Why you never see tracking systems on residentual cases?

[JJoll]

hi,
I was always wondering why they never put sun-tracking systems for solar panel for residential customers. I know it has a initial high cost, but would not be profitable in the long term? (since if you add tracking system, the efficiency will go much higher).
should I go add sun tracking system? is maintenance cost high?

[Naptown]

The problem is they break, are high maintenance and the additional power they would produce can be offset with a few more fixed panels for less cost

[Sunking]

Simple economics. Trakers only harvest about 25% more energy and plagued with maintenance issues. It is cheaper to just add more panels.

[inetdog]

hi,
I was always wondering why they never put sun-tracking systems for solar panel for residential customers. I know it has a initial high cost, but would not be profitable in the long term? (since if you add tracking system, the efficiency will go much higher).
should I go add sun tracking system? is maintenance cost high?

They also take up what is usually valuable yard space, given that you have to protect them from access and also keep them out of the shade.
Trackers especially require a clearer horizon than a roof mounted panel if you are to get the benefit of the extended hours.
For mechanical reasons, trackers are pretty much limited to ground mount. It is hard to support the pole adequately against wind forces on top of the roof.
The argument that pretty much kills them for residential use is that if you have enough roof space you can get the same increased output cheaper by adding more fixed panels than you can by installing trackers.
The clear horizon also limits how close two tracker panels can be mounted to each other, again requiring more space.

One exception is near the equator where a multi-panel horizontal axis tracker can be really helpful (again assuming that you have a clear sky view.)