Ideematec, a global solar tracking systems supplier, was selected by developer Hecate Energy to provide 4 MW of its Horizon L:Tec solar trackers for an upcoming installation. The project, located in Newberry, South Carolina, will be installed by the construction and project management services company, Reach Construction Group.
“With their efficiency-enhancing design, reliability under extreme conditions and ultra-quiet operation, Ideematec, Inc’s solar trackers are an ideal fit for Hecate’s Newberry solar project,” said Preston Schulz, director of development for Hecate Energy. “Ideematec’s trackers are essential to helping Hecate meet our mission of making a measurable difference in the transition to a zero-carbon electric grid; building projects that minimize disruption to neighbors while maximizing facility output.”
This project will be the first facility to adopt Ideematec’s new tracking system, the Horizon L:Tec, which was launched during Solar Power International this Fall. The new two-in-portrait (2P) tracker features a patented locking technology that secures module wings in position against extreme wind loads, to reduce maintenance costs and expand product lifespan.
Panels are able to remain in stow position, at a 0° angle, against up to 180 mph winds. The tracker integrates seamlessly with bifacial modules to generate more energy per tracker, and accommodates extra-large PV modules.
“We are honored to be working with Hecate and Reach on the Newberry project,” says Philipp Klemm, CEO of Ideematec. “Their decision to choose the Horizon L:Tec tracker underscores the importance of constant innovation among solar manufacturers. We believe our new design is the next benchmark for solar tracking, prioritizing both durability and simplicity.”
The facility is on track to complete commissioning in the Spring of 2021. Once operating, the system will contribute to the state’s budding solar market — with nearly 1,477 MW of solar currently installed, South Carolina is ranked 13th in the United States for solar deployment.
News item from Ideematec, Inc.
Solarman says
“Panels are able to remain in stow position, at a 0° angle, against up to 180 mph winds. The tracker integrates seamlessly with bifacial modules to generate more energy per tracker, and accommodates extra-large PV modules.”
Some of the newer utility solar PV specific panels are running from 500 watts to 600 watts in 24 to 28 square foot panels and recently new utility scale bi-facial panels are being manufactured for future utility scale solar PV farms. Adding from 2 to 4 hours of solar PV generation every day with the tracker set up for East/West rotation and bi-facial modules that can get an extra 3% up to 20% of solar PV harvest a day depending on reflectance and cloud cover, energy density for a solar PV farm is going up, the technologies available can be combined to create a 6 to 10 hour solar PV generation resource in areas where 3 to 5 hours is common with a fixed tilt mono facial panel system.