Economic Analysis and Performance Comparison of Solar Tracking vs. Fixed-Axis Systems in Solar Power Plants: A Case Study in Iraq

A comparison on the performance and economic analysis of a solar tracking system and a fixed-axis photovoltaic (PV) system is done. The increased need of clean energy in the world today makes solar power a significant alternative source of fossil fuels. Specifically, this paper focuses on the techno-economic feasibility of these two system configurations of a solar power plant in Babylon, Iraq. The nature of previous research is usually constrained by the generic comparisons that fail to capture the circumstances of site and lifecycle cost evaluation. The main contribution of this study is the in depth and location specific model, which is a combination of the performance simulation and the financial analysis. The project-specific data used in the methodology is solar resource and load profiles to derive the main measures and indicators of energy efficiency, annual energy production (AEP), initial capital cost and the levelized cost of energy (LCOE). It is discovered that the tracking-axis system has a better efficiency range of 18% - 20% percent than 15% - 18 % in the case of the fixed-axis system. Even though the initial cost of the tracking system is higher 1200 - 1500 S/kWp compared to 1 000 - 1200 S/kWp of the fixed one), the AEP of the tracking system is much greater (1800 – 2100 kWh/kWp per year) as compared to that of the fixed one (1500 – 1800 kWh/kWp per year). The tracking system therefore shows a possibility of a better LCOE throughout the project period.