Solar Tracking in December/January - Time Lapsed

Craig,

That is very cool.  Now you just need to decorate it with fake surface to air missiles!

Do you have any measure of how much improvement you get in efficiency over a stationary setup?

Glenn

Very good info.  20%.  I have a friend installing a system this month and theirs is fixed.  Same sizing for power, 13 panels versus my 9 (that is a 40% increase in panels).  My system uses micro inverters that allow for panel-by-panel viewing on the net.  Other installs are there as well.  Installs in PA, my tracker versus their fixed, show the 20% or more.

https://enlighten.enphaseenergy.com/public/systems/XqtE1020

A system in Warrington has 44 panels.  In the last 7 days produced 132 kWh while I produced 42 kWh.  Tracking produced 55% more power based on system size.  One on Swamp Road I was 67% over their production.  The tracking setup has an up front cost and maintenance (motors, controller) but the power produced pays for the added expense.

Some base numbers fro 2010 - Annual cost for electric, actual payment and REC credits:

  Power consumed $1000 (based on meter readings)

  Power paid $300 ($700 savings over power consumed)

  Power sold to grid $1400 (REC)

  Annual savings $2100

  Investment less Federal credit and PA credit $8625, payback period will be 4 years.

The micro inverter company Enphase has over 5000 installs listed on the Enlighten site where you can view systems and their performance.  Glad I took the leap to install solar power in 2009.