Diy Budget Solar Tracker System, tracking vs no tracking. 

Absolutely, but I would love the extra hours of evening sun. Thanks for your comment btw☺️

@@flyingtools there are enough trees arround growing. no one said anything as someone was removing trees to put a house there and a yard arround. people think having trees is the soulution for everything. but trees are also only a co2, carbon and energy circle in the system. a realy not effektive one. if you can get 1h more solar out of your system ofer the next 20 years you will have use this many less co2 from grid power plants its worth hundrets of trees. also you can just plant a new one or let one grow up you would otherwise cut down to still have the nature in balance AND have your more solar every day.

Great why dont you hold the panal and track the sun by yourself ;)

Yeah but the power still drops off precipitously during the even with a few panels won't make up for and you'll need battery storage to make up for that difference and batteries are more expensive than panels or even trackers

@@razawaheed7824 You should play Stationeers.

Wow, thank you so much sir ☺️

Thank you so much, sir.😃

Thank you so much ☺️ If the space is limited trackers is the way to go. Thank you so much for watching 😃

Thank you so much 😃

Thank you so much and you are so welcome😍

Thanks 😃

Thank you 😃

In my case, I only have partly shadow on my panels for a very short time like 10 minutes . Therefore, I do not have any optimisers. Glad that you like the content, and thank you so much for your comment .

Thank you, so much 😃 That sounds like a good idea.👍🏻

I absolutely agree with you on that. I built this, mostly for fun and I of course have a lot of fixed panels also. Thank you for your comment.

Thank you😃 im so glad that you like it ☺️

Yes, I agree, this is more for fun, and it also depends a lot on which latitude the trackers are located.

It depends what the application is, if your charging batterys then simply more panels is probably going to be cheaper.....if your using the power directly then a tracker will give more time during the to day where there is enough power to use.....i know of a small wood pellet producer using a modified wood shaving mill and hammer mill directly running off solar with no battery's in the system, their solar panels are all on trackers that allow the system to operate for more hours in the day

​@@unhippy1 Very interesting. The bottleneck in these systems is often battery capacity, not panel capacity. The ability to get consistent enough output to skip the battery completely is something I've never considered. I wonder what you could do with this. Maybe heat water?

@@caustinolino3687 heating water would be an easy way use the extra power altho if you were charging battery's you'd need a wind turbine type load diversion charge controller or something......all my hotwater in the summer is produced by solar panels wired straight to an element in my hotwater cylinder

@@unhippy1 just facing some panels in different directions would also give you more time during the day with enough solar production.

Denna enkla inverter kan bara sälja, men det räcker för mig. Timelaps är registrerat.😃 Tack för din kommentar ☀️

Thanks😃 And thank you for your comment☺️

Thank you. I have done this most for fun. I off course.

But the maximum power output is the same when they are aligned with the sun, the static power curve should be higher du you mean ? Right? Or maybe I misunderstand you. Thanks for your comment anyway ☺️

@@flyingtools The morning and evening sun still go through a lot more atmosphere - but above a certain amount of light the panel starts to really loose a lot of efficiency due to heat. So it ends up making a flat top of output. At least that’s been the case with all my old polycrystalline panels.

Thank you so much ☺️

Yes you are correct about that and i also have two fixed systems. Here is a link to my complete system. Thank you for your comment ☺️ ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-IM2jXbgr70A.htmlsi=PiTpb0sjTgDGuDrF

Hi, thank you. I depends much on witch latitude you live on. The higher the better (in the summer)☺️

@@flyingtools I figure that, looks like your latitude almost doubled mine (Canary Islands). Thanks again for the value you bring to us.

@@cesaranzalone4797 thank you so much ☺️

yea but thats also only on a summerday with optimal clear sky and the right angle to the sun. count in the other seasons, cloudy days and an other angle? those 30,3% are droppinng down ny a lot. lets half it for good messurement.. thats only 15% more solarpanels you would need to get the same amount. he got only 12 panels up there. that would be only about 2 panels more on that 30% would be 2 per tower.. put up an additonal tower with 12 panels and you tripple this up to 6 times.. and you get better low light power with more collectorspace. its realy more easy to put up a 3rd tower or install an more east or south panel system to gain more in the evening and mornings to susidice the tracking. for example use the realy big roof you can see in the background to gain more as the tracking system is be able to ever gain.

@@Total_Egal I think you should se my other videos… 4kwp on the roof and 7,2kwp on the mountain behind the trees. This tracking thing is mostly for fun, I guess I have to clarify that in the next video😅 Thanks for your comment and thoughts anyway.

Probably because it’s too complex and also more expensive of course, but it is a really interesting idea. Thank you so much for your comment.😊

@@flyingtools If they can mount 10,000 mirrors in the desert and focus them all on one point to create a hotspot you can focus two mirrors onto your solar array lol Come on. You're at least 1/5000th of the men they are lol

Mirrors in combination with Photovoltaic is not a good idea. The mirrors will also focus IR (heat radiation), thus heating the panels. PV efficiency drops massively with heat. So, in the end, the added effort may even be detrimental. If done in combination with solar thermal set-ups, mirrors make of course a lot of sense.

@@klausdittmer1043 you read my initial comments I specifically said, you could only do it in low-light conditions, just to make the solar cell work at 100% efficiency. It is one-hundred-percent possible because years after I came up with this idea I want a scientist actually do it and test it There's plenty of light in the sky at very low light times if you concentrate that light So monitoring temperature was included in that But you would have known that if you actually had reading comprehension for what I wrote

@@klausdittmer1043 The "temperature Coefficient of Pmax" of most solar panels is about 0,4%/°C (it tells us how much power it loses for every °C that the panel is hotter than 25°C). Even is the panels would get like an additional 20°C hotter than normal when concentrating (a lot of) light on them, they would only lose an additional 8% of power (20°C * 0,4%/°C = 8%) (for an additional 20°C rise in temperature a lot of additional light would be needed). The added temperature could potentially degrade the panels sligthly faster..

The time of supply is alos important I guess. You want to generate more during peek demand when energy is expensive...

@@robertnorman7309 very good point - in most cases peek demand is early morning and late afternoon… which then says East and West static bias is more important than north / south - depending on hemisphere…

30% more panels will theoretically make up the shortfall in daily kWh, but your problem is that adding those panels may see the array exceed the controller's maximum voltage or current limits in the middle of the day, including the potential short circuit current limit. So ideally you would have the additional panels with a DC circuit breaker on a timer which brings them into the circuit in the morning and evening, but drops them out of the circuit at times of peak insolation. Depending on the setup, this may only be a problem in summer, but it needs to be considered. The tracker system doesn't have this issue.

@@nigelwilliams7920 The issue is cost. If having a tracking system is cheaper than adding more panels to get 30% more power then it'd be best to get a tracker. Another issue is that it might be better for people who aren't home during the day and have no battery. Those people need more power in the morning and evening when they are home.

@thevidco it depends on. I have done all of the work myself and just paid for the iron bars, controller and the linear activators, so, in my case, I probably will go break even. I built this mostly for a fun, and I don’t think that this is a way to go if you’re looking to gain more money out from it. I personally have a lot of fixed panels, one string to the east and the other string straight to the south, and for me that is the best and most economically way to go. Thank you for your comment.

Thanks, glad you liked it ☺️

Haha, tack, kul att det uppskattas. Tack vare din kommentar i min tidigare video så påskyndade jag denna😉

@@flyingtools Haha, kul! 😃Alla med solceller skulle ju vilja att de flyttades på detta viset, så riktigt kul att se vad det verkligen ger!

Thanks, already tried wind generator, I have more videos about that, but I sold it when I changed my battery voltage from 48v to 450v.

Thank you ☺️

Thanks😃

Haha, thanks😅👍🏻

Hi, and thank you for watching. Those are linear activators that I bought from eBay pretty cheap. They have now been up and running for nine years and I have during that period change one of them due to bad waterproofing. I have a 68kwh Batterie storage. It’s make me happy that you did see my clean wiring. I have put some extra hours in it😉

😃 Thank you!

Hi, yes, Home assistant will take care of that later, but I will try to read out the wind and sun from the whether forecast. At least the wind. Thanks for your input 👍🏻😊

Thank you😃☀️

Thank you ☺️

😃👍🏻

+1 Would love to see it!

Yes that would be very interesting. Thanks for your comment😊

When I did build this nine years ago, I decided to adjust the tilt angel three times per year. I have one settings for summer, one settings for winter and one for spring and I have done some tests to it, and the angle does not have to be precise at all, so it’s more than enough to adjust it manually three times times per year. And it’s also a lot less complicated. But the cool factor is of course higher😅

@@flyingtools You did a great job of it! Still working all these years later. My projects seldom get beyond the plans. Building a battery monitor/inverter controller/dump load driver from an arduino at present. The electronics is interesting.

Wow, that’s a very hi number. I adjust the second axel manually, 3 different settings, winter, spring and summer, and I have done some tests with 2 axis vs that type I already have and the difference is not that big at all. But it depends more on where you live. Closer to the poles, the better the numbers tracking versus no tracking will give you, during the summer.

Hi! Yes I actually have plans for that. I just hope for some clear skies then. Thanks for your comment ☺️

Thanks 😃

Even if the percentage increase would be huge, the overall irradiance in winter is so insignificant that it makes no sense to invest in it.

Hi! In winter time, the flat panel will definitely produce less energy. But in the summer, the kWh/day can be around the same where I live. It depends on which latitude you live on. Glad that you liked the video, and thank you for your question😊

You are a spot on there👍🏻 I of course have more panels, 11,25kwp and a 62kWh diy 450v battery. I have built this mostly for fun. Thank you so much for your comment.

@@flyingtools fun is the best reason! and on really gloomy days, you'll still get a nice bonus.

Thank you ☺️

Your welcome 🤗

Hi, during the winter, I have them standing still, I might have to do a test on that this winter. It would be interesting to see the difference. Thank you so much for your comment.

I have done some testings with a second axis, and it will not be worth the money at least not here where I live. In the winter time, I just have my panels fixed straight to the south. I have plans to do a test during the winter time to see how much the gain will be than, I think it will be very little to be honest.

@@flyingtools thank you for a reply. will consider the simplest solution probably

Thanks, 😃 I have not decided to take it down yet but if so, they will be cut down completely.

Hi, and thank you so much for your comment. I have built this straight out of my head so sadly I do not have any blueprints on it. The activators and controllers did I buy on eBay. Hope it helps and have a fantastic day.😊

@@flyingtools Thanks for response. But what kind of damper did you use, 500N for example? And the single linear actuator is how long for turning your panels? Maybe 18 inches?

Then the are fixt in south position. So not so interesting. Just like a normal system. November-February. Thanks for your comment 😊

Thank you😉

Hi and thank you so much. I have built this completely out of my head so sadly i do not have any blueprints or a link to where I bought it from. Thank you so much for your comment☺️

In my case, during the winter, I have my panels fixed straight to the south. The sun will just make it above the horizon.

For Kinetic Energy (KE) it is indeed 1/2 times the Mass (M) of the object, times Velocity (V) squared. KE=1/2 M V^2 The difference is, the mass is referencing the entirety of the object. When talking about wind, you need the mass of all the air particles that pass by the turbine. The Air turbine formula is 1/2 times rho (p) times area (A) times Velocity (V) cubed. Pw = 1/2 p A V^3 You need to know the mass of all the air particles that pass by the turbine. To get that you need the air density, rho (p), and the volume of air. You have the frontal area of the turbine, so we just need the "length" of the cylinder to determine the volume. That length is the distance the air moves over a give time increment, generally 1 second. Thus: M = p A V substituting this into KE = 1/2 M V^2 gives: KE = 1/2 (p A V) V^2 or KE = 1/2 p A V^3 Hope that makes sense.

@@DeSahd thanks for the detailed reply. But i disagree... KE is in joules. Whereas power is in watts. This adds the element of time. I agree that the length of the cylinder of air that energy is extracted from in one second is the same as the wind speed in meters per second. But that is to calculate the mass that is being decelerated. You don't get to multiply it again. I have been studying graphs of measured turbine outputs from. The ones i can find conform to the V squared slope. I think the ones published by vestas that look too perfect, may be computer generated from the dodgy V cubed formula.

@davebutler3905 Thank you so much. I tried to keep it as simple as possible. Sadly, I cannot help you with your question.

Hi and thank you 😊 No not this one. Thanks for your question😊

Sorry for my late reply, 57° north. Your English is just fine. Thank you so much for your comment.😊

😃

I doubt you will have space for the construction needed in your camper. This is a massive construction. The solar tracker is from china about 70$ at least that new one he had shown in his previous video. Then you will need the motors and all the metal bars. And these get expensive if you do not build them on your own. But for a camper it will get really hard to find a solution cause we had tried so before and always had issues with the overall volume of the construction and panels cause you need to carry that in the camper or in a trailer which we did not liked. We then decided to go for a bigger Lithium battery we have to charge up once we are able to get power. At the end it was easier for us to carry 3 simple high efficient panels than all the mess needed for a tracking solution. That would always needed a trailer and that is not what we had wanted. also camping ground can reject to use them cause you have to deliver the proof that they are safe even in strong gusts which means you will need a lot of weight we are not willing to carry along cause there are windsmaps showing the windload / stormload of regions which then provide the amount of weight per squaremeter in the wind direction. But maybe the chinese have now an offer for mobile solar tracker incl. a foldable lightweight metal construction.

@@typxxilps, Thank you for the information. I have two Rich Solar slim 100w panels. I hope to create a much smaller scale system. We use the solar panels in US national forests. We don’t often stay in campgrounds. I’m interested in the basic design elements, such as linear actuator, sensor/motor setup, to best modify for my situation. My bracket will be significantly smaller than traditional solar tracker systems, yet the core components may be the same. Eco-Worthy sells a larger solution. No reason I shouldn’t be able to make one to move my two panels as the sun crosses the sky, right?

Hi.Sorry for my late reply I’ve built the system completely out of my head so I have no drawings on it whatsoever. I just bought a cheap tracker on eBay and two linear activators and start welding the iron pieces together. Hope you come up to something and thank you for your project .😊

@@flyingtools, I hope to build a small scale version with linear actuators, too. Not sure how/which controller to try. Using a time-based controller sounds good, but not as accurate as a sun sensor. I have more to read about.

@@LetsGo2WFALLS time based is the way to go. 👍🏻 that’s my plan to. When I’m finished with that I will post a video here if there is anything that can be interesting for you guys.😊

Hi! The power loss is much lesser, and you can also have a thinner gauge of cable. The inverter also does a much better job with higher voltage and less heat from it. The only downside is that it is dangerous for us humans, and of course, if you shade one panel, the whole string will drop in power. Thank you for your question.

@@flyingtools thank yoy

I explain that I the video. It has been standing like this for nine years and have already payed them self of anyway if the worst thing should happen.😉

Hi, thank you. That’s only the connection box. They are all connected in series so no micro inverters needed.

@@flyingtools I wasn't sure if you did have them to offset any shading or to keep open circuit voltages low for safety... :)

Thank you. You are absolutely right about that. I also have a lot of fixed panels and that’s the way to go. This was a fun project to build anyway, and I still like it a lot. Thank you for your comment .

Here it is😊. ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-zZ1a4YIIZBU.htmlsi=5D8zREPwl1TgTBIu

Yes that’s right. I have not done any tests to it but nowadays, I just leave them in spring position, but I can set them between winter spring and summer, but I don’t think that the power output will be so much of a difference. Thank you so much for your comment.

I have done some test on that, and it is not worth it. I might have to do a video about that to. Spring setting vs winter and summer😉 Thanks for your comment.

@@flyingtools I'd love to see this.

You are absolutely right, but it’s much more fun😉

Im working on it right now. I will post it in a few hours.😉 Thank you so much for your comment 😃

The difference between fixed and tracking is 3,6kWh in this set up. It will be much less in the winter time.

I been thinking about est south west installation, but in a sunny day in the middle of the winter, 66% of the panels will pretty much just stand there, up north we’re I live. How ever, that’s only my thoughts without even trying this myself yet. Thanks for your comment.

Kul, då hoppas vi att fler hänger på😉 Ja, just nu är det typ skit samma men vanligtvis är det ju grymt mycket bättre på morgonen och kvällen, så du har helt klart en poäng där👍🏻

No idea, I have not done any calculation on that. But they have now been standing for ten years without any issues.

It is not easy or maby not possible to find a certified inverter that will work on low voltage in Sweden. There is also 20m distance between the inverter and the trackers so the power loss in the cables would be huge, or the cable all too expensive. Thanks for your question.

I of course have that to. This is more because it’s fun and interesting to se the difference. Thats the hole idea with this video.

Around 6 meters i guess, but one of them are much higher, but in the darkest weeks the south one actually cast a tiny shade on the rear one. I made it telescopic so I can raise it up even higher, but I don’t bother to do that anymore. Thank you for your question☺️

Almost nothing, I actually use to have them parked during December and January

Not 12 at one stand, it will not hold up for a windy day.

Thanks, yes I really love this place.

Absolutely, I already have more panels and a 62kwh battery, you will find more here: ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-IM2jXbgr70A.htmlsi=sb3XYXUw_GLmqo7U But still i think it’s interesting to show the difference.

@@flyingtools For sure interesting. And if the space is limited, this is necessary. Thanks

Hi! I bought cheap linear actuators on eBay for this, 550mm 1500Nm if I remember correctly. I might do a separate vide about the parts I am using. Thanks for your comment 😊

@@flyingtools This will be very nice about parts list. Thanks

You are absolutely right👍🏻

Here it is😉 ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-zZ1a4YIIZBU.html Thanks for your comment😊

😂😂😂👍🏻

You are absolutely right about that. I have built this mostly because it’s fun and it has been working pretty good for 9 years without any major issues. I already have 11,25kwp of fixed panels and a diy Hv battery at 62kwh on 450v. So this tracking system is a minor part of my whole complete setup. Thank you so much for your comment.

@@flyingtools That is awesome! Good for you! The funnest part about solar is learning and doing things for yourself! I still have a wind turbine on a 52 foot tower and in the scheme of things it is basically useless. But it sure is Bitchin and I love it when the wind blows hard. My girlfriend hates it and always turns it off. 😝

@@boblatkey7160 haha, I also had a wind turbine when my battery bank was on 48v. I have to say I really loved it, but it did never produced so much power, but I loved it anyway😅