Gonvarri Solar Steel , a global company specializing in the design and supply of solar trackers and fixed structures for photovoltaic projects, presents the new evolution of its TracSmarT+1P solar tracker , a solution developed to directly address the main needs identified in collaboration with the main agents of the sector, including EPC, developers and construction teams on site.
This new version introduces a significant transformation in the tracker's structural design, notably the adoption of an octagonal torque tube. This change represents a middle ground between the traditional circular and square configurations historically used by the company, integrating Gonvarri's accumulated experience in steel processing to improve both structural performance and manufacturing and assembly processes.
The redesigned system incorporates a high percentage of pre-assembled components in the bill of materials, significantly optimizing installation times—with reductions of over 35%—and improving on-site logistics management by facilitating storage, material control, and spare parts availability. Furthermore, pipe joints are eliminated through the introduction of a torque tube crimping solution, reducing the total number of parts and simplifying system assembly.
From a mechanical design perspective, the new TracSmarT+1P allows for significant optimization of the plant configuration. The system substantially reduces the number of pillars and expands the operating range of lengths and strings in different configurations. This evolution contributes to a direct reduction in mechanical costs, both in the initial investment phase (CAPEX) and in long-term operations and maintenance.
The system maintains a high degree of adaptability to the terrain through the integration of SmarTSlope by Solar Steel technology, which allows for the management of slopes greater than 1º between pillars. This capability significantly reduces the need for earthworks and, in certain cases, allows them to be eliminated from the layout design, improving the technical and economic viability of projects on complex terrain.
In terms of energy performance, the tracker can be integrated with Solar Steel's TracBoost ecosystem, which includes proprietary, certified backtracking technologies capable of improving the park's annual production by up to 8%. It also incorporates the SmarTHail functionality, designed to minimize component damage in adverse weather conditions such as hail.
The TracSmarT+1P is also designed to meet the evolving demands of the agrivoltaic sector, offering elevated configurations with up to 2.1 meters of clearance. This feature, combined with its proprietary tracking control, allows for optimized agricultural and photovoltaic operations through advanced settings such as angle limitations between trackers and improvements in maintenance procedures.
Designed for global deployment, the system is particularly well-suited to regions such as EMEA, LATAM, and India, adapting to the specific characteristics of each market. Its flexible configuration allows it to be used in diverse environments, from uneven terrain in Europe to agrivoltaic projects in countries like Italy, France, and Germany, as well as installations in demanding conditions such as deserts or corrosive environments in coastal areas, where Gonvarri Solar Steel's expertise in steel processing is crucial.
The new evolution of the TracSmarT+1P will be officially presented at InterSolar Europe, where Gonvarri Solar Steel will display a scale model of the system at stand A6.370, offering a detailed look at its innovations and previewing future solutions under development.