Anyone Imported a Chinese PV Tracker System?

martinwinlow

Hi,

I'm interested in a big PV tracker system (not necessarily including the PV) - about 4 - 10kW or so. I'll probably have to split it up into 2 or more trackers...

I have seen some huge prices quoted in the UK and wondered if anyone had imported one direct from Asia and if so, how much they saved and how good was it?

Regards, Martin Winlow.

zeupater

martinwinlow wrote: »

Hi,

I'm interested in a big PV tracker system (not necessarily including the PV) - about 4 - 10kW or so. I'll probably have to split it up into 2 or more trackers...

I have seen some huge prices quoted in the UK and wondered if anyone had imported one direct from Asia and if so, how much they saved and how good was it?

Regards, Martin Winlow.

Hi

Considering that the cost of the pv panels themselves has dropped so dramatically over the past few years there's a usually a question on whether it's better to forget the tracker altogether and simply spend the money saved on additional fixed aspect ground mounted capacity ....

The cost of the tracker is usually just the start - there's probably a huge amount of work in engineering the foundations ... probably best to check how the rough costs for the entire project stack-up prior to spending too much time/effort concentrating on a tracker solution ....

HTH
Z

EricMears

Bear in mind also that you might need planning permission to fit the things. I don't think there's a very clear national planning policy on them but our local council work on the rule that one unit is a permitted development; more than one need PP. A neighbour of mine needed two in his garden (the unit held a maximum of 8 SPs) so needed PP for second. It wasn't actually any great hassle to get the PP but it might be harder for others.

Martyn1981

martinwinlow wrote: »

Hi,

I'm interested in a big PV tracker system (not necessarily including the PV) - about 4 - 10kW or so. I'll probably have to split it up into 2 or more trackers...

I have seen some huge prices quoted in the UK and wondered if anyone had imported one direct from Asia and if so, how much they saved and how good was it?

Regards, Martin Winlow.

A good place to start might be to read up on the work done by 'Clockman' on the Navitron site. He has built wind turbines and PV trackers. He also runs a sustainability advisory site. He's an extremely nice guy, and very helpful. [Edit: For background, I should probably add he lives in France, and is on-grid-off-grid as he is connected to the grid, but also has batteries to try to maximise own generation, and minimise import. M.]

He has designed his own trackers, and then had them fabricated. He then installs them. The first post on this thread shows the first two trackers in the background and the sizeable groundworks as he proceeds to build another version.

He has produced a detailed report/file/brochure on the design and all aspects of completion such as the source of software for sun tracking, motors etc etc. I believe the document can be obtained for just the cost of printing, post and packaging (non-profit).

He's also built fixed systems and is comparing generation. I think the trackers outperform by about 20 to 25%.

Mart.

Martyn1981

Martin, some more info for you:

Firstly, a link to the Navitron thread specifically regarding the tracker book to save you hunting.

Secondly a thread that follows the installation of a bought tracker from start to finish, so you get an idea of what is involved.

I find this stuff fascinating, but as has been mentioned, with the falling cost of PV panels, it may be simpler to just add more fixed panels, perhaps go to 120% of what you planned, then fix mount them 50% SE and 50% SW. Perhaps at a steepish angle between 30d and 50d, since with a large set up, you won't really need to worry about maximising summer generation with a shallow pitch.

Also, you might find planning easier, as you can build permitted development 'out-buildings' such as sheds, log stores, chicken sheds etc, and pop the panels on the rooves. Even if they are odd looking buildings with tall back walls and very short (600mm?) front walls.

Mart.

zeupater

Hi


I agree with the idea of having multiple orientations for the panels if you're looking to maximise consumption of generation as opposed to purely maximising generation ...

I've just fired a simple 4kWp array into PVGIS (http://re.jrc.ec.europa.eu/pvgis/apps4/pvest.php) based in Meriden (Central England) with optimised orientation (South) & inclination (39Degrees) which predicts 3780kWh/year and then a 2-axis tracker configuration which estimates 4830kWh/year .... simply dividing 4830/3780 gives an idea of the point at which a tracker becomes uneconomical (in Meriden), so about 28% on-cost ...

If comparing a 4kWp(roof mounted) system costing (say) £5500 with a 4kWp tracked setup, then the cost of the tracker, installation and all groundwork can be no more than ~£7000(5500*1.28) ie, the tracker systems must cost less than £1500, so you're probably looking to source two trackers and all control equipment for ~£500 each and complete the ground works for another £500 ....

However, planning will likely restrict the array positioning and size ... even if full consent is sought (as opposed to PD) it's unlikely that you'd be able to place the trackers within 5m of any boundary, have a total height of <4m & width of <3m and a total 'sail' area of <9sq m (3x3max), which in most cases limits you to 6 panels at around 250W ... either limiting your 2xtracker array size to ~3kWp, or requiring 3 trackers, so ~£350each (max all-in) with the ground-works for all three still costing ~£500 ....

Unless there's a specific need for going down the tracker route, it's going to be very hard to justify the cost ... I know that these are rough-and-ready calculations, but they're just intended to portray the issues which need to be addressed at an early stage ...

HTH
Z