Analysis of impact to optical environment of the land by flat-plate and array of tracking PV panels

Abstract The impact to the optical environment result from shading of PV panels becomes concerned. This paper describes how to calculate illumination level on the land around tracking PV (both isolated and arrayed) panel. The land under the flat-plate PV is dark by shading, but the influence from the tracking PV is not very significant, typically half in average. This is because shadow by tracking panel moves. The shading influence is further decreased with the increase of pedestal height. With this advantage, tracking PV can be combined with agriculture as a double use of the land.