## 1 Introduction  
Electric power is key in modern societies as it is present in many aspects of daily life. Therefore, global electricity demand increased by 2.2% in 2023 [1]. Furthermore, with the expansion of hydrogen production and electric vehicles, this dependence will grow further. Figure 1 shows the global electricity demand in very important applications, as follows [2]: (i) hydrogen production, (ii) energy-intensive industries (steel, chemical, non-metallic minerals, non-ferrous metals, paper industries, etc. ), (iii) other industries(construction, mining, textile, etc. ), (iv) household appliances and cooking (cookers, ovens, refrigerators, washing machines, dishwashers, clothes dryers, computers, televisions, etc. ), (v) cooling and heating (space heating, water heating, and space cooling in buildings), and (vi) light-duty vehicles. This global electricity demand is at the centre of the 2022 and estimated 2050 scenarios. The estimated increase in electricity demand in 2050 compared to 2022 is as follows: (i) 39.43% for hydrogen production, (ii) 22.17% for energy-intensive industries, (iii) 20.23% for other industries, (iv) 13.83% for household appliances and cooking, (v) 15.31% for cooling and heating, and (vi) 18.97% for light-duty vehicles. Electricity generation to meet this high demand is currently the largest source of carbon dioxide (CO\({}_{2}\)) emissions in the world [1]. Global CO\({}_{2}\) emissions from electricity generation increased by 1% in 2023 [1]. The use of coal in electricity generation was responsible for this increase in CO\({}_{2}\) emissions from the global power sector. These high CO\({}_{2}\) emissions have put this issue at the top of the political agenda in many countries. At the same time, the electricity sector is leading the transition towards the decarbonisation of strategic sectors, with the aim of achieving net-zero emissions in this sector. In 2023, the use of fossil fuels in power generation was 61% globally [1]. This is estimated to drop to 54% in 2026 [1]. To this end, it has promoted the use of renewable energies such as solar and wind power. The European Union promotes environmental regulations for the decarbonisation of the electricity sector [3]. These regulations encourage the use of renewable energy sources in electricity generation. Wind and solar energy are two clear examples of clean and sustainable energy sources that can meet the demand for electricity. The availability of solar energy worldwide makes solar photovoltaic (\(PV\)) technology a reliable solution used to reduce CO\({}_{2}\) emissions from the electricity sector and to comply with the environmental constraints in many countries. This technology is particularly attractive due to the following characteristics: (i) ease of installation, (ii) low maintenance, and (iii) scalability. The choice of a mounting system for \(PV\) modules in the design phase of a \(PV\) power plant is based on maximising the power generation, reliability, durability, and maintenance efficiency of the system [4]. It is not possible to maximise all four objectives at the same time. \(PV\) module mounting systems can be implemented depending on the movements around a given axis as follows [5]: (i) dual-axis trackers, and (ii) single-axis trackers. Comparing these two systems, it can be concluded that dual-axis tracking systems generate more electrical power [6], although maintenance costs are higher [7], and they also have lower reliability and durability [4]. These characteristics are the reason for prioritising the use of horizontal single-axis trackers in \(PV\) plants [4]. Horizontal single-axis trackers are estimated to have a market share of more than 95% [8], as they are cheap, easy to  
Figure 1: World electricity demand vs. applications, 2022–2050. install, and have minimal operating costs. These advantages are reflected in the global solar tracker market [4]. In 2022, this market was valued at _USD_ 3.2 billion, and it is estimated to reach _USD_ 7.2 billion by 2033 [4].