Netshield Solar Tracker

While Eskom warns of possible load shedding and with winter still ahead of us (when electricity usage typically reaches its highest point), using solar powered solutions is as relevant as ever.

However, while the country receives more than 2 500 hours of sunshine a year and its solar radiation output is more than twice that of Europe, just relying on the benefits of solar power is not always enough. It is also important to maximise the energy received from the sun as its position, relative to one's solar power set up, changes.

Solar trackers explained

To this end, solar trackers, such as Netshield's NPVT5, can help enormously, by minimising the angle of incidence between the incoming light from the sun and a photovoltaic panel, thus increasing the amount of energy produced.

Dual axis trackers on the NPVT5 allow for optimum solar energy levels due to their ability to follow the sun vertically and horizontally. No matter where the sun is in the sky, these are able to angle themselves to be in direct contact with the sun. This is important because significant power is also available in the early mornings and late afternoons. When the sun is only 10° above the horizon, the available energy can already be around half the noon-time energy levels.

In a nutshell, the primary benefit that can be gleaned from using a tracking system is that solar energy can be collected during the longest period of the day, and with the most accurate alignment, as the sun's position shifts with the seasons.

Solar Tracker highlights

To this end, the Netshield NPVT5's dual-axis solar tracker has been designed to maximise solar tracking performance, while offering a significant increase in energy production and reduction in costs. The NPVT5 affords accuracy and high performance, in a design which can be easily installed and potentially improve the production of a photovoltaic system by up to 45%. Additionally, the tracker can be remotely monitored, positioned and controlled, through Netshield's remote Site Monitoring service, while the requisite motors run infrequently and well below load limits. Moreover, the company's tracker is programmed to stow at a wind speed of 13 m/s, and is capable of surviving gust loads of 150 km/h, which makes it suitable for even the most wind-prone areas.

Netshield's solar tracker is also compatible with recommended MPPT's and inverters, which means users can take ample advantage of a variety of power source setups. It is particularly well suited to residential and small to medium commercial solar power plants. However, Netshield can also provide trackers for solar power plants ranging in size from 5 kW (Kilowatts) to MW (Megawatts).

The argument for renewable energy

While the benefits of utilising solar panels and solar trackers are abundantly evident, relying on renewable energy is all too quickly becoming imperative and essential. While society, and thus people, have become increasingly dependent on fossil fuels such as oil, coal and natural gas as sources of power, these fossil fuels are clearly finite and no longer offer a long term solution to growing power needs.

Along with the fact that they have been created by natural processes and have taken millions of years to form, burning fossil fuels to produce energy results in 'greenhouse gases' such as carbon dioxide. This traps solar radiation in the earth's atmosphere and is already being considered responsible for causing undesirable changes in the earth's climate, from which no country is immune.

Netshield's advantage

Netshield is a company that is dedicated to providing design, supply and installation of renewable energy solutions for customers needing to generate electricity from renewable resources, such as wind and solar power.

Additionally, Netshield offers a holistic view around energy use and generation by reducing the total amount of energy being consumed, while building lasting, durable systems and customer relationships in its bid to help create a better future, for current as well as future generations.

For more information on the NPVT5 solar tracker, contact Netshield on 086-111-4428, marketing@netshieldsa.com or visit www.netshieldsa.com.