| -- End Ad Box ---> | | | | gears which will require regular maintenance of your |
| Solar tracking systems are used to continually orient | | | | solar system and repair or replacement of broken |
| photovoltaic panels towards the sun and can help | | | | parts. If you're electronically controlled tracker stops |
| maximize your investment in your PV system. They | | | | working and you don't have a manual control, an option |
| are beneficial as the sun's position in the sky will | | | | you can choose at the time of purchase, you can |
| change gradually over the course of a day and over | | | | manually position your array to solar south to ensure |
| the seasons throughout the year. Advantages to using | | | | that you will continue to capture as much solar energy |
| a tracker system like this will depend mainly on it's | | | | as possible. Secure the array into place with ropes or |
| placement in determining how well it will increase the | | | | straps found on the four corners of the rack and tie |
| effectiveness of the panels. They can be used most | | | | onto the pole or in the concrete pad. |
| effectively in areas with low horizons and locations | | | | Another possible disadvantage to be aware of when |
| that are shade free from dawn to dusk each day. | | | | purchasing a tracking solar power system, is in the |
| Throughout the year the tracking array will be able to | | | | way your local utility's PV Rebate Program may be |
| utilize the wide open access to gain every available | | | | set up. Many are based on the size of the PV array in |
| electron from the sun. This way, energy production is | | | | your home kit and not on your PV array's production, |
| at an optimum and energy output is increased year | | | | which could mean less of a financial benefit to you. If |
| round. This is especially significant through out the | | | | you have a small array, such as a 3 Watt capacity, |
| summer months with its long days of sunlight available | | | | you may get less overall cost benefit than someone |
| to capture and when, at many Northern latitudes, the | | | | else with a larger array of a 4-5 Watt size capacity, |
| sun rises in the northeast and sets in the northwest, no | | | | even if your energy production works out higher than |
| energy will be lost. For those with limited space this | | | | the person using a bigger array, due to increased sun |
| means that a smaller array only needs to be installed, | | | | exposure in your area. The upfront cost of purchasing |
| a huge advantage for those smaller sites with only a | | | | a home kit with a smaller size array is less but you |
| small area to place equipment; they will be able to | | | | may receive a smaller rebate check. Many areas |
| produce maximum energy output but only need to | | | | though, are now starting to make the move from the |
| utilize one of the smaller solar home systems. | | | | rated wattage system of photovoltaic home systems |
| Solar tracking systems do not come without their | | | | to the energy production based incentive program; |
| disadvantages though. The stand alone PV home kit | | | | check with the Database of State Incentives for |
| system is a very reliable and uncomplicated source of | | | | Renewables & Efficiency for more details. You can |
| energy production; the panels don't move and require | | | | find more incentive program details online at |
| little maintenance. By adding a solar tracking system to | | | | dsireusa.org. |
| your solar panels, you are adding moving parts and | | | | |