Is The Solar Tracker Still Worth It?

[@brianmcdermott7399]

I suppose it comes down to the value of your time and effort. I've definitely talked to people who would say "for all the hassle I've spent on that [curseword] tracker, it would have been much cheaper to have just bought a dedicated set of morning-oriented fixed panels and another evening-oriented set. For the extra $600 in panels, I would have priceless peace of mind." But I imagine, with the gear that you own, that diagnosing control boards and re-machining anchor bolts is actually how you would _choose_ to spend your time. A never-ending tracker project isn't a bug for you, it's a feature. I'm reminded of a lady from over in the gravel pit who had a tracker array, but without the sensors and servomotors. She just goes outside once an hour and turns the panels by hand. My god, why? She says with a shrug: "I'm retired. I'm home all day. It's something to do."

[@bwilson948]

I installed large C-band satellite dishes but no all home owners were able get every signal and needed options. Most home owners never did a site plan for solar energy usage but what property they could afford which then controlled home placement. This is a great option, get highest wattage panels you can get and you have lights and frig full of cold food or medical equipment always there from a very small area. The go big or go home is a marketing mindset. I have three separate sources of heat, my propane tanks froze,, lost all power for 9 days so heat pump was scrap metal, the wood stove was wonderful. A single tracker is all I am going to get from solar along with a small generator and batteries, Time and effort spent in planning can overcome many obstacles. I am just learning I would have been very unhappy with this tracker as built but now I know it is fixable with reinforcing and a few cables.

[@motoscro951]

Tracker is currently on sale through Eco-Worthy for $459.99 shipped, no tax for me in TX. 🤠

[@blkgranit333]

I have two solar trackers and one fixed a total of three arrays. my trackers are awesome. These trackers have easily paid for themselves vs the fixed array! It really isnt a fair comparison.

[@michaelvanallen6400]

*Due to the extreme drop in the price of solar panels, it is nowadays extremely cheaper to simply install more panels!* In any case, trackers are mechanics and need maintenance. Trackers are very susceptible to wind and lightning strike. For this reason and because of the mechanics, most of them only last some years. If you want more constant yields throughout the day, you simply have to set up your modules in an S-E and S-W orientation.

[@RichGoyetteMusic]

Great comparison video. Sharing it!

[@seymourpro6097]

Using the croc leads let the system work, likely the system want to run at or above the fuse rating and an additional length of thin wire was just enough current limiting. Set the panels at an angle for the season and let them run on ONE jackscrew for the time of day. Maybe turn the panels more or less steep once a week for seasonal sun height changes. Simpler- fit more panels in two banks, one facing SE and one SW Please calculate the power sent to the house and the power used to run the system Jackscrews running at 2.5A will eat electricity.

[@undead504]

i bought one tracker about a month ago and love it and i am considering buying a second one

[@martinwragg8246]

If you have the space and the panels are ground mounted, put the majority of the panels pointing south and two sets of auxiliary panels pointing east and west to catch the morning and evening sun. Some vertical seasonal adjustments to the panels could be built in to the structure and periodically changed a few times per annum. These days panels are so cheap vs the complexity of continuously moving large structures with accuators.

[@aloneinanearthship4010]

these are fair points, however it would require much more equipment. I actually do have the space and equipment to do that, but then I would loose the additional advantages that actually tracking the sun provides (thinking of cloudy days or intermittent sun here). I may some day try static arrays if the tracker completely fails.

[@martinwragg8246]

@@aloneinanearthship4010 I am just building a small solar model to try out the idea I suggested. 3 cells facing S and 1 cell facing E and 1 cell W. So if scaled up the panels would be split 60%,20%,20%. I will post on my KZbin channel (solarhope) when I complete my tests.

[@Electronzap]

Nice. They should put a solar dome on the mountain.

[@aloneinanearthship4010]

I would rather they stuck a cell tower up there so I can get better internet. :)

[@pnowikow]

Eco worthy just updated their tracker to improve their faults. Adorable too

[@JimNichols]

I took a shot of bourbon every time you said "uhhhhh" I made it till 1:07 then I passed out....

[@aloneinanearthship4010]

Be careful, you could do yourself harm.

[@JustAnotherOldMan]

Does the EcoWorthy auto tracking system flatten at night ? Or does it return to where it had started in the morning ?

[@aloneinanearthship4010]

it flattens

[@JustAnotherOldMan]

@@aloneinanearthship4010 thank you ! I just assembled mine and it auto tracked right out of the box, but does not flatten, remains pointed towards Sunset, is there instructions for the system to flatten ? Thank you again

[@aloneinanearthship4010]

@@JustAnotherOldMan If you are using the same controller I am using then there should be a voltage setting, and 2 time settings. Here is the link to the manual: kzbin.info?event=video_description&redir_token=QUFFLUhqbUtpRnZHM3FEeXNFeVdHSlBGVnh4UmYzbDZPUXxBQ3Jtc0trR0kyZGlpMWQ2b082bjFkSW9uRUQ5bTdBSzRwYkZrMEd6UEpFQjE5eElqQ3dsN1d3ZjlqVTBBajdJVU91VUpOdWdZUW95ajJ5Zy1mazZzQzRuVmFhSTdITjNwdjU4T1c2cTBNaUQ2WDRLQ3ZUdmhDMA&q=https%3A%2F%2Fcdn.shopifycdn.net%2Fs%2Ffiles%2F1%2F0253%2F9752%2F6580%2Ffiles%2Fdual_axis_solar_tracker.pdf%3Fv%3D1646293345&v=uvGzYGJ4jDM

[@KeithOlbermannn]

How much total weight do you have on the tracker?

[@woodzyfox4735]

I have 2 trackers, 2 diffrent versions and i never have issues...

[@rw4669]

Hello: Thanks for these updates. My Tracker journey has begun as they are on the way to me now. Im goin with 3 bifacial 400watt panels, 150lb total, that will be apx 134in wide before spacers (just over 11ft). What Id like to kno, is if anyone knows how to get 12ft solid unistruts? Is there such a size? Im in rural north michigan. As Im new to this, can someone tell me if there is only 6ft options? And do a 12ft need to be heavier than the 12 guage that are common? Also, What kind of battery do I need to shop for, to run the acuators? I kno its 12v, but what else do I need to kno to make the purchase? I experience february temps of 15 below zero F, and I see some of the candidate 12v batts have a limit around 32ºf! Any advice appreciated.

[@aloneinanearthship4010]

bifacial panels, awesome! I wish I had an application for those I have been wanting to try them. I think I use 10 foot unistrut that I got locally. I think you are good with 12 guage unless you have heavy loads like wind and snow, but in that case the tracker isn't a good idea. The battery can be lead acid but at -15 you would need a heater, or go with a lithium with a built in heater.

[@MARS-GREENH0USE]

Dangggggggggg. I like you friend. We alike

[@pepethefrog7193]

Since 50ct per watt the tracker doesent make any sense any more. It is cheaper and way more reliable to have a set of SE and one set of SW panels. Yes, you can put them in parallel.

[@fermitupoupon1754]

I suppose the trade off is space. I have a tracker array, because that way I get more kWh a day compared to a fixed array. Though for me the thing is mostly that I'm limited in the 30 square metres of roof space I have available. Also because it tracks in both angles I get much more kWh during winter than my neighbour does with his fixed array, despite him having 18 panels compared to my 12. In the summer my array starts producing power at 3:30 and keeps on producing until about 1:00, and it evens out compared to my neighbour because he's got way less efficiency for nearly 6 hours. Another benefit is that during the winter my panels are almost vertical, which keeps them clear of snow for the vast majority of the time. Meanwhile even a centimetre of snow is killer for my neighbour's array. So he has to wait until it either melts, or he has to go on the roof in winter to clear them.

[@aloneinanearthship4010]

I have considered that option, but I would need to purchase additional equipment that I have no money for so I will make the tracker function for as long as it can. I have no money, but I do have time, and my time is otherwise worthless.

[@rcguymike]

Where are you getting new panels for $.50/W? Or is that before tax and shipping?

[@pepethefrog7193]

@@rcguymike Actually 30ct/W delivered in germany. Need to buy bulk for this price. 30 pieces.

[@rcguymike]

@@pepethefrog7193 that's awesome, best I've seen in the US is around $.35-.40 for used and/or damaged panels and then shipping the pallet is $300+ more. I've been finding new 100W panels for ~$.70.

[@hoosierdaddy9499]

I put a tracker on my wife's car. She ain't my wife no more. 😉

[@aloneinanearthship4010]

I could never keep track of mine. No idea where she is now. LOL

[@OFFGRID_Trucker]

Hey.. how's the tracker doing.. ? I just installed their updated controller.. Version 2. kzbin.info/www/bejne/oJ-0mJ1-dsp0hsU I think there was enough sunshine for it to track when I got it turned on, but the panels flattened out and said low sunshine. So I'll have to wait until in the morning to see if it's working better or worse. The days are short and cold here with lack of sunshine, but the 10Ah eco worthy lithium was at 11.1 volts and the panels didn't move all day. Not sure if I need to get a 20Ah instead. Nice snow you got there.. I'm at 2300' here in S. Oregon and haven't seen any yet like we usually do.

[@aloneinanearthship4010]

The tracker is locked in one position for now until I replace the east/west actuator, hopefully I will have the funds to replace it soon and do a video.

[@Mywhtjp]

@@aloneinanearthship4010 Bummer.. So Eco flow emailed me and asked if I wanted to test and review their version 2.0 tracker controller.. I said sure. so here's the results. kzbin.info/www/bejne/noS9oGRqf9ycpJI

[@memadmax69]

The engineer part of me cant fathom running my panels without the tracker... The lazy part of me cant shut the hell up...

[@margarita8442]

not worth it - will blow up