Update on technology

The status of consumer two-axis tracking hardware is unchanged.
Elsewhere though, much has changed.

Solar panels are getting cheaper.
New technologies are making panels much more efficient.

These developments will effect the long term future of solar energy for residential consumers.

Excel translator

Hello,

   Someone has written an Excel formulas translator in the Python language.
Python is one of the languages used in my system. I'm going to explore the use of that software as a substitution for my transcription.
   If the program includes forward and reverse transformations, I may be able to save/convert data in excel format.

Backup everything

This post deals with an mportant topic: backups.

All equipment will eventually breakdown.

The only solution is to keep some sort of backup system in stock.
In my case, the current backup is a lower powered version of the present system. This will do until I get something with more power. The current backup will run my light and stereo, provided I don't play the stereo too loud.

I have spare cables and conectors for the solar station.
I have a 300w inverter and a 60A PWM controller.
Panels are not likely to go out or bad for over twenty years. Uless falling tree branches or speeding automobiles are an issue, there's no need for a full backup of panels, though one or two spare panels would be convenient.

If a component goes bad or is damaged beyond repair, I count on at least a week for a replacement to arrive. As an electronic engineering technician, I keep test and repair equipment on hand. I even have backups for those.

My batteries run about $150 each. My inverter runs $150-$250. The controller runs around $150.
If a cloudy day or two occur, I have a quiet 2000w gasoline generator that runs my system and charges the batteries, using an automobile battery charger. The batteries are marine grade dep discharge type.

Using a backup system as emergwncy aid is a good idea.