Page 40 - North American Clean Energy March/April 2019 Issue

solar spotlight: tracking systems
Tracking Systems
SEE AD ON PAGE 25
An advanced mounting system for photovoltaic panels, solar trackers maximize the sun’s energy by tracking its progress across the sky. Versatile enough to provide highly e cient solutions for both large and small projects, solar trackers can generate more electricity in the same area as their xed-tilt counterparts. Below, we explore some of the solar tracking systems available on the market today.
SEE AD ON PAGE 9
Soltec
Type of Tracker: Horizontal single-axis
Drive System: Enclosed slewing drive, DC motor
Tracker Length: 147' 12" (45.1m) Tracker Height: 12' 12" (3.95m) Pile Count: 7 piles per 90 modules Modules per Row: 90
Module Mount: Omega rails with cinches, rivets, or bolts
Slope Tolerance: n/s 17%; e/w unlimited Tracking Range: 120° +
Standard Configuration: 2 x 45 Preventative Maintenance Required: Yes
Tracker Power Consumption: 249kwh/ MW-year
Certifications: UL 3703, IEC 62817, EN 1090, IEC 61326-1
Key Features:
• Limited shadowing, high bifacial performance;
• Best captures early and late day bifacial potential;
• No special parts or installation operations;
• All other Soltec’s SF7 cost- effectiveness features included.
www.soltec.com
GameChange Solar
Type of Tracker: Single-axis
Drive System: Linear actuator
Tracker Length: Up to 340' (103.6m)
Tracker Height: 51" typical / ground clearance + 9" adjustment range
Pile Count: 450/MW typical Modules per Row: Up to 102 72-cell
crystalline
Module Mount: SpeedClamp
Slope Tolerance: 15%
Tracking Range: 45°, 52°, 60° Standard Configuration: 1 up in portrait
Certifications: UL 2703, UL3703, CPP Wind Tunnel
Key Features:
• 30-year actuator field life, -30°/+50°C rated, IP66 rated;
• Grease-free maintenance;
• Secure monitoring and control tracker array in real-time via encrypted cloud portal, SCADA solution available;
• Real time tilt and battery level information, remote control for each tracker’s tilt;
• Overall 10% lower O&M cost, 65% lower vegetation O&M cos.
www.gamechangesolar.com
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MARCH•APRIL2019 /// www.nacleanenergy.com
STI Norland
Type of Tracker: Horizontal, single-axis, dual-row
Drive System: Rotative electromechanical actuator Tracker Length: 196.85' (60m)
Tracker Height: 4.92' (1.5m)
Pile Count: 19 piles per tracker of 120PV modules Modules per Row: 60 (configurable)
Module Mount: Bolt, clamp, or rivet
Slope Tolerance: 15% n/s / 10% e/w (for the two
torque tubes of the same tracker)
Tracking Range: 110° (+/-55°)
Standard Configuration: 1V
Preventative Maintenance Required: Annual review
Tracker Power Consumption: Powered from the grid (< 0.035Kwh/day), self-powered option available
Certifications: UL2703, UL3703, IEC 62817 (in process)
www.stinorland.com
AllEarth Renewables Type of Tracker: Dual-axis
Drive System: GPS-based tracking powered by a hydraulic power unit
Tracker Length: 20' to 25' (6.09m to 7.62m), depending on tracker model and panels used
Tracker Height: 18' to 20' (5.48m to 6.09m), depending on tracker model and panels used
Pile Count: Simply supported on a single mono- pole
Modules per Row: 20 or 24 panels total
Module Mount: Rail and clamp system
Slope Tolerance: Maximum 10% grade
Tracking Range: Yaw range 0° to 360°. Tilt range 0° horizontal to 60° off horizontal
Standard Configuration: 4 columns x 5 rows, or 4 columns x 6 rows, depending on tracker model. Panels in landscape orientation
Preventative Maintenance Required: Greasing main gear every 3 years, hydraulic fluid change every 10 years. Annual inspection recommended
Tracker Power Consumption: Approximately 50kWh per year
www.allearthrenewables.com
Axsus Solar
Type of Tracker: Horizontal table based single-axis
tracker
Drive System: Independently driven rows. Each table in the row is connected by a flexible drive shaft which is driven by one 24VDC motor per row. There is one drive on each pile to eliminate dynamic loads and move the table
Tracker Length: Standard 12-module table: 39.37' (12m); Standard 180-module row: 593.8' (181m)
Tracker Height: 4.54' (1.383m) to pivot point
Pile Count: 2 piles per table
Modules per Row: Up to 180 modules per row
Module Mount: Grounding clip, compatible with all module types, including FSS6
Slope Tolerance: +/- 10% within a 12 module table, +/- 5% between tables
Tracking Range: 120°
Standard Configuration: Dependent on site
conditions; 1 module in portrait, tables can be between 19.69' and 39.37' (6m and 12m) long
Preventative Maintenance Required: No special maintenance required
Tracker Power Consumption: For a 180 module row - Peak 200W, Nom. 30W
www.axsussolar.com