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Solar panels that fold flat beat fixed arrays by nearly 40%
TU Graz says its FLAPTrack solar system boosts average yield by just under 40% and folds face-to-face to shield panels from hail, wind, snow, and dust.
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TU Graz researchers have built a photovoltaic system designed to do two things at once: raise output and protect panels from severe weather. The setup, called FLAPTrack—short for Face-to-Face Lay-Down Anti-Degradation Protection—tracks the sun on both horizontal and vertical axes, then automatically folds into a protected position at night or when storms approach.
A 1.8 kWp demonstration system is now running on the roof of an office building at TU Graz’s Campus Inffeldgasse. The work was published in Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews.
According to Armin Buchroithner of the Institute of Electrical Measurement and Sensor Systems, the core innovation is a patented linear actuator that both tracks the sun and folds the modules into a stow position.
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“The system’s key innovation is a patented linear actuator that fulfills two functions: It tracks the sun and folds the panels to a protective stow position.” “This dual function enables us to save on installation and operating costs, thereby improving cost-effectiveness.”
The researchers report an average energy-yield increase of just under 40% versus fixed PV modules, with gains of up to 56% on some days. TU Graz says the economics improve further because the system produces much more power during morning and evening demand peaks. In those periods, Buchroithner said, FLAPTrack can generate more than twice as much electricity as conventional systems thanks to tighter solar tracking.
That effect is especially strong in winter and at higher latitudes, where the sun stays lower in the sky. The folding mechanism also helps keep modules clear of snow, which can sharply cut winter performance in standard installations.
Hail and storm protection
FLAPTrack is also built to reduce weather damage. By folding the modules face-to-face and laying them flat on the ground during storms or hail, the system cuts the exposed surface area and protects the active panel surfaces. The rear sides can be shielded with a low-cost hail net.
Buchroithner said hail damage to silicon wafers can create hotspots, raising internal resistance and reducing performance across the whole module. The system is connected to a local weather station and regional weather forecast models so it can stow panels automatically when conditions worsen.
For long-term testing, the team has added sensors to capture data on weather, energy yield, wear, and wind forces. Those results will be used to improve autonomous operation and cut weight through lighter design.
The paper is: Armin Buchroithner et al, “The future of PV tracking? An interdisciplinary performance assessment of a novel design with panel protection,” Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews (2025), DOI: 10.1016/j.rser.2024.115287.
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via TechXplore
