For a class project (PV Design, Appalachian State, Dr. Dennis Scanlin) I decided to try making a low cost PV tracker. Being able to follow the suns path through the sky can raise your system output considerably (30-50%), but the argon filled ones can be a bit pricey, and seem to be a bit unsteady in wind. I looked at several different designs, looked at what materials I could find, and this is how I did it.
The panel is mounted to a frame, which is attached to two bike wheels. The wheels are mounted to a larger wooden frame, and the wheels and panel are moved by a 12 volt linear actuator. The sensor is an LED model and is purchased from Redrok Energy.
The LED sensor senses the path of the sun and tells the actuator how much to move to keep the panel properly oriented. At the front of the tracker are two legs that can be adjusted to the proper altitude for seasonal changes.
I used bicycle wheels because they are durable, strong enough to handle some weight, and best of all, in my case, free!
source: www.instructables.com
Tags: pv, sun, sun panel, tracker
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