vertical-axis tracker to the tilted-axis tracker.
Rugged, Reliable, Cost-Effective Solar Energy Tracking Provides up to 38% Increase in Annual Energy Production Compared to Flat PV Panels Alone(Emphasis added. Webmaster)
http://cat.inist.fr/?aModele=afficheN&cpsidt=18121704 Titre du document / Document title Design and construction of a two-axis Sun tracking system for parabolic trough collector (PTC) efficiency improvement Auteur(s) / Author(s) BAKOS George C. (1) ; Affiliation(s) du ou des auteurs / Author(s) Affiliation(s) (1) Laboratory of Energy Economics, Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, Democritus University of Thrace, 67 100 Xanthi, GRECE
Résumé / Abstract
An experimental study was performed to investigate the effect of using a continuous operation two-axes tracking on the solar energy collected. The collected energy was measured and compared with that on a fixed surface tilted at 40° towards the South. The results indicate that the measured collected solar energy on the moving surface was significantly larger (up to 46.46%) compared with the fixed surface. (Emphasis added, Webmaster.) The proposed two-axis Sun tracking system was characterized by a fairly simple and low-cost electromechanical set-up with low maintenance requirements and ease on installation and operation.
Revue / Journal Title Renewable energy ISSN 0960-1481 Source / Source 2006, vol. 31, no15, pp. 2411-2421 [11 page(s) (article)] (8 ref.)
This paper appears in: Electric Utility Deregulation and Restructuring and Power Technologies, 2008. DRPT 2008. Third International Conference on Publication Date: 6-9 April 2008 On page(s): 2586-2591 Location: Nanjuing, ISBN: 978-7-900714-13-8 INSPEC Accession Number: 9989822 Digital Object Identifier: 10.1109/DRPT.2008.4523847 Date Published in Issue: 2008-05-16 14:24:11.0
Abstract
The principles and key technologies of automatic sun-tracking control system in PV generation are introduced. In general for PV application, the automatic sun-tracking system is needed to operate reliably in poor environment for a long time... A[n] active tracking control technology is adopted... The PV generator station with multiple types of tracking forms has been built in Yang Bajin of Tibet. Field experience shows that the designed system is stable and reliable, and can greatly improve the efficiency of PV power generation system and reduce electricity costs.