Anyone ever motorized their Tesla panels to move?

[SanDiegoM3]

I’m curious, has anyone ever built a custom mount setup that allows their panes to elevate, tilt, or rotate after they’ve been installed? Think some custom lifters that would allow an east facing panel to elevate and face west as the day progresses. I have panels mounted west, east, and south and I’d like my east facing panels to face west as the day progresses.

 

[arnolddeleon]

I would be really shocked if anyone has done this.

Solar trackers have been a thing since the early days of solar. However considering how relatively inexpensive panels are these days, the economics likely won't work out. These days you just get more panels.

Here is some reading:

Solar Trackers Explained: How It Works, Pros and Cons

Solar trackers allow solar panels to capture more energy from the sun. The question is whether the extra electricity is worth the added cost.

www.treehugger.com

 

[SanDiegoM3]

Sure, but with NEM 3.0 people may desire getting more out of the panels they have and can’t add more panels lest they lose their NEM 2.0.

 

[Vines]

Sure, but with NEM 3.0 people may desire getting more out of the panels they have and can’t add more panels lest they lose their NEM 2.0.

If you run the numbers almost any movement costs more than it would be worth.

 

[zƬesla]

If you run the numbers almost any movement costs more than it would be worth.

Unless you're pole mounted with a manual crank (see profile pic)

 

[BGbreeder]

Unless you're pole mounted with a manual crank (see profile pic)

Yes, but that is pole mounted to begin with, and it is a great way to do solar if you have the space/location. Tilt on a roof is harder technically, and runs into a few code issues with respect wind ratings. So, to answer the OP's question, (@SanDiegoM3), I really doubt it.

All the best,

BG

 

[Vines]

Yes, but that is pole mounted to begin with, and it is a great way to do solar if you have the space/location. Tilt on a roof is harder technically, and runs into a few code issues with respect wind ratings. So, to answer the OP's question, (@SanDiegoM3), I really doubt it.

All the best,

BG

Exactly, a system like that is designed for movement and tilts at one point, 2x per year.

A roof-mounted system that does this daily is a much larger ask, especially if you want more than a few degrees or so, and this movement wasn't designed in from the start.

 

[CrazyRabbit]

Grid Scale does two access trackers in Texas for the most part. Solar is worth more to electric companies the flatter you curve is. They also tend to lean to high ac/dc ratios.

 

[CrazyRabbit]

I have 22 panels facing east and 12 panels facing west. It produce a wider production curve, otherwise I would dip into batteries more.

 

[jboy210]

I have 22 panels facing east and 12 panels facing west. It produce a wider production curve, otherwise I would dip into batteries more.

How are doing with production in a Texas summer? Can you keep up with the constant A/C load required to keep temps and humidity at reasonable levels?