Tracker efficiencies - generalized [RE-wrenches]

[Joel Davidson]

Hi Jeff, What brand and model trackers do you have?

(Musings - In 1979, I bought a Zomeworks 4-module tracker and had it shipped
from Albuquerque, New Mexico to my Ozark mountain place in Pettigrew, Arkansas.
I hauled that tracker with me in my old pickup truck when I moved back to Los
Angeles, California in 1982. There it sat in storage until 1984 when I traded it
and some Arco 16-2000s to Joe Bobier for a computer. Joe set the tracking array
up to power a water pump on his place in Parkersburg, West Virginia. Joe's in
Florida now, but I wonder if that travelin' tracker has settled down in Virginia
and if it is still following the sun?)

jeff.oldham at realgoods.com wrote:

> It does not have Redding, but you could find something close (probably
> central cal., isolation wise) btw- the NREL "Red Book" if free from NREL
> (NREL/TP-463-5607, April 1994)and a great recourse. Siemens "PVDesinger"
> software does a nice job of modeling these factors. Personally, I've about
> had it w/trackers. I'm willing to work on mine all of the time but my
> clients are at their wits end.
>
> -jeff
>
> >       From the Solar, Wind & Hydro Powered office of:
> >       Jeff Oldham
> >       Gaiam- Real Goods & Jade Mountain
> >       Design & Consulting Group
> >       11755 Mid. Mtn. Rd.
> >       Potter Valley, CA 95469  USA
> >
> >       Ph: 303.222.3814
> >       Fax: 707.743.1820
> >
> >       www.solardevelopment.com
> >
> >       "When you turn to face the Sun all shadows fall behind you"
> >       - Old African Proverb
> >
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Joel Davidson [mailto:joeldavidson at earthlink.net]
> Sent: Thursday, March 21, 2002 11:59 AM
> To: RE-wrenches at topica.com
> Subject: Re: Tracker efficiencies - generalized [RE-wrenches]
>
> The NREL "Red Book" has single axis and dual axis tracking sun hours. Is
> there
> solar radiation data for Redding?
>
> Baran Galocy wrote:
>
> > Hi again Wrenches,
> >
> > My thanks to all of you who have taken their time to further my education
> > about trackers (including Zo(m)eworks).  Given the popular support that
> > trackers enjoy with this crowd, can anyone educate me or direct me
> regarding
> > the following problem.  First off, I live in Redding, CA.  We have close
> to
> > the tops in the nation in daylight hours received per year.  I use Sunny
> Boy
> > inverters (who doesn't?) almost exclusively, as I know what I can expect
> > from them and their company (infinite kudos to John, Kent, Vince, et al.)
> > Given a conservative estimate of 6 hours (average) of full power sun per
> > day, I can run 24) 12 volt - 120 watt panels and maximize the inverter
> based
> > upon my daily sunlight estimate.  Here is where it gets sticky.  Tracker
> > companies give an estimated19% to 34% average efficiency improvement
> > depending on variables they won't touch with a ten-foot pole.  How do I
> > begin to work them into my bid equation regarding the number of PV panels
> > that I would reduce my system by for the same output?  Perhaps the
> question
> > is better phrased as follows:  Can anyone share data based upon fixed
> > arrays, seasonally adjustable arrays, daily tracking arrays, and
> > daily/seasonal tracking arrays?  I can add quite a few extra fixed panels
> to
> > offset the price of one WattSun AZ-300 given the obvious and hidden extras
> > that are entailed.
> >
> > Any and all opinions, data, and or bemused ramblings are welcome.  You can
> > contact me off-list if desired.  Thanks, again.
> >
> > Baran Galocy DBA HelioElectric
> > livewire at c-zone.net
> >
> > - - - -
> > To send a message: RE-wrenches at topica.com
> >
> > Archive of previous messages: http://www.topica.com/lists/RE-wrenches/
> >
> > List rules & etiquette: http://www.mrsharkey.com/wrenches/etiquete.htm
> >
> > Check out participant bios: www.mrsharkey.com/wrenches/index.html
> >
> > Hosted by Home Power magazine
> >
> > Moderator: michael.welch at homepower.com
> >
>
> - - - -
> To send a message: RE-wrenches at topica.com
>
> Archive of previous messages: http://www.topica.com/lists/RE-wrenches/
>
> List rules & etiquette: http://www.mrsharkey.com/wrenches/etiquete.htm
>
> Check out participant bios: www.mrsharkey.com/wrenches/index.html
>
> Hosted by Home Power magazine
>
> Moderator: michael.welch at homepower.com
>
> - - - -
> To send a message: RE-wrenches at topica.com
>
> Archive of previous messages: http://www.topica.com/lists/RE-wrenches/
>
> List rules & etiquette: http://www.mrsharkey.com/wrenches/etiquete.htm
>
> Check out participant bios: www.mrsharkey.com/wrenches/index.html
>
> Hosted by Home Power magazine
>
> Moderator: michael.welch at homepower.com
>

- - - -
To send a message: RE-wrenches at topica.com

Archive of previous messages: http://www.topica.com/lists/RE-wrenches/

List rules & etiquette: http://www.mrsharkey.com/wrenches/etiquete.htm

Check out participant bios: www.mrsharkey.com/wrenches/index.html

Hosted by Home Power magazine

Moderator: michael.welch at homepower.com

==^================================================================
This email was sent to: michael.welch at homepower.com

EASY UNSUBSCRIBE click here: http://topica.com/u/?bz8Qcs.bz9JC9
Or send an email to: RE-wrenches-unsubscribe at topica.com

T O P I C A -- Register now to manage your mail!
http://www.topica.com/partner/tag02/register
==^================================================================