QBotix Solar Tracking System

Unlike traditional solar trackers, which can greatly intensify the energy output of solar cells by keeping them optimally aligned to the sun, a new tracking system from QBotix gets a robot to do the rounds of the solar installation throughout the day and adjust the panels at 40-minute intervals to ensure they are optimally facing the sun. The QBotix Tracking System (QTS) replaces individual motors and controllers (traditionally located on each panel mount) with a pair of autonomous mobile robots, one primary and one back up. The system is modular, thus the tracks can be extended if more panels are added. QBotix claims its Solbots to be dustproof, waterproof (to IP-65 rating) and able to monitor and operate a 300 kW solar array. The panels need to be mounted on QBotix designed mounting system that is compatible with the robots. The QTS is a dual-axis tracking system that follows the sun vertically and horizontally, reportedly it will generate up to 40 percent more energy than fixed mount systems and up to 15 percent more energy than existing single-axis.
Via:gizmag.com