Calvin,
you can get the tracker from tesla chargers or from TeslaGenX, Gary builds them for both of us. the easiest way to run your system is this:
1- figure out what your loads are, all of them at peak, then calculate what your loads are in the evening. being smart with your energy usage when the sun is out is most important. if you can keep your evening use to lights and maybe a laptop and the occasional microwave use you can save a lot of power.
2- purchase enough panels to run your loads AND charge your batteries for the day, and enough battery capacity to cover most of your loads during the day and all in the evening. energy management beomes your friend with solar. you can then run purely off solar during the day with enough panels and not need as big of a bank in the evening.
3- yes lead acid batteries, spare no expense, with lead acid you get what you pay for! go with Trojan, Rolls-surrette or Hup. if you can afford it go with a nickel iron battery from Iron Edison or Be utility free, especially if you are planning on living off solar for a long time.
the tracker will get the maximum out of the panels, especially in marginal light times, but it is really best to know what you need before your start. you might need an 80 amp tracker and not a 60. also you need to know if you are getting 12 or 24 volt panels.
Tom C
you can get the tracker from tesla chargers or from TeslaGenX, Gary builds them for both of us. the easiest way to run your system is this:
1- figure out what your loads are, all of them at peak, then calculate what your loads are in the evening. being smart with your energy usage when the sun is out is most important. if you can keep your evening use to lights and maybe a laptop and the occasional microwave use you can save a lot of power.
2- purchase enough panels to run your loads AND charge your batteries for the day, and enough battery capacity to cover most of your loads during the day and all in the evening. energy management beomes your friend with solar. you can then run purely off solar during the day with enough panels and not need as big of a bank in the evening.
3- yes lead acid batteries, spare no expense, with lead acid you get what you pay for! go with Trojan, Rolls-surrette or Hup. if you can afford it go with a nickel iron battery from Iron Edison or Be utility free, especially if you are planning on living off solar for a long time.
the tracker will get the maximum out of the panels, especially in marginal light times, but it is really best to know what you need before your start. you might need an 80 amp tracker and not a 60. also you need to know if you are getting 12 or 24 volt panels.
Tom C
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