DIY energy: UK solar inventions could reduce bills

[Joeboy]

Do you think theres a case for some sort of small winter tracker system ?

200 Watts here would cover the base for the house most of the day and a strategically placed small panel with tracker would probably achieve that in many conditions.

I'm finding with my set up at the minute that strategically placed small panels are giving better returns than larger systems in marginal conditions.

Moxi

The problem is that there simply isn't very much sunlight from which to extract energy! Nothing can escape that fact.

In bright-overcast conditions then a horizontal array does best, when the sun does shine in winter the angle will be low so a steeply-angled array is best. However most of the time your array could be pointed wherever you like, it still wouldn't generate anything of use, so the: complex, expensive, failure-prone, tracker, would make precious-little difference.

Skidable frames, ground mounted, max of 3 panels per skid...

[Moxi]

Based on Nowty and Stinseys replies I agree with you JB - larger mounts aimed by the Mk1 eyeball and directed using simple Mandrolics

Who knew I had already partially solved that issue

Moxi

[ecogeorge]

modify a moveable satelight dish to a tracker ??
George

[Moxi]

On the subject of trackers did your mate get his fixed George ?

Moxi

[Joeboy]

Based on Nowty and Stinseys replies I agree with you JB - larger mounts aimed by the Mk1 eyeball and directed using simple Mandrolics

Who knew I had already partially solved that issue

Moxi

You and Stan had similar ground mounts? I liked the look and it's pushed me to make one string of 3 skidable. I'll be looking for seasonal moves not daily so rough and cheap for me.

[ecogeorge]

Its on Georges' patio waiting for him to strip it and try to get rod fabricated. Unfortuately the end piece is cracked too.
George

[Stinsy]

Its on Georges' patio waiting for him to strip it and try to get rod fabricated. Unfortuately the end piece is cracked too.
George

The frost hasn't been kind to those slabs!

[marshman]

__

[Fintray]

I'm not far from Joeboy but with very little shading on my panels, my average results from the 2 systems totalling 14.24kW peak for the 4 winters 18/19 - 21/22:
Dec - 189kWh
Jan - 360kWh
Feb - 596kWh

That's a decent amount of power Iain! Over 1MWh in the 'off' months, nice! You are 41.85kWp and i am 24.88kWp for Feb. Huge difference, right I'm moving the house up besdie you!

Just shows the effect overspeccing on Size can have (& location). TBH, I'd keep going and have another 2kW on my roof and damn the expense but swmbo has been very understanding to date and I won't abuse that.

You could always buy the house behind me (it's coming up for sale) as it has a large south facing roof perfect for PV!

[Joeboy]

I'm not far from Joeboy but with very little shading on my panels, my average results from the 2 systems totalling 14.24kW peak for the 4 winters 18/19 - 21/22:
Dec - 189kWh
Jan - 360kWh
Feb - 596kWh

That's a decent amount of power Iain! Over 1MWh in the 'off' months, nice! You are 41.85kWp and i am 24.88kWp for Feb. Huge difference, right I'm moving the house up besdie you!

Just shows the effect overspeccing on Size can have (& location). TBH, I'd keep going and have another 2kW on my roof and damn the expense but swmbo has been very understanding to date and I won't abuse that.

You could always buy the house behind me (it's coming up for sale) as it has a large south facing roof perfect for PV!

I will keep an eye out!