How your Tracker Works in Various Weather Conditions
The Northeast is known for its long, cold winters and damp, rainy spring and summer seasons. We know our AllEarth Solar Tracker will face harsh weather conditions, and we have designed and built our systems accordingly.
The system is designed to monitor weather conditions and react when there are factors that stress the components:
Wind
If the wind gusts above 25 mph for more than 5 seconds, the tracker will go horizontal into “safe mode.” The tracker will remain flat in “wind hold” until there is a three-hour period with no winds above 20 mph. While in wind hold, the tracker continues to produce energy, albeit at a reduced rate.
Cold
If temperatures drop below approximately minus 10 Fahrenheit, the tracker is programmed to go flat and “hibernate,” to prevent undue strain on the hydraulic system trying to pump cold, thick hydraulic fluid. When temperatures warm up to approximately 0 degrees Fahrenheit, the tracker will automatically resume normal operation. On those occasional sub-zero morning, this will appear as the tracker “waking up late.” While in cold mode, the tracker continues to produce energy, albeit at a reduced rate.
Snow
During periods of heavy snowfall, the panels may become coated with snow. Because trackers tilt at a steeper angle than fixed arrays, trackers shed snow faster. Additionally, since the tracker is always facing the panels toward the sun, the panels will warm up and allow snow to melt and slide off the array. The normal movement of the panels will eliminate any snow buildup on the panels in most cases. It is not recommended to manually remove the snow from the panels, as they can be scratched and damaged during this process.
Snowdrifts
With large snow accumulation it is possible for the snow to build up on the ground and interfere with the movement of the tracker. In these cases, it is recommended to remove any snow drifts or banks of snow that may be blocking the tracker’s movement. If the tracker does get blocked by snow, it won’t damage the tracker. There is an internal relief valve that prevents the tracker from continuing to push too hard against an obstacle. Once snow banks have been removed and the tracker naturally resets overnight, it will resume normal operation and tracking the following day.