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 <http://www.berkssolar.com>
------------------------------------------------------------------------
*From:* "ch...@oasismontana.com <mailto:ch...@oasismontana.com>"
<ch...@oasismontana.com <mailto:ch...@oasismontana.com>>
*To:* 'RE-wrenches' <re-wrenches@lists.re-wrenches.org
<mailto:re-wrenches@lists.re-wrenches.org>>
*Sent:* Thursday, September 6, 2018 3:37 PM
*Subject:* Re: [RE-wrenches] Trackers
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 <re-wrenches-boun...@lists.re-wrenches.org
<mailto:re-wrenches-boun...@lists.re-wrenches.org>> *On Behalf Of *Dana
*Sent:* Thursday, September 6, 2018 9:18 AM
*To:* 'RE-wrenches' <re-wrenches@lists.re-wrenches.org
<mailto:re-wrenches@lists.re-wrenches.org>>
*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 d...@solarwork.com <mailto:d...@solarwork.com>*
Idaho Contractor - # 028765 Idaho PV # 028374
NABCEP # 051112-136 www.solarwork.biz <http://www.solarwork.biz/>
_"Responsible Technologies for Responsible People since 1988" _
*P*Please consider the environment before printing this email.
*From:* RE-wrenches <re-wrenches-boun...@lists.re-wrenches.org
<mailto:re-wrenches-boun...@lists.re-wrenches.org>> *On Behalf Of
*Chris Schaefer
*Sent:* Thursday, September 06, 2018 8:27 AM
*To:* RE-wrenches <re-wrenches@lists.re-wrenches.org
<mailto:re-wrenches@lists.re-wrenches.org>>
*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.
Christopher
Chris Schaefer’s
<http://www.solarandwindfx.com/>
/Tel/Fax 585-229-2083 or Cell 585-748-1870
//5115 South Hill Road ~ Canandaigua New York 14424
www.solarandwindfx.com <http://www.solarandwindfx.com/> ~ E-mail:
//ch...@solarandwindfx.com <mailto:ch...@solarandwindfx.com>/
//
Thomas 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 <atru...@gmail.com
<mailto:atru...@gmail.com>> wrote:
These guys are new but I've heard good things:
http://www.sulasindustries.com/
*
Regards, *
*Andrew Truitt | DRV <http://dr.ventures/>*
www.dr.ventures <http://www.dr.ventures/>
d: 202.486.7507
NABCEP Certified PV Installation Professional ID: 032407-66
Colorado 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
<al...@sindelarsolar.com <mailto:al...@sindelarsolar.com>> 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*
al...@sindelarsolar.com <mailto:al...@sindelarsolar.com>
NABCEP Certified PV Installation Professional
New Mexico EE98J Journeyman Electrician
Founder (Retired), Positive Energy, Inc.
*505 780-2738 cell*
On 9/5/2018 5:53 PM, solar1onl...@charter.net
<mailto:solar1onl...@charter.net> 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 Loesch
Solar 1 - Saint Louis Solar
314 631 1094
----------------------------------------
From: ch...@oasismontana.com <mailto:ch...@oasismontana.com>
Sent: Wednesday September 5 2018 3:45:25PM
Dear 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 Daum
Oasis Montana Inc.
406-777-4309 or 4321
406-777-4309 fax
www.oasismontana.com <http://www.oasismontana.com/>
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--
Chris Schaefer’s
<http://www.solarandwindfx.com/>
/Tel/Fax 585-229-2083 or Cell 585-748-1870
//5115 South Hill Road ~ Canandaigua New York 14424
www.solarandwindfx.com <http://www.solarandwindfx.com/> ~ E-mail:
//ch...@solarandwindfx.com <mailto:ch...@solarandwindfx.com>/
//
Thomas 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."
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