Solar panel on a turntable?

[MrNoodly]

I've been thinking again (which is sometimes a bad idea). I want to mount my solar panel so I can tilt it toward the sun, especially during the short daylight months. Okay, there are mounts that make that easy. <br><br>But then I thought about how if I wanted to maximize sun exposure, I'd need to always park in the same direction, whether it's convenient or not.<br><br>Then I thought, what if I mounted the panel to a turntable? Not only could I aim the panel at the sun no matter which way I parked, I could adjust the panel direction throughout the day.<br><br>Hmmmmmmmm......

 

[wrcsixeight]

I can tilt mine toward either &nbsp;the left or right side of my Van.<br><br>I can't remember the last time I bothered. But even if the sun is in the southwest, and my panel is tilted toward the west, the amps are higher than if it were still flat. &nbsp;Parking orientation for me is about the view out the side, wind protection and accessibility to the side doors. &nbsp;Generally I like the windshield pointed due south, with the custom reflectix window shades in place in front and side windows.<br><br>I'd recommend just getting another panel and not worry about tilting. &nbsp;Making a rotating and tilting contraption will certainly harvest more, as long as you re orient it at least 3 times a day.<br><br>A second panel &nbsp;mounted flat would harvest the same amount or more as a single on a swivel tilt pedestal and draw much less attention than a panel tilted, or even resting flat on a thicker contraption which would allow easy tilt and swivel sun tracking.

 

[MrNoodly]

Yeah, it does violate the K. I. S. S. principle. But the gizmo lover in me keeps having ideas. Like a collapsible reflector to bounce sunlight onto the solar panel.

 

[Possum]

<span style="font-family: 'comic sans ms', sans-serif; font-size: large;">Hey MrNoodly <img src="/images/boards/smilies/wave.gif" class="emoticon bbc_img">,<br><br>&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;We both must suffer from this "disability" in our brain's as I too am not satisfied with the "k.i.s.s." theory. I am constantly tryin' to re-invent the "wheel"......hmmm&nbsp;<img src="/images/boards/smilies/idea.gif" class="emoticon bbc_img">. &nbsp;There are times though, that I have actually had greatness/success with a "thought". I'm sure that you have had that at times too<img src="/images/boards/smilies/thumb.gif" class="emoticon bbc_img"><img src="/images/boards/smilies/thumb.gif" class="emoticon bbc_img">........WE ARE WHAT WE ARE!!......nothin' wrong with that! I think that it keeps the "grease" flowin' between our ears<img src="/images/boards/smilies/cool.gif" class="emoticon bbc_img"><img src="/images/boards/smilies/rolleyes.gif" class="emoticon bbc_img"><br>&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;Randy<br></span>

 

[wrcsixeight]

Most panel manufacturers state to not concentrate sunlight on the panels with the use of reflectors. <br>&nbsp;I imagine this could only be damaging in the noonish hours +/- 3.

 

[DollarJoe67]

I wonder if there is a gizmo out there that automatically tilts toward the Sun, like a sunflower does.&nbsp; I bet there is.&nbsp; Just have to find it.&nbsp; May cost a pretty penny though.

 

[highdesertranger]

yes there are tracking gizmos out there but they are pricey.&nbsp; plus they consume power, &nbsp;then you need more panels.&nbsp; I plan on doing what wrc68 suggest and just add more panels.&nbsp; I will still make them tilt in one direction only.&nbsp; at the moment I have mine on a pedestal that I manually move throughout the day.&nbsp; this is a pain in the a$$.&nbsp; not the positioning throughout the day but the mounting of the panels on the pedestal.&nbsp; they are heavy.&nbsp; see pic.&nbsp; highdesertranger

 

[highdesertranger]

why are my pics coming out so large?&nbsp; they never used too.&nbsp; highdesertranger

 

[Zil]

<span id="post_message_1278329033"> if there is a gizmo out there <br><br>There were design dozens in the old mother earth news.<br></span>