The Solar Energy Association of Ukraine (SEAU) held an open meeting of the SEAU Installers Committee jointly with the Association member company Solar Steelconstruction.
The event focused on discussing the technological capabilities and practical experience of using HSAT HORIZON solar trackers by SOLARsk to improve the efficiency of solar power plants.
The meeting took place on March 5, 2026, in an online conference format. The session was moderated by Oleksandr Alyokhin, Chair of the SEAU Installers Committee, while the speaker was Andrii Antonov, Technical Director of Solar Steelconstruction.
The event brought together representatives of engineering companies, solar power plant developers, installers, and experts from the renewable energy sector.
During the presentation, the speaker provided a detailed overview of the operating principles of HSAT HORIZON horizontal single-axis solar trackers, their architecture, control systems, and practical operational experience.
Tracker systems allow solar panels to adjust their tilt angle throughout the day following the sun’s movement, which significantly increases electricity generation.
“A solar tracker is not just a movable metal structure for mounting photovoltaic modules. It is an intelligent system operating 24/7 that allows not only an increase in total electricity generation but also a shift of generation to hours when electricity has higher market value,” said Andrii Antonov.
According to the expert, comparisons between tracker-based and fixed-tilt structures show that the use of tracker systems can increase annual electricity generation by 13-20%, depending on site conditions and project characteristics. The most noticeable gains occur during morning and evening hours, when traditional fixed structures operate less efficiently.
During the meeting, particular attention was also given to the economic aspects of using trackers in utility-scale solar power plants.
According to the company’s estimates, additional electricity generation can generate approximately €23,000 in additional annual revenue per 1 MW of installed capacity compared to power plants using fixed mounting structures.
“Taking the additional generation into account, a tracker system typically pays back the investment in about three years of operation. From the fourth year onward, it begins to generate additional profit for the plant owner,” explained Andrii Antonov.
According to the speaker, the approximate cost of a tracker structure is around €80,000 per 1 MW, although the final cost depends on land characteristics, soil geology, and the configuration of the future power plant.
The event also covered key technical aspects of tracker system implementation, including:
- the structure and operating principle of the tracker table
- the Horizon MS control and monitoring system
- tracker operation algorithms, including backtracking functions to prevent shading
- protection mechanisms against wind and snow loads.
The control system allows operators to monitor tracker performance both locally and remotely via a web interface, using data from meteorological stations, sensors, and motor control units.
It was also noted that the trackers can operate in a wide range of climatic conditions and are adapted for deployment throughout the entire territory of Ukraine.
Another important topic of discussion was the integration of tracker systems with energy storage systems (BESS). According to Andrii Antonov, combining trackers with energy storage enables optimization of electricity generation according to hourly price dynamics in the electricity market.
Trackers generate more electricity during morning and evening hours, allowing stored energy to be used more efficiently and increasing the overall profitability of the project.
During the Q&A session, participants discussed several practical aspects of tracker deployment, including:
- the impact of trackers on the Levelized Cost of Electricity (LCOE)
- installation requirements and support structure geometry
- compatibility with different types of photovoltaic modules
- backup power requirements for control systems
- operation and maintenance of tracker-based solar plants.
According to the speaker, maintenance of tracker systems is relatively simple and typically includes routine inspections of structural and electronic components approximately twice a year.
Participants noted that solar tracker technologies are becoming an increasingly important component of modern solar power plant development, particularly amid growing electricity market price volatility. The search for solutions that enhance generation efficiency and improve project economics is becoming one of the key drivers of industry development.
The Solar Energy Association of Ukraine will continue organizing expert discussions and facilitating the exchange of practical experience among market participants, contributing to the deployment of innovative technologies in solar power generation.
Please note that recordings of all SEAU meetings and webinars are available to SEAU members upon request. The recording of this meeting and the expert presentation will also be available in the upcoming issue of the Solar Digest.