1/7/10 - Solar PV Specialist, The Green Electrician, has completed the installation of the UK’s largest solar panel array that tracks the movement of the sun. 


This innovative ground mounted tracker system is now generating power at the Ecotech Centre in Swaffham, Norfolk.

The system of 44 individual solar panels covers 56m2 and sits in front of a 100m high wind turbine in the Ecotech grounds. Unlike fixed solar PV systems that have to wait for the sun, this solar tracking system is automatically guided so that it can absorb the optimum solar radiation, which results in 30% more efficiency. It also adjusts its path depending on the time of the year.

This new 7.92kWp system will generate an estimated 7,500kWh of electricity per year, this will be used to supply the Ecotech Centre, with the remainder being exported back to the National Grid and used to power homes in Swaffham. The Green Electrician also installed a public display system and output monitoring system to be used in the centre for educational purposes.

The solar array was joint-funded by the Ecotech Centre, Ecotricity, the Low Carbon Buildings Programme and the National Lottery via its Community Sustainable Energy Programme.

Installation director, Paul Taylor said: “This is a ground breaking project for the UK, where the solar industry is still very new.  Elsewhere in Europe these powerful, highly efficient Deger solar tracker systems are more common place.  Ecotech will benefit from the electricity as well as the Government’s new feed-in tariff which pays a premium for every unit of electricity that is generated.”

Stuart Weaver, manager at the Ecotech Centre said: “Our huge new solar tracker is a fantastic sight and a great addition to the centre, showing people the power of the sun right alongside that of the wind with our famous turbine. It’s a great place to come this summer to find out all about how we can harness the natural resources all around us to provide everlasting energy for the future.”

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For press information contact: Claire Davies