solar panel tracker

solar panel tracker

« Previous12345Next »

Solar trackers are devices that help you maximize the output of your solar panels. They work by tracking the sun's motion across the sky as the sun moves from the low east to low west throughout the day. Solar trackers can be either thermally operated or electrically operated depending on the makeup.

Thermally operated solar trackers are also called passive trackers because they do not use electricity to operate. They use Freon 12 as the working fluid to transfer weight inside the module and rotate the solar panels to be perpendicular to the sun. A vacuum pump is connected to a Schroeder valve and charge it half full of Freon. Two long refrigerant transfer hoses are used to connect the Freon reservoirs to the double acting cylinder.

Hydraulic gears can be purchased inexpensively. Special attention needs to be paid to the center of gravity of the system. A high center of gravity may cause the system to swing back and forth erratically whereas a low center of gravity causes the system to move slowly.

The system works by balancing the two Freon tanks. The sun is exposed to the right tank and vaporizes the Freon inside the tube. As pressure builds in the tank that is exposed more to the sun, the liquid Freon is forced into the left tank. As the array moves more toward the sun the tank receives less and less liquid Freon from the right tank. The system achieve equilibrium when the two containers are equally exposed to sunlight.

The system in essence locks into the sun and tracks it all day long.

Click Here For a FREE Ebook on How To Make Your Own DIY Solar Trackers

Save money on your electricity bills. Get involved in a fun project. Help the environment.

SOLAR PANEL TRACKER - UTILIZING THE SUN