FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Technology

  • A tracker is a type of solar panel mount. Also called “racking” these pieces of mounting equipment are the structure that secures a solar panel in place. Tracking refers to a solar panel mounting strategy where the solar panel follows the sun throughout the day and significantly increases the energy output of that solar panel.

  •  Sun-Trap Tracker is a solar tracking system designed for flat rooftops to produce significantly more energy than traditional solar mounting solutions. Sun-Trap specifications are detailed on our datasheet here.

  • Sun-Trap Tracker is a type of single-axis tracker called a tilted vertical-axis tracker that tracks solar azimuth which is the sun’s East to West position in the sky. This tracking geometry is unique to the Sun-Trap Tracker and one of the keys to its significant performance results. 

  • Not at this time. We believe Sun-Trap finds the optimal balance between functionality and cost. Adding an additional axis is expected to have diminishing returns for the solar investor, similar to the rate single-axis trackers took to dominate the ground mounted market.

  • Sun-Trap Trackers are controlled by an on-site computer called a Field Control Unit or FCU. This ensures that the tracking field will continue to track even if the building loses internet connectivity. The FCU can also be remotely controlled if desired, allowing you to monitor the health of the system and speed up O&M site visits, among a number of intelligent capabilities built into the system.

  • The Sun-Trap Tracker is currently energized using AC power from the electrical system in the building.

  • The Sun-Trap Tracker is designed for flat commercial and industrial rooftops with slope of less than 7.5 degrees.

  • It depends how you buy. Our team will work with you to estimate your Sun-Trap Tracker project, starting with your address. Reach out to your account rep or contact us to start the evaluation.

System Design

  • A good guideline for laying out a Sun-Trap Tracker project is to space each tracker 8’ on center. Remember, Sun-Trap Tracker projects use as much as half of the number of solar panels as fixed racking projects, resulting in a GCR of 35%-40%, using Sun-Trap. We’ve created a Design Best Practices Guide to help you through the entire design process.

  • Sun-Trap Tracker is designed with the contractor or engineer in mind, and streamlines your design and permitting process. We’ve put together a comprehensive Engineering & Permitting Guide including an example construction plan set created to help you understand the nuances of Sun-Trap Tracker and produce complete engineering documents ready for permitting and construction.

  • The most accurate way to model Sun-Trap Tracker’s unique tracking geometry is a software program called PV Syst. We’ve put together a comprehensive Performance Modelling Guide using PV Syst design software to walk you through the steps required to create bulletproof performance predictions.

  • Yes. In short, we’ve discovered gold, and have created the treasure map for your to replicate. In tracker terms, we’ve validated our Performance Modelling Guide with real-world weather-corrected data collected on actual operating solar projects. Our Performance Model Match Report explains exactly how the assumptions in the Performance Modeling Guide are validated.

Installation

  • Sun-Trap Tracker is designed to bring your project the incredible benefits of tracking while fitting neatly into your installation process. Our comprehensive Installation Manual details all of the steps required to install a Sun-Trap Tracker system on your project rooftop.

  • Sun-Trap Tracker is secured using our proprietary rooftop anchor - a light weight mechanical attachment. This rooftop anchor is included in your Sun-Trap Tracker order.

  • There is just one rooftop anchor mechanical attachment per solar panel installed.

  • Sun-Trap Tracker roof anchors are integrated to the rooftop with two lag bolts (included) per our Installation Manual. The roof anchors can be sealed and waterproofed using a variety of roofing manufacturer approved roof sealant methods such as the Chem Curb by Chem Link. We recommend working with the roofing manufacturer and a licensed roofing contractor to ensure these routine roof integrations are fully warrantied.

  • We get it, your roof is the most important part of your building and you do not want to jeopardize the integrity of that valuable asset. The truth is that mechanical attachments exist on nearly every single rooftop on the planet. The key is to have a licensed professional install and warranty the roof work which is backed by the roof manufacturer. HVAC equipment, wires, drains, vents, skylights, fans, and access points are all mechanically attached to the building, sometimes even the roof material itself. When done properly, mechanical attachments are the safest, lightest, and best solution for securely adding equipment to your rooftop.

  • Sun-Trap Tracker adds less than 2 lbs per sqft additional deadload to your building based on the weight of the system and the footprint of the equipment. More information is available on our Data Sheet here.

  • No, we do not offer a ballast option for Sun-Trap Tracker. Mechanical attachment is the safest, lightest, and lowest-cost option for attaching to the rooftop for the lifetime of the system.

  • Less than 1 minute/sqft. Sun-Trap Tracker is designed to get you on and off the rooftop fast so you can build more projects. You should be able to complete the rooftop portion of your install at less than 1 minute/sqft. This is a general rule of thumb designed to help you ballpark installation time. Our Installation Manual details each of the steps required to install a Sun-Trap Tracker system which when you can use to run the numbers for your project.  The next step would be to complete hands-on Sun-Trap Training and officially join the growing team of Trappers in the field.

  • We sell the Sun-Trap Tracker tracker, roof anchor, tracker control cable and connectors, tracker distribution boxes, and field control units. Contractors need to supply additional balance of system and waterproofing components similar to any solar installation.

  • Additional components vary based on system design but typically contractors will need to supply, waterproofing, lag bolts, roof seals, slip sheets (as required), PV cables, connectors, conduit/PVC, conduit/PVC clamps, wire management, wire loom, ground wire, grounding lugs and screws (when needed), modules, optimizers, inverters, among many other possible additional equipment typical of solar installations.  We can provide you a comprehensive estimating tool available upon request.

  • We can provide you access to our Sheets, Guides, Manuals, and estimating tools to educate your team and provide certainty around cost expectations. After doing so, if you want to move forward and are still concerned with cost estimates, we can provide you a guaranteed NTE fixed-price to install your system.

Operations and Maintenance

  • Operations and Maintenance are the tasks required to keep a solar panel system operating at peak performance for the designed life of the solar panel system. Like any piece of equipment, having an Operations and Maintenance plan is key to ensuring return on investment. There are two components of an Operations and Maintenance plan: preventative maintenance and corrective maintenance. Preventative maintenance consists of solar energy production monitoring done remotely and visual inspections done on-site. These can be done annually, bi-annually, or quarterly depending on your Operations and Maintenance plan’s scope of work. Corrective maintenance is needed only if a solar component is not functioning as intended and your solar panel system experiences performance issues.

  • Sun-Trap Tracker systems are easier to operate and maintain that fixed tilt systems. While fixed tilt panels are often crammed together, low to the ground, with few, if any, access points for inspection; Sun-Trap Tracker is up higher, spaced out, and easily accessible to visually inspect and repair when needed. In addition, there are usually much less solar panels on a Sun-Trap Tracker system meaning you are on and off the rooftop faster keeping your Operations and Maintenance budget low. Check out our Operations and Maintenance Guide for more information.

  • If a Sun-Trap Tracker breaks, its fixed, meaning if a tracker breaks it becomes a fixed rack. The solar panel still functions and performs like a solar panel mounted on fixed rack tilted at 30 degrees. Depending on the azimuth location, that single solar panel will continue to operate at a discounted performance. The intelligent Heliopoint software identifies which tracker is fixed out of the whole field making it unbelievably easy to return to motion during your normally scheduled Operations and Maintenance site visit. If something needs to be replaced, simply remove the solar panel, replace the self-contained actuator, and return the unit for repair at our cost. We will return the unit to your Operations and Maintenance provider’s spare parts ready to go. This makes Operations and Maintenance site visits lightning fast, intentional, and effective. Check out our Operations and Maintenance Guide to learn more.

  • Often the contractor, EPC, developer, or finance company is responsible for Operations and Maintenance. We can work with them to understand Sun-Trap Tracker best practices or we have a partnership with national Operations and Maintenance provider Bay4 Energy to operate and maintain your Sun-Trap Tracker system if preferred.

  • Operations and Maintenance estimates are budgets vary depending on location, site, and scope of work. We estimated Sun-Trap Tracker maintenance budgets to be approximately $1.81/kW/yr additional. Check out our Operations and Maintenance Guide to understand what is included and the frequency of that scope of work.

  • Yes. Because of how much space is between Sun-Trap Tracker trackers, there is improved cleaning access when compared to a fixed rack installation.

  • Check out our Operations and Maintenance Guide to learn about our RMA process.

  • No, Sun-Trap Tracker Operations and Maintenance should be faster and easier to maintain than fixed tilt systems. Check out our Operations and Maintenance Guide to understand what is included and the frequency of that scope of work.

Reliability

  • Yes, tracking systems are extremely reliable which is why they make up more than 70% of utility scale installations. Our Reliability Guide provides more details about the aerospace level testing we’ve subjected Sun-Trap Tracker to.

  • 110 mph. Check out our Engineering and Permitting Guide to learn more.

  • Our warranty is a 5/10 warranty, 5 years for tracking and 10 years for racking. Contact us to learn more about our warranty.

  • Yes, Sun-Trap Tracker is certified by national testing laboratory, CSA to meet the strict requirements of UL3703 testing and FCC testing.

  • Yes. We have completed accelerated lifecycle testing in Pasadena, CA and Sun-Trap Tracker made it the equivalent of 458 years before a wear out failure.

  • Yes, Bay4 Engineering Services, an institutional 3rd party independent engineering firm, completed a 2-year field test of Sun-Trap Trackers at their facility at Tucson Electric Power in Arizona in addition to the rigorous CSA testing.