What happens when you combine kitesurfing with solar panels?

[abel]

[tomatkins]

Won't those support 'guy wires' on the top of the solar panel array, cast a shadow on the photovoltaic cells, and kill some of the energy produced?

[abel]

Good question.

The tracker is always facing the sun, so the wire rope self shadows always on the central cross slots between the panels, thus no shadows on the panels.

[southflorida]

Does NOT look like it'll take 20 kts of wind well. 15 kts might even knock it over if the panel is tilted when the sun is low in the sky.

I'm missing something. What is the tie-in to kitesurfing?

[abel]

Does NOT look like it'll take 20 kts of wind well. 15 kts might even knock it over if the panel is tilted when the sun is low in the sky

Being the legs anchored to the ground it can stand 35 Knt winds and 45 Knt gusts
At stow position 100Knots.

I'm missing something. What is the tie-in to kitesurfing?

Good point.
Well... it does not have exactly the same tie-in as "The most sexy kite pic" ,
but it is still strongly based on kitesurfing; first the inspiration for the concept, then:
- The lines for steering
- The lightweight of the canopy for the truss
- The big torque on the kite canopy with low force at the bar end

And sorry, but I didn't have the space on the title to state OT

[Saami]

You designed this? It looks very interesting. Yet, that looks like a lot of extra hardware (and maintenance, I bet). So, from a purely financial point of view, is it worth it compared to a more basic design? It is hard enough to get solar energy to be cost-competitive, right now...

[aeberl]

I have done some reaserch on pasive and active two axis solar tracking devices and came to the following conclusion.
Get rid of the costly tracking device and for the same ammount of monney get yourself some more panels to increase the area of your array. If you live in latitudes <54o you will get the same ammount of energy (or more) for the same ammount of innitial investment, with the added value of a simple and failsafe system that does not require any mainenance.
Problem of two axis tracking systems is that they can only handle a limited area. Bet buy is a passive single axis system with the largest possible array area.

[aeberl]

... and I still can't see how this could be related to kitesurfing!

[Ned Divine]

... and I still can't see how this could be related to kitesurfing!

The designer used ideas from his kitesurfing experience.

P.S. Future kites may incorporate solar panels to produce energy transmitted through lines acting as wires to the board (which will - of course - be called "power lines"), supplying energy to a mini engine under the board that will help the kitesurfer move more upwind than currently possible in light wind situations. Finally something better than Speed3 for lightwind riding!

[abel]

I have done some reaserch on pasive and active two axis solar tracking devices and came to the following conclusion.
........
Problem of two axis tracking systems is that they can only handle a limited area. Bet buy is a passive single axis system with the largest possible array area.

You're right, the cost of current trackers is too high. Mainly because they are too heavy.
By far, the main cost of any tracker is the amount of steel it weights.
The one in the pic is 100sqm and weights about 1Ton less than others. Weights almost like for static installation, while generating at least 30% more energy.
That is what it makes most economic, even compared with static installations.