+ Reply to Thread
Page 1 of 2 12 LastLast
Results 1 to 10 of 19

Thread: Solar PV

  1. #1
    Join Date
    Jan 2011
    Location
    Poultney VT
    Posts
    2,420

    Default Solar PV

    Has any one here made their own dual axis tracking system.
    I'm looking to do a 12 panel array.
    Business Name
    Flat Lander Sugaring (who would think a guy from Az be making syrup)
    125 on Sap Suckers
    Close to 475 High Vac
    400 gravity adding more
    leader 2x6
    home made preheater
    hoods
    1 7D749 for AOF
    New FLS Tsunami Arch
    4 membrane TR Industries RO 2HP 3 phase 601GPH 250 PSI
    PID Display for Arch Temp.
    Chumlee of the trader

  2. #2
    Join Date
    Jan 2017
    Location
    Williston, VT
    Posts
    615

    Default

    Wow! I'm impressed with your ambition. I'd be challenged to set up a small fixed mounted. My analytical mind would naturally wonder whether a dual axis tracker system would be worth the effort. There are commercial packages available from All Earth Renewable of Williston, VT in the 5 to 6 KW size. They claim 45% more efficiency than a fix array. Therefore, it would seem challenging to develop and build a system that doesn't eat up that efficiency and then you're still left with a complex system of motors and electronics to maintain. Also, the trackers require external power to make their maneuvers.
    Ken & Sherry
    Williston, VT
    16x34 Sugarhouse
    1,500 taps on high vacuum, Electric Releaser & CDL Sap Lifter
    Wood-Fired Leader 30"x10' Vortex Arch & Max Raised Flue with Rev Syrup Pan & CDL1200 RO
    https://www.facebook.com/pumpkinhillmaple/

  3. #3
    Join Date
    Mar 2011
    Location
    Potsdam in far northern New York
    Posts
    775

    Default

    Make sure to include the ability to tip it up to completely avoid snow cover when the forecast is bad.

  4. #4
    Join Date
    Jan 2006
    Location
    Oneida NY
    Posts
    11,547

    Default

    I looked into it when I put in my 30 panel, 6.32 KW array, (put in in 3 phases) but the studies show that you gain so little that tracking is not a good investment. The only exception might be if you have a very small area to put panels that you need to maximize every square foot of that area.
    I have 2 arrays, 6.32 KW at the sugarhouse, grid tied net metered and the excess is credited to my home bill about 3 miles away, the other is 1.71 KW at the house, totally off grid (the solar, not the whole house).
    Last edited by maple flats; 04-19-2017 at 03:07 PM.
    Dave Klish, I recently ordered a 2x6 wood fired evaporator from A&A Sheet Metal which I will be converting to oil fired
    Now have solar, 2x6 finish pan, 5 bank 7x7 filter press, large water jacketed bottler, and tankless water heater.
    Recently bought another Gingerich RO, this one was a 125, but a second membrane was added thus is a 250, like I had.
    After running a 2x3, a 2x6, 3x8 tapping from 79 taps up to 1320 all woodfired, now I'm going to a 2x6 oil fired and a 200-425 taps.

  5. #5
    Join Date
    Aug 2013
    Location
    WNY
    Posts
    471

    Default

    I asked the guy about tilting/tracking setups for solar when I bought my system. To paraphrase his response, he would do it and be happy with making the extra money but the return on investment wasn't there for me as the owner. To each their own. As someone mentioned above, if you had a limited footprint to work with and needed/wanted to maximize production, then it might be worth it.

    Sent from my SM-G900V using Tapatalk

  6. #6
    Join Date
    Oct 2013
    Location
    Plymouth WI
    Posts
    142

    Default

    I install solar for a living. The increase in annual production for tracking ranges from 30% to 40% depending on horoizon to horizon sunlight access... In the past couple years prices of modules has decreased significantly which has reduced install prices. Financials are now more attractive saturating an install site with more solar modules at a lower cost with a fixed mount system as compared to tracking systems. We find it is more cost effective to install panels not only in a southerly direction but also on east roofs, west roofs, and south facing walls. All this at a lower levelised cost per kWh than a tracking system.
    Now the real benefit comes into play when the maintainance of moving parts comes into play. Back in the day when trackers made sense because the cost of making modules was so high we installed numerous tracking systems across the state. Now they are becoming a thorn in my side because sending an electrician on site for a day annually to make repairs strips a customers financial 30%~40% increased harvest. I have 4 trackers here on my own property and honestly would prefer a nice discreet rooftop or south wall install with virtually no maintainance.
    I installed 100kw system on a south facing wall at the Milwaukee Public muesem a few years ago which at the time was the largest southern wall solar facade in the country. Excellent location for proof of concept!
    2x6 Smokey Lake raised flue w/AUF
    16x30 Sugar Shack
    7" SL SS filter press
    Smokey Lake water jacketed finish pan & bottler
    350 RO
    517 taps and I seem to keep finding more!

  7. #7
    Join Date
    Aug 2013
    Location
    WNY
    Posts
    471

    Default

    Cool stuff 1arch!

    You bring up another point that my sales guy made- maintenance. We had discussed tracking solar as well as a wind turbine. He said he likes roof top because it's boring, rarely ever have to do any maintenance. That's good for both him and the customer. He said for the "lost production" by having a permanently affixed array, just toss on a few extra panels. Litter more money now, ymbut you recoup that will reduced maintenance requirements.

    I love my solar panels. I just wish they weren't so boring and I could tinker with them.

    Sent from my SM-G900V using Tapatalk

  8. #8
    Join Date
    Jul 2009
    Location
    Cornwall VT
    Posts
    126

    Default

    I put solar in a couple of years ago very happy with it. I have two 24 panel trackers and some roof panels. When I run the numbers the 30 to 40% increase will pay for the additional cost in a few years and after that its extra gravy (until some maintenance cost show up but most sugar makers I know can do a lot of our own fixing) 3 or 4 years ago I remember a lot of fixed and roof panels were encased in snow and ice for a couple of months no joke so trackers were able to shed that in a couple of days with sunshine. (Perhaps wall mount would be fine) Another reason I chose trackers was I can mow under them with the zero turn and keep everything looking nice not so with fixed just my thoughts
    10,600 taps on vacuum
    5x16 CDL Master / with steam pan
    3600 GPH CDL RO

  9. #9
    Join Date
    Oct 2013
    Location
    Plymouth WI
    Posts
    142

    Default

    I agree about sugar makers knowing how to handle tools and maintainance items. The ROI does continue at the 30%-40% escalated rate throughout the system life so after 25 years of self maintaining one can be much further ahead. Wattsun which is now called Array Technologies had a run of issues around 2009 2010. Those are the real thorns I refer to.
    I agree on the snow issue also. While a roof top system may not shed the snow quickly due to shallow pitch a tracker may be tipped steeper to help. We also installed some Deger trackers a few years back. These were designed in Germany and built in Canada. They have a snow load/dump sensor which tips straight up under a predetermined weight and a wind load sensor to lay them flat on their back under high wind conditions. Pretty good units. 7kW+ on a single pole!
    My trackers reside in a pasture where we raise all kinds of animals from meat chickens to pigs to goats and horses.
    Interesting, in the heat of sumer the animals will follow the shade they cast.
    When I started this gig over a decade ago we had access to 180 watt panels. Now The same size panel today offers 350+watts with talk of 500+ in the next few years.

    My next install will be a "boring" install on the south wall of an old dairy barn.
    2x6 Smokey Lake raised flue w/AUF
    16x30 Sugar Shack
    7" SL SS filter press
    Smokey Lake water jacketed finish pan & bottler
    350 RO
    517 taps and I seem to keep finding more!

  10. #10
    Join Date
    Jan 2011
    Location
    Poultney VT
    Posts
    2,420

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by sapmaple View Post
    I put solar in a couple of years ago very happy with it. I have two 24 panel trackers and some roof panels. When I run the numbers the 30 to 40% increase will pay for the additional cost in a few years and after that its extra gravy (until some maintenance cost show up but most sugar makers I know can do a lot of our own fixing) 3 or 4 years ago I remember a lot of fixed and roof panels were encased in snow and ice for a couple of months no joke so trackers were able to shed that in a couple of days with sunshine. (Perhaps wall mount would be fine) Another reason I chose trackers was I can mow under them with the zero turn and keep everything looking nice not so with fixed just my thoughts
    I go out with extension ladder and snow roof rack and clean panels.
    Going to Parros and powderhorn this Saturday might stop if your ok with it.
    Last edited by Flat Lander Sugaring; 04-18-2017 at 05:19 AM.
    Business Name
    Flat Lander Sugaring (who would think a guy from Az be making syrup)
    125 on Sap Suckers
    Close to 475 High Vac
    400 gravity adding more
    leader 2x6
    home made preheater
    hoods
    1 7D749 for AOF
    New FLS Tsunami Arch
    4 membrane TR Industries RO 2HP 3 phase 601GPH 250 PSI
    PID Display for Arch Temp.
    Chumlee of the trader

+ Reply to Thread
Page 1 of 2 12 LastLast

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts