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)
Multi-annual funding programmes that define the EU’s priorities for research and innovation.
Multi-annual funding programmes that define the EU’s priorities for research and innovation.
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H2020-EU.2.3. - INDUSTRIAL LEADERSHIP - Innovation In SMEs
MAIN PROGRAMME
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H2020-EU.3. - PRIORITY 'Societal challenges
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H2020-EU.2.1. - INDUSTRIAL LEADERSHIP - Leadership in enabling and industrial technologies
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Topic(s)
Calls for proposals are divided into topics. A topic defines a specific subject or area for which applicants can submit proposals. The description of a topic comprises its specific scope and the expected impact of the funded project.
Calls for proposals are divided into topics. A topic defines a specific subject or area for which applicants can submit proposals. The description of a topic comprises its specific scope and the expected impact of the funded project.
Funding Scheme
Funding scheme (or “Type of Action”) inside a programme with common features. It specifies: the scope of what is funded; the reimbursement rate; specific evaluation criteria to qualify for funding; and the use of simplified forms of costs like lump sums.
Funding scheme (or “Type of Action”) inside a programme with common features. It specifies: the scope of what is funded; the reimbursement rate; specific evaluation criteria to qualify for funding; and the use of simplified forms of costs like lump sums.
SME-1 - SME instrument phase 1
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Call for proposal
Procedure for inviting applicants to submit project proposals, with the aim of receiving EU funding.
Procedure for inviting applicants to submit project proposals, with the aim of receiving EU funding.
(opens in new window) H2020-EIC-SMEInst-2018-2020
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Net EU financial contribution. The sum of money that the participant receives, deducted by the EU contribution to its linked third party. It considers the distribution of the EU financial contribution between direct beneficiaries of the project and other types of participants, like third-party participants.
28010 MADRID
Spain
The organization defined itself as SME (small and medium-sized enterprise) at the time the Grant Agreement was signed.
The total costs incurred by this organisation to participate in the project, including direct and indirect costs. This amount is a subset of the overall project budget.