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Can anyone tell me what this rooftop, folding, fan-like contraption is?
 

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Here you go, Dual axis sun tracking Solar array;


However, an innovative solar energy system from Austria, billed as "the world’s first all-in-one solar system," aims to make home solar much more efficient and practical, because not only does it claim to produce 40% more output (than conventional fixed position PV arrays), but it's also decidedly more portable than a rooftop solar system and can be unbolted from its anchor and moved to a new home or location.

The Smartflower POP system is a 3.2 kW solar array which is designed to be ground-mounted, with the device folding its panels up at night or in high wind conditions, and then automatically unfolding again in the morning. The units come in 8 different colors, so you can be sure your solar array matches the rest of your home if that's important to you.

The Smartflower includes a dual axis tracking system which keeps its panels oriented directly at the sun throughout the day (and throughout the seasons), which allows it to harvest more solar energy over the course of a day than a conventional solar array. According to the company website, this allows the units to produce between 3,400 and 6,200 kWh per year, which is equivalent to the "average complete annual consumption of a central European household."
 
Interesting to look at the info in the link, I was trying to find out the dimensions - e.g. for the 3.4kW version - as it doesn't look big enough in the photo to be capable of that much power output?
 
Interesting to look at the info in the link, I was trying to find out the dimensions - e.g. for the 3.4kW version - as it doesn't look big enough in the photo to be capable of that much power output?
that was my thought also.
 
Better link direct from Manufacturer,


Tech spec,

194sq ft surface area, 2.5kw rating but equivalent to 4kw conventional system for output, given the tracking.
Approx $27000, one size only available with or without batteries.

Possibly along the Fischer heaters theme, good idea, possibly expensive.

 
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I found another link with some specs:

I'm finding the numbers a bit confusing, e.g. a nominal capacity of 2.31kW, but sold as a 4.6kW system. The package seems to include batteries that possibly confuse the specs. I can't help wondering if there is some deliberate inflating of headline numbers!
 
I found another link with some specs:

I'm finding the numbers a bit confusing, e.g. a nominal capacity of 2.31kW, but sold as a 4.6kW system. The package seems to include batteries that possibly confuse the specs. I can't help wondering if there is some deliberate inflating of headline numbers!

really? ....when has anyone in the renewables,ever done that? :)
 
I'm finding the numbers a bit confusing, e.g. a nominal capacity of 2.31kW, but sold as a 4.6kW system. The package seems to include batteries that possibly confuse the specs. I can't help wondering if there is some deliberate inflating of headline numbers!

I think they look stunning, but can't figure out how anyone could justify the cost for practical purposes.

The Basic model costs roughly £24,000. At maximum claimed energy production of 6,200kWh per annum (which obviously wont happen in the UK), and assuming no maintainence costs, it's still going to take an awfully long time to break even.
 
Stunning in a bad way IMHO! It is an enormous contraption when open. Also, it's got to function without problems for many years to repay the initial investment.
 

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