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Roberto
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| Quote: | Originally posted by Pompano
Zoomworks is an elegant, minimally mechanical system.
I was told by another solar home-owner they cost about $1300 per tracker for a 12 volt system. That figure is not verified. There are some
trade-offs though - it needs the warmth of the sun to make it work.
What that means is two things:
1) it "goes to sleep" at the western extreme of it's track each night and has to warm sufficiently in the morning to toggle east (this can take some
time and
costs you some amount of morning sun)
2) it is less efficient in cold weather or climates (though Zoomworks makes a set of small flanges you can mount to increase bottle heating).
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Actually, the cost of a Zomeworks system is strictly tied to the number of panels that you want to mount - voltage has nothing to do with it. It's
important that the panels be mounted and balanced correctly or the system will not track as intended, or at all, in the worst cases.
For an example, a system with 2 Kyocera 120W (KC-120) panels will cost about $550 - a system with 12 of the same panels will cost about $1950.
I agree about the cold weather comment, but in warmer climes (i.e. San Felipe) the system works great, and the small morning delay you refer to is
barely measurable.
The bottom line, to me is this: a small system with a fairly small number of panels is best improved by adding panels. But, after a certain point, the
number of panels becomes a cost issue on it's own, with space, wiring and other factors coming into play. That is when trackers start to make real
sense. An efficiency gain of 30% is not unrealistic.
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Pompano
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Roberto...good info. But I was not saying that the Zoomworks tracker must be used on only 12 volt panels...that just happened to be my neighbors
system. For instance, mine is 24. I was referring to the panels themselves. The tracker usaully will handle up 2-4-6-8 panels depending on model
before weight becomes an issue.
I have my house panels mounted south at about a 30 degree angle. I find this to be very efficient. Great industry. The panels have come a long
ways since Univ. of Delaware built the first thin-film solar cells exceeding 10% efficiency using copper sulfide/cadmium sulfide.
I do what the voices in my tackle box tell me.
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Pescador
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The gas fridge has ammonia in the cooling section which can and does crystallize. Normally this happens over time and happens more quickly if the
unit is run out of level. Sometimes bouncing or turning upside down can dislodge the crystals for a period of time. Occasionaly there have been
times when the units run for an extended period.
I have not seen very good results from recharging the ammonia compound and have found you are usually ahead to just get a new unit.
When you indicate that it does not work, I assume that you have checked the burner unit, cleaned the orfice in alcohol, checked propane pressure.
The easiest way with a three way or two way system, is to plug the unit to 110 volt and if the unit cools properly, then you know you have some type
of propane problem.
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wornout
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Speaking of trackers, it may be manual but the only cost was the pole and the frame which I had made locally. The frame was $100 and the pole was $40
(for a 6"gluelam wood post). The satelite dish mover I received free. There are a lot of them out there.
This Space Available, E-Mail Me If Interested.
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Roberto
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| Quote: | Originally posted by wornout
Speaking of trackers, it may be manual but the only cost was the pole and the frame which I had made locally. The frame was $100 and the pole was $40
(for a 6"gluelam wood post). The satelite dish mover I received free. There are a lot of them out there. |
Can you explain how this works? Specifically, what does the satellite mover do?
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MrBillM
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Tracker Economics Redux
Assuming (6) KC120 Panels on a Tracker-mounted array will
provide the "outside" figure of a 30 percent increase in efficiency, that would be an additional 216 watts. A short while ago, the KC120s (now
superseded) were selling for $550.00 each = $1100 for an additional 240 watts. The prices I have seen for trackers in the 6 panel array were in the
$1200-$1500 range.
As I said earlier, a virtual tradeoff in price. I would not choose a tracker over a fixed panel array as long as there was available roof space.
Regardless of the "degree" of tracker maintenance experienced, it could not duplicate the "Zero" maintenance of a fixed array.
IF you were interested in maximizing the efficiency of a fixed array, you could design your mounting brackets to allow periodic adjustment of the
array angle. The compromise formula of fixed array alignment is, I believe, usually Latitude plus 15 degrees (approx 45 degrees at San Felipe) so an
adjustment range (at San Felipe) of 6.5 degrees to 58.5 degrees would provide optimum reflection at midday. Additionally, the Outback line of Solar
controllers provice an increase of efficiency (to any array) of "up to" the same amount provided by a tracker.
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Roberto
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| Quote: | Originally posted by MrBillM
As I said earlier, a virtual tradeoff in price. I would not choose a tracker over a fixed panel array as long as there was available roof space.
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Exactly ... and pretty much what I stated, right? For the record, there's no such thing as zero maintenance, but the Zomeworks system is as close as a
statically mounted system.
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MrBillM
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Si Senor
OK, we're in agreement, more or less. I wasn't trying to start an argument, but simply clarify the costs involved.
As far as Zero Maintenance, I am referring to the normal atmospheric effects on the given arrays. ANY Device with moving parts will have a higher
statistical maintenance figure than one with NO moving parts. That difference may be insignificant in a practical sense taking into account the
lifetime of the device, BUT it will exist.
My current fixed Array has been in place for nearly Five Years and there have been NO maintenance issues. For any to appear, it would have to come as
a result of something like Metal Fatigue, which would be a constant with like materials IF we disregard the design structure of a tracker which would
"possibly" be higher, though again, perhaps insignificant in the practical sense.
I do not, of course, consider cleaning in the formula since that is another constant for any array choice.
It's really a matter of choice due to necessity or esthetics. The costs are equivalent.
We can both be correct.
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MrBillM
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In Addition
I would put in my plug for the Sun Frost Refrigerator. I avoided the purchase for years, but finally bought a 16 cu ft 12/24 vdc model in 2001. I
placed it in operation in Feb 2002 and it has run continuously year round except for defrost maintenance, including the Dead of Summer. It has
separate compressors for the Freezer and Refrigerator and consumes 7 amps @ 12 Volt when both compressors are running. A good rule of thumb for Solar
necessity is 200+ watts of Solar Panel for the Sun Frost itself. I have the bottom box set at 38 degrees and the freezer at 08 degrees. It works
perfectly.
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Pompano
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Location: Bay of Conception and Up North
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..almost zero..
16 fixed solar panels..almost too much power...no problems in 23 years, a few hurricanes, and mucho chubascos.
MAINTENANCE RECORD: Found myself on the roof once about 15 years ago and glanced over to see if the panels needed a wash...decided not to get
involved in a steady job. It will rain sooner or later.
I came to fish.
I do what the voices in my tackle box tell me.
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