DIY Solar Parabolic Tracking Collector

[georgeplhak]

There is a lot of detail for you at the link.

[SolarizeYourLife]

Where is the rest of the system? I am assuming it is for hot water.

[georgeplhak]

kevjay777 - you may be misunderstanding the activity and visit date. I don't ask the questions - others do and the last question on this particular video was four months ago, yes. But there are ten other videos posted here and each can receive questions (which I answer). I look at the stats and the questions almost every day. There is much information on the web at the link given. Thanks for your kind comments and interest. George

[kevjay777]

I failed to check the activity before posing my questions. Last visit date 4 months ago. Darnit.

[kevjay777]

George,

Super duper impressive. You must have a great feeling of accomplishment from this. I am pretty sure I want to take this on; my intended uses are for domestic water heating, biofuel manufacture, and possibly home heating augmentation. I really like that the system seems expandable.

Two questions:

Is it a fairly simple matter to add onto the non-motor end?

How many working systems are in the field of which you're aware?

Thanks.

[georgeplhak]

Thanks for your interest and for all the questions. Some of them you seem to be answering for yourself as you read more. I did put a lot of information at the main site and also, if you have further interest and patience, at the blog. Much more I think than you will find for other designs. The 90 page book is only $25 and that may answer most of your questions? I am always happy to answer more if I can. George

[2020tuber]

NVM about the tube.  I see you used copper tubing for the delivery of concentrated sun energy. I thought you used evacuated glass tube.

[2020tuber]

Got more some more questions. What's the total square foot / meter used per section, including shadow cast, extrusion of parts, etc. ? From the BoM, I don't see the price for the tubes. I assume this is excluded because varying cost from the suppliers. I'm trying to figure the total cost of an array to generate/gather the required energy needed. Thanks.

[2020tuber]

Hi, VERY NICE!! It's the first I've seen with detailed info, especially the BoM. This is the cost from your link: C$185 / section, C$235 / motor drive, C$60 solar sensor and housing. How many sections can the motor drive assembly be used? I assume that you only need 1 solar sensor for the entire array of sections. What's the expected cost of operation (cleaning, replacing, etc... - if any) during the year? About the battery, how long til it's needed for recharge?

[BeeRich33]

Hey man, where are you located? I always wanted to know the type of output expected here in Canada, at various latitudes.

[georgeplhak]

Located north west of Toronto, near Acton, 43 latitude

[nprudhomme111]

I think you could modify it in the winter to heat your home. Change the water tube for a alumimium cylinder, put a plastic cover and the send the heated air inside the home. Just like a pop can heater but better since it track the sun all day! Just an idea!

[STARFIRESOLAR]

Nice!

I noticed you have a serpentine configuration. That has got to be hot! You have close to 200,000 BTU there! What is your collector fluid, water or oil? What is your flow rate?

How much storage do you have? Do you use it for hot water and home heating? Or is that a pool heater?

Are those vaccum tubes or just exposed pipes?

Good job!

[georgeplhak]

Actually about 50,000 BTU. Your questions are all answered at the referenced link and at the blog which links from there. Thanks for your interest. George

[rchrdm2]

Neat project!!