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ecoworthy solar tracker

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JohnAdams1

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Jun 2, 2023
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I have an ecoworthy solar tracker with 6 of their 195 watt panels. I'd like some thoughts on utilizing the power. I'm thinking of 48 v battery, panels in series. I was looking at some inverters, like the growatt, but they need a higher start up voltage than my panels will put out. I want to generate some AC power for all lighting, and microwave or fridge, winter using the gas furnace with small blower motor. I'd like any thoughts on ideal inverter/charger. Panels are vmp 19v. voc 22.8. short ckt 12.23a. max current 10.27a. I also have a string of renogy 100 watt panels (10) on the roof I got years ago, and just installed. I was looking at the MPP inverter that had 2 string inputs, but I can't find info on if BOTH strings have to be identical specs? Obviously, my 2 strings would be of different watts/volts/amps in series.
 
I'm assuming this is the one you have?
I was thinking of doing the same thing, but need panels with higher V
 
I really like the tracker... theres a youtube video...someone modified it to accept largers panels 400w+ bifacial...

Thinking about getting 2 of them next year most likely...its 30% more output daily on average... thats a plus...
 
Jacob_ said:
I really like the tracker... theres a youtube video...someone modified it to accept largers panels 400w+ bifacial...

Thinking about getting 2 of them next year most likely...its 30% more output daily on average... thats a plus...
Click to expand...

Amazing bit of kit, especially for the price

It can be cheaper just ot buy more panels
 
JohnAdams1 said:
I have an ecoworthy solar tracker with 6 of their 195 watt panels. I'd like some thoughts on utilizing the power. I'm thinking of 48 v battery, panels in series. I was looking at some inverters, like the growatt, but they need a higher start up voltage than my panels will put out. I want to generate some AC power for all lighting, and microwave or fridge, winter using the gas furnace with small blower motor. I'd like any thoughts on ideal inverter/charger. Panels are vmp 19v. voc 22.8. short ckt 12.23a. max current 10.27a. I also have a string of renogy 100 watt panels (10) on the roof I got years ago, and just installed. I was looking at the MPP inverter that had 2 string inputs, but I can't find info on if BOTH strings have to be identical specs? Obviously, my 2 strings would be of different watts/volts/amps in series.
Click to expand...

Is it easy to install? Can I do it by myself?
 
Thanks. What kind of panels can I put on it? Is there a certain size, or will any 6 panels fit?
 
JohnAdams1 said:
I have an ecoworthy solar tracker with 6 of their 195 watt panels. I'd like some thoughts on utilizing the power. I'm thinking of 48 v battery, panels in series. I was looking at some inverters, like the growatt, but they need a higher start up voltage than my panels will put out. I want to generate some AC power for all lighting, and microwave or fridge, winter using the gas furnace with small blower motor. I'd like any thoughts on ideal inverter/charger. Panels are vmp 19v. voc 22.8. short ckt 12.23a. max current 10.27a. I also have a string of renogy 100 watt panels (10) on the roof I got years ago, and just installed. I was looking at the MPP inverter that had 2 string inputs, but I can't find info on if BOTH strings have to be identical specs? Obviously, my 2 strings would be of different watts/volts/a
Siamac said:
Thanks. What kind of panels can I put on it? Is there a certain size, or will any 6 panels fit?
Click to expand...
This is a late reply. Did you go ahead and utilize this tracker. Not trying to be a jerk here but I just cannot see this surviving very strong winds. A breeze seems to move it around some! Is it sturdier than it looks?
Click to expand...
 
I have 2. 1 with their 195w panels and 1 with 3 400w bifacials. I have to extend the rails a bit but they have been working fine in western South Carolina for almost a year. I used sonotubes with a few bags of concrete. The one that has 3 big panels actually sits about 2' above ground. The pivot points do move a bit in the wind but the main support does not.
 
orion7144 said:
I have 2. 1 with their 195w panels and 1 with 3 400w bifacials. I have to extend the rails a bit but they have been working fine in western South Carolina for almost a year. I used sonotubes with a few bags of concrete. The one that has 3 big panels actually sits about 2' above ground. The pivot points do move a bit in the wind but the main support does not.
Click to expand...

How does that work? You didn't dig the concrete into the ground?
 
I'm in the process of purchasing the same Eco Worthy tracking kit and started a different thread asking about Sonotube mounting. Don't want to hijack this thread, but wanted to post the feedback that I got, and ask a related question.

The responses received from my post suggested that a tube with a diameter of at least 12" should be used, with the tube sunk several feet into the ground (one suggestion was 6 feet). In my case, the soil is very rocky, making the use of a powered auger for digging quite difficult. I've managed to excavate about two feet, and don't think it's possible to go deeper than that, at least by hand.

I've tentatively decided to use a square slab in the 18" to 24" range on each side rather than a Sonotube that can be sunk only about 24" deep. M reasoning is that 24" is not deep enough to resist the potential force from the Eco Worthy pole on the relatively narrow Sonotube, and that a slab, even one 18" on side, would be better able to do so given its larger area. I would use rebar to reinforce either, but in the slab, would make a matrix with the bars wired together.

Be interested to hear any thoughts.
 
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