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Forum Index : Solar : Solar trackers

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Fuzzer

Newbie

Joined: 13/05/2008
Location: Australia
Posts: 3

Posted: 10:18am 20 Nov 2008

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Hello to all, I am doing research on gains from dual axis solar trackers for a possible sun farm at my place, I was wondering if anyone has had experience or seen first hand the Portasol trackers?. They have no electrical components but rely on expanding canola oil at a measured rate to track the sun.
Any honest info (apart from their website) would be appreciated.

Regards, Fuzzer

fuzzer

wind-pirate

Senior Member

Joined: 01/02/2007
Location: Canada
Posts: 101

Posted: 03:28am 27 Nov 2008

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I would think that canola oil would expand at a differant rate in hot weather as to cold weather.

My neighbour made a tracker with a small barrel of water. He put a tap in the bottom of the barrel, then fills it with water. opens the tap to a drip as the barrel gets lighter the counter weight returnes the panels to the sunset. The water is not wasted, it waters the flowerbed.

Ron

THE Pirate.
stealing wind & solar energy is fun

KarlJ

Guru

Joined: 19/05/2008
Location: Australia
Posts: 1178

Posted: 01:43am 28 Dec 2008

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too expensive, he want a good few thousand to do what the "conventional" ones do for a grand.

Luck favours the well prepared

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