New
Delhi, April 14 2026: SgurrEnergy, an independent renewable energy
technical advisory and engineering company, has released the findings of an
independent techno-economic assessment comparing Fixed-Tilt (FT) and Horizontal
Single-Axis Tracker (HSAT) mounting systems across representative Indian solar
geographies. 

The
study’s modelled scenarios indicate that tracker-based systems may achieve up
to 23% higher specific yield under certain site conditions while potentially
reducing overall EPC costs by as much as 10%, subject to project design,
location and modelling assumptions. The analysis highlights the importance of
site-specific evaluation when assessing mounting system selection for
utility-scale solar projects in India.

The
assessment evaluates energy yield and Levelized Cost of Energy (LCoE) across Rajasthan,
Andhra Pradesh, and Madhya Pradesh, selected to represent diverse
irradiation profiles, terrain conditions, and climatic environments. Using
high-resolution SolarGIS resource data and detailed PVSyst simulations, the
study analysed system performance under both CUF-matched and constant-DC
scenarios to ensure a robust and like-for-like comparison.

The
findings highlight the modelled performance differences of HSAT systems. Under
the Study’s simulated scenarios, trackers require approximately 14-18% lower
installed DC capacity to achieve the Capacity Utilization Factor (CUF) levels
comparable to fixed-tilt systems, indicating reductions in infrastructure
intensity. Even at equivalent DC capacities, HSAT configurations demonstrated a
3–4 percentage point improvement in CUF within the evaluated case. Across all
three evaluated states, tracker systems showed higher simulated specific yield
outcomes compared to fixed-tilt setups, with 15–23% higher specific yield and
12–16% higher transposition gains, driven by continuous sun tracking and
enhanced irradiance capture throughout the day.

Speaking
on the findings of the report, Jawwad Shaikh, Manager at SgurrEnergy,
said, “This assessment showed that system-level optimisation can materially
change the economics of solar projects. Based on our findings and under the
evaluated scenarios, single-axis trackers demonstrated the ability to achieve
the comparable CUF with lower DC capacity assumptions while delivering
materially higher energy yield when compared to fixed -tilt systems. The
implications are not just better performance but goes beyond to overall
infrastructure intensity and lifecycle cost structures. For developers and
asset owners operating in competitive markets, such design considerations can
play a critical role in investment decisions.”

Rajeev
Kashyap, Senior Vice President and General Manager, Nextpower India Private
Limited added, “In a market where tariff
competitiveness and performance certainty define project success, mounting
system selection has become a strategic decision rather than a purely technical
one. This independent assessment provides valuable analytical insight into how
optimised tracker configurations can materially enhance energy productivity while
reducing overall project cost intensity. The ability to achieve target CUFs
with lower DC sizing, improved generation profiles, and stronger lifecycle
economics reinforces the long-term value proposition of HSAT systems. Such
data-driven analysis contributes to more informed decision-making for
developers, investors, and lenders evaluating next-generation solar assets in
India.”

The
study confirms that optimized tracker configurations can be implemented without
increasing project capital costs.When designed to meet defined CUF targets
within the modelling framework, HSAT systems may reduce overall EPC CAPEX by
approximately 7–10% across the evaluated geographies. This reduction is
primarily driven by lower module procurement volumes, reduced DC-side balance-of-system
requirements and decreased civil and structural quantities resulting from
optimised DC sizing. As a result, HSAT systems consistently may achieve lower
Levelized Cost of Energy across all assessed geographies. Across the analysed
cases, the analysis showed that the combination of reduced capital intensity
and higher annual energy yield produces a durable LCoE advantage, reinforcing
trackers as a capital-efficient and execution-friendly solution in
tariff-sensitive procurement environments.

As
India accelerates renewable capacity addition and project developers seek
sharper tariff competitiveness, the study underscores the growing importance of
system-level optimisation in driving both technical performance and financial
resilience in utility-scale solar projects.