Thermal-Aware Tracking for Photovoltaics: Reducing Module Degradation Without Sacrificing Yield

Elevated operating temperatures for photovoltaic modules remain a critical challenge for PV systems, particularly in regions with high irradiance. High temperatures lower efficiency and accelerate module degradation. Single-axis trackers generally rely on algorithms that maximize irradiance capture. To tackle the dual challenge of maximizing production while preventing overheating, we propose a thermal-aware tracking algorithm. The method substantially reduces module temperatures during inverter clipping, a common occurrence in PV systems with high dc/ac ratios. By moderating plane-of-array irradiance (POAI) only when excess power cannot be exported, the algorithm reduces the module temperature without compromising energy yield. Validation using an advanced thermal model that accounts for wind-driven convection and radiative exchange with the sky shows that, under the climatic and operational conditions in Chile, the algorithm performs best when panels are oriented closer to horizontal. Implemented on a solar tracker in northern Chile, the algorithm achieved module temperature reductions of up to 7.7 °C along with decreased UV exposure, enhancing thermal performance without compromising system output and thereby improving efficiency while minimizing degradation.