Our Solar Motorized Tilt mod

I'm guessing the actuator assembly is outward of the module's face because of clearance issues, should it be mounted in back of the panel. Too bad, as I wouldn't suffer the shade issue.

FWIW, my single 235W module has been tilted since last Fall (too lazy to get up there and put it flat) and has been through all kinds of weather. Soon, we'll hit the road and it will be flat until next year's storage season. I had thought about mechanizing it with an actuator but the need is just not there.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_6msKUKx39E


That is an awesome way to go :B Is there a kit?

Although there is quite a shadow on the one panel. I am thinking that shaded panel will have output drop to zero with not enough voltage.

Can't see why motorized tilt only would be worth it. Motorized auto training would be much better.

Your optimum tilt when facing South changes by approx. 8 degrees a month over a six month period due to the sun's declination from pos 23.5 to minus 23.5. You get 10 degrees forgiveness in amps results by not having the panel directly aimed. So you would only need to climb up there maybe once a month.

What is much more valuable on a daily basis is to train the panel towards the sun during the day while it is already tilted. In fact you can get away with three moves a day to SE, S, and SW and still do fairly close to all-day moving. Ideally, you tilt it higher earlier and later in the day as the sun goes up and down.

If your panel is on the roof and it is not convenient the way it is mounted to train it during the day, then just tilt it up manually at that month's optimum angle and leave it alone.

Manually:
http://www.rv.net/forum/index.cfm/fuseaction/thread/tid/27734213/gotomsg/27734213/p/1.cfm#27734213

cep321 wrote:
.. if a rain or wind storm comes in quickly and you jump up on the roof and fight the wind or rain to lower the solar panels.

If they're mounted properly, they'll be just fine in wind.