Project description
Protecting solar trackers from structural risks
Solar trackers are essential in the solar energy industry because they improve energy output by 25 % over fixed structures. However, a constant increase in maintenance and installation costs and the threat of structural risks affect these structures. The main structural risk is damage caused by wind leading to the reduction of the lifespan of tracker arrays. ESAsolar has developed a line of improved solar trackers provided with innovative features including self-powered motors, a computerised backtracking system, an advanced installation method and a bifacial system that catches both direct and reflected sunlight improving their efficiency by 5 %. The EU-funded SecureTracker project will upgrade the prototype with an innovative system that stabilises trackers and avoids structural damage.
Objective
With a turnover of €12 million, ESAsolar designs, develops, installs and operates large scale photovoltaic plants, focusing on panel structures and motorized solar trackers. We have completed over 40 successful projects in Europe and America, totaling over 500MW.
The market for solar trackers is growing at a CAGR of 18.6% and will reach €25 billion by 2024. Solar trackers improve energy output by 25% over fixed structures. However, these structures also increase installation and maintenance costs, as well as structural risks. Wind damage is the main source of structural risk for trackers. It significantly shortens the lifespan of tracker arrays. Since PV plants need to resist over 20 years of service to be viable, the risk of systemic failures represents a considerable barrier for the growth of the tracker industry.
Over the last years, we have been developing a line of solar trackers, with great commercial success. We have introduced advanced features, positioning ourselves as a technological reference. These features include self-powered motors, a computerized backtracking system, an innovative installation procedure and a bifacial system to catch both direct and reflected sunlight, thus improving efficiency by 5%. We will now upgrade our latest prototype with a unique system, called SecureTracker, that will stabilize trackers to avoid wind-induced structural damage.
SecureTracker will provide an outstanding solution against structural risks in large scale arrays, extending average lifetime in 10 years. It will reduce overall Levelized Cost of Energy by 30% for utility-scale solar arrays. At a lower cost than alternatives, SecureTracker will give us a decisive competitive advantage, allowing us to increase yearly installations by 300% by 2026, resulting in over €25 million of additional revenues and a ROI of 8.52. SecureTracker will also increase our visibility in the market and consolidate our brand, leading to the creation of over 50 highly qualified jobs.
Programme(s)
Funding Scheme
SME-1 - SME instrument phase 1Coordinator
28010 MADRID
Spain
The organization defined itself as SME (small and medium-sized enterprise) at the time the Grant Agreement was signed.