How It Works
From field hardware to cloud analytics — here is how TrackLab brings your solar tracking system online.
Five steps from installation to optimised energy yield. Each layer builds on the last to give you complete visibility and control over every tracker on site.
Install
Each tracker row receives a TCU (Tracker Controller Unit) mounted directly on the structure in a weatherproof IP65 enclosure. A single NCU (Network Control Unit) is installed at site level to coordinate the entire farm. Both units are designed for harsh outdoor environments with lithium-ion battery backup.
- TCU mounted on each tracker row with DC motor drive
- NCU installed at site level as the central coordinator
- IP65-rated weatherproof enclosures for all hardware
- Lithium-ion battery backup ensures operation during outages
Connect
The NCU communicates with every TCU on site using LoRa wireless, RS485, CAN-2.0, or Fibre (TCP/IP) depending on the installation layout. The NCU then connects upstream using the deployment’s selected network model, linking the site to the TrackLab monitoring workflow for remote visibility and control.
- LoRa wireless for long-range, low-power field communication
- RS485 and CAN-2.0 wired options for dense installations
- Deployment-specific uplink from NCU to monitoring platform
- NCU coordinates all TCUs on site as single point of contact
Monitor
The TrackLab portal provides a real-time dashboard showing live tracker positions, battery health, motor status, and communication quality across your entire fleet. Drill into individual devices or view site-wide summaries — all from any web browser, anywhere.
- Live tracker positions and motor status per row
- Battery voltage and charging state monitoring
- Communication quality metrics across all devices
- Fleet-wide overview with drill-down to individual units
Automate
Configure automation rules that respond to real-world conditions without manual intervention. Set up wind stow thresholds, schedule firmware updates, broadcast parameter changes across device groups, and define notification policies that alert your team when attention is needed.
- Automatic wind stow and recovery based on weather thresholds
- Scheduled firmware updates deployed over the air
- Parameter broadcasts to device groups in a single action
- Notification policies with email, SMS, and webhook channels
Optimise
Use historical analytics and performance trends to continuously improve energy yield. Correlate tracker behaviour with weather data, compare performance across farm sections, generate compliance reports, and identify underperforming rows before they impact production.
- Historical data analysis with custom date ranges
- Weather correlation to validate tracking accuracy
- Performance comparison across farm sections and rows
- Compliance reporting and exportable audit records
Want the deeper technical breakdown?
Move from the high-level workflow into architecture, controller roles, or a deployment review with the TrackLab team.