PV Trackers [RE-wrenches]

Wed Sep 22 18:23:28 PDT 2004

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Sure, plenty. You must be more specific. What are you looking for, and why?
Allan

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Barbra Kerr" <bkerr at energy-exchange.org>
To: <RE-wrenches at topica.com>
Sent: Thursday, September 16, 2004 8:00 AM
Subject: RE: PV Trackers [RE-wrenches]

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Thanks Allan - I been in New Mexico in a couple of weeks,  Any sites between
alb and santa fe?

Barbra

-----Original Message-----
From: Allan Sindelar [mailto:allan at positiveenergysolar.com]
Sent: Wednesday, September 15, 2004 6:38 PM
To: RE-wrenches at topica.com
Subject: Re: PV Trackers [RE-wrenches]

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I pretty much agree with Dana. We have had quality control issues with
Zomeworks in years past (with racks more than trackers). For off-grid, it
takes about a kilowatt of array to break even vs. spending the tracker cost
on more PV instead, if winter is the design season; easier to justify if
summer benefit can be used.

My home system has a 1991 Zomeworks tracker, one of the classics. I still
keep a scrap of Romex wrapped around the pole to hook around the east side
of the array to gather an extra two hours or so of morning sun in the
winter. The real bummer is when I forget to undo it later in the morning...

We are using Wattsun trackers on some of our grid-tie jobs. We aren't in
Californeeya, so with no rebates our clients appreciate the substantial
increase in annual production that a Wattsun provides. I ran the numbers on
one 3 kW Sunnyboy job, and the tracker added about 17% to overall system
cost, and gave a 32% increase in annual output. Remember, this is in New
Mexico.

And yes, I estimate about one tracker repair service call per tracker every
few years. It's an acceptable cost, and we tell the client up front that
this is a real possibility, so it's not a surprise. Wattsun's real-world
warranty support is more-or-less lifetime, using swapout rebuilt units.

The TracKit panel (see their website for a photo) works pretty well, too,
with the BOS mounted on the pole.

Allan at PosE

---- Original Message ----- 
From: "Dana Orzel" <dana at solarwork.com>

For a large array I use the Wattsun trackers the new bull gear setup as it
is flat out bullet [and wind] proof. Granted I have replaced  more than one
controller over the 12 years but, Array Technologies warranty program is
about the best service and most concerned I have ever experienced from any
company, period.  I have been installing Wattsun trackers from Seattle, WA
to Costa Rica and many at high elevation locations in Colorado and am about
to install one at our new demo-home for grid intertie w/battery backup in
town to "show off the stuff how it works in town too". [Going to use the new
Outback PS-2 for grid system]

I have seen too many Zomeworks in cold, cloudy and windy weather pointed in
totally the wrong direction. Our two clients that have Zomeworks now wish
after 3 years that they had gone with a Wattsun ....... Nothing like a west
facing array with 2' of fresh snow on it, wouldn't you rather be headed for
the ski hill or the back country?

I feel the best location for Zome Works in in hot sunny desert situations
with out too much cloudy or windy weather.

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