Novel Energy Solutions, an EPC and solar investor based in St. Paul, Minnesota, will develop 20 MW of solar in the Midwest using dual-axis trackers from Mechatron Solar.
Credit: Mechatron Solar
“I am extremely pleased that Novel Energy Solutions has partnered with us to develop both C&I and utility-scale solar using our patented, high-yield dual-axis tracker. Their strength in the Midwest market complements our growing North American geographic reach, extending from our base in California,” said Michael Fakukakis, CEO of Mechatron.
Mechatron will manufacture approximately 515 of its flagship M18KD trackers in Stockton, California to supply the initial 20 MW Novel Energy has agreed to develop.
“We chose Mechatron for their reliability and high yield production compared to other trackers. We are very excited to begin a partnership with them,” said Cliff Kaehler, founder and CEO of Novel Energy.
The M18KD tracker has demonstrated 99.97% uptime over the past decade across 90 MW in Europe and in North America, the company state in a press release. Mechatron trackers use a gearless ball-bearing design, a small installation footprint and an enegy yield that can exceed typical ground-mount solar by over 40%. Mechatron has seen an additional 10% yield when bifacial modules are used on its dual-axis trackers.
News item from Mechatron Solar
I have come across a few of these dual tracking sites and most of them don’t function properly after a couple of years in service or don’t really track the sun as advertised from the start. The old Engineering adage of KISS ( Keep It Simple… Stupid ) is the best design criteria for an installation that is supposed to last for decades on operation. Sighting solar PV panel strings as tented east/west rigid racked mounted can gain from 2 to 4 hours more sun capture a day over a due south tilted array installation. Use bifacial solar PV panels and one might gather another average hour of sunlight harvest each day.