Description:

12-panel array, pole mounted dual axis tracking Solar Tracking Controller: Laser Precision Crafts, STA1000-HW Solar Panels: SolarWorld SW275 MONO Inverters: ABB microinverters

My Motivation:

I have always been interested in solar energy but never really lived in an area that was very compatible for installing solar panels. After moving to Texas 2 years ago I decided it was time to get busy installing panels. I originally planned to install the panels on the south facing roof of our home but the more I looked at our property I realized it was perfect to be able to install a ground mounted system. To take it one step further I wanted the array to be able to track the sun to get the most efficiency. I custom designed and built a 12-panel array that is pole mounted with a dual axis tracking system that is now tracking the sun daily. To help save natural resources (and a little money) the materials used to build the system mainly came from the local scrap metal recycling center, Weatherford Recycling & Supply, with the exception for the solar equipment. The installation was just completed in early September 2015 so not much historical performance data is available. The ABB micro inverters have monitoring software that allows tracking of the system performance and as well as individual panels from a computer or smart phone. In the short time they have been installed it has been very interesting to watch the sun come up and the system begin producing max power in a very short time and continue this throughout the day.

Additional Notes:

I have always been interested in solar energy but never really lived in an area that was very compatible for installing solar panels. After moving to Texas 2 years ago I decided it was time to get busy installing panels. I originally planned to install the panels on the south facing roof of our home but the more I looked at our property I realized it was perfect to be able to install a ground mounted system. To take it one step further I wanted the array to be able to track the sun to get the most efficiency. I custom designed and built a 12-panel array that is pole mounted with a dual axis tracking system that is now tracking the sun daily. To help save natural resources (and a little money) the materials used to build the system mainly came from the local scrap metal recycling center, Weatherford Recycling & Supply, with the exception for the solar equipment. The installation was just completed in early September 2015 so not much historical performance data is available. The ABB micro inverters have monitoring software that allows tracking of the system performance and as well as individual panels from a computer or smart phone. In the short time they have been installed it has been very interesting to watch the sun come up and the system begin producing max power in a very short time and continue this throughout the day.

Open House Info:

Tour Hours: 10am - 4pm Saturday, 03 October 2015

Links: