Maximizing Solar Tracking Efficiency in Harsh Conditions with PVH, solar tracking system have improved its technology and currently there are three main sources of power to supply the controller installed on each tracker/motor,

• Self-Powered, a dedicated PV Panel for the controller, it is the most common in the industry. Usually implemented with a Battery as back up.
• AC/Cable, a more traditional way, typically without back up on the controller but relaying on the power source (UPS, generator, etc). Falls into greater costs of maintenance and installation.

NOTE: In PVH Controller, this option takes out Battery and PV Panel and substitutes them by an AC/DC Converter.

• String Supplied, taking part of power produced by the tracker to supply the controller, can have a backup. Takes a small amount of power from the total Site production. In this case, the security measures against electrical shocks and/or damages are greater than in previous two options.

PVH is an expert on the Self-Powered version of the controller, while more than 99% of its portfolio supplied this way, even in critical areas. Nevertheless, for PVH Controllers AC is also a valid option, external costs implied leads our customers to the Self-Powered version.

In this article, all counter measures available to Maximizing Solar Tracking Efficiency in Harsh Conditions with PVH and how our self-powered system is designed to withstand these challenges?

Environmental Challenges and Their Impact

Operating in northern regions with harsh winters presents specific challenges for solar trackers, including snow loads, extreme cold, and low direct irradiation levels.

1. Snow

Snow is an issue to keep in mind on some projects due to the extra load that can fall on the modules, increasing greatly the load on the tracker structure. It also can damage the modules when accumulating on the “roads” cutting the movement range of the modules.

PVH calculates the snow load project wise, studying each project on detail.

2. Cold Temperatures

Cold temperatures can affect any electronic system and have a direct impact into the battery systems. It is needed to advert both the charging and discharging ranges of a controller, to acknowledge its real operability on the specific Site regarding the battery performance and lifetime.

PVH calculates the Status of Charge project wise, studying each project on detail based on the available TMY (customer specific or from external sources).

3. Diffuse Irradiation (or low Direct Irradiation)

Another ambient condition that can reduce the performance of a Solar PV Plant is the seasons when the Irradiation available is mostly of Diffuse component (cloudy days).

In such case, the normal tracking of the sun lost its sense due to the change from Direct to diffuse Irradiation so it must be considered other behaviors as more appropriate to capture more Irradiation.

The impact is also noticeable in the battery behavior, a normal tracking in such conditions will reduce the charge due to the movements while not charging back due to low Direct Irradiation.

PVH can calculate the improvement of a Site when using its own developed Diffuse Optimization Service.

PVH’s Solutions for Harsh Environments

To address these environmental challenges, PVH has developed advanced countermeasures tailored to each situation:

Snow Countermeasures

A snow sensor installed in the TBox central controller activates protective behaviors. In case of heavy snow combined with wind, the system locks trackers into a safe stow position until conditions improve. This prevents module damage and ensures operational safety.

Cold Weather Solutions

PVH’s controllers offer support for two types of battery chemistries:

• LFP: Suitable for moderate conditions, operating down to -20°C.
• LTO: Designed for extreme environments, functioning at temperatures as low as -40°C. LTO batteries also have an extended lifetime, making them an ideal choice for prolonged operations in severe climates.

PVH provides a customized State of Charge (SOC) report for each project, integrating TMY data to optimize battery performance and lifecycle.

Diffuse Irradiation Optimization

PVH’s Diffuse Optimization Service leverages:

• A local irradiation sensor mounted on a PVH tower (self-powered and wireless).
• ProInsights platform to dynamically determine the tracker’s optimal position, minimizing unnecessary movements and maximizing energy absorption from diffuse light sources.

Dynamic Stepping enables the system to assess the irradiation’s nature and decide whether to maintain current positioning, realign for diffuse irradiation, or resume tracking for direct sunlight.

Conclusions

In harsh environments, prioritizing tracker protection is crucial, as energy production can be minimal. PVH addresses these challenges with:

• A reliable low-battery alarm system ensuring trackers enter safe stow positions.
• The use of Half-Cut PV Panels for faster recharging under adverse conditions.
• Comprehensive, data-driven reports tailored to specific project needs.

Real Cases Performance

PVH’s solutions have been tested in diverse climates across Poland, Latvia, and Romania. Below is a summary of their impact:

Site	Sunlight Not Captured (LFP)	Sunlight Not Captured (LTO)	Diffuse Optimization Improvement
Latvia	− 5.02%	− 3.61%	+0.95%
Romania	− 2.23%	− 0.37%	+0.58%
Poland	− 3.37%	− 0.81%	+1.02%

These results demonstrate how LTO batteries outperform LFP in reducing sunlight not captured, while Diffuse Optimization further enhances efficiency by increasing energy absorption and reducing unnecessary tracker movements.

Discover Full Case Poland; Discover Full Case Latvia ; Discover Full Case Romania