Nextpower, a provider of smart power generation systems for solar plants, announced that its low-carbon NX Horizon solar trackers have been selected by Casa dos Ventos, in partnership with ArcelorMittal and voestalpine, for the first utility-scale implementation of this technology in Brazil.
The Paraíso Project, developed and operated by Casa dos Ventos in the state of Mato Grosso do Sul, will have a total installed capacity of 817 MW, of which 204 MW will incorporate NX Horizon® Low Carbon trackers.
Nextpower systems are designed to maintain industry-leading performance and reliability, while reducing tracker-related carbon emissions by up to 42% compared to conventionally manufactured tracking systems.
The project will also incorporate NX Horizon-XTR trackers, with terrain-adaptive technology, which reduce the need for earthworks and minimize soil disturbance during construction.
In addition, Nextpower's TrueCapture energy management control system adjusts the position of the trackers based on site conditions to increase power generation.
“As developers and operators of the Paraíso Project, we have adopted technologies that offer operational efficiency and verifiable emissions reductions,” stated Erick Lima, Director of Strategy and Corporate Management at Casa dos Ventos. “The adoption of NX Horizon Low Carbon trackers reinforces our strategy toward a more sustainable energy mix,” he added.
"The Paradise Project demonstrates that decarbonizing the solar value chain is not a future ambition: it is already being implemented in large-scale projects.
"With NX Horizon Low Carbon trackers, customers can measurably reduce emissions without compromising performance or reliability," said Alejo López, Vice President of Sales for Latin America at Nextpower .
Emission reductions are achieved through a combination of optimized engineering, the use of low-carbon steel, and a traceable supply chain that enables measurement, auditing, and verification of emissions at the project level.
The tracker tubes used in the project incorporate low-carbon steel and a traceable supply chain, backed by ArcelorMittal's XCarb® certificates.
"At ArcelorMittal, we are proud to be part of this pioneering project in Brazil.
“XCarb® is ArcelorMittal’s global decarbonization program, encompassing low-carbon steel production initiatives and certified products designed to reduce the carbon footprint while maintaining the high quality required for large-scale infrastructure,” stated Eduardo Raya, Sales Director for Industry and Export at ArcelorMittal. Voestalpine Meincol supplies special steel profiles in various geometries and standards and is responsible for processing the steel used in the tracker piles, reinforcing the importance of an integrated, low-carbon industrial chain.
"Our participation highlights the fundamental role of high-performance steel solutions in enabling innovation and decarbonization in the energy sector," said Ermir Panazzolo, Commercial and Financial Director of voestalpine Meincol.