Solar Tracking Control with Hi-Wind Speed ParkingThe NEW STA1000-HW Dual/Single Axis Solar Tracker Controller offers user configurable operation AND a new and exclusive HI-Wind Speed Parking feature. The Hi-Wind parking feature is compatible with systems utilizing both conventional Tilting axis\' AND with systems using a ROTATING East-West axis. No need for custom programming when ordering!After investing a lot of time and money in your solar system, a big fear is what happens when high winds suddenly appear. If the solar panels are not positioned in a way that offers the least resistance to wind, severe damage to your structure can result. To aid in avoiding this, one must constantly keep an eye on current weather conditions and manually position the panels to a safer horizontal position when high winds are forecast to arrive.
Imagine a system controller that will do this automatically!
We did!
...and the STA1000-HW can!
In addition to all of the normal tracking features, the STA1000-HW includes a user configurable Hi-Wind Speed parking feature, with LPC being the first to implement this new technology. By enabling this feature, you can set the desired wind speed trigger from 5 to 65 MPH. The included anemometer provides constant monitoring of wind speeds and in the event of a Hi-Wind Speed event, the system will immediately seek a safer horizontal position, minimizing the risk of possible wind damage. As high winds continue, the STA1000-HW will hold that position until wind speeds subside to a safe level once again, upon which, normal tracking will result. In addition, when enabled, the Auto East Parking
Feature is enabled, so that, during the night, your panels are safely positioned to the Hi-Wind Parking position in case of a high wind event occurring during the night.
SEE How it worksFeatures• Dual or Single Axis Operation
• Select single EW axis control , Single NS axis [ NEW FEATURE! ] (with HW Speed Parking) or Dual axis Control
• Hi - Wind Speed Detection (Dual axis and Single axis NS modes only)
• Compatible with Both Rotating EW - Axis and Common Tilting axis systems
• Selectable Northern or Southern Hemisphere Operation
• LCD Display for Convenient Real-Time Status
• Anemometer supplied with 40 ft. cable with RJ25 plug
• Sensor/Hw-Wind speed weatherproof dome with 12 ft. cable with RJ45 plug
• Complete User Configuration via 15 User Menus
• Easy Installation, no messy open circuit boards or complicated wiring to deal with
• 12 - 24vdc Operation
• 10 Amp Per Channel DC Motor Drive Capability
...and much more!The STA1000-HW Solar Stalker offers the ability to make changes to the operational parameters, allowing you to customize its operation for your particular system and environment for optimum performance.Menu Access
To access the menu, switch the AUTO/Manual switch to MANUAL MODE and wait for the status Indicator to flash rapidly, then press and hold the ‘AXIS’ switch to the right while at the same time, pressing and holding the ‘MOVE’ switch to the LEFT and then release both switches (Fig. 1).Menu Navigation
Each of the control panel switches corresponds to a menu item in the display (Fig. 2). Toggling the corresponding switch in the direction indicated in the display executes that item function. For example, to move to the <NEXT option, toggle the MOVE switch to the left. When you do this, the next menu item will appear in the LCD. To make a <SELection from the current menu option, toggle the AXIS switch to the left to select the options available for that menu item. Menu Options
1- [OP MODE] - This allows you to set the operating mode of the unit, either SINGLE-AXIS for he East West control, Single Axis for North South (Elevation) axis or DUAL-AXIS controlling both axis. Selecting SINGLE for East West will disable selection of HW-SPEED PARKING, HW-Speed parkingis enabled for Single axis NS and Dual axis operation. Toggle the <SEL switch to make your selection. Press <NEXT to continue to the next menu item.2- [ HEMISPHERE] The tracker is compatible with operation in either the Southern OR Northern Hemisphere, where NORTHERN is the default. For SOUTHERN Hemisphere usage, you need to access the menu system, advance to the [HEMISPHERE] menu option and select SOUTH as the option.3- [SENSITIVITY] - Two sensitivity modes are available, HI or LO. Hi mode will make the unit more responsive to changes in ambient light, where LO will make it LESS responsive. Note: When changing the SENSITIVITY setting, you must RE-CALIBRATE the sensors for the new setting.4. [HI-WIND SPEED PARKING] - The STA1000-HW incorporates a Hi-Wind speed Parking feature. By default, this feature is turned off. HI-Wind speed parking works by monitoring the current wind speed in the area relative to your installation via the included ANEMOMETER. When a HI-WIND Speed condition exists the STA1000-HW will immediately stop tracking movements and begin seeking the HI-Wind Speed parking position, which is a flat, horizontal position in both axis. Accuracy is +- 15 degrees from horizontal. Once the horizontal parking position has been found, the STA1000-HW will hold this position and continue to monitor current wind
speeds. When wind speeds fall below the user set speed, the STA1000-HW will go into a ‘Verify Calm’ function where it will monitor winds speeds for a short period of time, making sure that the lower wind speeds have remained below 1/3 of the user set trigger before allowing the system to resume tracking. If during this period of time the wind speeds rise again above the user set trigger level, it will once again enter into the holding function and wait for winds to subside.
The HI-Wind Speed function is only available when the system is set for DUAL AXIS mode or Single axis NS mode. Also, in systems that employ a slewing drive for the East-West axis, where the axis is never tilted, but rather rotated, you must disable the EW Axis in the menu function. Not doing so will result in the system ‘never’ finding a horizontal park position. This selection is set to ‘ON’ by default and is meant for systems that commonly use a linear actuator or similar where the E-W axis is angled or tilted instead of rotated.NOTE: To use this function, your system MUST be able to attain a horizontal position for both axis’. In addition, the N/S axis must be able to transit ‘beyond’ horizontal in the north direction by about 15° to 20°. DO NOT enable the HW feature if your system is not able to do this. Enabling the HI-Wind Speed Park feature will also automatically enable the EAST-PARKING feature. What this will do is that at the end of the day when the sun goes down, instead of moving the panels to the far east position, it will instead position the panels to the HW Parking position (horizontal). During this sleep period, in the event of a hi-wind condition during the night, the panels will already be positioned in a safe horizontal position. In the morning after the ambient light levels increase, the system will resume normal tracking provided a hi-wind speed event is not present at the time
.
5- [RESPONSE GATE] - The Response Gate sets up a sensitivity level relative to changes in light intensity between opposing sensors. 4 settings are available, MAX, HI, MED, and LOW. MAX will cause panel movements with little light change whereas, LOW will require a substantial amount of light change to cause a movement of the panel.6- [E-PARK TIMEOUT [HW-TRAVEL DELAY]] - This option allows you to enable or disable the EAST-PARKING function. If enabled, you can also set a specified time for the EAST-WEST motor to be engaged. After the time period expires the system goes to sleep and waits for the next morning sunrise. Choose a time period that is long enough for your system to travel from the WEST position to FULL EAST position. This function does not affect the NORTH-SOUTH drive (if in DUAL-AXIS Mode) and it will remain in its current position.As a guide, place the unit into manual mode and move the panels to the EAST MOST position. From the control panel, ‘Move’ the panels to the WEST most position and with a stop watch, time how long it takes for your system to travel from FULL east position to full WEST position. From the menu, select the next ‘higher’ setting. For example, if it takes your system 1 minute to travel from full east position to full west position, then select 2 Mn as the starting value from this menu.The East Parking function is activated when the ambient light falls BELOW your current DARK-THRESHOLD setting (see below). The E-PARK function will remain active for the time you set from the menu. During this time period, the system will continue to monitor ambient light levels, making certain that the dark condition still exists. If for some reason, ambient light levels increase to a point above the DARK-THRESHOLD setting, the function will terminate. This function may also be manually terminated at any time, by simply switching the unit to MANUAL MODE. When the EAST-PARKING function has completed it will continue to monitor ambient
light levels. Once ambient light levels increase above the current DARK-THRESHOLD setting, it will terminate the function and return to normal operation. If the HI-Wind feature has been enabled, instead of parking the system to the east it will park the panels in a horizontal position instead. Disabling this feature will DISABLE HW-Speed Parking if enabled.7- [E-TRAVEL Delay ] - This function allows you to ENABLE or DISABLE East travel delay of the system as well as set a time delay of 1 - 6 minutes if enabled. This function is useful during days of passing clouds and can reduce and/or eliminate a common problem called HUNTING or CLOUD Chasing, where the system tries to seek the brightest point in the sky, such as the edge of a passing cloud that has obstructed direct sunlight to the sensor. When enabled, if the system senses that it should travel EAST, it will enter into a timed delay function, where it will wait before attempting to move the panels to the east. The LCD will display “East Travel
Delay” with a displayed countdown. At the end of this delay, it will once again re-sample the ambient light levels to make certain that it still needs to travel east. If it finds that it no longer needs to move east, it will exit the function with no movement of the panels and resume normal operation. If this function is turned OFF, then there will be NO Restraints on EASTWARD MOVEMENT provided the EAST SENSOR menu option is set to ON. Note: This function is disabled when the Hi-Wind Speed function is enabled.8- [EAST SENSOR] - This option allows you to turn ON or OFF response to the EAST SENSOR readings. If you are operating the tracker in an environment with a substantial amount of cloudiness, then turning the east sensor OFF will inhibit any eastward movement, but this does not override the E-PARK function if enabled. This can also be helpful if you are controlling a parabolic dish where target accuracy is very important.
9- [EW-TRIM] - This setting allows you to trim the East and West sensors making one or the other more or less sensitive than the other. Legal values are -6 to +6 where a value of 0 causes no TRIM adjustment (OFF). Values set from -6 to -1 make the EAST sensor more sensitive than the West sensor with -6 causing the most affect and -1 causing the least affect. Values of +1 to +6 will cause the West sensor to be more sensitive than the east sensor with +6 having the most affect and +1 the least affect. Using the trim settings can help to offset minor mis-alignments due to sensor location, etc.10- [NS-TRIM] - This setting works identical to the EW-TRIM above except that it affects only the N-S movements when in Dual Mode. This menu item is not available when the system is set for DUAL AXIS mode.11- [SENSOR TEST] - This function will cause the LED’s in the sensor to flash sequentially in a circular pattern. Use this option to test for proper operation of the sensor module as well as proper hookup of the cable assembly from the controller to the sensor.12- [DARKNESS THRESHOLD] - This setting allows you to set a level threshold that the system will use to determine when it is dark. Light samples are continuously checked against this value to determine operation of the unit. Any light sample that falls BELOW this value will be determined as being DARK and the tracker will respond accordingly. By adjusting this percentage value you can fine tune the operation of the unit relative to darkness in your area. The status Lite will blink 2 times to indicate that it has detected a dark condition. The LCD will also display “DARK”.13- [LO-LIGHT THRESHOLD] - This value determines a light level that would indicate when the system is operating in cloudy or subdued light conditions. When ambient light falls below this value, the system will not allow movement of the panels. When ambient light levels rise ABOVE this value, the system will determine it to be in FULL SUNLIGHT and allow normal operation. The Status Lite will blink 3 times to indicate this condition and the LCD will display “Lo-Light”.14- [CALIBRATE SENSORS] - This function sets a common baseline for the sensors and enables optimum performance from the sensor readings. To calibrate the sensors you must provide a way to place the sensors in a DARK CONDITION. This can be done by draping the included sock over the sensor. Once you have placed the sensors in a Dark Condition, press the <SEL switch to start the calibration. Once completed, the calibration readings will be saved in system memory. If the sensors are not properly covered, the calibration function will fail and will display an error message. Ensure the sensors are properly ‘blacked out’ and press
the <SEL switch to try again. Once calibrated the LCD will display “Calibrated’ in the information screen display during Auto operation.15- [SET DEFAULTS] - Selecting YES to this menu option will reset all settings to the factory defaults. Any changes made previously will be lost. Selecting NO, will save any changes made to system memory. Selecting <NEXT will exit the menu.
Hi-Wind Speed Parking Setup Options
To enable this feature, enter into the menu system on the controller and advance to the WIND SPEED PARK menu item. By default, this function is turned off. Within this menu you will be able to enable the feature, test the feature and set a wind speed that will initiate the parking function when wind speeds exceed the value selected. Note that this feature is only enabled if DUAL-AXIS Mode is selected.1- [WIND SPEED PARK] - From the menu screen in Fig 1., toggle the <SEL switch to the left to enable the feature and/or to select the trigger speed at which the function gets activated. Trigger speeds of 5 - 65 MPH can be selected in steps of 5 MPH. Make your selection and select <NEXT to continue to the next option. NOTE: Enabling the HW-Parking feature Enables the East-Parking function AND the EAST Travel Delay function is disabled.1A- [HW-PARK TIMEOUT] - This setting is used as a basis for the controller to determine the speed of your system and make adjustments accordingly for locating the HW Park position. Valid settings are from 1 minute to 15 minutes. See previous [EAST-PARK TIMEOUT] on how to make an appropriate setting for your system. NOTE: High values can cause longer seek times when locating the HW Park position if your axis’ actually reach your mechanical limits during the procedure, should that occur.1B- [HW AXIS is ON] - For systems that do not utilize a slewing drive for the EAST-WEST axis movement, meaning the panels are ‘tilted’ rather than ‘rotated’, then select ON, otherwise select OFF (Fig. 2). Selecting OFF will disable any attempt by the controller to position the EW axis during the HW parking function. Once a selection has been made, toggle the <NEXT switch to continue.1B- [HW-EW Comp(ensation)] - This option is used to help dial in a final North-South horizontal position when finalizing the HW Parking position adjustment. Valid selections are -6 to +6, where -6 causes the most amount of compensation to the EAST direction and +6 causes the MOST compensation to the WEST direction. Start with the default setting (OFF) 1st and run the HW-Park Test. If your panels are not in the best attainable horizontal position for the EAST-WEST axis at the end of the test, adjust this setting for the direction needing adjustment and run the test again. Repeat this until your panels are at the best attainable horizontal position.1C- [HW-NS Comp(ensation)] - This option is used to help dial in a final North-South horizontal position when finalizing the HW Parking position adjustment. Valid selections are -6 to +6, where -6 causes the most amount of compensation to the NORTH direction and +6 causes the MOST compensation to the SOUTH direction. Start with the default setting (OFF) 1st and run the HW-Park Test. If your panels are not in the best attainable horizontal position for the NORTH-SOUTH axis at the end of the test, adjust this setting for the direction needing adjustment and run the test again. Repeat this until your panels are at the best attainable horizontal
position.This package includes the following... 1- STA1000-HW Controller, Pre-Wired, 1- Solar Sensor Module with 12\' cord length, 1- Anemometer with mounting hardware , 1-Instruction set
