DART-8-VAWT Solar Tracking Unit

Our 8 Panel Dual Axis-solar Radiation Tracking (DART) comes with the Option to fit a 1kW~10kW Vertical Axis Wind Turbine (VAWT) above the Solar Racking.

Our bespoke design DART-8-VAWT Unit comes with 1x 12" & 1x 9" Slew Bearings (No Linear Actuators), as well as Light, Wind & Magnetic Stop Sensors. PLEASE NOTE: We no-longer use or offer inferior & inefficient GPS or Time Tracking, our high Quality DART Control modules are manufactured in Poland, and shipped to our Manufacturer for fitting. The VAWT Option is to install a 1kW~10kW VAWT, that's mounted on a separate Double Flanged mast fitted above the double Slew Bearing Chassis & Solar Panels. DART-8 Generates the following Daily Solar Energy; 8x 700W panels = *56kWh/p Energy per Day. 8x 555W panels = *44kWh/p Energy per Day. (*) /p stands for "Peak Energy", in other words the Solar Panels are exposed perpendicular to Full Sunlight all day. A DART-8 Unit Generates enough energy per day to make a largest Residential or Semi-Commerecial business energy independent, when incorporated with the correct sized Energy Storage. NB: The further South or North of the Equator you live, all DART units will Generate more energy, due to the Arch of the Sun through the Sky. Our first prototype of this DART-8-VAWT Unit is currently being installed, see images below ! DART-8-VAWT unit can have from 30cm~300cm Solar Panel Ground Clearance at Sunrise & Sunset, with 200cm Ground clearance at Full tilt, the Main Mast Solar Racking pivot point is approx. 460cm above Ground level. A 1kW VAWT Mast mounting point to clear Solar Panels at full tilt, is approx. 360cm High, a 3kW VAWT top Mast mounting point is approx. 400cm in height. 200cm is commonly Panel ground clearance if Livestock is grazed in the area, and provides easy access for ground maintenance with Farm Machinery.   DART-8-VAWT is fitted with two Slew Bearings, 12" Azimuth Slew Bearing, and a 9" Tilt Slew Bearing is Housed on a Chassis that the Optional Double Flanged VAWT Mast mounts onto.   Below is a Tripod Foundation, more suitable for Soft/Loose Ground. The Double Flanged Foundation Pole with Three stabilising legs is for installation in Soft & Clay type Ground, the Top foundation flange should be set a minimum 20cm above Ground to allow for fitting of the Retaining Nuts & Bolts. The Foundation Pole requires a 80cm~90cm Diameter hole for the Main Mast, the three Bracing Beams require a minimum 20cm Wide Trenches.   The Rotation of a DART Racking. Cemented block Foundation Pole design, with top flange set 30cm above Ground.

For those looking to Dig or Auger a minimum 60cm Diameter Foundation Hole for a Double Flanged Foundation Pole, you should allow an additional depth of 30cm, to provide a 30cm Cement Bed below the bottom Flange Plate to take the vertical load of the assembled DART. It is advisable to install a Earth/Ground spike at the same time, old school would be a Re-bar or Star Picket.

All you need to know to install a DART-8 Array;

1. A standard DART does NOT include a Foundation!

As some customers prefer to manufacture there own foundations.

However, A standard Double Flanged Foundation Pole for a DART-8 is minimum 200cm.

There are another Foundation types to chose from, based on the Ground type!

2. What is the Solar Panel Ground Clearance height at Sunrise & Sunset ?

Any pole mounted DART with the Racking Tilted 60 degrees, the Solar Panels can be from 30cm above the ground to 300cm Ground Clearance, as this is dictated by the Main Mast Height.

If you want to increase the ground clearance the Main Mast heigh needs to be increased, allow approx. $125 per mt increase.

3. What is the Ground spacing require between multiple DART-8, to stop panel shading?

North-south direction spacing is approx. 8 meters.

East-west direction the distance is approx. 9 meters.

These distances will change depending on your Latitude location & any Shading from Trees/Terrain.

4.What height are the Panels in the Tilt & Stow Position?

With a short mast height and Tilt position of 60° the panels will be approx. 60cm from the ground.

In the Stow position (Horizontal) with a standard Mast, the height will be approx. 300cm Heigh.

5. The location & Height of a DART units will be set by the Surrounding Trees, Buildings &/or Terrain, as DART's should/need be installed in an area that capture the most Sun.

Australian INSTALLERS: Make sure that in Winter any Trees growing on the North side of any DART's location, does Not Cast a Shadow over the Solar Panels, as it will simply reduce the Daily Energy Generated.

the height of the tree.

Below information is required, before we manufacture a DART unit to your Specification;

1. You tell the exact height from the ground (at a 60 degree tilt)

2. Tell us how many units are needed (according to North-south direction and east-west direction).