Frequently Asked Questions

We’ve compiled answers to some commonly asked questions about solar trackers to provide you with both general information and details specific to our Solar-Azimuth line. If your tracker question is not answered here, please contact us at sales@solar-azimuth.com.

For more general information regarding other NPG products or projects, please contact info@npges.com.

 

-  What is a solar tracker?

-  What are the advantages of tracking over fixed mounts?

-  Active vs. Passive? 

-  What kind of tracking does the Solar-Azimuth tracker use?

-  What makes Solar-Azimuth electronic components better?

-  How much power does the Solar-Azimuth tracker use?

-  What makes Solar-Azimuth tracker mounts structurally superior?

-  Are Solar-Azimuth trackers mechanically accurate and reliable long term?

-  Why invest in a solar system at all?

-  What is a grid-tie solar system and how does it work?

-  How can Solar-Azimuth trackers have all these advantages and still be priced so

   competitively?

-  Can I control my Solar-Azimuth tracker manually or remotely?

-  Where can I buy a Solar-Azimuth tracker?

-  What is included with my tracker order?

-  Is it possible to order individual components?

-  Does NPG offer other solar products besides trackers?

-  Does NPG install solar systems?

-  What types of PV modules can be mounted on Solar-Azimuth trackers?

-  How many panels can the Solar-Azimuth trackers handle?

-  Do Solar-Azimuth trackers have any wind protection built in? 

-  Does latitude make a difference with performance increase over fixed racks?

 

 

 

What is a solar tracker?

A solar tracker is a moving support system for keeping a solar energy collection unit pointed toward to sun.  The sun's position in the sky is dependent on your location and varies both with the time of day and with the seasons.  Solar panels gather the most energy when pointed at the sun, so a solar system outfitted with a tracker produces more power that the same system in a fixed position.  The earth moves and so should your solar panels.

Tracking can substantially improve the amount of power produced by a system. The use of trackers in non-concentrating applications is usually an engineering decision based on economics. Compared to the total cost of a photovoltaic system, trackers are relatively inexpensive. This makes them especially effective for systems using ultra high-efficiency, panels.

 

What are the advantages of tracking over fixed mounts?

§  Improved return on total investment. Trackers are the most efficient mounting method for PV modules. PV modules are by far the most expensive component of a solar system and the use of trackers will realize the best return on this investment.

§  Increase in power generation. By keeping the solar array pointed directly at the sun as it moves across the sky, the tracking system is able to produce an average of 30-40% increase in power generation over a fixed mounted system.

§  Decrease in initial site investment. The increase in power generation translates to about a 30% reduction in initial site investment. Fewer panels means less space needed.

§  More consistent power generation. By tracking the sun, the power curve is flatter and broader than with a fixed mount. This type of curve is indicative of a more consistent power delivery throughout the day.  It is simply better to produce a steady flow of electricity throughout the day than to have a massively high power surge for a couple hours a day.

§  More efficient power generation. PV modules are more efficient at lower temperatures due to the thermal-electric coefficient. Because tracker mounts move throughout the day  and are elevated in comparison to roof-mounted systems, they are able to stay much cooler due to the unrestricted airflow around them.

§  Smaller power arrays. By keeping the panels optimally aligned, they produce even more power, so the array can be smaller. Consequentially, the other components of the system can be smaller.

§  Easier clearing. Modules that become covered in dust will have a reduction in output as high as 20% and could be covered entirely in snowy conditions. Because our trackers can be turned on their side, it is easy to hose them off and thus easily maintain optimal performance.

 

Active vs. Passive? 

Passive Trackers
§  How do they work? A passive tracker operates via liquid filled actuators which move the array based on whether they are being warmed by the sun or not.

§  Pros:

o       Initially less expensive
o       Fewer moving parts
o       Seem to require less maintenance

§  Cons:

Weak Tracking
If the ambient temperature varies or the wind blows enough to counteract the gentle pressures of the actuators, precision, and thus efficiency, is lost.  When the sun is behind clouds, or not visible, the array stays stationary until the tracker picks up the heat of the sun again. Passive trackers simply lack the precision of active trackers.

Hidden Maintenance
Most passive trackers must be periodically balanced every few months because the delicate weight distribution of the actuators must be precise to move the tracker. Some active trackers may require mechanical maintenance in the form of lubrication, but in the end, what the passive trackers lack in mechanical maintenance, they regain in balance maintenance. Our trackers are entirely maintenance free. All systems are sealed and require no lubrication as most other active trackers on the market.

Higher True Cost from Power Lost
Passive trackers may seem to have some advantages over their active brethren. However, the reason for tracking in the first place is to accurately direct the array toward the sun to realize the highest output from the solar panels. Once again, we see that an active tracker optimizes energy output from the panels, which considerably increases your systems wattage per initial investment.

All Solar-Azimuth Trackers are active and use a combination of two advanced methods for tracking the sun. This system is described in more detail in the following paragraph. Furthermore, due to our lean manufacturing methods and the inherent efficiency of our design, when all things are considered, our active trackers are usually less expensive than the passive equivalents. Consequently, there are no advantages for a passive system over our Solar-Azimuth active trackers. 

 

What kind of tracking does the Solar-Azimuth tracker use?

All Solar-Azimuth trackers feature our multi-mode, patent-pending system for solar tracking and utilize technology which was initially developed for use with guided weapons systems. The primary mode is an internal, celestial database-controlled system that predicts where the sun should be in the sky at a given time of day and day of year (based on tracker location). The tracker will point at the sun even when the sun is not visible and will reset itself overnight to be ready at dawn.

The secondary mode updates the database and hones the precise alignment using an optical scanning module which is integrated into the system. This solid-state unit recognizes the sun by shape and contrast and adjusts as needed for optimum positioning. This intelligent system combines the best of technologies to produce the most accurate tracking system currently available. 

 

What makes Solar-Azimuth electronic components better?

All Solar-Azimuth trackers feature our patent-pending, microprocessor linked Field-Programmable Gate Array logic (FPGA). Most of the trackers currently available use an analog, non–predictive error correction system: once the sun has passed the focal point, they correct the alignment. This requires a surge of power to jerk the array into position.  Because Solar-Azimuth trackers are entirely digital, the tracking system not only predicts movement precisely but continuously adjusts the position with very small and efficient digital actuators.  Additionally, the relatively small size of the system has a secondary benefit of increased protection from weather and temperature fluctuations. This digital control system is easily integrated into larger power systems with our USB or network interface units. There are also Storm and Maintenance settings built in to move the array to appropriate positions based on these circumstances.  

 

How much power does the Solar-Azimuth tracker use?

The average solar tracker is analog controlled and uses from 1/1000 and 2/1000 of the power produced by the installed PV modules. Because Solar-Azimuth trackers are entirely digital, our tracking system pairs precision with efficiency in terms of power consumption. Our microprocessors are not only lightning fast, their power consumption can be described in terms of years of use on a watch battery.

With the  development of our multi-mode tracking system, in addition to the incorporation of dual worm drives, specialized bearings and gear design, the engineering department of NPG Energy Solutions was able to specify smaller, more robust and more efficient motors. Furthermore, these motors are not required to jerk on and off as they are on many less precise systems. This translates to less power consumption than competing designs.  

 

What makes Solar-Azimuth tracker mounts structurally superior?

Using ultramodern, computer-controlled precision and high strength alloys, Solar-Azimuth tracker frames are designed for maximum durability and optimum weight to strength ratio. The advanced patent-pending space frame design makes Solar-Azimuth tracker frames not only stronger but lighter. Many trackers use clinching or crimping instead of welds. This creates seams that are not actually joined or sealed and can trap moisture and create friction wear points as the structure expands and contracts with the natural heat cycles. All Solar-Azimuth trackers are joined using state-of-the-art automated welding which provides consistent high quality joints on every unit that leaves the factory. Additionally, all Solar-Azimuth trackers are either galvanized or powder coated to withstand the elements.

 

Are Solar-Azimuth trackers mechanically accurate and reliable long term?

All Solar-Azimuth trackers utilize a highly precise worm-drive movement mechanism and special patent-pending gear design to ensure exact placement of array. Solar-Azimuth trackers also incorporate large bearing surfaces for quiet operation and long life. The entire patent-pending mechanical tracking system is also sealed which ensures indefinite lifespan and requires no maintenance.

 

How can Solar-Azimuth trackers have all these advantages and still be priced so competitively?

NPG is an experienced high volume, high technology, research and manufacturing company that specializes in cutting waste from designs and production processes. We use a server driven order fulfillment system that customizes each order based on array size and geographic location. Each unit is manufactured based on customer input. Complex pricing structures and confusing spreadsheets are replaced with standard pricing over a wide range of applications.

Not only are Solar-Azimuth trackers unmatched in quality and durability, but our progressive proprietary manufacturing method creates lower production costs. This allows for the most advanced designs and materials to be used in Solar-Azimuth trackers while making them available to the customer at a comparable or lower price point than current industry offerings.

 

Can I control my Solar-Azimuth tracker manually or remotely?

There are many options currently in development which are near completion. They will soon be available to add on to all existing trackers. USB kits allow the user to plug into the tracker and download data and position the tracker for cleaning or maintenance using a laptop or PDA and a USB cable. A data-logging package can be added to monitor efficiency and productivity of each array. Another convenient option includes a network monitoring system. This makes all the functions of the standard USB kit available via remote locations over wired or wireless networks. The ultimate in control conveniences is realized in the web-control package. This provides the Solar-Azimuth with the same functions as the previous options, but uses the internet to connect to the system from virtually anywhere in the world.

 

Why invest in a solar system at all?

A Solar Powered Home is a good investment.
According to the Appraisal Institute (www.appraisalinstitute.org), a solar electric system increases the home value by $20,000 for each $1,000 in reduced annual operating costs. Electric rates are rising. As electric rates rise, your solar system becomes more valuable.

A Solar Home Solar System is Affordable.
As well as state and federal incentives available for the installation of a solar system, excess electricity that you generate can often be sold back to the utility. A program called "Green Tags" allows you to sell energy credits, offering yet another way to benefit from your system. Utilities around the country who are required to invest in solar energy can buy the 'solar attributes' of the electricity you generate. Currently, a Green Tag or Solar REC (Renewable Energy Credit) is worth about $20.00 per year per 1000kWH generated.

Environmental Benefits.
-  When you install a solar system on your home, you become part of the solution.
-  Solar energy is completely renewable, you’ll never have to worry about running out of it.
-  Reduces fossil fuel demand.
-  Doesn’t release carbon dioxide.
-  Photovoltaic panels last for at least 25 years and probably 60+. (No need to worry about land fill)
-  Unlike fossil fuels, none of the raw materials come from the Middle East.
-  If equipped with batteries, your solar system can continue to generate power during utility blackouts.

Educational
Generating your own power is a powerful experience for your family that prepares your children for the future.

(from “Why Invest in a Solar System for Your Home?” at http://www.pvwatts.org)

  

Where can I buy a Solar-Azimuth tracker?

NPG Energy Solutions is currently working on the implementation of our web-based integrated custom ordering system which will allow our customers to input their desired system parameters and select components.  NPG will then custom manufacture each tracker based the information provided.  Although not yet online, this level of personal consultation and technical support is available through our sales department. We look forward to serving you and invite you to contact sales@solar-azimuth.com for complete information. If you are currently working with a solar dealer or installer, you can request that our trackers be incorporated into your system. Our dealer list is always growing throughout the U.S. and is slated to expand to international locations soon.   

 

What is included with my tracker order?

All trackers come complete with a rack sized for your panels, tracking module, all mounting hardware and connectors and the mounting pole. You can order your system with or without PV panels. Because of our volume ordering ability, it is usually less expensive to order your PV panels with your tracker as a system. The only remaining item is the concrete base which must be constructed on site according to included installation specifications. An optional mounting kit may be pre-ordered for mounting in the concrete that will allow for easy fastening to your concrete base when the tracker arrives.  

 

Is it possible to order individual components?

Our patent-pending microprocessors and tracking modules are not currently available for individual purchase. Only complete trackers are offered.

 

Does NPG offer other solar products besides trackers?

NPG does not currently manufacture other solar products outside of the Solar-Azimuth line of trackers. However, please refer to our services section for more information on how NPG can customize a system for you. We work with an installer network and other component manufacturers and can put together a complete system.   

 

Does NPG install solar systems?

NPG can put together systems using a wide array of products and manufacturers, but it does not currently offer installation services. We do work with an installer network that can help you with your installation. Please contact us to find an installer in your area. NPG will occasionally provide installation services for large-scale applications. Please see our services section for more information.

 

What types of PV modules can be mounted on Solar-Azimuth trackers?

Solar-Azimuth trackers can be used for any type or brand of solar panel. The nature of our customized network-driven manufacturing process allows NPG to design our trackers around the customer needs. All popular PV types are catalogued, but we can also create custom fabricated racks to accommodate unique applications. Please see our services section for more information on custom applications.  

 

How many panels can the Solar-Azimuth trackers handle?

There are standard panel configurations for common solar system designs, but custom applications can be accommodated. Our current Elite EX model can handle up to 400 sq.ft. of PV array area. NPG can also custom design larger systems as needed. Please see our services section for more information on custom and large-scale applications.  

 

Do Solar-Azimuth trackers have any wind protection built in?  

Yes. All trackers can be ordered with an optional wind sensor and protection module that allows the array to move into horizontal position when wind velocity reaches a threshold where it becomes a threat. Optional packages may also be purchased that will allow tracker control via USB connected laptop, network or internet.     

 

Does latitude make a difference with performance increase over fixed racks?

Yes. Close to the equator, the efficiency advantage is estimated to be an average of 30%. As locations move north, gains as high as 45% can be realized using trackers over fixed mounts.