SOLAR PROJECTS OF THE WEEK

There are hundreds of new building proposals and designs being pitched every day a few of them have captured my eye.  These projects employ solar technology in ways I think our readers might find interesting and motivating. 

(1) Solar PV Track DIY

by bwitmer

This weeks project features a DIY PV tracker made by a student and a professor at Appalachian State.


I like to see people who are able to construct their own tracking device out of off the shelf products.  For starters not only does using this type of device greatly increase the solar gain but also has the potential to cut the price of manufactured solar tracking devices.  Of course this also assumes that one doesn't spend more time and money on the project than it would take to simply buy a tracking device from a PV tracking dealer.  Although with this DIY project the simple plans and materials are already out there for you.  So you can check prototyping off your list.


However, it is always good to have individuals out experimenting on projects like this.  Who knows, at some point one these tinkerers may produce a better more cost efficient tracking system finally solving the dilemma as to go with a tracking or static racking system.

Below are the loose instructions or you can visit:

Step 1What do you need?

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Here is what I used to make this tracker, and where obtained:

*Several treated 2x4's (Lowes)
*Two wheels from a free bicycle- free or almost free bikes are pretty easy to find from the local landfill or thrift store
*A piece angle iron with pre-punched holes (Lowes)
*A 12 volt linear actuator-(~$75?)- (Ebay)
*An LED tracking sensor- (~$40)( http://www.redrok.com/led3xassm.htm#led3xforsale )
*Various nuts, bolts, screws, cable and wire -(scrounging around my workshop)

Step 2Making the base, and mounting the wheels

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To make a nice, sturdy base I cut the 2x4's at angles and put them together to make two triangles. You can make them whatever size you need, depending on the size of your panels. I then tied them together with a couple of 2x4's at the base, and a couple up top. This made a nice, sturdy base to mount the wheels to.

I cut a couple of small pieces of angle iron with a hacksaw, found the mid point on the cross members, and attached them exterior woodscrews. I put the wheels through the holes, and spun them with satisfaction.

Here is a picture of the top wheel being mounted.

Step 3Adding the wooden frame to the wheels

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I used a U-bolt to secure the rim to the board, as well as a through bolt going through the rim and the board

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I then mounted the 2x6 piece to the bike wheels by drilling holes through the bike rims and the 2 x 6 and bolting them together. I also used big U-bolts to clamp the rims to the board by drilling holes through the board and clamping it down tight. The board pivoted nicely on the two bike rims.

The 2 x 6 isn't wide enough to mount the panel to, so I added some smaller 2 x 4's to the top and bottom of the board, cut to the size of the panel. Each 2 x 4 board is as long as the solar panel is wide, and was attached to each end of the 2 x 6 with screws and bolts.

This allows a nice flat place on which to mount the panel. I attached small pieces of angle iron to the holes on the end of each panel, and then screwed them to the wooden frame. This secured the panel to the frame.

Step 4Adding the linear actuator

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Linear actuator is held to the main frame by a small through bolt.

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I attached a wood staple to the moving frame. I then used a small piece of cable that goes through the hole on the end of the actuator and through the staple, and is then closed with a cable clamp.

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I purchased the 12 volt linear actuator on Ebay. It's built to hold up in the weather, is strong enough to move however many panels I would want to add to it, and has a long enough stroke to move the panels all the way from one side to another. (I think the stroke is 8", but I'd have to double check.)

I mounted it on the one side of the frame with a through bolt, and attached it to the movable solar panel frame. To mount it to the side of the frame holding the solar panel I just used a staple on the board that moves on the bicycle wheels. A short piece of cable goes through the hole on the linear actuator and the staple, and iIused a small cable clamp to secure it. This allows everything to move around and flex as needed when it's moving. When hooked to the battery the actuator moves the panel all the way to one side, and reversing it moves it all the way back.

The next step is giving the tracker the smarts to know when and how much to move. 

Step 5Adding the LED tracker

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LED tracker mounted to the 2 x 4

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Small piece of angle iron that attaches the panel to the board

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Bicycle wheels, working tirelessly (no pun intended.)

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I wish I had more pictures of the LED tracking unit, but there is plenty of info at Redroks website. The unit uses LED's to measure the position of the sun and tells the linear actuator how much to move and where to position the panel. It's really a slick little unit, and at a great price.

Go to http://www.redrok.com/led3xassm.htm#led3xforsale to purchase one if you want to try this yourself. There are plenty of pictures of how other folks have mounted them at http://www.redrok.com/electron.htm#led3x . I put mine in an empty peanut butter jar and mounted it to a 2 x 4. I attached the 2 x 4 to the side of the unit to get the LED tracker up above the panel to give it an unobstructed view of the sun. 

Step 6Finishing it up

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This is pretty much the finished product, and it works well. I had an issue of condensation accumulating inside the peanut butter jar and had to seal it better. The size of the tracker can be made to fit however many panels you need, and there are many ways to configure a tracker like this. I hope this was a helpful, and good luck in your tracker project!

SOLAR PROJECTS OF THE WEEK

SOLAR PROJECTS OF THE WEEK

There are hundreds of new building proposals and designs being pitched every day a few of them have captured my eye.  These projects employ solar technology in ways I think our readers might find interesting and motivating.  

 

(1)  WDC SOLAR ANACOSTIA HIGH

We have to include a couple projects every month that we are working on, right?  Well this project is good enough that no one could accuse me of nepotism.  The Anacostia Senior High project is one of many we plan to dive into in the DC area.  This is a project type that down right makes sense.  There is no better application to introduce solar power to than a public school.  Here are just some of the reasons.  For starters the roof space is more than ample to produce large solar gains and usually are void of obstacles such as large trees and other tall buildings.  The other great thing about solar on a public high schools are long term investment in the future of our education facilities.  I think the high school that i attended in Minneapolis has  been around for over 70 years and my grade school for over 100 years.  Long term investments are usually the best application for large PV systems.  The more energy you use the better the investment in a PV system and when you add longevity its a slam dunk.  

The system you are looking at above is our latest study done for solar application on Anacostia Senior High.  The total system is roughly 415,000 kW or nearly 1/2 a megawatt.  It should be noted, however, that this system is very conservative in scope and just a starting point.  one could probably upon further analysis squeeze another 100,000 kW out of the system.  but until you hit your feet to the roof top it is usually best to remain conservative on your estimate. 

The reason I like this project so much is it seems to be such a untapped resource.  I keep looking at the project and thinking someone else has probably already done this, right?  but to my surprise the resource remains untapped and I think it could be a real gusher!

Just think of how much public school roof top is out there!  Just think about how many tax dollars can be saved!

(2)  7 Great Weekend Solar Power Projects by PLANETGREEN.COM

Looking for a fun project to take on this weekend? Looking to improve your skills with solar? We have some suggestions to accomplish both of these to-do items, ranging from quick, cheap and easy to rather involved but still pretty cheap and easy.

1. Solar powered cell phone charger

 

Jeffrey Coolidge/Getty Images

You don't have to buy a special solar charger in order to take advantage of the suns rays to keep your cell phone running. You can make your own with just a few simple components. This is the perfect project to start out tinkering with solar power.

2. Solar powered radio

If you have $5 and a desire to dip into solar power tinkering, this is a great place to start. You can learn how to hook up a small solar cell to a portable radio for use in emergencies.

Gotwind.org

3. Solar powered boom box

If you're looking for a slightly bigger project (and have a little more to spend), try making a solar powered boom box. You can put it together on Saturday and show it off to your friends at Sunday's picnic or beach gathering.

Jesse Ingham

4. Solar powered stove

What's summer without a BBQ, or at least something hot off a grill? With a few basic components like an umbrella, some tin foil and a manual drill (those materials piqued your interest, didn't they!), you can have a backyard BBQ going in no time—or at least making some hot food. As long as the sun is out anyway.

Kevin Porter/Solar Cookers International

5. Solar box cooker

If you want to put together a solar cooker but want to look slightly less crazy when using it, try making a solar box cooker. It's perfect for making homemade pizzas and other delicious treats. You very likely have all the materials stashed away in the garage or closet, so your solar box cooker could end up being a completely free, completely cool weekend project.

Jon Bohmer, FT Climate Change Challenge

6. Solar power generator

Are you beyond tinkering with smaller solar projects and want to really generate some electricity with it? Then we have a project for you! You can build a solar power generator for about $300. How much you can generate depends on the efficiency rating of the solar panel you use, but it'll be enough to charge up a few batteries on a sunny day, at the least.

Tom Brakefield/Getty Images

7. Solar roof panels

Beyond even building a solar power generator, and ready to hit the roof? No problem—you can install some this weekend using materials from eBay. You can find and buy damaged solar cells on eBay, refurbish them, and turn them into rooftop panels that generate supplemental electricity for your home. You can build a panel for as little as $100. It'll take a few of them to be able to generate enough electricity worth using in your home, but you could turn it into a great multi-weekend project.

Ryan McVay/Getty Images

We also have instructions for how to mount solar panels on your roof for after you've finished up your homemade panels.

TOP 5 SOLAR PROJECTS OF THE WEEK

There are hundreds of new building proposals and designs being pitched every day a few of them have captured my eye.  These projects employ solar technology in ways I think our readers might find interesting and motivating.  

This is a list of my top 5 projects I have seen this week 

(1)  Solar Region Freiburg

Solar Region Freiburg takes the cake this week because it takes a whole city or better yet a whole region and outlines goals for solar renewable production.  One of the other interesting things that makes this project number one is the fact that they have been way ahead of the curve.  This project started in 1986 and is still moving forward.  In 1986 we were still negotiating a great price on a brand new suburban because energy was cheap.

One of the other interesting things I came across in the Solar Region Freiburg project was the performance measure.  It was important to not only attempt to produce renewable energy but to include in the performance  of the regional system local economics.

 By spending its energy dollars on solar and other renewable energy technologies, these dollars are also remaining within local circulation, instead of leaving the region to purchase gas, oil or uranium elsewhere. In addition to the economic and environmental benefits, Freiburg's citizens enjoy a pride in their city for showing this kind of leadership.(http://www.solarregion.freiburg.de)

Beyond the development of a region wide commitment to renewable energy the Solar Region Freiburg project has developed a nifty map so that those interested in visiting some solar sites can actively do so.  The city also has a tour that you can sign up for that will bring you around to a number of different solar sites on the map for educational and probably motivational purposes.  I really like the idea of informing citizens and making them feel like an active part of their regions energy.

(2)Michael Pawlyn

Michael Pawlyn's abounding energy and study of the natural environment are compelling.  The closed loop system only makes sense.  The most compelling part of the TED talk comes at the very end of the video where tangible examples of solar energy are being exploited to the furthest measures.  I had a feeling extreme research and work was being done in this industry but have yet to see it first hand.

The part that I really enjoy about this TED talk is the combination of systems and production.  I have for a long time wanted to experiment with having a solar farm combined with a traditional working farm.  Perhaps with sheep.  From what I can tell the commodities market for live stock is rising and so is the consumption of energy.  Perhaps we can experiment with this. 

Motivation!  Michael Pawlyn knows how to motivate.  He hammers on the idea of staying positive and yes what an easy first step to solving energy issues.





(3)Eco Boulevard in Vallecas / Ecosistema Urbano

The Eco Boulevard in Vallecas was first developed to bring focus into landscapes in the Vallecas area that had suffered from suburban development also known as suburban waist land.  To get a better idea of what suburban wasteland might look and feel like in the US, next time you drive on the interstate look at all the land not being used inside the cloverleaf on and off ramp.  Or next time you go grocery shopping look at the expanse of parking lot.  Wind swept is the term I think William Whyte used.

The great thing about this project is (1) its built and acting as the designers intended (Focal point) and (2) the use of photovoltaic panels.  It just goes to show that PV can be added and combined with most any project.  The real question is why have we not taken more advantage of PV and these type of spaces?  Below is a perfect site for a solar installation.

I think that there will come a time in the very near future when adding existing technology like photovoltaic panels will be common place.  I can't wait until the day when we finally get to add PV to existing infrastructure  like the image above.  The truth is that PV and the public can co-exist.  We can start by adding it to our current open spaces in inspiring and unique ways. 

(4)Solar Skins for your Iphone 

I love the idea of proof of solar enthusiasm through gadgetry.  2 hours of charge time equals about 30 minutes of talk time.  So, why not.  The great thing is the idea of solar energy permeating every facet of energy use from large scale to micro.  I wonder how much energy would be saved if every one charged their cell phone this way.  I will try to get back to you with a figure in the near future. 






(5)Solar Pole

So why not expand on the last idea.  This device lets feel good about your energy expenditure and show other people just how good of a person you are.  All kidding aside when I looked at the feedback on this product it was pretty negative.  But in that negativity there was a glimmer of hope.  Many people were just simply irritated that the company didn't go further and produce something with more power like a solar umbrella or canopy.  That means that people want it they just want it on steroids and that is good.