Sun tracker garage

A garage with office space above is a common theme.  The Original Twist version goes a few steps further with up to 8kWp of solar panels which constantly face the sun as the whole garage slowly rotates. Photovoltaic arrays perform some 20% better if they track the sun so the 20 panels perform as well as 24 static ones. 4 extra panels would cost £1,000 so tracking is worthwhile banking well over 1,000 kW.hrs a year extra.

A conventional array would have problems with the varying inputs across the panels but here each panel has its own micro-inverter which also enhances reliability and the performance reporting via wi-fi is fabulous. Check out the Enphase web site for panels with built in micro-inverters.

The rotation does more than just sun tracking though.  With garage doors on both sides your car will be turned round and ready to be driven away again; a bonus feature where space is at a premium.

The height required by the PV panels gives room for a live/work space above. The space could be used as an office or even as an AirBnB pod with the added attraction of an ever changing view. Now the garage could not only power your house and charge your car but it could generate extra income in addition to the FITS return.

To get into the vibe lets have a look at a day in the life of the Original Twist rotary garage.  The car inside is a plug in E.V.  It can autonomously park itself in the garage and automatically connect up to recharge the batteries.  The garage rotates to track the sun, of course, but it also turns the car round ready to collect you from your front door all heated and fueled up.  A simple car that fuels itself automatically and completely free of charge is certainly compelling.  What future for smelly old petrol?

Everything we have talked about is available right now so this is only made futuristic by the novel assembly of concepts.  It’s certainly not too early to consider building your next garage on a turntable.

Vehicle to Home car chargers will be the next big thing. That fully charged EV in the garage will be powering your heat pump after the sun goes down. What started off as a car charging concept is morphing into a complete home energy solution.

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