The benefits of dual-axis solar trackers are clear, especially when it comes to maximizing power production: they are the single most effective way to increase the energy output of a PV system, with the exception of increasing project size. By consistently maintaining the optimal PV-array-to-sun angle throughout the day, trackers can improve a system's output by over 40% compared to fixed solar. While fixed systems rarely reach maximum power, the tracker maintains full power output from dawn to dusk.
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Topics:
Solar System Issues and Considerations,
Solar System Design,
Maximizing Power Production,
Consumer,
Dealers
One of the biggest priorities of the US solar industry has been to increase the power production of systems and reduce the cost of modules, inverters, components, and manufacturing processes. However, as the industry matures and the volume and age of installed systems increases, it has become clear that solar operations and maintenance (O&M) is an integral part of the equation for the long-term viability of any system.
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Topics:
Solar System Issues and Considerations,
Cost of Solar Systems,
Selling Solar,
Solar Maintenance,
Solar System Design,
Solar O&M,
Consumer,
Dealers
The first step in understanding the role and importance of a solar operations and maintenance (O&M) agreement is to define what it really means. For many, solar O&M has become a generic term that expands and contracts depending on whether you are the one paying for it or the one providing it.
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Topics:
Solar System Issues and Considerations,
Solar Maintenance,
Solar System Design,
Solar O&M,
Consumer,
Dealers
One of the best ways to get the most bang for your buck in a small commercial solar project is reframing the way you think about project value and moving beyond the traditional dollar per watt measures. Although a fixed-mount system might have a lower cost per watt, dual-axis trackers provide a higher production capacity, are more versatile when it comes to siting and land usage, and ultimately cost less when it comes measuring dollar per kilowatt-hour, creating a much better overall value for the project.
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Topics:
Commercial Solar Systems,
Cost of Solar Systems,
Types of Solar,
Small Commercial Solar,
Solar System Design,
Maximizing Power Production,
Consumer,
Dealers
We’ve already explored the importance of maximizing power production in small commercial projects: without a clear understanding of how the project will perform (and pay for itself), you’ll never be able to get a project off the ground. Moving beyond the dollar-per-watt to focus on the project’s dollar-per-kilowatt-hour value is a great way to ensure that your project will create a long-term return on investment. The higher the production capacity of your system, the higher your return will be.
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Topics:
Commercial Solar Systems,
Types of Solar,
Energy Efficiency,
Small Commercial Solar,
Power Production,
Solar System Design,
Maximizing Power Production,
Consumer,
Dealers
