Solar Light Tower Hack: Maximizing Efficiency Without Breaking the Bank! ☀️

Originally Posted 2021-07-25

Ever wondered why we chose not to create a pivoting solar light tower? Well, the answer is simpler than you think! In this video, we dive into the practical reasons behind our decision to install static panels on both sides of the tower instead of going for a fancy, sun-tracking setup. 🌞💡

While a pivoting mechanism sounds appealing, it comes with a hefty price tag - approximately $1,500 - and involves a more complicated setup. We've discovered that a straightforward, cost-effective, and time-saving solution is to simply install more panels on both sides of the tower. This approach ensures consistent power generation regardless of the tower's orientation. Point it north? You've got east-west facing power. Point it east-west? You've got south facing power on one side. 🔄

In this video, we break down how our solution actually proves to be more efficient and economical, eliminating the need for a bunch of rotating mechanisms. Keeping it simple, cheap, and effective is our motto!

👍 If you appreciate practical solutions and smart hacks, hit the Like button, Share, and Subscribe for more insights and innovations! Drop a comment below on your thoughts about our approach!

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Founded by Chace Barber and Eric Little in 2016, Edison Motors is a testament to the trucking spirit. Beginning with a 1969 Kenworth Logging Truck named "Old Blue," they journeyed from Merritt, BC, hauling logs to the Yukon and drilling rigs in Alberta. Frustrated with newer trucks, they rebuilt classics from the frame up, expanding into power generation and off-grid solar systems in 2019. Their journey led to the creation of the Edison Truck, a robust electric truck tailored to logging and heavy vocational industries.

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The manufacturing process at Edison Motors is a testament to their commitment to customer satisfaction. Each Edison Truck undergoes a meticulous five-step process, from frame and rolling chassis preparation to final touches and rigorous testing. The focus is on building a truck that reflects the customer's requirements, embracing the philosophy of "Building The Truck Of The Future With The Quality Of The Past."

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Edison Trucks bring increased power, torque, reliability, and longevity. Inspired by electric freight trains, regenerative ability harnesses energy for efficient uphill climbs.

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Diesel-electric technology delivers peak load demand energy supply. Batteries initiate movement, and the diesel generator recharges the battery, capturing braking energy for restarts. The generator's constant RPM eliminates turbo lag.

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Diesel-electric technology results in up to 70-100% fuel savings, directly correlating to a 75%-100% reduction in diesel exhaust. Smaller lithium batteries mean less environmental damage. Diesel-electric offers a practical transition to electric for energy-intensive trucking industries. Generator diesel engines ensure optimal fuel/air ratio, contributing to a hotter and cleaner burn of emissions.

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#SolarPower #LightTower #EnergyEfficiency #EngineeringHacks #KeepItSimple #CostEffective #Innovation

[acelee]

Not to mention the risk of breakdown on the pivoting point at the most inconvenient of times. Or when it hits -30C and the pivot is frozen to the least productive position.

[David-gxos]

I love the phrase “don’t over engineer shit” I’m gonna use that everyday now

[Evltion]

A friend taught me once a design philosophy called KISS - keep it stupid simple.

[husamabudawoud]

The A frame is rugged, snow and ice won't accumulate. For the rough winter this is perfect. Smart chargers can regulate it easily.

[barkobama]

Just read a study that was looking at vertical panels versus 90 degree to the sun, and the vertical panels performed better than expected because they dissipate heat better and that increases the voltage. Interesting stuff, I can't wait to see how far we get in the next ten years with the perovskite panels.

[kemuan]

Simple. Affordable. Not over engineered and just works.This is why we subscribed and support you. Bravo, well done sir.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

[gage]

I love what he is doing finally somebody that's interested in producing quality equipment that can be easily serviced and maintained stuff worth buying like what are grandparents had

[fhqwgib]

This cements my faith that this company is in good hands

[colinwallace]

Same reason why you just make a flat rack for roof panels on an RV, build them to travel well, and you just park wherever. Buy a couple of the cheap portables just in case you’re really shaded in the long term.

[barrymantelli]

it's perfectly engineered the way it is

[georgemckenzie]

be certain to wire the arrays to desperate charge controller.
If ganged together the shaded panels will reduce output of the panels in the sun.

[StrongerThanBigfoot]

I hope what you’re doing inspires the car manufacturers to get back to reliability and to stop over engineering cars

[chiphill]

Your design approach is practical and elegant with no useless features. Fun to watch.

[FixTechStuff]

Facts. Where I live close to the equator I lay panels flat on the roof, it’s cheaper to just buy more panels than mess with mounting hardware.

[jidduv]

finally got the answer from the man. I was looking at a comment a month ago and I was trying to work through the logic in my mind. The cost of energy maximization vs the cost of additional panels did not occur to me.

[DirtRoadRemedy]

PV panels are surprisingly efficient even when not facing straight at the sun!

[KeithOlson]

You can also set up _very_ light-weight reflectors--even larger than the panels, if you want--that can pivot to bounce light on the panels on the other side from the sun. You then can get at least twice the power with minimal cost.

It also occurred to me that you could place tall, black, rectangular chimneys above the A-frame with optically clear plastic windows covering the panels and venting into the chimney. The black chimney would absorb heat, causing the air inside to rapidly rise, pulling cooler air past the panels and cooling them, thus making them more efficient. ...in theory, anyway.

Cheers!

[kevinscott]

I worked on a solar field in Maine that used pivoting panels.

Basically, they's have an entire row of panels on one huge rotating shaft that rotated them east to west.

This actually compromised their south-facing exposure.

However, despite this, and despite needing to power motors to rotate themselves, they DID see a net gain in power output.

The REAL problem is the complexity of the design. These solar fields get built by hundreds of just regular dudes who are regular construction workers... not hundreds of engineers and geologists. So the complexity makes the projects exponentially harder and the problems are exponentially more unpredictable, and the construction time and headaches and cost shoots way past what the suits in office buildings estimate.

Absolutely, always, simpler is better!

[TheKlink]

stretch some space blankets on a frame and lay them on the ground next to the trailer for extra power.

[kevinroberts]

Absolutely agree. I'd put each side on it's on cheap charge controller.