Arctech’s New Tracker Technology To Bring Down Installation Time

Arctech's New Tracker Technology To Bring Down Installation Time

Global solar tracker company Arctech has unveiled its latest innovation: SkyLight. The company said that the new innovation can potentially cut down the production cost and also ease the process of installation. Solar projects developers across the globe can use this facility to increase their solar power generation. Solar trackers are mainly used in utility scale solar projects. This equipment allows the movement of the solar panels towards the direction of sunlight to maximize the yield.

The launch took place during a recent event called SkyLight Solar Synergy, held in partnership with JA Solar and Solis. The 1P Linked Dual-row Solar Tracking System SkyLight is designed with a single-point drive mechanism, catering to low wind speed regions, particularly in the Latin American market. It offers an optimal combination of reliability, safety, stability, and cost-effectiveness, the company said.

“Equipped with self-developed slew drives that allow for an operating angle of ±60° with tracking accuracy ≤0.2°, SkyLight demonstrates consistent and reliable performance throughout its entire life cycle. Meanwhile, the design of the single-point drive mechanism reduces the number of components in SkyLight compared to conventional solar trackers, resulting in a reduction in production costs,” a statement from the company said.

Reduced installation time 

Additionally, Arctech said that by incorporating new split-design polymer bearings that eliminate pipe threading and calibration, SkyLight significantly reduces installation time by 30% and cuts down on both installation and maintenance costs by 10%. ” SkyLight’s connectors made from high polymer material internally connect to the torque tube, providing a more precise fit while reducing installation costs by 30%. Featuring an innovative square torque tube with rounded corners also enhances SkyLight’s bending and torsional capacity while minimizing steel utilization,” it added.

SkyLight, functioning as a terrain-following solar tracker, reduces cut and fill earthworks by approximately 50%, resulting in reduced construction costs and minimal disruption to soil and vegetation, thereby optimizing ecological benefits. Additionally, with its high adaptability to terrains of up to 20% N-S slope, SkyLight provides fault tolerance of up to 15% for adjacent row foundations. This enhances land utilization rates and installation capacity while accommodating various scenarios, the company claimed.

Use of AI

Furthermore, Arctech’s third-generation AI intelligent algorithm enables SkyLight to achieve power generation gain superposition of up to 8%, maximizing energy output and reducing LCOE.

Cai Hao, President of Arctech, announced, “The launch of SkyLight marks a pivotal moment for our company and the solar industry. We are proud to introduce a product that not only meets but exceeds the demands of modern solar projects, offering unparalleled efficiency, reliability, and sustainability. SkyLight is a testament to our ongoing commitment to driving innovation in the solar sector.”

Following the launch of SkyLight, Arctech secured orders for this solution during Intersolar South America 2024. In addition to two projects that will implement SkyLight – namely a 468MW project in Bahia, Brazil and a DG Package II initiative with a capacity of 160MW located in Brazil’s Northeast region – Arctech also secured another project: the 236MW SkyLine II project situated in Mendoza, Argentina.