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RedDevil · 10-19-2018, 04:32 PM

While you can point solar cells towards the sun, that also raises the temperature in those panels making them less efficient. So part of the gain that should be had will be lost to reduced PV efficiency, especially on hot days.

Also, by placing the panels so that they do not ever face the sun straight on (like laying them almost flat at higher latitudes) allows for using smaller, cheaper inverters.
Laying them flat makes them catch more light in the hours just after sunrise and before sunset, especially in May to July.

It is hard to make a tracking system that does not expose the leads in some way.
A fixed roof mounted system can have the leads completely hidden under the panels.

All in all the cost, complexity and vulnerability of tracking systems usually outweighs the benefits. The cheaper panels will get, the less tracking systems make sense.

10-19-2018, 04:32 PM	#3319 (permalink)
RedDevil Master EcoWalker Join Date: Dec 2012 Location: Nieuwegein, the Netherlands Posts: 3,999 Red Devil - '11 Honda Insight Elegance Team Honda 90 day: 54.23 mpg (US) Thanks: 1,714 Thanked 2,247 Times in 1,455 Posts	While you can point solar cells towards the sun, that also raises the temperature in those panels making them less efficient. So part of the gain that should be had will be lost to reduced PV efficiency, especially on hot days. Also, by placing the panels so that they do not ever face the sun straight on (like laying them almost flat at higher latitudes) allows for using smaller, cheaper inverters. Laying them flat makes them catch more light in the hours just after sunrise and before sunset, especially in May to July. It is hard to make a tracking system that does not expose the leads in some way. A fixed roof mounted system can have the leads completely hidden under the panels. All in all the cost, complexity and vulnerability of tracking systems usually outweighs the benefits. The cheaper panels will get, the less tracking systems make sense. __________________ 2011 Honda Insight + HID, LEDs, tiny PV panel, extra brake pad return springs, neutral wheel alignment, 44/42 PSI (air), PHEV light (inop), tightened wheel nut. lifetime FE over 0.2 Gigameter or 0.13 Megamile. For confirmation go to people just like you. For education go to people unlike yourself.