Sun hours

[bcroe]

The electric bill came; here is the latest energy reserve buildup for winter.
Despite even more clouds
than last year, I'm well above 2014. The heat pump gets most of the credit; usage here is quite small
(due to earlier conservation efforts) except when the heat goes on. Most of what the PV generates
is going to reserve, but that will change soon. If the winter is actually the predicted warmer, there
might be a big surplus. Bruce Roe

An update; energy reserve for winter heat is peaking about now, 2000 KWH or 16% higher than last
year. The unseasonably warm weather has kept generation in the black for some extra days.

Energy generated since annual reset 1 April is almost exactly the same as last year, 19,600 KWH.
That despite more clouds, probably aided by removal of some shade. However the weather and the
new heat pump have reduced consumption in the interval. Its interesting how much things can
vary from year to year. If we have the predicted mild winter, I will be doing some electric heat
in another building. Bruce Roe

[inetdog]

The draw is only around 2A once they get started, not the 12A on the plate. Getting them
driving a panel platform remains in the future. Bruce Roe

Most likely the 12A is when working against the maximum rated force.

[bcroe]

Pv snow gap & linear activator

Its getting late, but I may yet manage to get my south facing panels vertical for this snow season. The
24 braces to hold them are done; the issue is how to raise & lower each platform having two braces.

I ordered a couple linear actuators with a 52 inch stroke (about enough) and a 5000 lb capacity (overkill).
They run on 24 VDC, should be able to fine control them with adjustable voltage.

But they haven't arrived yet, so the mechanical design is still in doubt. Worst case the whole thing will
fall on me. IREA tour this Sat. Bruce Roe

Today was the setup for another snow experiment. I have panels 2 high, meaning snow must
slide a long way to be cleared off 2 panels, and the pile of snow gets pretty big while clearing and
at the bottom. On one support of 6 panels I moved the upper panels 4" higher and the lower panels
2" lower for a 6" gap between them. Snow will only need to slide half as far, in half the quantity
before falling through the gap.

On the next support of 6 panels, I just moved the upper for a gap of 4". This winter will be the
test: does the gap work and how big should it be? Did it in the afternoon, had just enough sun
time left to make sure all were still working properly.

I did get the linear activators unpacked and they run; take about 10 minutes at 18V to run 52
inches. I suppose that means 180 volt minutes for 52 inches: 7.5 minutes at 24V or 15 min at
12V. The draw is only around 2A once they get started, not the 12A on the plate. Getting them
driving a panel platform remains in the future. Bruce Roe

[bcroe]

Here is the energy reserve to date for next winter, with the 2 previous years. Generation isn't any
better than a year ago; probably a little worse (more clouds). Its got a jump on last year, because
this year I was heating with a new heat pump in the spring. Bruce Roe

The electric bill came; here is the latest energy reserve buildup for winter. Despite even more clouds
than last year, I'm well above 2014. The heat pump gets most of the credit; usage here is quite small
(due to earlier conservation efforts) except when the heat goes on. Most of what the PV generates
is going to reserve, but that will change soon. If the winter is actually the predicted warmer, there
might be a big surplus. Bruce Roe

[inetdog]

This I've got to see.

I am not sure if this was the one that I saw, but here is a 2012 article about the system. http://www.technologyreview.com/view...-solar-panels/
Unfortunately for them the idea did not catch on and the company stopped operations just this month.

[bcroe]

A good number of industrial applications use multipanel long row horizontal axis tracking.
Particularly good performance close to the equator.

I saw a clip last year about a system where a robotic actuator worked its way down the row tilting panels
and leaving them fixed in place as it went. Next scheduled axis change it worked its way back up the row.

One actuator for many panels.

This I've got to see. I have bolts to move & tighten on my 2013 version. The activators might be
here Friday, seem quite heavy. The robot moving them will be human. Don't know if I have a power
supply big enough for a pair of 24VDC motors, or will need to make something. Bruce Roe

[inetdog]

It looks like an industrial design, made in this area. Doesn't appear to do 2 axis. I hope they find
some customers; trackers are less valuable with clouds and cheap panels. Maybe its for industrial
applications, are some of those single tilt axis? Bruce Roe

A good number of industrial applications use multipanel long row horizontal axis tracking.
Particularly good performance close to the equator.

I saw a clip last year about a system where a robotic actuator worked its way down the row tilting panels and leaving them fixed in place as it went.
Next scheduled axis change it worked its way back up the row.

One actuator for many panels.

[SunEagle]

It looks like an industrial design, made in this area. Doesn't appear to do 2 axis. I hope they find
some customers; trackers are less valuable with clouds and cheap panels. Maybe its for industrial
applications, are some of those single tilt axis? Bruce Roe

It looks like a single axis movement. What impressed me was they were using a Parker cylinder hydraulic system which are pretty well designed to last.

[bcroe]

I just saw a flyer yesterday about a new type of panel tracker made by
HAS. I don't know the cost but it looked pretty impressive.

It looks like an industrial design, made in this area. Doesn't appear to do 2 axis. I hope they find
some customers; trackers are less valuable with clouds and cheap panels. Maybe its for industrial
applications, are some of those single tilt axis? Bruce Roe

[SunEagle]

Its getting late, but I may yet manage to get my south facing panels vertical for this snow season. The
24 braces to hold them are done; the issue is how to raise & lower each platform having two braces.

I ordered a couple linear actuators with a 52 inch stroke (about enough) and a 5000 lb capacity (overkill).
They run on 24 VDC, should be able to fine control them with adjustable voltage.

But they haven't arrived yet, so the mechanical design is still in doubt. Worst case the whole thing will
fall on me. IREA tour this Sat. Bruce Roe

I just saw a flyer yesterday about a new type of panel tracker made by HAS. I don't know the cost but it looked pretty impressive.

Solar Panel Tracker_HAS-Flyer_091115.pdf

[bcroe]

Winter inclination

Its getting late, but I may yet manage to get my south facing panels vertical for this snow season. The
24 braces to hold them are done; the issue is how to raise & lower each platform having two braces.

I ordered a couple linear actuators with a 52 inch stroke (about enough) and a 5000 lb capacity (overkill).
They run on 24 VDC, should be able to fine control them with adjustable voltage.

But they haven't arrived yet, so the mechanical design is still in doubt. Worst case the whole thing will
fall on me. IREA tour this Sat. Bruce Roe

[Leon_chow]

I was just thinking about the definition of SUN HOURS. Like, with my sun rise to sunset being
10:50 hours now, the total energy hitting a given panel might be equivalent to 5 hours of perfect
sun noon. So then its 5 SUN HOURS that day, location, and alignment.

Working this backwards, harvesting 110 KWH divided by 15 KW inverter maximum (clipping)
level, gives 7.33 equivalent SUN HOURS. The idea of course is to stretch the sun day by adding
panels directly facing the rising & setting sun. Comparing this to the basic sun hours could be
a multiplying factor for the panel arrangement. Probably the factor doesn't have a name? I'm
still looking for a tool to use, to predict this factor. Bruce Roe

Why don't u try type the longitude and latitude on NASA website, u can see the data for past years.

[bcroe]

Well I looked very closely at the connection on the display. The insulation on the cable where the connection is made to the display is dis colored which makes me believe it is a loose connection. Heat or arcing maybe going on. I have reconnected and reseated the connection but still have the same problem.

My diagnosis is that the connectors do not make a proper connection do to a manufacturing defect. I am going to replace door, display, connector and plug in panel.....all under warranty.
I do not believe your jumper wire will fix the problem I see. Inspect your connection very closely and see if there is indications of heat.

Probably my problem isn't your problem. I looked at the display cable on my 7.5, but nothing was loose
or burned. But wires should not be discolored from heat. Lets see what develops with your repair.
Bruce Roe

[DanS26]

Do put those holes close to the hinge so the jumper is short. And make sure nothing inside
is at risk. Some risk of voiding the warrantee I suppose, don't worry about such things here.
I tapped for 6-32 so it could be serviced from the outside, but nuts & bolts work with some
of those star contacts to help cut through, and clean the spots on the aluminum.

If I am right, replacing parts is only a temporary fix. Someone else suggested it could be
a loose door cable, but I didn't touch that and its cured. Let us know. Bruce Roe

Well I looked very closely at the connection on the display. The insulation on the cable where the connection is made to the display is dis colored which makes me believe it is a loose connection. Heat or arcing maybe going on. I have reconnected and reseated the connection but still have the same problem.

My diagnosis is that the connectors do not make a proper connection do to a manufacturing defect. I am going to replace door, display, connector and plug in panel.....all under warranty.

I do not believe your jumper wire will fix the problem I see. Inspect your connection very closely and see if there is indications of heat.

[bcroe]

Bruce, I have the exact same issue with the older of my two Fronius inverters. The older model has the hinged door but the newer model is bolted closed and they moved the DC cutoff switch is mounted on the bottom externally, thus no need to oped up the swinging door.

Well I called Fronius and they will, under warranty of course, replace the door and include
a plug in module. Maybe I'll try your fix first.

Do put those holes close to the hinge so the jumper is short. And make sure nothing inside
is at risk. Some risk of voiding the warrantee I suppose, don't worry about such things here.
I tapped for 6-32 so it could be serviced from the outside, but nuts & bolts work with some
of those star contacts to help cut through, and clean the spots on the aluminum.

If I am right, replacing parts is only a temporary fix. Someone else suggested it could be
a loose door cable, but I didn't touch that and its cured. Let us know. Bruce Roe