Nice test, although if panels were bifacial it would be good to put those flat ones elevated from the ground. Trackers are great, but there are few things that make huge difference in real-life use: - It's nice for 6 panels, how for 24 panels? One giant tracker or 4 separate trackers? - if you have limited area, trackers can't be placed too close to each other, while flat lying panels can fill up the whole available area - last but not least: How much does tracker cost? Is it less or more than these 3 extra panels? 😉
You should have moved the tracker further over the panels on the ground. Now they only received a little bit of shade. Had you shaded them more, the results would be even better.
well, I definitely appreciate the data. I'd like to see you retest with the control variable set up the way we would normal solar panels at an angle to the sun. I think the solar tracker would have out performed, but not by as much.
Just watching it with the shadow you can see long portions where it is not at an optimal angle for quite some time @ 3:52-4:06 and even at the end it is not tilting to the left like it should @ 5:27 almost like it can only tilt forward backward but not side to side based on these clips.
A better test would be to have them both on the same rack tracker one tracking the other at a set angle not moving. Most people would not put panels flat on the ground. No air flow which makes them run hotter and produce less energy and bifacial panels need light to hit the back to make the comparison fair. Usually you will get 30% more power but is it worth it to have a moving component that can break as a posed to a solid racking system.
*Due to the extreme drop in prices in the solar sector it now makes much more sense to simply install more solar panes instead of a tracker!* Tracker = mechanics & electronics outdoors = susceptible to maintenance and repair! Solar modules = at least 25 years maintenance and repair-free! So that you have yields all day long, you should install them in S-E (in the morning) and S-W direction. In the meantime, however, a storage system makes more sense.
Somehow most trackes seem over-engineered. Once setup, it seems like a cloud passing overhead could disrupt the sensor. Why can't they be made to be set by time of day and day of year? That way they will always be pointing to exactly the right position regardless if the sun goes behind a cloud or hurricane winds are blowing? Once setup for a particular location, it seems like a 24 hour day timer and year timer would be a more reliable way of pointing the panels directly at the sun's location in the sky rather than sun and wind sensors.
I love my solar tracker. I power my A.C. window unit with it and batteries most of the day and night, my dehumidifier and an air filter with it. I have a few other static panels to power the solar tracker. I live in the north, so I don't get a ton of sun, but since the tracker can point really west, I'm able to pick up a lot of afternoon sun. The only thing I would like to see is the option to upgrade or building the tracker with stronger actuators. My east/west broke in the winter. Granted they are decently priced for a new one, I would like to see a stronger one. Mine broke most likely from the snow being on top, so really my fault, but I would hope it could hold that. My workaround is to set it to manual mode in the winter when in January/February times, as not much sun is to be had. I also set up the programming so when no sun is detected, it goes back and forth, east to west, hoping the snow will fall off.
I think you hurt the argument for your product when you do things to exaggerate the results. I think the ground panels need to be further away. It looks like Group A shaded part of Group B in both tests. The cables might have been causing shadows but that is not a big deal. I like these trackers but do a more fair test. Compare a tracker to another tracker in the wind triggered flat mode or manually set to year round tilt.
Looking into your equipment. I'll be making a purchase of panels and lithium storage for future family use and backup power... apartment living very remote can be an issue... but I am working it out.
Very biased comparison. Also how about stocking batteries that make data available on Can bus, Bluetooth WiFi etc. Thats why your batteries where not on my short list.
The fact that your “test” included bifacial panels on the ground makes me less likely to use your product. An honest test would have the panels that were not in the tracker in a stationary platform the same height as the tracker to account for the bifacial ability of the panels. The fact that your “test” was not honest makes me wonder what else you aren’t honest about. I’m open to changing my mind if you do an honest test.
A got one of these 195w bifacial panels this week and performance wise i'm disappointed. In ideal conditions the best i can get is 150 watts. I have other 100w panels from Doxio and they reach near 100watts. I wasn't expecting to get 195w but something around 170 or 180 would be a decent panel. I wouldn't buy any more panels from Eco-worthy. Just disappointing.
I wish mine was working properly.. 177w vs 806 after tilting. 1\3 ruclips.net/video/R00Vfy0iPO0/видео.html 2\3 ruclips.net/video/8it9WhMxI6E/видео.html 3\3 ruclips.net/video/Ctf2Vft19fI/видео.html I have contacted eco worthy, but just wondering what your thoughts are..?
Thank you for your comments and suggestions! 💚💚We have read and recorded them, and will plan to release the upgrade test video later.💚💚
Are the panels on the ground also bifacial? Elevate them some and put a white sheet under
The gains are exaggerated by the panals laying flat on the ground. Set them at your local average sun angle and get true results for the tracker.
Absolutely right. If you make a comparison, you should also do a serious test!
Nice test, although if panels were bifacial it would be good to put those flat ones elevated from the ground.
Trackers are great, but there are few things that make huge difference in real-life use:
- It's nice for 6 panels, how for 24 panels? One giant tracker or 4 separate trackers?
- if you have limited area, trackers can't be placed too close to each other, while flat lying panels can fill up the whole available area
- last but not least: How much does tracker cost? Is it less or more than these 3 extra panels? 😉
You should have moved the tracker further over the panels on the ground. Now they only received a little bit of shade. Had you shaded them more, the results would be even better.
well, I definitely appreciate the data. I'd like to see you retest with the control variable set up the way we would normal solar panels at an angle to the sun. I think the solar tracker would have out performed, but not by as much.
Just watching it with the shadow you can see long portions where it is not at an optimal angle for quite some time @ 3:52-4:06 and even at the end it is not tilting to the left like it should @ 5:27 almost like it can only tilt forward backward but not side to side based on these clips.
A better test would be to have them both on the same rack tracker one tracking the other at a set angle not moving. Most people would not put panels flat on the ground. No air flow which makes them run hotter and produce less energy and bifacial panels need light to hit the back to make the comparison fair. Usually you will get 30% more power but is it worth it to have a moving component that can break as a posed to a solid racking system.
Are the panels identical in each system?
how many 600W panels can be assembled with your tracker?
*Due to the extreme drop in prices in the solar sector it now makes much more sense to simply install more solar panes instead of a tracker!*
Tracker = mechanics & electronics outdoors = susceptible to maintenance and repair! Solar modules = at least 25 years maintenance and repair-free!
So that you have yields all day long, you should install them in S-E (in the morning) and S-W direction.
In the meantime, however, a storage system makes more sense.
Somehow most trackes seem over-engineered. Once setup, it seems like a cloud passing overhead could disrupt the sensor. Why can't they be made to be set by time of day and day of year? That way they will always be pointing to exactly the right position regardless if the sun goes behind a cloud or hurricane winds are blowing? Once setup for a particular location, it seems like a 24 hour day timer and year timer would be a more reliable way of pointing the panels directly at the sun's location in the sky rather than sun and wind sensors.
I would like see how it works in wind conditions
you need $500 of extra panels on the ground to make this a cost competitive and fair test.
I love my solar tracker. I power my A.C. window unit with it and batteries most of the day and night, my dehumidifier and an air filter with it. I have a few other static panels to power the solar tracker. I live in the north, so I don't get a ton of sun, but since the tracker can point really west, I'm able to pick up a lot of afternoon sun. The only thing I would like to see is the option to upgrade or building the tracker with stronger actuators. My east/west broke in the winter. Granted they are decently priced for a new one, I would like to see a stronger one. Mine broke most likely from the snow being on top, so really my fault, but I would hope it could hold that. My workaround is to set it to manual mode in the winter when in January/February times, as not much sun is to be had. I also set up the programming so when no sun is detected, it goes back and forth, east to west, hoping the snow will fall off.
What is the weight capacity if the tracker? Weight of each if your panels? Thx!
I believe it's 300 or 350 LBS.
I think you hurt the argument for your product when you do things to exaggerate the results. I think the ground panels need to be further away. It looks like Group A shaded part of Group B in both tests. The cables might have been causing shadows but that is not a big deal. I like these trackers but do a more fair test. Compare a tracker to another tracker in the wind triggered flat mode or manually set to year round tilt.
Looking into your equipment. I'll be making a purchase of panels and lithium storage for future family use and backup power... apartment living very remote can be an issue... but I am working it out.
How to connect the power to controller? 12V battery should be required? How to wire it?
That is a good question.I have been trying to figure that out
Very biased comparison. Also how about stocking batteries that make data available on Can bus, Bluetooth WiFi etc. Thats why your batteries where not on my short list.
The fact that your “test” included bifacial panels on the ground makes me less likely to use your product. An honest test would have the panels that were not in the tracker in a stationary platform the same height as the tracker to account for the bifacial ability of the panels. The fact that your “test” was not honest makes me wonder what else you aren’t honest about. I’m open to changing my mind if you do an honest test.
A got one of these 195w bifacial panels this week and performance wise i'm disappointed. In ideal conditions the best i can get is 150 watts. I have other 100w panels from Doxio and they reach near 100watts. I wasn't expecting to get 195w but something around 170 or 180 would be a decent panel. I wouldn't buy any more panels from Eco-worthy. Just disappointing.
I wish mine was working properly.. 177w vs 806 after tilting. 1\3 ruclips.net/video/R00Vfy0iPO0/видео.html 2\3 ruclips.net/video/8it9WhMxI6E/видео.html 3\3 ruclips.net/video/Ctf2Vft19fI/видео.html I have contacted eco worthy, but just wondering what your thoughts are..?
More like 63 percent increase but I don't like your testing seems off.
this is a very skewed test no one would put 6 bifacial panels flat on the ground