What the UK Research Shows — Floating Solar + Tracking
1. Azimuthal Tracking Significantly Increases Output
A University of Exeter research team modelled floating photovoltaic (FPV) systems across 12 lake and reservoir sites around the UK and compared fixed-tilt arrays with single-axis solar trackers (especially azimuthal trackers, which rotate horizontally to follow the sun). It found:
- Azimuthal tracking delivered the largest energy gains — boosting annual energy production by up to ~26.9 % compared to fixed arrays.
- Other single-axis configurations (east-west and north-south) showed lower increases (9.1 % and 20.2 %, respectively).
- Tracking also reduced levelized cost of energy (LCOE) across UK sites, making floating solar more competitive even in a country with relatively lower irradiance. (Solar Now)
What this means:
By orienting the panels to follow the sun’s path each day, tracking systems allow solar arrays to capture more direct sunlight over longer periods, lifting generation without needing additional panels.
How Tracking Tech Works on Floating PV
Azimuthal Single-Axis Trackers
- These systems rotate on a horizontal plane (like a turntable), turning the panel array to face the sun as it moves across the sky.
- For floating systems, this can be done with low-impact mechanical supports or pontoon-mounted pivots that keep the array stable on water. (Solar Now)
Why Floating PV Is Ideal for Tracking
Floating solar already has advantages like:
- Cooling effect from the water, which enhances panel performance.
- No competition for land use and easy deployment on reservoirs or industrial water surfaces.
- When combined with tracking, these factors compound yield gains compared with standard fixed systems. (solarfloatuk.com)
Energy & Cost Benefits
Higher Annual Yield
- Azimuthal tracking can boost annual energy production up to +26.9 % compared with fixed mounting — a large gain for UK solar resources.
- Because floating solar often uses bodies of water with minimal shading, the relative boost from tracking can be even more significant than on ground-mounted arrays. (Solar Now)
Improved Economics
- Higher output lowers levelized cost of energy (LCOE) — meaning power generated per unit investment drops over the system’s life.
- Even with higher upfront capital for trackers, the return on investment becomes more attractive due to more energy captured and sold. (Solar Now)
UK Floating Solar Performance Context
- Solar generation has grown in the UK; although wind power still dominates, floating solar is gaining attention as part of a marine renewables mix.
- Thousands of reservoirs and lagoons across the UK are promising sites for FPV. With tracking, these installations could supply more reliable and competitive clean energy while preserving land. (CleanTechnica)
Expert Commentary & Insight
“Tracking unlocks latent solar potential in low-irradiance regions.”
The Exeter researchers noted that UK conditions — lower overall sunshine — make it essential to extract as much energy as possible from available light. Tracking systems do this by reducing cosine losses (when panels aren’t facing the sun) and extending effective generation hours. (Solar Now)
Economics Matter for Deployment Scale
Although tracking increases investment costs (for motors, control systems, and maintenance), the significant output gains improve project economics, especially over a 30-year lifespan. In many cases, the more electricity produced per panel per pound invested can tilt decisions toward tracking, particularly for larger floating installations. (Solar Now)
Complementary to Other Innovations
Tracking is part of a broader innovation trend in solar PV technologies, including smart control systems, AI-optimized monitoring, and remote performance optimization — all designed to maximize efficiency and performance. (PR Newswire)
Broader Significance for UK Renewable Targets
The UK aims to scale renewables to meet its net-zero targets. Floating solar — especially enhanced with tracking — offers:
- Land-efficient solar expansion, complementing wind and rooftop PV.
- Potential use on industrial water bodies, reservoirs, and disused quarries.
- Reduction in water evaporation and synergy with hydro systems where applicable. (The Floating Economy)
Tracking thus strengthens the practical value proposition of floating solar in the UK energy mix.
Summary
| Feature | Impact of Tracking on UK Floating Solar |
|---|---|
| Annual energy production | Up to ~26.9 % increase vs fixed arrays (Solar Now) |
| Cost competitiveness | Lower LCOE with higher output (Solar Now) |
| Geographic applicability | Works across northern and southern UK sites (Solar Now) |
| Economic potential | Improves ROI despite higher early capex (Solar Now) |
Tracking technology — especially azimuthal single-axis systems — is proving a game-changer for floating solar in the UK by boosting output, lowering long-term costs, and helping further integrate solar into the nation’s clean-energy portfolio. (Solar Now)
Here are case-study–style examples and expert commentary showing how tracking technology is boosting the performance of floating solar power projects in the UK — with data from recent UK research and technology developments:
Case Study 1 — University of Exeter Floating Solar Tracking Research
Project & Research Context
A University of Exeter research team carried out comprehensive simulations of 10 MWp floating photovoltaic (FPV) plants at 12 real UK lake and reservoir sites spanning northern Scotland to southern Cornwall. The study compared fixed-tilt systems with various single-axis tracking configurations, including:
- East-West (E-W) single-axis
- North-South (N-S) single-axis
- Azimuthal single-axis tracking (rotational system that follows the sun’s path like a turntable). (Solar Now)
Performance Results
The simulations showed that tracking technology significantly boosts energy output, especially at UK latitudes:
Energy Production Gains
| Configuration | Annual Energy Production vs Fixed |
|---|---|
| E-W single-axis | ~9.1 % increase |
| N-S single-axis | ~20.2 % increase |
| Azimuthal single-axis | ~26.9 % increase |
Azimuthal tracking delivered the highest increase in energy production across the UK sites studied — nearly 27 % more electricity per year than fixed installations. (Solar Now)
Economic Impacts
The researchers also compared the levelized cost of energy (LCOE) — a key economic metric that spreads lifetime costs over total energy generated:
- Fixed FPV assumed investment: $12.9 m
- Single-axis FPV with tracking assumed: $14.1 m
- Despite higher upfront costs, azimuthal tracking produced the lowest LCOE across all UK sites — between 8.80 ¢/kWh and 10.82 ¢/kWh — because of the higher annual generation. (Solar Now)
Expert Commentary
Aritra Ghosh (Lead Researcher):
“The benefit of single-axis tracking is greatest for higher latitude sites due to the more significant mitigation of shading losses… Azimuthal tracking yielded the highest specific production of any tracking system.” — pv magazine International (Solar Now)
Why this matters:
Even in the UK’s moderate solar resource environment, tracking systems greatly enhance performance, making floating solar more competitive with other renewables like wind. This counters a common misconception that UK solar potential is limited. (Solar Now)
Case Study 2 — Broader Floating PV Tracking Technology Trends
Commercial Tracking Designs for Water Operators
Although not UK-specific, new floating PV tracker designs emerging globally are highly relevant — and are influencing UK project planning and tech adoption.
One example is Soltec’s “Flotus” floating tracker, designed to operate on inland water bodies (lagoons, reservoirs), which:
- Uses east-west tracking to increase exposure during morning and evening hours
- Can boost energy production by ~15 %–25 % compared to fixed floating systems, depending on latitude and site conditions
- Is engineered for robust performance in windy conditions using pumped ballast systems to stabilize floating platforms. (pv magazine International)
Relevance to the UK:
While this design was reported in 2024 internationally, technologies like “Flotus” are directly applicable to UK reservoir and inland water solar projects, especially where space is constrained and wind loads are a design factor. (pv magazine International)
Key Takeaways — Why Tracking Matters for UK Floating Solar
1. Higher Energy Yield
Tracking systems — particularly azimuthal single-axis designs — can increase annual electricity production by ~26.9 % compared to fixed arrays in UK floating solar projects. (Solar Now)
Comment: That’s a major uplift in sites with limited sunshine, making projects more cost-effective and economically viable.
2. Reduced Levelized Cost of Energy
Although tracking systems add to upfront capital, the increase in lifetime generation lowers the LCOE, improving the financial performance of solar plants. (Solar Now)
Comment: For developers, a lower cost per kWh can be decisive in winning bids, attracting investment, or achieving policy targets like Contracts for Difference (CfD) allocations.
3. Strong Case for Integration with UK Renewable Mix
Floating solar can complement wind and land-based solar, and tracking enhances this synergy by optimizing performance throughout the day and year. (Solar Now)
Comment: Analysts now see floating solar — especially with tracking — as part of a balanced renewables portfolio, rather than niche technology.
Overall Expert Commentary
Performance Scaling at UK Latitudes: Tracking yields are especially valuable in higher latitudes like northern UK, where static panel orientations lose more sunlight to low solar angles. (Solar Now)
Economics Favor Smart Designs: Even with higher initial costs, higher generation and lower LCOE make tracking attractive for long-term project returns, an important consideration for investors and utilities.
Tuning for Local Conditions: Simulation studies like the Exeter research provide project developers with precise data across region-specific climates, helping choose the optimal tracker type per site. (Solar Now)
In Summary
| Aspect | Tracking Effect in UK Floating PV |
|---|---|
| Energy Output Increase | Up to ~26.9 % over fixed systems (Solar Now) |
| Economic Efficiency (LCOE) | Lower with tracking despite higher capex (Solar Now) |
| Best Performer | Azimuthal single-axis tracking (Solar Now) |
Tracking technology is not just a performance addition — it’s fast becoming a strategic enhancement for the next generation of UK floating solar projects, helping them compete with other large-scale renewables and pushing solar’s role in the country’s low-carbon energy transition. (Solar Now)