The Solar Power Wedge – SOLAR ENERGY 101: Solar Trackers Part II

SOLAR ENERGY 101: Solar Trackers Part II – Types and Design

          The Solar Power Wedge – Made In The USA 

In the previous article Solar trackers (Part I) we introduced the concept of solar trackers, and discussed the main idea behind them. We also described how solar trackers work with respect to light incidence. We added an analysis on percentage savings gained with these systems, and then concluded by describing the two main types of solar tracking systems available in the market. In this article we will discuss types of axis trackers, and look briefly at their designs. There are two types of axis trackers, the Single Axis Trackers and the Dual Axis Trackers.

Single Axis Trackers: are trackers with only one degree through which they rotate or use as axis of rotation. This axis is usually aligned following the North meridian. They rotate azimuthally from east to west following the path of the sun through the sky. The word azimuth can be defined as the horizontal angular distance from a reference direction usually the northern point of the horizon, to the point where a vertical circle intersects the horizon – measured clockwise (confusing I know).

Single axis trackers increase electricity output by 27 to 32%, and is an impressive simple way of improving the potential performance of a commercial solar installation while keeping cost in check. Engineers sometimes tweak the single axis trackers into horizontal single axis trackers (HSAT), vertical single axis trackers (VSAT), tilted single axis trackers (TSAT), and polar aligned single axis trackers (PSAT).

   The Solar Power Wedge – Made In The USA 

Double or Dual Axis Tackers: These have two different degrees through which they use as axes of rotation. The dual axes are usually at a normal of each other, and rotate both east to west zenithally. The first axis known as the primary axis is fixed to the ground and another axis is referenced to it known as the secondary axis. Again there is a new word here zenith, which can be defined as that point on earth (celestial sphere) that is above the observer or the highest point above an observers horizon attained by a celestial body. ‘Above’ meaning the vertical direction opposite an apparent gravitational force at a specific location (now that was simply magic wasn’t it?).Dual axis trackers increase a systems energy output by 35 to 40%; that is an additional 6% on average compared with the single axis trackers. Some engineers also play with the designs of dual axis trackers into Tip-tilt dual axis trackers (TTDAT), and Azimuth-altitute dual axis trackers (AADAT).

Information used on these trackers are latitude dependent, and care should be noted when orienting the panels with respect to the tracker axis because their conversion efficiency ratios are largely dependent on their continues orientation towards the sun. Incorporating one or two types of solar trackers on a commercial installation can make a big difference between producing energy and actually producing enough energy.

We will continue with Part III of this article series to discuss how the tracking technology works and then conclude with the pros and cons of it all. Stay tuned.

   The Solar Power Wedge – Made In The USA 

   The Solar Power Wedge – Made In The USA 

Buy 2,000 Watts and Earn on nearly 3,000 Watts1,000+ Percent increase in production over the life of the system (~40% for 25 years). Single Axis GPS solar trackers seasonally adjusted by patented technology using 51 Global Positioning Satellites, this dramatically outperforms passive or sun sun-sensing devices. Solid state electronic design and a positive drive mechanisms will insure consistent operation in  Single Axis GPS solar trackers Manufactured from the finest quality materials, Solar Power Wedge Trackers are easy to install, easy to operate and inexpensive to maintain while being manufactured in the USA and Canada. The Solar Power Wedge gear drive rotates the PV array on the pole mount so the bottom edge of the array always remains parallel to the ground. The result: a low profile and exceptional stability in the wind. Features: Simple but effective! Mounts from 2,000 to 3,120 Watts Wind Directional Torque Reset Obstruction Torque Reset Seasonal Variations are Simple No Technical knowledge is required No Adjustments are needed No Maintenance Required Extreme Conditions -58°F to 176°F Commercial Applications Commercial Rooftop installations using the structure walls over using flat single membrane weak roofing materials – less damage to roof and no rooftop penetrations required. Product Specifications Tracking Type Single axis with backtracking Tracking Range ~359 degrees Tracking Accuracy 0.04 degrees Control System Astronomical tracking with up to 23 GPS inputs PV Areas Driven by One Motor Up to 3000 DC Watts w/60 cell Modules Capacity per Tracker Block Unlimited Quantity of Motors per MW 333 Drive Type Electric linear motor Motor Type 3,600 psi, single phase, 12V/24V DC Dry Slide Bearings Sealed resistant, no maintenance required Protection Grade Yes Ground Coverage Ratio 0.3-0.5 Land Use per MW Approx. 5.0 Acres Land Slope Up to 60 degrees Tracker Module Block Sizes 4-6-8-12 solar panels Module Support Monocrystalline 60 Cell & Polycrystalline 60 Cell Structural Materials Hot Dip Galvanized high strength steel Maximum Design Wind Speed 140 mph, 3-second gust Windstorm Protection Auto stow, Automatic Codes and Standards EN, IBC, ASTM, GB, NEC, UL, ETL, CEC Tracker Warranty 5 years parts & workmanship, Extendable to 25 years On-site System Commissioning Yes Other Products and Services Customized Racking Installation and Commissioning Monitoring Services Performance Analysis Low Cost Cement Foundations Design and Construction Value Engineering Sales Financing Our . Please contact us for more info.

   The Solar Power Wedge – Made In The USA 

Johnny Krueger

The Solar Tracker Guy So Cal 

   The Solar Power Wedge – Made In The USA 

Johnny Krueger

The Solar Tracker Guy So Cal

johnny@photonamerica.com

Office – 702-425-5115

Cell – 818 428 5147

www.solarwedge.com

Single or dual axis? TS4 single axis tracker & The Solar Tracker Guy So Cal

 

 

Single or dual axis?

 

        TS4 single axis tracker & The Solar Tracker Guy So Cal 

Dual axis trackers can follow the sun both vertically and horizontally, while single axis trackers are generally north-south aligned. The consensus seems to be that dual axis tracking is required for high concentration PV (HCPV) — of 100 suns or more — while for low concentration (2-100 suns) single axis can be used.

“With the current feed-in tariff (FiT) applied, two axis tracking for low-concentrating CPV modules is not paying off its investment,” says Mecasolar’s Mastorakis. “On the other hand, if we are talking about high-concentrating CPV modules then a two-axis system is a must in order to obtain the higher yields.”

For Westphal, the choice also depends on “where you are in relation to the equatorial plane. We find we get the best gains using dual-axis and being below 1°, perpendicular to the sun, at 1/10 of a degree. Everybody’s particular CPV panel has different aspect characteristics as to tolerance to being out of alignment to the sun. How accurately you need to track to get efficiency out of a particular device is based on that technology.”

Hartsoch sees dual axis trackers as vital for HCPV, while silicon PV or flat-plate panels can be fixed or can employ single or dual axis tracking: “It becomes an economic and terrain-based decision, trading off CAPEX costs against generation. The higher the value of the energy, the more likely that a tracked approach will be better due to the higher energy generation,” she says.

Thank you very much for taking the time to review my tracking systems.  I am attaching the cut sheets for the TS4 single axis tracker that can support between 20-300 panels in 10 unit increments.  I am also attaching the cut sheet for the TD3-4C small dual axis tracker that supports 4 panels.  The cut sheet for the TD1 dual axis tracker is being revised for the SPI show.  However, you can visit Intelliware’s website at this address to see all of its solar products, including the TD1:  http://www.intelliware.com.cn/St_Solar/Solar.html.

Additionally, I am attaching the JinShan Solar cut sheet for the 1MW single axis tracker.  This is a USA based company that can have the product manufactured either in China or in the USA but the pricing is more competitive coming from China. I will be happy to provide you a specific quote for any project and if you would like to send me specifics about that project I can provide you with a design lay-out with the quote.  As I hope we will be working together on many projects, please let me provide you with a list of information I typically request in order to provide the most accurate quote, tracker design and business case information to you:

1.      Module cut sheet

2.      Land CAD, pictures of the land and Longitude + Latitude or address

3.      Size of project (exact)

4.      Flatness of land

5.      Soil type

6.      Design wind speed and snow (Might be different from code requirements)

7.      String voltage (1000V or 600V)

8.      Number of modules/string (client preference)

9.      Inverter size; DC/AC ratio

10.   Combiner box sizes

11.   Using wire cable tray or trenching

12.   Who does electric design

My trackers are good quality and very competitively priced.  I will endeavor to match or exceed the quality of service that you provide to your customers.

Please call me if you have any questions or require additional information.

 

TS4-SINGLE AXIS TRACKER CUT SHEET

TD3-4C-SMALL DUAL AXIS CUT SHEET

JinShanTracker Cut Sheet (1)

 

 

Johnny Krueger

The Solar Tracker Guy

Orion Solar Racking 

Office:  +1-310-258-9900

Mobile:  +1-818-428-5147

John@OrionRacking.com