Huang B.-J.Sun F.-S.2019-06-262019-06-2620072579731https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-39749107886&partnerID=40&md5=61836ee5dccd8f7780c88bbe68959065https://scholars.lib.ntu.edu.tw/handle/123456789/411425A new PV design, called '1-axis three-position tracking PV module', was proposed in the present study. Every PV module is mounted on an individual sun tracking frame. The 1-axis tracking mechanism adjusts the PV position only at three fixed angles (three-position tracking): morning, noon, and afternoon. This '1-axis three-position sun tracking PV module' can be designed in a simple structure with low cost. A design analysis of the 1-axis three-position sun tracking PV module was carried out in the present study. The analytical results show that the optimal stopping angle β is about 50° and the optimal switching angle is half of the stopping angle, i.e. θH=β/2, and both are independent of the latitude. The analysis also indicates that the effect of installation misalignment away from the true south direction is negligible (<2%) if the alignment error is less than 15°. At mid-low latitude region φ<40°, the reduction of power generation due to misalignment is only about 5% even if the alignment error is 35°. The analytical results show that the present 1-axis three-position sun tracking PV module is quite promising in cost reduction. It is estimated that the cost reduction for the present 1-axis three-position PV tracking module is about 15%.Solar photovoltaic; Solar power; Tracking PV[SDGs]SDG7journal article2-s2.0-39749107886