CENER qualifies the new Soltec solar trackers
CENER has been chosen by Soltec as its reference testing laboratory for the execution of the homologation tests. Once the tests were passed, the new SF7 and SFOne trackers of Soltec obtained the qualification according to IEC 62817:2014.
Solar photovoltaic installations are nowadays one of the most relevant and growing technologies for electricity generation in the world, essential for the decarbonization of electrical energy, which is one of the main objectives of the EU.
Solar trackers are an important component of photovoltaic installations when maximum electricity production is sought. These components maximize the collection of solar irradiation on the photovoltaic modules, substantially increasing the energy yield with respect to fixed photovoltaic installations with optimal tilt. Furthermore, horizontal solar trackers with north-south axis and east-west tracking increase power generation at a low cost and are truly efficient for many locations around the globe.
As in any technology, the different components of photovoltaic plants must meet certain durability and performance criteria, normally established in international standards. Specifically, the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) published IEC 62817:2014 Ed.1 “Photovoltaic systems – Design qualification of solar trackers” which defines the tests that must be applied to a solar tracker in order to obtain its certification.
CENER’s Solar Components and Systems Testing Laboratory is accredited by ENAC according to the ISO 17025 standard (described in the technical scope 355/LE803) for the performance of all the tests included in the aforementioned IEC 62817:2014 Ed.1 standard and has a technical team with extensive experience in the sector and all the necessary equipment for the execution of the tests. CENER uses an in-house developed methodology in place since long time, allowing for an optimal and efficient testing process.
Thus, Soltec, one of the most important solar tracker manufacturers in the world, with presence in 17 countries, more than 200 MW in operation and more than 13 GW under development, has trusted CENER to carry out all the necessary tests for the certification of its SF7 and SFOne trackers. In its process of continuous improvement and commitment to the quality of its components, Soltec is committed to the certification of all its solar trackers according to the international standards established by the IEC.
The work necessary for the testing of these solar trackers consists office work as well as laboratory and field tests covering all the requirements of the standard in the most appropriate and efficient way. For the certification of these components, tests addressing operability and performance, energy consumption, characterization of pointing accuracy, mechanical and climatic resistance as well as specific tests on the electronic control component (equipment that controls the tracker) have been carried out. In addition, the technical specifications set out by the manufacturer in the data sheet of the tracker have been evaluated. Some of these tests have been carried out in CENER’s laboratories in Sarriguren (Navarra – Spain), where appropriate climatic chambers are available; while other tests have been carried out in situ, at Soltec’s facilities at its headquarters in Molina de Segura (Murcia – Spain) where a complete tracker has been installed for the execution of tests. This symbiosis of resources and the joint work between CENER and Soltec, following the strictest quality standards, has allowed the correct execution of the projects in the most efficient way, being able to achieve the certification of the SF7 and SFOne models according to IEC 62817:2014.
