Solar PV tracker

Step 5 Adding the LED tracker

I wish I had more pictures of the LED tracking unit, but there is plenty of info at Redroks website. The unit uses LED's to measure the position of the sun and tells the linear actuator how much to move and where to position the panel. It's really a slick little unit, and at a great price.

Go to http://www.redrok.com/led3xassm.htm#led3xforsale to purchase one if you want to try this yourself. There are plenty of pictures of how other folks have mounted them at http://www.redrok.com/electron.htm#led3x . I put mine in an empty peanut butter jar and mounted it to a 2 x 4. I attached the 2 x 4 to the side of the unit to get the LED tracker up above the panel to give it an unobstructed view of the sun.

Comments

[Xzav]

I'm new to the electronic field and sometimes it seems intimidating to me. About the Led tracker, do I need to know how it works in order to use it? I would like to know how it works. Can you explain a little on it. Thanks

[Shiftlock]

"Bicycle wheels, working tirelessly (no pun intended)"

No pun intended? Really? Because it sure looks to me like you absolutely intended to make that pun.

[Xzav]

It was still funny.

[spicegal27]

can you please help me in buildind a similar model for ma project....plz suggest me some books

[Laral]

Looking at the finished design, I see an easy mod you can make to compensate for the sun's declination. You can mount the panel on hinges at the top with metal straps with holes at the bottom like you did for the front of the mount. You need to add enough wood at the top to allow a -23.5 degrees tilt at the bottom and a long enough metal strap to allow a +/- 23.5 degree tilt. You can add a simple scale with markings for each week or 2-week period of the year for manual adjustment, or you could theoretically add another actuator. BTW why didn't you just cut the angle of the 2x6s the same as your latitude. You're not going to be moving this around are you?

[gaiatechnician]

Good suggestion. I have something very similar on the tracking solar accumulator videos.  At this time of year and in the winter there is only a tiny adjustment in 2 weeks. Around equinox there is a large adjustment. You might adjust every week  to get maximum performance. The image has the seasonal adjustment shown as you suggest. Hopefully it is clear enough at this size.
Brian

[gaiatechnician]

I think you did a very good job.
I have been working on a model for equatorial mount. Mine is for solar concentrators but it is much easier with pv panels.  The model is for the norther hemisphere up as far as Calgary.
Rotate the frame  at 15 degrees per hour to keep it pointed at the sun.
The actuator can do that. The panels can have adjustment manually for sun elevation with this mount.

[bwitmer]

Very cool, and thanks. I enjoy reading your Instructables, by the way!