- Archtech’s latest Skysmart II solar tracker comes with 1P configuration that is adaptable to upto 20% N-S slope and can accommodate all solar module dimensions and string sizes
- Skysmart II uses synchronous multi-point drive with direct gearboxes and fixed points that helps in reducing the risk of damage and galloping effects
- SkySmart II uses LoRaWAN technology for communication, efficient energy usage and covering extensive area
Another product included in our recent Market Survey on Solar Trackers is from Arctech, which is promoting 2 tracker products, both named SkySmart II and released in 2019. The major difference between these two products: the model listed last year is based on the 2P design, and the one featuring for the first time supports a 1P configuration. The former is specially optimized for higher bifacial gain, as there is no torque-tube shadowing effect on the rear side of the bifacial modules. Arctech’s tracker adapts up to 20% N-S slope, indicating strong adaptability to the terrain. Additionally, the Chinese company offers a patented 4-point / 6-point mounting method for reducing the back-shading for bifacial panels. The independent-row tracker can accommodate all solar module dimensions and string sizes due to its compatibility with modular fix-fix and fix-free span configuration. The tracker houses 120 M10 based modules or 160 of G12, and supports up to 4 strings with 1,500 V DC voltage each. The brushless DC motor is powered by a string of modules. In case of emergency, a Li-ion battery offers backup to bring the tracker into safety position.
The SkySmart II uses a synchronous multi-point slew drive with direct gearboxes. Despite having multiple mechanisms, there is only one motor and controller, which enables SkySmart II to be synchronously connected and driven by a transmission rod. To mitigate the risks under strong winds, all slew drives are fixed at points, providing more stiffness and expanding the natural frequency at the system level. Arctech collaborates with CPP Wind Engineering Consultants for multi-row aeroelastic wind tunnel testing to ensure the effectiveness of its 0° stow angle to lower the pressure on the tracker surface and minimize loads on panels and tracker components without any galloping effects. Arctech’s SkySmart II received IEC 62817 certification by TÜV Rheinland earlier this year.
Arctech has developed an artificial intelligence (AI) based solar tracking system to realize self-learning control routines, which allow the system to calculate the optimal tilt angle for various weather conditions and terrains, while increasing bifacial gain. SkySmart II’s tracking cloud strategy is based on real data to differentiate between cloudy days and single clouds. The tracking position for modules is based on sharing parameters with the inverters and takes into consideration the albedo values and whether the modules are bifacial or not. The communication signal can be kept stable by the use of LoRaWAN technology, known for its low energy consumption and large coverage range (see 1P Tracker for Larger Modules from Arctech).
Most of these parameters are also applicable for the other variant of SkySmart II, except for those that change with the 1P mounting configuration. The major change is the dimension, i.e., this product is 120 m in length, built with 120 M10 modules connected to 4 strings or 120 G12 modules connected to 3 strings.
The text is an excerpt from TaiyangNews 2nd Market Survey on Solar Trackers, which was published in Dec. 2022 and can be downloaded for free here.
