Talk:Solar tracker

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This page is made informative, props to the folks who put it together. :)

[edit] Business-side info

I had previously added a link to a global directory of solar tracker manufacturers (http://www.enf.cn/database/components-tracker.html). The information was taken down by someone who hadn't actually reviewed the validity of the information but was deleting based on the fact that I posted up several links to ENF.

On the suggestion of one of person that removed the information, I am submitting suggested comments/links here in the hope that other editors will evaluate the relevance and resubmit it to the main page:


Kit Temple 13:48, 2 July 2007 (UTC)

External links to promote manufacturers (Business-side info) is covered in WP:ELNO #5. Also Wikipedia is not a directory (WP:NOT). All such links have been removed on these grounds. Fountains of Bryn Mawr (talk) 00:58, 2 April 2008 (UTC)

[edit] Efficiency increase

The following sentence is meaningless if no additional info is provided: <<A single axis tracker increases annual output by approximately 30%, and a dual axis tracker an additional 6%.>>

I'll remove it unless someone convinces me not to. 82.229.209.33 (talk) 21:04, 25 February 2008 (UTC)

A quick GBS search supports the idea generally of increases in that range over non-tracked designed. One book says "up to 40%" increase; another says single-axis 20 to 30%. I didn't find a source for those particular numbers, but it would be better to edit it to something sourced than to just throw it out. Or fact tag it to give others a chance to work on it. Dicklyon (talk) 04:17, 26 February 2008 (UTC)
I agree that tracking increases efficiency. However, there is no such thing as a "single axis tracker". If you read the article, it is apparent that there are at least two ways of having a single axis system: either oriented along a North-South axis or oriented vertically.82.229.209.33 (talk) 23:51, 26 February 2008 (UTC)
I assumed that single-axis designs aimed at good efficiency would be equatorial-axis, but that's not even mentioned in the article. Horizontal and vertical wouldn't be expected to do nearly so well, I bet, unless you're at very high or very low latitude. Dicklyon (talk) 01:42, 27 February 2008 (UTC)

[edit] Heliostat vs. Solar Tracker

Seems to me that the heliostat and solar tracker pages should be merged. Second opinions? —Preceding unsigned comment added by 69.145.177.92 (talk) 20:34, 5 April 2008 (UTC)

I was noticing that to. There seems to be a difference in the two articles, but that difference may be that this article seems to be made up, no sources for what is stated are referenced (except for one minor one). It seems to be more of a guide to solar technolegy than an ecyclopedic description. Could use cleanup and maybe even merger and deletion. Fountains of Bryn Mawr (talk) 21:38, 7 April 2008 (UTC)
I also agree. The description provided here that Heliostats are "movable mirrors that reflect sunlight" is completely inaccurate. Mr. Welsh (talk)
On the other hand, they are two quite different technologies. Heliostats are mirrors, and need to be aimed precisely. Solar trackers hold solar cells or solar heating equipment, and just need to be aimed in the general direction. I think they should refer to each other (maybe even in the lead paragraph) but should not be combined. LouScheffer (talk) 14:57, 18 May 2008 (UTC)
It is my understanding that a heliostat is a device that follows the sun. They can be used to position mirrors, but that is not inherent. From what I can tell this is the same technology, but I am not an expert in this field. Mr. Welsh (talk) 16:07, 18 May 2008 (UTC)
The dictionary and old encyclopedia Britannica entries talk specifically about mirrors to direct the sun in one direction. From Marriam-Webster (others are very similar): an instrument consisting of a mirror mounted on an axis moved by clockwork by which a sunbeam is steadily reflected in one direction. According to this, all heliostats could be considered solar trackers, but not all solar trackers are heliostats. LouScheffer (talk) 17:23, 18 May 2008 (UTC)
This article has such massive problems it is hard to say what it is even about. It is totally un-referenced which makes things worse. It needs to be re-written re: encyclopedic style and content. For example the intro talks about "Concentrators", but this is not a summery further expanded on in the article (and it sounds like we are talking about a Heliostat here). The "Polar" mount sub-section describes an Equatorial mount and should probably reflect that. Many many more problems. Fountains of Bryn Mawr (talk) 21:45, 20 May 2008 (UTC)