Independent field testing conducted by two leading certification bodies in separate countries has confirmed that TrinaTracker’s Smart Control System delivers significant power generation gains for ground-mounted solar plants, with increases of 3.24% and 2.21%, respectively.
SGS Verifies 3.24% energy yield increase at high altitude PV plant in China
A utility-scale solar plant in China’s Shandong Province faced operational challenges due to its early construction, complex terrain and difficult maintenance conditions. Numerous tracker controller failures by an undisclosed supplier had severely compromised the plant’s energy output.
Commissioned by the plant owner, TrinaTracker provided a full-scale technical upgrade and invited certification organisation SGS to conduct an independent evaluation. Over a year of monitoring, results showed that arrays equipped with Trina’s SuperTrack generated 3.24% more energy when compared to reference arrays without the system. Additionally, the TrinaTracker control system operated without problems throughout the year, while real-time monitoring and alerting via the Trina Smart Cloud platform significantly improved maintenance efficiency.
A Fully Integrated Smart Tracking Solution
TrinaTracker’s upgrade package combines an advanced controller, the Trina Smart Cloud Platform and the proprietary SuperTrack algorithm, offering a seamlessly integrated software-hardware solution. With its high reliability, superior performance and enhanced efficiency, the solution provides a cutting-edge approach to modernizing and optimizing aging PV plants through digital intelligence.
The company’s in-house developed TCU and NCU feature carefully designed protection mechanisms that dynamically adjust tracker angles based on real-time weather data. This significantly reduces the impact of extreme weather events such as strong winds, heavy snow and hailstorms. Additionally, the TCU instantly detects motor overloads and activates a protective response, preventing potential structural damage caused by overcurrent, thereby ensuring long-term operational stability and safety.
SuperTrack’s advanced Smart Tracking Algorithm (STA) and Smart Backtracking Algorithm (SBA) leverage topographical data to create real-time 3D maps, enabling continuous self-learning and optimization. The system also integrates a bifacial irradiance model to ensure optimal tilt angles in overcast conditions, reducing unnecessary movements and extending operational hours. This is particularly beneficial in diffused light scenarios, where SuperTrack maximizes energy capture and increases overall plant revenue.
According to Dr. Kai Sun, Head of Smart Control System R&D at TrinaTracker, the latest cloud-based version of the Smart Cloud Platform allows remote access, multi-site management and real-time parameter adjustments, further boosting O&M efficiency. Additionally, TrinaTracker has developed a fully automated hail protection feature that integrates weather forecasting with control system automation, enabling early warnings and automatic activation of hail protection mode.
UL Confirms 2.21% energy yield increase at PV plant in Spain
A second real-world case study conducted in Spain saw certification company UL monitor energy generation data. Results demonstrated that SuperTrack increased annual energy production by an average of 2.21%, with gains reaching up to 9.15% in overcast conditions.
Smart Control System: Unlocking new potential for aging PV plants
Globally, early-generation solar plants face mounting challenges, including increasing failure rates, complex maintenance demands and declining efficiency due to outdated technology. By retrofitting existing tracker systems with new controllers, intelligent algorithms and monitoring platforms, the TrinaTracker Smart Control System breathes new life into aging assets. The system not only delivers measurable energy gains but also eliminates manual inspections, replacing them with 24/7 digital monitoring and real-time alerts to ensure stable, high-performance operation.
