Forums

mark_2cv

Hi all
Has anyone seen a manufacturer offering a solar tracking base and controller less the solar panel?
I'd be interested in one from the saving of room on the roof and the much higher efficiency compared to flat panels (3 in my case) but cant really justify the cost.
There must be others out there that have existing panels, that would like to upgrade to a tracker if the overall cost were lower - maybe £400 cheaper without a 100/130w panel. It just seems such a waste to replace a perfectly good panel.

Come on Alden / Oyster Etc......

Mark.

Boff

Hi Mark,

I am not aware of any manufacturers offering the tracker base without the panel. However:

mark_2cv

Thanks Gerhard
You may well be right..

Has anyone gone from a fixed solar panel(s) to a tracking type one?
Was there a big difference?

Mark.

Cowly

Hi mark.

Gerhard is dead right,

If you were to use the solar panels at my latitude above 60* north, the ideal angle of the solar panel would be= Lat 60* + 15* = 75* this tilt angle is quite steep,
Tilt angle =
0 - 4* = 10* from Horizontal
5 - 20* = Add 5* to Latitude
21 - 45* = Add 10* to Latitude
45 - 65* = Add 15* to Latitude
65 - 75* = 80* From Horizontal

So if using a tilt / tracking unit there is great gain if using at a high latitude, with only 3 hours of daylight in the winter, and thats on a good day with little or thin cloud,
However if using a solar system at say central Spain with a latitude of only 40* the tilt angle is lower, and the days longer with less cloud, taking into account the cost of a tracking unit and / or solar panel, I fitted extra panels,
I have 100 watt solar fitted laying flat, and have made up a second unit of 110 watt that can be fitted in about 15 mins to the roof rack, is clamped for traveling, but can be tilted up to 75* if required,this panel has a short cable fitted with a small water tight plug,

This system is OK if you have the room available,

As Gerhard stated the gain made by the sales people of tilt units is misleading, unless using it in the North of Norway or above Lat 70*

Good luck.
Colin

davesport

A brief experiment with a new & as yet unfitted Sunpower 90 watt panel.

New panels arrived by courier, knowing it may be some time prior to fitting I think it prudent to test them both to make sure they're working within spec. It was a crystal clear day at 11 AM less than a week ago near Edinburgh

Panel lying flat on the ground positioned randomly by my son. Panel produces 2.2 Amps. With the panel aligned so it's facing directly into the sun it produced 5.2 Amps. Quite an increase but I personally could'nt justify the price of a rotator.

Dave.