Different Backtracking Strategies for Morning and Afternoon

[Alessia]

Hello PVsyst team,

I would like to suggest a topic regarding the possibility to set different backtracking strategies for the morning and the afternoon.

This request is based on real parameter settings provided by manufacturers for PV plants, and it would be helpful to reflect this functionality within PVsyst.

Is this something you are considering implementing in a future update?

Thank you,
Alessia

[Michele Oliosi]

This is a very interesting suggestion. Do you have an example of such setting specification ?
Do you known if this is to account for irregularities on tracker placement, or rather to keep up with grid demands?

[Alessia]

This occurs on uneven terrain.

For example, in a plant with east-to-west slopes and a homogeneous pitch, shadows can differ significantly between morning and afternoon. To minimize shading, it's common to set a lower (fictitious) backtracking pitch than the real one when the tracker is facing uphill (either east or west, depending on the case).

I know I could simulate this using two separate PVsyst simulations and then combine the results, but of course, it would be better if this could be configured directly in PVsyst.

Thanks!

[Michele Oliosi]

Indeed, this is interesting. As you say, changing the backtracking pitch can be done in PVsyst, but not a different one for morning and evening. Thanks for the feedback !