How Solar Trackers Work
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 6 ก.ค. 2024
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This 3D animated video gives a general overview of how solar trackers work and a detailed example of how a dual axis solar panel works. We look at why solar trackers are used, the different types of solar tracker (horizontal, vertical and dual axis), all of the main components of solar trackers, how solar trackers work and the advantages and disadvantages associated with a typical dual axis solar panel.
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▶️Introduction
Solar trackers can be manually, passively or actively controlled (actuated).
Solar trackers are split into three main types, these are the horizontal, vertical and dual axis types.
How Dual Axis Solar Panels Work
Hydraulic cylinders are used to adjust the position of the solar tracker in order to follow the sun on a north to south axis and east to west axis. An anemometer is used to measure the wind speed and a solar sensor detects the level of solar radiation (sunlight). The tracker directs itself actively towards the sun in order to harness the maximum amount of energy possible.
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Hello, I'm a french man 74 years old, your vidéo is really the best one I ever seen & I saw a lot
A most excellent video and graphic CAD display. I am interested in going solar for a small cabin that I built, and because I am in a higher latitude location, it only makes perfect sense to go with a dual tracker system due to the changes in sun location in the various seasons (4 of them). Yes, it may cost more, but if you can eliminate most of the costs by being able to do the fabrication yourself, then it only makes sense to go with that design that will give you the most efficiency during the various seasons. You really have to weigh your options and do your homework before considering such a system. Thanks for sharing! Cheers!
I love the way you say tracker mate.
Oh hey! Thats Tallinn! Nice!
Wonderful animated explanation of what was in my mind and what i want to do with solar panels that i want to install at my farm. Thanks for this.
Could you please also make a small video for showing how to make joints that allow tilting of solar frame?
Many thanks, very clear and easy to understand 👍🏾👍🏾👍🏾
Very good explanation. Congratulations!
In which software did you make the animation? it is amazing! also thank you for share the video
All your videos are sick, keep it up
Thank u. Excellent speech
When you look at dual axis solar panels and whether or not they are worth the extra cost, don't just consider "40% more yield vs 100% more cost". The power from solar panels are generally needed the most in the morning and evening. So that extra 40% is mainly obtained where you would get very little production with a fixed panel. The real worth of each kWh is much more, when the supply-demand balance is such that there isn't enough supply. That would be directly financially realised in grid tie solutions where the price paid varies with supply-demand. But also for island systems, where batteries back up at night, you are interested in keeping the batteries charged up until as late as possible, while also be able to recharge them in the morning, as early as possible. The savings in battery capacity will in many cases make up for the added cost of a dual axis system.
Now that makes a lot of sense. Exactly as I've found out. and come winter, every drop of sunlight is gold, no?
Alternative to this is positioning one string to east, one to west. Decline in total production but better distribution through day. What do you think?
Dear b74a, your calculation is wrong. The cost of a MAX® (Multiple-AXis) tracker of e.g. 100 USD more to a FiX® (FiXed sub-construction) is probably 10 % - 15% more costs on the total system. The total system includes beside the construction, also all panels, inverters, cables, collector boxes, technical planning as also EPC (Engineering - Procurement - Controlling) costs.
But on the annual revenue, a MAX® brings 145% , while the FiX® has only 100% of yearly electric production.
On a long-term of 20 or more years, it is better to use MAX® , also called dual-axis, then not. With this system of MAX®, our company SOWiWA® GROUP is installing in Eastern Europe more than 1 GW of Photovoltaic in the next 5 years.
Please make a indepth video about passive trackers
Your methods are superb...thanks for uploading video..
Can you show the hydraulic circuit diagram for this setup?
You use the same solar panels for static mounts as you do for tracking systems. It's the mounts that increase the cost.
Thanks! very informative!!
Clear Explanationabout solar Pv trackers.
Smart. learned a lot. thanks. My comment would be to have the East West orientation on a rotating column so the entire array rotates. Where i am located, central BC, the E W change is about 270 degrees, a whopping difference in summer.
In winter, the change might be 120. So to rotate makes more sense. The up and down is at least 70 degrees in summer, maybe 30 in winter.
With my 2 panels of 315 watts each, this makes a lot of senses because i need power immediately in the morning and to stock up late in the evening.
the wind speed sensor is damn smart, so the panels flatten out in windy days . never thought of that.
I'm thinking of a scrapped old big satellite dish mechanism as the main hardware and mechanics. if it can support a dish 10' in diameter, then that would be excellent for say 3 large 300w panels. yes?
Well done.
Very well explained 🙂👍🙏🙏👍
Great info with good teaching methodology
Glad it was helpful! Thanks for watching.
Amazing explanation
very interesting: am going to install two solar trackers to my house 12 panel each one tks
very useful, thank you ! and the courses also very interesting. I would recommend it.
Thanks
Hello ! very nice video well explained, i just have a question about the dual axis tracker, i have a project about this and instead of this function my tracker will be moving according to 4 solar sensors but am struggling finding the right motor to move the pannel. am thinking of a jack motor would it be the same as the two hydrolic pumps u using? and would it be easy to program the two jacks, thank u !
Its so easy to do yourself, this video shows you what you DON'T want to do, your throwing your money away, do it yourself, a single axis tracker cost 100 bucks, th-cam.com/video/GO_d9Ek5nXg/w-d-xo.html This is my cost for a beginner solar and wind clean energy, do it yourself, for cents on the dollar.
Hello. In this design is there a pump somewhere that pushes the fluid in the hydraulics?
Most small systems use "electric linear actuators"
Thanks a lot.
Am just starting out... and perhaps am “putting too much on my plate” for wants.
1) Flexible in being able to use at home, and take with for my trailer for vacations.
2) Am thinking basics to start... & if desire & money is there... to add more panels, better components.
3) I have (2) 120w , flex panels on order, & (1) 50w rigid panel , bought years ago, never used
4) Since its minimal... desire the dual axis tracker, to get max power to batteries.
5) My biggest conundrum is NOT knowing the good “name brands”,so may get unknowingly poor performance
parts & get discouraged, if it all does not play out like I’m hoping.
I like this vid, so am subscribing for more basics, and looking around for other good, practical references.
I am strong electronically, but mechanical ability is sorely lacking... so this project may be quite a challenge !
Do it yourself th-cam.com/video/GO_d9Ek5nXg/w-d-xo.html, home made solar trackers are so easy, and only the east to west needs to be automatic, north and south you only change winter, spring , summer and fall.th-cam.com/video/-6vCpbBpuVY/w-d-xo.html Go to my page,, and learn how easy it is, don't get ripped off by these outfits capitalizing on your lack of knowledge. Its so easy man.
Very informative video. Thanks from Angola, Lobito.
Do I need a limit switch for the two linear actuators ?
Vertical axis solar trackers at landfills seem like a good idea
Can you upload video of how to make dual axis solar system in solidwork software?
thanks
@@savree-3dok thanks brother
The complexity and cost can be reduced by "tracking" the sun through about 90 degrees centered on solar noon each day and adjusting the tilt of that axis manually each month. The amount you gain outside of that is small.
Excellent video & presentation. would have been nice to have included the parts of the actuators, anemometer, hydraulic cylinders, solar tracker controller & sensors connectivity with electrical power source & where to find these parts.
Thank you.
My country is at the equator? do you think I should have a solar tracker ?
very informative sir thanks
Hi John,
Nice one
A doubt though
I wasn't properly able to understand how a passive solar panel works
You said that a low boiling liquid is taken and when it evaporates it would tilt
Here's where I am not able to understand
If the liquid vapourizes then shouldn't the liquid present at other areas fill up the vapourized portion
th-cam.com/video/XtDlUiWOmR0/w-d-xo.html
PV Hybrid system by IIT faculty, Subscribe our channel to get updates, thank you
wow good job
Thanks 👍
The need for electricity around the clock during the day to operate loads that require a long number of hours is what forces us to implement a base of moving panels with one or two axes, or you must design a double photovoltaic array in order to obtain, for example, at nine in the morning the electricity necessary to operate those loads and waste excess electricity at peak times.
The other potential reasons for using dual solar tracking would be extra panels cannot be deployed due to space limitations, any situation where daylight hours are limited, and the ability to adjust the position to shed snowfall.
Are you used any program here
Could you please share that program
What app did you use in designing that solar panel ?
Good video. Limited to a .25 acre area, considering a single axis east to west, but also considered a dual axis as it provides up to 40% more energy in less panels. Any idea on which system are good?
@@savree-3d Actually, I found a deal on 400 watt systems ($14.99 each) that I am taking the 100 watt panels from (will upgrade to 345 watt panels later) to built a several bigger system and want to put it on a dual axis tracker. The intent is a small solar farm tied directly to the grid to sell the power to the electric company with minimum start up of around $5 to $7k v $50k plus. I am also considering a single axis to start with. I'll see what they have.
@@savree-3d will do.
Hi Kevin Newell;
"East West Axis Horizontal Tracking Mounts" are generally the least desirable type for
small scale systems. The "North South axis" types are better.
However the "Polar Axis" types are much more desirable for small scale systems.
See some nice examples here:
www.redrok.com/electron.htm#tripod
The tripod types are easy to build and more robust than the ones mounted on a vertical post.
Duane C. Johnson
redrok@redrok.com
East to west is 99.9 of what you need. North to South you only change seasonally , and it doubled my input, this 40% stuff,, I just don't get it. th-cam.com/video/E2NfsTGEWro/w-d-xo.html and here is a close up of duel axis home made th-cam.com/video/-6vCpbBpuVY/w-d-xo.html
single axis trackers are 100 bucks on Ebay, and for north to south, do it manually,, a couple times a year. th-cam.com/video/GO_d9Ek5nXg/w-d-xo.html
Hello , i'm interested about this material . I need one DUAL AXIS TRACKER SOLAR with 12KW for my home and my frog farm. I'm living in THAILAND . Do you know one company to make this similar tracker ? Thnks very much.
Good information, Anyone know if there is a type of solar tracker where the West/East tracker works on a spinning disk? (would allow it to be laid flat on the ground when stowed).
B Murphy yes. Iv made mine and complete tracking portable units for RVing.
th-cam.com/video/XtDlUiWOmR0/w-d-xo.html
PV Hybrid system by IIT faculty, Subscribe our channel to get updates, thank you
I built east to west solar tracker my self with one motor and i keep getting power until the sun go down . i design it and went to a welder and get it done .
Good
good
Around 2:00, while explaining when mannual activation may be used, you could also mention that for domestic installs, the homeowner may, if he's around the entire day, change the position itself. But yeah nevertheless it's not practical
cual sería el circuito en simulink, de este sistema
How does these cylinders respond - what is driving them, electrical, heat ... ?
hydraulic fluid... but i guess pneumatic should work as well. electric motors are viable too i guess.
Do we have any model available for sale...
Can i get this solar tracker CAD file?
@@savree-3d ok thank you
Where can i get this model???
09:11 I wonder what happens when it hails and the panel is completely horizontal - and the hail always comes here in a very strong wind ...; - /
Anyway - wellmade video, thumbs up!
What actuators are you?
how long is the economic life of Tracker systems?
I'm so confused by this. You say that a "horizontal" tracker, which follows the sun's path from east to west through the day, rotates about a "north-south axis", which seems correct. But later you repeatedly use the term "north-south axis" to refer to motion that alters the slope of the module up and down to match solar altitude. What exactly do you mean by "north-south axis" a line that runs through the center of the module from south to north? If so, wouldn't that make the module rotate from east to west?
Can you send to me a price list?
Can you send to me price list?
but the 100% cost is the production cost right? wouldnt that be logical to have a one time higher production cost but instead 40% more energy for a long term?
Very intersting, seems like too much overhead for not that much gain, but what if you had 1 axis instead, the panel is donig the same moevement eveery day so is dual axis really necessary? one axis with a predetermined angle could give you almost the same amount of gain, not quite admittidely, but perhaps at 1/10 the cost of a dual axis system with about 95% of the gains with a 1 axis? A simple script for your area could move it at the right time with no need for tracking overhead either further bringing the cost down. Just the hardware for movement of 180 degrees. And now you could afford to put all your panels on 180 degree motors and perhaps would want smaller panels to mulitply the efficiecny gain, as it would seem you should get more the more panels you can move, if they're smaller you can move more into optimal light.
Thanks for your input.... Nice design, but way to complicated for private persons to make. A flat platform who controls the East - West movement with a single motor is much easier, and better for stormy weather. At least in the Nordic countries.
I need this for a crypto mine.
Where my grandma lives, there is a Solar power field that are horizontal solar trackers
My old father is my solar panels tracker,he is retired over few years ago and this is he only job per day.
But you also gotta take in consideration the ammount of space that you will pay for if you're planning on having way much more solar panels.💁♂️🤷♂️ for me is better to have this systems so you'll need less panels and less money spended on maintenance.
Hello. How much watts we can gain through this dual axis tracker? I calculated and found that the equipment and installation cost of this type of dual axis tracker is much higher than installating 3-4 additional panels to compensate the wattage loss due to sun's movement... The concept and idea is good, but not practical considering "Cost and benefit" analysis.
uh...he already said that in the video
Sir please send me your phone number and tell me the price
if your system is constrained by regulation to say 4kw as in uk, the adoption of this may make sense
what do you mean by constrained by regulation to say 4kw in uk please ? Does this mean we are regulated to 4kw in the UK I would love to know thank you
👍👏👏👏
Solar panels are not categorized (or manufactured) as 1 or 2-axis panels and non-moving panels. A panel is a panel. It is the mechanical track and pivot system that adds the cost. Although, maybe you didn't mean to communicate it the way you did?
Asks why we need a solar tracker. Explains that we need a solar tracker to track the sun. Genius.
What powers the solar trackers when the sun isn’t shining?
If the sun isn't producing power, there's not much reason to track it. Like at night or in heavy clouds, the unit is dormant.
Unless you mean when solar power output is insufficient, then there would be a small backup battery. This can be a stand alone battery located with the panels/tracker running off its own MPPT (controller).
Unless you make them your self.
As far as off grid living is concerned, this video is super simplistic, and therefore (sorry mate, I do not want to diss you... ), inaccurate. As, and very often, more important than peak power, is the distribution of power throughout the day. In the darkest winter months, East to west tracking is not so important because (Northern hemisphere) the sun is rising in the South East and setting in the South West, with relatively little passage across the sky, however vertical alignment with the sun will make a significantly beneficial improvement. However, from mid February through mid October, to be able to maximise available power harvesting will make a big difference to the utility the panels provide... if you are not interested in being as kind to your batteries as you can, all this is not so relevant of course !! ... but if you are, and maybe you want or need to run some heavier loads when it is convenient for you to do so, rather than the position of the sun in the sky calling the shots, then it is useful to be able to have your panels orientated as norman (at right angles), give or take twenty degrees or so, to the sun as possible. I often get almost 50% of available power shortly after sunrise (I do have some visual obstructions to the SE, so sunrise is always an hour or so later than it would be at an unobstructed location, however it is still relatively low in the sky) and my setup is very far from ideal. So on a sunny day, continuous or intermittent, by early March through late October, I can use my maximum draw appliances from an hour or so after local sunrise through an hour so so before sunset, within reason, without putting a large load on my batteries, as a good chunk of the power that the inverter is supplying is coming straight off the pannels and therefore the batteries are not having to work so hard, thus, maintaining voltage. I tend not to impose a heavy draw within a couple hours before sunsett though, as I like my batteries to be fully charged well before. Basically, the length of both the useful day and of useful season is significantly extended. Now, if you are significantly dependent on that beautiful big yellow ball, you will know just how much significantly lengthened useful days and seasons are. Gain 40% but it is not worth it, better go go buy another panel instead might sound like a good idea, but if thought through and alowed to reach a logical destination, it does not provide a great deal of utility. Appreciate your batteties, be as kind to them as you can; track you panels both vertically and horizontally if you can; and enjoy the gift the sun is giving you for more hours per day and more months per year.
Great response thanks
Dual axis solar panels; 40 % more energy for 100 % price increase. Not economical sustainable........I guess that depends on the demand of power during the day. If one could save or sell energy at times of the day with higher prices it might in fact be a GOOD deal.
Where I live energy can often become almost free in the middle of the day. Meaning that I have no real economical use for making my own energy. In other times the price can go op several hundred percent.
Why does it cost 100% more for a pair of actuators? If we make it ourselves it'll not cost more than 10% of the setup and for huge system just single drive is enough where it costs less than 5% of the setup. I think you people should get a new dealer abroad, many companies make simple stuff more complicated and charge 10 times more than it should be.
thats 13+ mins im not going to get back
Wow what a stupid reasoning that 100% more cost is not worth 40% more power. That's is a fantastic trade off,basically double the cost for almost extra half of power. DUDE that's not a disadvantage
Lots of talk, little valuable information
you could explain everything in 3 minutes instead of 13, you just wasted our time
Thanks