Gateway Technical Institute adds 3 Windspire wind turbines

For those of you that have driven or walked around the Racine Gateway Campus you have probably noticed the newly installed Windspire wind turbines. ESS installed the three units and they are now producing electricity for the campus. The units are located on the east side of the building and are very easy to see.

Just another way Gateway is looking to improve the look of the campus for the students and to help offset  the rising energy costs.



SITING YOUR SOLAR MODULES

The two basic issues with the siting of a solar energy system are :




1. Face panels to the south

2, Avoid shade from trees, buildings or hills.

It is important to carefully site PV systems, especially those that use crystalline cells. A shadow across just part of a crystalline cell based PV system can virtually turn it off, while a shadow across a thin film cell based PV system or a solar thermal system will simply reduce its output.



Think about both the sun’s daily path and its annual path when considering how objects may shade the solar panels. Shading may result from trees, dormers, chimneys, and neighboring buildings. Remember - trees grow, and neighbors may build additional structures that block the sun. However, Wisconsin has a solar rights law that guarantees your right to solar access.

 Axis trackers adds installation cost, but increases efficiency of modules significantly. These arrays will track the sun throughout the course of the day and the racking itself will physically move from east to west every day.




Single axis tracking systems


Solar panels with single axis tracking systems. The panels can turn around the centre axis. ESS can provide the actuators that tilt the panels.

Dual axis tracking systems


Dual axis tracking is typically used to orient a mirror, to redirect sunlight along a fixed axis towards a stationary target or receiver, however you can also gain extra yield on you PV cells. ESS can provide you with quality actuators that move your panels.