At EnergyServ.ie, we love seeing how our customers take renewable energy to the next level. Today, we’re highlighting a brilliant innovation by one of our customers, Marcus Tuck, who used an EnergyServ stationary ground-mount system as the foundation for a custom, fully automated Solar Tracking Array
The Project
Standard ground mounts are fixed in one position, but Marcus wanted to maximise the energy generated from the Irish sun. By building upon our robust mounting hardware with his own custom tracking logic, his panels now “follow” the sun’s trajectory across the sky. This setup ensures the panels maintain an optimal angle throughout the day, significantly increasing energy yield compared to a static installation.
How It Works
Marcus combined solid engineering with smart technology to bring this system to life:
- The Movement: He fabricated custom galvanised steel mounting arms equipped with motorised linear actuators. These arms physically tilt and rotate the panel arrays to track the sun’s path.
- The Intelligence: Inside a weather-sealed control box, Marcus installed a microcontroller setup to process sun-position data. This is paired with a Steca PR 3030 Solar Charge Controller to manage battery health, with manual override switches for total seasonal control.
- Energy Independence: A small dedicated solar panel keeps the tracking system’s battery charged. This ensures the automation is self-sustaining and doesn’t pull any power away from the main home array.
Why Track the Sun?
While fixed panels are a highly effective and reliable solution for most homes, a tracking system ensures the sun’s rays hit the solar cells at an optimal angle for as long as possible. For advanced setups like Marcus’s, users can achieve a 25% to 40% increase in total daily energy production, depending on the season and local weather conditions.
Safety & Compliance Note: While we celebrate customer innovation, please note that all solar PV electrical works must be completed and certified by qualified professionals in line with Irish regulations and ESB requirements to ensure safety and grid compliance.
“A huge shoutout to Marcus Tuck for sharing his incredible work with us. It’s a perfect example of how our ground-mount systems can serve as a robust foundation for high-tech energy innovation!” — The EnergyServ Team
Thinking about your own solar project? Contact EnergyServ today for a hassle-free consultation.
