Dual-Axis Trackers Remain A Niche In Utility Applications

If increased supplier participation signals an emerging trend, then dual-axis trackers (DAT) appear to be gaining renewed attention. While this segment had a single representative in last year’s survey, the current edition includes products from 3 companies, with ASUN and Big Sun Energy joining Mechatron.

The beauty of dual-axis trackers is that they can maintain an optimal angle of incidence throughout the day and year and are technically superior. However, due to their complex mechanical architecture and heavy structural requirements, they are not well accepted in commercial utility-scale deployments.

ASUN has developed an innovative tracker design in collaboration with IIT Delhi. At first glance, it looks exactly like an HSAT tracker, but the difference starts with its orientation. Unlike the typical HSAT, which is N-S-oriented, ASUN’s tracker is installed in E-W orientation. The modules are installed in a specially designed reinforced frame, which is held with an E-W rail beam. During the operation, instead of moving the entire tracker table, the individual modules integrated in the frame rotate in the E-W direction using the rail beam mentioned above. That means each and every module moves independently in the E-W direction. The tracker table only moves N-S to align with the seasonal change in the sun’s position. The design is free of a torque tube, which, according to ASUN’s founder, Varun Sachar, gives the tracker structure a weight similar to that of typical HSAT systems despite using a special module frame. Another important benefit of the technology, according to Sachar, is higher GCR. In a practical scenario, a 1 MW plant using 600 W modules requires about 2.5 acres with ASUN’s technology, whereas standard trackers typically require 3.5 acres, he explains. This is mainly supported by the frame design. The frame holding the modules is designed so that each module’s long side is oriented in the E-W direction, reducing the gap between modules to avoid inter-module shading.

ASUN uses a 500-600 mm gap, and the module rotation is fixed between ±45°. This module-spacing design enables superior rear-side irradiance capture by reducing inter-row shading and improving ground albedo exposure. This results in a higher bifacial energy yield than in tightly-packed module configurations used in conventional trackers. The reinforced frame design also provides the structure with a higher wind resistance of up to 170 km/h. The gaps between the modules also make the tracker design compatible with Agri-PV applications. The tracker can hold up to 54 modules, and addressing the question of torsional strength, Sachar says that ASUN’s product is free of bearings and relies on a self-lubricating polymer bush sourced from Europe. These bushes come with a guaranteed life of 100,000 rotations, while the tracker uses only 10,000 to 15,000 over a 25-year lifespan, estimates Sachar.

ASUN was incubated at IIT Delhi with seed funding, then self-financed. The company has also patented the technology in India, the US, Canada, all of Europe, and the UK. “Altogether, we have patents in about 40 countries now,” says Sachar. The company describes itself as a relatively small player, with its largest completed project to date being a 4 MW installation in Pavagada, Karnataka. It currently holds an order book of approximately 60-65 MW and is anticipating an additional 52 MW project in Chhattisgarh. ASUN’s technology is based on a modular platform that enables the technology to derive a tilted tracker configuration by simply eliminating N-S movement. As to the reliability, ASUN acknowledged that it has not conducted wind tunnel testing, citing the high cost of such tests – estimated at INR 40-50 lakh per test – as beyond its current financial capacity. The company noted that wind tunnel testing is typically performed to ensure modules do not detach under high-wind conditions. It stated that its design reinforces each module with an additional frame for structural strength, but confirmed that formal wind tunnel validation has not been undertaken. On the other hand, the early customers will benefit from the competitive pricing. Given the simple yet robust technology, ASUN says it can offer a competitive pricing of INR 5/W.

The text is an edited excerpt from TaiyangNews’ Market Survey on Solar Trackers 2026, which can be downloaded for free here.