AllEarth’s Solar Tracker

source: allearthrenewables.com

We’ve discussed the benefits of a dual-axis solar tracker on this post – that being able to track the sun as it moves through the sky increases the continued efficiency output of the panel. There is no one direction to point a solar panel. Vermont based AllEarth claims that their dual-axis solar tracker can increase the efficiency of solar panels in a full day by 45%, as outlined in this visual below.

source: allearthrenewables.com

With a dual-axis solar tracker, energy production is at optimum levels not only day by day, but throughout the seasons. Our system capitalizes on solar resources during the summer months as well as in the swing seasons and winter months when the sun shifts lower on the horizon. Thanks to this smart technology, geographic factors no longer hinder the production of solar energy. With 360 degrees of dual-axis tracking, no energy will be lost – our system follows the sun all year long no matter where you are in the world. And with GPS technology, the tracker always orients itself to capture the most from the sun.

I would imagine that each install can be slightly different, and the inverter you choose can be micro or string.

These can also withhold, I would assume this means they have a properly installed base, ~120 mph winds!

Now, let’s talk money savings.

AllEarth has given the numbers that assuming the cost of electricity coming to your house is inflated at ~ 3% per year, you can have ~ 3 times lower electricity bill per year over a 25 year life span. That’s a pretty incredible savings.

According to this neat calculator for average electricity bill in the united states, we can guess that the average you might pay in your neighborhood is around $100 a month, averaged.

Now using this handy interest calculator, I’ve managed to fandangle my way through some calculations, and came up with a total of almost $45,000 spent on electricity after 25 years.

Incredible. The calculators, not the money. That’s a lot of money.

Doing some simple detective work using West Seattle Natural Energy’s cost page on their site, I’ve found that installing a typical (fairly large) application costs around $20,000, excluding federal rebates.

This means that, using my ballpark figures here and worst case estimations, in 25 years there’s quite possibly at least a 2.5 X savings ($45,000/$20,000) on your electricity. AllEarth claims you can have up to 3 X savings (they’re marketing team probably did best case estimations). Perhaps some of this savings would be depreciated by the value of having the money in the bank working for you and collecting interest, but even if I use a 2% increase of the cost of electricity per year, it still comes in at ~ $40,000. 2 X savings.

source: http://www.aurorasolarenergy.com

For the record, I do expect that the prices given on the West Seattle Natural Energy’s website do include the batteries and inverters.

I guess the question is, then, when will you be getting one?