Three photovoltaics (PV) experts have taken an in-depth look at the prospects for the global application of solar trackers and the value and trends of intelligent tracking technology. The experts discussed the growth of intellectualization and digitalization in solar tracking plants, providing strong references for project owners, developers, and EPCs.
Coming together in a webinar titled “Real data insights from Trina Tracker’s smart control system” on November 27 were representatives of TrinaTracker, an intelligent solar tracking solutions provider, Wood Mackenzie, a PV research institution, and PV Case, a PV software supplier.
During the webinar, TrinaTracker unveiled a white paper on its SuperTrack. Dr Sun Kai, head of smart control systems at TrinaTracker, discussed the whitepaper’s contents covering the latest smart tracking technologies for optimizing solar plant performance in complex terrain and diffused irradiance conditions and two test projects in China and Spain with performance data for one year through tests and supervision of third-party institutions.
Sun explained how the smart tracking system uses algorithms and controllers to increase the power generation of solar plants by reducing the shield between solar modules and increasing the power generation in low irradiance conditions. The third-party one-year performance test confirmed that the TrinaTracker Smart Control System increased power generation of solar tracking plants by an average of 2%-4% compared to not using it and by more than 10% during rainy and cloudy conditions.
With growing demand for smart control systems, many project owners and O&M companies are looking to improve the stability and convenience of power stations during O&M using the technology. TrinaTracker launched the industry’s first tracker-level cloud platform, which can conduct remote monitoring and parameter modification, reducing labor during O&M and shortening the time to locate and resolve faults to streamline O&M and reduce related costs.
Joe Shangraw, a research associate with Wood Mackenzie, said global demand for smart tracking technology exists not only in mid-to-high latitudes, low-light areas, and complex terrains but also in real-time electricity markets because smart tracking can improve power generation during morning and evening low-light periods when electricity is more expensive.
To download the SuperTrack whitepaper, please click:
