Solar Compendium
Tracking Systems
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Are you planning a solar park? Solar modules have a life expectancy beyond 25 years. Therefore one should take great care to consider operation cost during the life cycle. Tracking systems considerably increase production and are made with an increasing variety with since the early 80's.  |
In order to secure long lasting profits of your investment you must analyse system reliability, maintenance friendly design and the availability of spares during the life cycle before you take your decision on the product. |
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ETATRACK
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Competitors
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ETATRACK: Sensorless. Your modules which are on the frame are the light sensor! No failure prone wind sensors required since frame and array load are mounted on several fixation points. |
2-axis competitor: Special make light & wind sensors. Failure prone against dirt / snow / condensate / lightning damage. Difficult to service in 5m height on top of the array. Some 2-axis trackers even require wind sensors. |
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ETATRACK: Standard actuator. Single linear actuator is used. Mass product, available worldwide and exchanged within 5 min by any untrained staff. Actuator does not need to carry frame or array weight. |
2-axis competitor: Special make gear drive in post. Weight of frame and array are centred on a single pivot. All related weights and wind loads are to be absorbed by this central actuator. Servicing is therefore a complex job. |
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ETATRACK: Reliable as only a single actuator is operated. Power supply via a permanently fully charged battery. Discharging during night negligible since the controller is in “sleep” mode. Lifespan of battery therefore > 5 years. Exchanged within 2 min by any staff. |
2-axis competitor: Complex, more components, increased risk of lightning damage since electrically connected with exposed light & wind sensors. Power supply: Some manufactures use expensive HiTech capacities. Servicing only via a complete exchange or with special trained staff possible. |
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ETATRACK follows the sun in 14 steps and therefore guarantees shortest possible operation duration with just a single actuator (16 min/day). Less is not possible! |
2-axis competitor: Searching for the brightest spot in the sky results in higher actuator moving times whereas only a negligible energy surplus is produced. A cloud that covers the sun will still shadow the array no matter in which direction it faces. Two actuators operate with much longer working time/day. |
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ETATRACK: Controller minimises mutual shadowing with other trackers in a solar park. Surplus energy production compared to double axis tracking in solar parks possible due to computer position optimisation. Annual surplus production within 20 to 40% depending on location |
2-axis competitor: Considering an economical space / array ratio (50-60 m2/kWp) 2-axis tracking systems produce no surplus due to shadow effects. During morning, evening and winter times the sun position is low and mutual shadowing of the array causes lower outputs. |
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ETATRACK: During the life cycle of 25 years one has to consider that a major storm event (up to 150 km/h). Our tracking arrays have passed DIN code to withstand this event without moving to a horizontal position |
2-axis competitor: Ask for static design approval. Tracking arrays greater then 20 m2 in size require wind sensors in order to tilt to horizontal position during storm. Broken wind sensor is not recognized until it is too late… |
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ETATRACK: Simple and reliable technology, considerable less investment, shortest amortisation time. Investment <50% compared to double axis tracking arrays. |
2-axis competitor: Complex technology, high investment (min. double compared to single axis tracking arrays) and therefore considerably longer amortisation periods. |
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ETATRACK: Controller and actuator easy accessible from the ground and exchanged by one person within 5 min. Comparatively few and inexpensive standard components. |
2-axis competitor: Failure of sensors are likely to fail. Maintenance is difficult to be made in 5m height. Electronic and power supply are comple, lightening damages are likely to happen. Actuator inside mounting pole is complex to service as the complete frame and array have to be disassembled. Considerably higher component cost of actuators, controller and sensors. |
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ETATRACK: Guaranteed, actuator and batteries are made since decades in mass production. Compatible controllers are made since 10 years by a variety of manufactures. |
2-axis competitor: Potentially risky as electronic, actuators and sensors are special make and not compatible to alternative manufactures. Sourcing only from the original manufacturer. Sourcing of these parts in 20 years? |
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Solar Tracking. What you should know 