1) 342.02.HW3.xls the original HW#3 assignment

2) 342.02.HW3.ans.xls the solution to the original HW#3 assignment

Study these spread sheets. That is, study the solution obtained for the original HW#3 assignment.

Now, as the revised assignment, for each of the four days treated, assume a tracker is used. The tracker continuously tracks the sun beam (even if it is cloudy). It sets the collector so that it is always perpendicular to the sun beam.

For each hour, calculate the total solar energy per sq meter collected, and sum to obtain the daily amount of solar energy per sq meter collected. Add your tracker results to the four plots shown at the right side of the spread sheet – ie, to the plots that show "global" and "collector" for each day. Submit these four plots as part of your answer.

For each day compare the solar energy collected (watt-hours/sq meter/day). Trackers are expensive – thus, comment on those sunlight conditions that provide the best opportunities for trackers to significantly enhance the solar energy collected relative to fixed-tilt collectors. Your results should apply to flat-plate collectors (and not to curved trough and dish collectors). Explain why this is true.