Product Briefing Outline: Groupo Clavijo has developed an advanced double-axis solar tracker specifically for the U.S. market using a patented hydraulic brake system in the azimuth movement. Miller Welding will manufacture and commercialize it in the United States, under a partnership agreement with Clavijo.
Problem: Solar tracker systems are required to work in varied environments including high-winds to provide the overall system performance of the solar modules. However, brakes are required to withstand high-winds but can cause damage to the mobile elements of the tracker, reducing life-span and increase energy costs.
Solution: The brake works as a clip on the orientation crown and the pinion of the gear motor, and eliminates dynamic loads that the force of the wind multiplies, which is a critical aspect in other trackers on the market. As a complement to this safety system, the gear motor includes an electrical brake that helps the hydraulic brake in strong winds and absorbs the effect of the wind on the mobile elements of the tracker, thus avoiding damage and helping to extend the useful life of the machine and its main elements. Both brakes are placed on opposite sides of the crown, and this spreads out the load and makes the tracker very stable.
Applications: Winds stronger than 160 km/h.
Platform: Its structure consists of a post, which is the support element and also the place where the electrical elements, motor and hydraulic centre are installed and fixed being locked inside; this way it covers and protects all the control elements, thus increasing the safety of the tracker and reducing any possibilities of theft. Bronze bushings in all the articulations, integrated safety systems, such as a hydraulic brake, limit switches for the azimuth movement, and physical limits for the cenital-vertical movement. The reinforced crown is specially designed for our tracker, and it is the support for the azimuth turn. Each of the trackers has an independent programme that controls and manages the possible incidents with alarms, which could be managed directly on the tracker thanks to a manual panel, or integrated into internal monitoring, or on internet.
Availability: Currently available.
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