[RE-wrenches] Seasonal Adjusters

[Allan Sindelar]

I have taken the opposite approach. Keep in mind that we have sunny winters,
so angle makes a real difference; if the system is well designed the gennie
only runs a few times in winter during storms. 

I strongly recommend pole-top racks, because it gets seasonal adjustment
down to a (usually) one-person job that takes 15 minutes twice a year,
because the rack is well-balanced over its pivot point. We make it as easy
as possible, with seasonal settings marked on the strongback with a center
punch. I recommend to homeowners that, unless they run low on charging
during summer, they set to winter angle (latitude + 15) around November 10
(halfway between fall and winter) and back to latitude on February 10
(halfway between winter and spring). Don't bother with a summer setting.

I like the new DP&W design and specify their racks. I never recommend UniRac
poletops.

Allan Sindelar
Allan at positiveenergysolar.com
NABCEP Certified Photovoltaic Installer
EE98J Journeyman Electrician
Positive Energy, Inc.
3201 Calle Marie
Santa Fe, New Mexico 87507
505 424-1112
www.positiveenergysolar.com

-----Original Message-----
From: re-wrenches-bounces at lists.re-wrenches.org
[mailto:re-wrenches-bounces at lists.re-wrenches.org] On Behalf Of Ezra
Auerbach
Sent: Thursday, August 13, 2009 2:37 PM
To: jryago at netscape.com; RE-wrenches
Subject: Re: [RE-wrenches] Seasonal Adjusters

I so totally agree - during the winter there's not enough sun to make  
a difference where we tilt the modules, and in the summer we dump  
power anyway so we've set them for a nice spring/fall angle and  
forgot about them for the last decade of so. The funny part is I  
spent all kinds of extra dollars on my racking so it could adjust it  
seasonally and through the day too. Never have done either with this  
racking simply not worth the trouble.

Ezra

DragonSun Consulting