Chris--
We installed two 24-module AllEarth dual-axis trackers at the request of a
homeowner two years ago--"I like companies that are from Vermont."inspite of a
higher cost as compared to a ground mount equivalent w Krinner groundscrews.
You can buy either the tracker alone or complete kits. The 24-module tracker is
about $10,000. The concrete base was fairly easy to install. I think the hole
was 4x4x4 with rebar crosshatch. The frame is assembled on the ground and
lifted to the pole (you need about a18-foot lift). Our mini excavator was
barely tall enough. We did the frame layout and assembly on the excavator
trailer and it worked well. If you go to Vermont, they have a free two-day
training program where you assemble a tracker.
One of the trackers had an early issue with a stuck hydraulic valve. Warranty
service was prompt and knowledgeable and we haven't had issues since. We did
have to upsize the Fronius inverters. My design mistake. I typically oversize
the array to the inverter, but in the spring, the arrays were always clipping.
Folks do like to watch the slow dance of the modules.
Bill Hennessy
Berks Solar, LLC
371 Centennial Rd
Mertztown, PA 19539
o 610 682 4300
c 484 560 4666
NABCEP certified installer
PA contractor #44411
www.berkssolar.com
From: "[email protected]" <[email protected]>
To: 'RE-wrenches' <[email protected]>
Sent: Thursday, September 6, 2018 3:37 PM
Subject: Re: [RE-wrenches] Trackers
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{margin-bottom:0in;}#yiv8033290025 ul {margin-bottom:0in;}#yiv8033290025 Hi
Folks: I appreciate the input but I am looking for TYPES of trackers that you
may be selling (and yes, I told him about adding more & cheaper solar modules
than investing in a tracker, but it’s the customer’s decision). Zomeworks is
not what the client wants; I would prefer dual axis; the customer’s in north
central CA with a good resource. I say go with Array Technologies but I would
think there must be something new and improved by now. --Chris Daum/Oasis
Montana From: RE-wrenches <[email protected]> On
Behalf Of Dana
Sent: Thursday, September 6, 2018 9:18 AM
To: 'RE-wrenches' <[email protected]>
Subject: [RE-wrenches] Trackers I second this observation. I now live again
off grid in a narrow N-S canyon in south central Idaho. Having limited ground
space [thanks to county regs] & not wanting roof mounted arrays to have to
clear snow from, trackers VS. fix top of pole mounts enhance my output & they
reduced the # of modules required for my homes projected load design.
- 6400 watts rated output on 2 Array Tech tracking arrays. Fixed would have
required 3 arrays & 6-8 more modules. Trackers are programed to full vertical
in winter to shed overnight snow dumps, this saves time & effort in the morning
when it’s a Powder day! Can’t miss those Powder mornings.
- 5400 watts per hour in the summer when hot.
- Up to 8400 watts per hour on a cold winter day. Exactly what I needed 31+%
additional output with a 4-hour window of sun at New Year’s Day. So far, my
generator has never started…
*A repeat from a previous RE conversation years ago, I had to see for myself
&:Last house in CO, I had [6] 250-watt mod on a tracker & [6] 250-watt mod on a
fixed roof array.The tracker consistently outproduced the fixed array by 32%
averaged over the year. Trackers have their place and advantages. That said,
with todays $/watt o modules if you have the space fixed is a more
cost-effective way to proceed. Signed - A 25-year tracker advocate.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------Dana
Orzel Great Solar Works, Inc. C - 208.721.7003
[email protected] Contractor - # 028765 Idaho
PV # 028374NABCEP # 051112-136
www.solarwork.biz"Responsible Technologies for Responsible People since 1988"
P Please consider the environment before printing this email. From:
RE-wrenches <[email protected]> On Behalf Of Chris
Schaefer
Sent: Thursday, September 06, 2018 8:27 AM
To: RE-wrenches <[email protected]>
Subject: Re: [RE-wrenches] Trackers To All, Seen it first hand with existing
Northeast offgrid clients that had old pole mounts with lots of generator usage
during the winter months. Added a single 12 module DAT and generator usage was
down to as little as twice in the entire winter. Others usage was down to just
a handful of times required from genny. They are great at shedding snow. Bottom
line is generator usage was cut in most cases by 75% or better. I'm a believer
here in upstate NY. ChristopherChris Schaefer’s
Tel/Fax 585-229-2083 or Cell 585-748-1870
5115 South Hill Road ~ Canandaigua New York 14424
www.solarandwindfx.com ~ E-mail: [email protected] Jefferson, the
author of our great Constitution, once said, "democracy" will cease to exist
when you take away from those who are willing to work and give to those who
would not." On Thu, Sep 6, 2018 at 12:37 AM, Andrew Truitt
<[email protected]> wrote:
These guys are new but I've heard good things:
http://www.sulasindustries.com/
Regards, Andrew Truitt | DRVwww.dr.venturesd: 202.486.7507 NABCEP Certified
PV Installation Professional ID: 032407-66Colorado Journeyman Electrician
License No.: 600132
"Don't get me wrong: I love nuclear energy! It's just that I prefer fusion to
fission. And it just so happens that there's an enormous fusion reactor safely
banked a few million miles from us. It delivers more than we could ever use in
just about 8 minutes. And it's wireless!"
~William McDonough On Wed, Sep 5, 2018 at 9:38 PM Sindelar Solar
<[email protected]> wrote:
Bill,No, I'm with you on this.Given the the greatest boost (~+/- 30%) of daily
tracking is during the summer and most stand-alone applications are winter-peak
(where tracking adds at best 10-15%), seasonal water pumping is about the only
time when small-scale tracking is justified over simply adding array. Any
pumping where the source is slow enough that the length of the day becomes an
important factor, like drip irrigation or a very low yield well or spring, is
worth looking into. But that's about it in my experience. Allan-- Allan Sindelar
[email protected]
NABCEP Certified PV Installation Professional
New Mexico EE98J Journeyman Electrician
Founder (Retired), Positive Energy, Inc.
505 780-2738 cellOn 9/5/2018 5:53 PM, [email protected] wrote:
Chris,I thought since solar PV prices have come down (understatement), is it
not more cost effective to buy more modules than a tracker? Are there scenarios
that the above would not ring true? (As I remember, off grid water pumping for
livestock ponds may still be an exception as also, limited space.) Please
advise.Thanks,Bill LoeschSolar 1 - Saint Louis Solar314 631
1094----------------------------------------From: [email protected]
Sent: Wednesday September 5 2018 3:45:25PMDear people:What trackers are y’all
using nowadays? I have a customer (with a great site) who’s insisting on a
pair. We’ve sold Zomeworks and Array Technologies in the past, but I know
there are more offerings now.Thanks for the input!Chris DaumOasis Montana
Inc.406-777-4309 or 4321406-777-4309 faxwww.oasismontana.com
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-- Chris Schaefer’s
Tel/Fax 585-229-2083 or Cell 585-748-1870
5115 South Hill Road ~ Canandaigua New York 14424
www.solarandwindfx.com ~ E-mail: [email protected] Jefferson, the
author of our great Constitution, once said, "democracy" will cease to exist
when you take away from those who are willing to work and give to those who
would not."_______________________________________________
List sponsored by Redwood Alliance
List Address: [email protected]
Change listserver email address & settings:
http://lists.re-wrenches.org/options.cgi/re-wrenches-re-wrenches.org
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List sponsored by Redwood Alliance
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