We Shed Some Light on Solar Tracker Costs

By Sandy Hess

October 06, 2025

Solar panels offer a great way to reduce your energy consumption and lower energy costs. The efficiency of these systems depends on their ability to capture the sun’s rays. This makes placement of these panel systems extremely important. A device called a solar tracker helps you maximize their efficiency even more.

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How much does a solar tracker cost? That depends on a variety of factors, but average costs range from $7,500 to $25,000 (CAD 10,332 to CAD 34,441). Continue reading to learn more about solar tracker costs and the factors contributing to this price.

What Is a Solar Tracker?

A solar tracker is a device used in conjunction with solar panels to increase the system’s efficiency. It works on the understanding that solar panels produce the highest level of electricity when receiving direct sunlight.

Unlike fixed panels that remain stationary and only receive direct sunlight at specific times, tracker panels move with the sun’s position. For example, as the sun moves from east to west during the day, so do these panels. Typically, a solar tracker moves an entire line of panels simultaneously. There are three main styles of solar panel sun trackers.

Manual Solar Trackers

As the name suggests, manual solar trackers require someone to manually adjust the panels throughout the day. If no one is available to shift the panels or someone makes the adjustments at the wrong time, it can directly impact the efficiency of the solar trackers. This makes using manual trackers very cumbersome and inefficient.

Passive Solar Trackers

Passive solar trackers move automatically based on outdoor conditions. These trackers include a special liquid with a low boiling point. This liquid evaporates when exposed to solar rays. As the liquid starts to evaporate, it automatically tilts the angle of the panels in the direction of the sun’s rays.

Active Solar Trackers

Active solar trackers automatically tilt the solar panels in accordance with the sun’s position. These trackers include motors and hydraulics to move the solar panels throughout the day. While more effective, these trackers can also be more expensive and come with higher maintenance costs.

How Much Does a Solar Tracker Unit Cost?

Solar trackers work in conjunction with a solar panel system. A standard 4 kW solar system costs an average of $13,000 (CAD 17,863) when mounted on the ground. The cost for trackers averages an additional $500 to $1,000 (CAD 689 to CAD 1,378) per panel. Since the average residential home solar system includes 15 to 25 panels, the additional cost of adding a solar tracker unit ranges from $7,500 to $25,000 (CAD 10,332 to CAD 34,441).

These costs are significantly higher for complex solar tracking systems, such as commercial and utility-grade trackers.

How Much Does Installation Labor Cost?

Labor costs represent a large portion of the overall price for installing and designing solar panels and solar tracker systems.

Installation labor costs.
On average, actual labor fees for installing solar panels and a tracking device represent about 7% of overall costs.
Solar tracking system design fees.
Design fees, including solar panel designs, project management, building permits and approvals, account for as much as 28% of the overall installation costs.

Combined, the total labor costs for installing a solar panel are 35% of the overall costs.

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What Factors Influence the Cost of These Units?

While the cost to install a solar panel system with a tracking device starts at $20,500 (CAD 28,241), these fees can go significantly higher. Several factors impact these costs.

Type of Axis

Solar trackers are available as either single-axis or dual-axis. With a single-axis tracker, the solar panels only tilt in one direction, east to west. Double-axis trackers move the panels in both east-to-west and up-and-down positions.

While a dual-axis tracking system offers greater efficiency than a single-axis option, these units are also twice as expensive.

Type of Terrain and Weather

The type of terrain may make installation more difficult and result in higher labor costs. For example, the type of soil may make it more difficult to install ground-mounted solar systems. However, opting for a roof-mounted tracking system also increases costs.

You also need to consider weather conditions in your area. For example, if you live in a high-wind area or receive heavy snowfall throughout the year, you may need to purchase specialized solar power trackers.

Special Features

Purchasing premium brand solar panel sun trackers or ones with special features, such as advanced control or monitoring systems, can increase costs.

Are Residential Solar Panel Tracker Systems Worth It?

Facts show that these trackers can definitely improve your solar energy system's efficiency and lower energy costs. In fact, one report estimates that single-axis trackers can improve solar panel efficiency by as much as 25% to 35% and by 35% to 45% for dual-axis trackers.

All CAD conversions are based on the exchange rate on the date of publication.

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