Looking for details on trackers
Looking for details on trackers
(OP)
Hello,
On a solar tracker, single axis, what is the typical angle of operation? The sun moves 180 degrees at the equator, and much less near the poles. But there is so little energy in the sun at the ends of the day that it may not be worth chasing it. So what would be the maximum required angle for a tracker to reach? At 45 degrees north? Any links to papers on this would be great.
thanks,
EEPROM
On a solar tracker, single axis, what is the typical angle of operation? The sun moves 180 degrees at the equator, and much less near the poles. But there is so little energy in the sun at the ends of the day that it may not be worth chasing it. So what would be the maximum required angle for a tracker to reach? At 45 degrees north? Any links to papers on this would be great.
thanks,
EEPROM





RE: Looking for details on trackers
RE: Looking for details on trackers
RE: Looking for details on trackers
There is some attenuation due to increased path length as well.
Plus weather.
Cheers
Greg Locock
SIG:Please see FAQ731-376: Eng-Tips.com Forum Policies for tips on how to make the best use of Eng-Tips.
RE: Looking for details on trackers
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Insolation
http://www.sunearthtools.com/dp/tools/pos_sun.php
http://www.eclim.de/index5.htm
TTFN
FAQ731-376: Eng-Tips.com Forum Policies
RE: Looking for details on trackers
eeprom
RE: Looking for details on trackers
TTFN
FAQ731-376: Eng-Tips.com Forum Policies
RE: Looking for details on trackers
If you are in the EU area, here is the best online calculator,
http:
You eventually even get to choose a 2 axis tracker option to have it calculate those insolation values.
In most cases, except perhaps if you are using concentrated PV, or at the north pole, A 1-axis tracker will give a good solution. For panels with concentrator lenses, 2-axis is a must. 1 axis tracking can get you around 25% more power, 2 axis can up that to about 32-35%.
Search for Bird's Clear Sky Insolation Model.
I tried to attach it 3 times, but couldn't do it.
I think you'll find most of the rest of the info you want here,
http://www.powerfromthesun.net/
http://
Modeling sys performance
http
If not, just type in whatever in Google and you'll get way too much info.
**********************
"Pumping accounts for 20% of the world's energy used by electric motors and 25-50% of the total electrical energy usage in certain industrial facilities."-DOE statistic (Note: Make that 99% for pipeline companies) http://virtualpipeline.spaces.live.com/
RE: Looking for details on trackers
thanks
RE: Looking for details on trackers
since the sun is about 0.5° subtense to start with, I can't imagine anyone designing something that would require any tighter than a few degrees of positional accuracy. Clearly, timekeeping and initial alignment is more critical.
TTFN
FAQ731-376: Eng-Tips.com Forum Policies
RE: Looking for details on trackers
**********************
"Pumping accounts for 20% of the world's energy used by electric motors and 25-50% of the total electrical energy usage in certain industrial facilities."-DOE statistic (Note: Make that 99% for pipeline companies) http://virtualpipeline.spaces.live.com/
RE: Looking for details on trackers
RE: Looking for details on trackers
TTFN
FAQ731-376: Eng-Tips.com Forum Policies
RE: Looking for details on trackers
http:/