And utility scale generators already use 1 axis tracking to maximize production. Hail storm predicted? Panels rotate to vertical to minimize vulnerable surface area.
> Many large-scale PV systems integrate intelligently controlled single-axis trackers that can execute peril-specific defensive stow strategies. Leveraging these capabilities, plant operators can manually or automatically rotate a tracker-mounted PV array to an optimal tilt angle for hail risk mitigation. This defensive posture will reduce hail-impact energies and the exposed hail-field impact area, effectively decreasing the number of direct hail strikes and decreasing hail-impact energies.
I wonder if it might actually be cheaper to use the panels to protect the tracking (and other) equipment, and just replace them.
If they're flat on top like this only the panels should be exposed, it's easy to see if they're broken, and apparently they're less than half the cost of the system.
