Mechatron Solar has been approved for a U.S. patent for its dual-axis tracker design that uses a gearless technology with a double brake design to rotate the system’s 90-panel platform around the azimuth axis. The United States Patent and Trademark Office approved the Mechatron design on July 23, following a 30-month review.
Credit: Mechatron Solar
The gearless, single-line ball-bearing ring design was tested to work in extreme weather locations with high winds, ranging from desert to freezing locales, and has performed well in conditions where geared trackers demonstrate cracking and failure.
The zenith or North-South axis actuation of the M18KD tracker is performed with standardized hydraulic components that have been refined for sub-zero operations. The zenith axis can move from a flat position to a maximum of 70° of inclination, which facilitates snow and soiling shedding. The azimuth axis can rotate 360°. The performance of the tracker is enhanced by an advanced astronomical algorithm software platform, GPS and other sensors.
The M18KD dual-axis tracker has a system footprint that lends to permitting dual use of the land for parking, agriculture, grazing and others. The company recently announced two new models also based on the same gearless, zero-backlash technology. The M16KD agriculture model features extra spacing between vertical panel stacks to permit more light to reach crops beneath the tracker. The M10KD residential model features a reduced size table of 49 panels, to better fit into limited space requirements.
News item from Mechatron Solar
“The zenith or North-South axis actuation of the M18KD tracker is performed with standardized hydraulic components that have been refined for sub-zero operations. The zenith axis can move from a flat position to a maximum of 70° of inclination, which facilitates snow and soiling shedding. The azimuth axis can rotate 360°. The performance of the tracker is enhanced by an advanced astronomical algorithm software platform, GPS and other sensors.”
A product to watch, it will be interesting to see just how reliable a two axis tracker will work in harsh environments and high winds.