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Solar tracking systems

Schletter brings largest tracker project in the Caribbean online

Being so stable means that the solar array will be able to withstand the frequent tropical cyclones. And it is for this reason, that the developer, Ecoener, decided to use Schletter’s Tracking System 2P. The system features a patented self-locking mechanism on each post and has been approved for wind speeds of up to 257 km/h.

The system was built in Cumayasa on the southern coast of the Dominican Republic. To ensure that it was securely anchored in the subsoil, Schletter conducted a geological soil survey at the start of the project. Due to the soil being heterogeneous and interspersed with stones, concrete foundations were planned in favour of conventional pile-driven foundations.

More precise installation

Concrete foundations are not only better suited to disperse the tensile and shear forces, occurring under extreme wind loads, into the ground; but also allow more precise installation of the posts. "Before the post hole is filled with concrete, the posts are positioned precisely using GPS measurements and support bolts”, explains Oscar Rubio, Schletter Sales Manager for Spain & Latin America. “This allows us to align the posts accurately to within a centimetre along the entire 120 metres.”

See also: Research project into sustainable energy solutions for off-grid regions

In addition to the high wind loads, the immediate proximity of the system to the sea was one of the challenges of the project. High humidity, condensation and a high chloride content in the atmosphere promote corrosion and put a considerable strain on the steel components. As is the case with many other projects in the region, Schletter works with a particularly resistant zinc coating for all steel components with corrosion class C4.

The Schletter Group has been active in the Dominican Republic since 2011 and has installed several ground-mounted fixed-tilt systems there, including in Monte Plata, Monte Cristi and Santanasol as well as at most of the AERODOM airports. The system is the first tracker system that Schletter has installed there. The solar power plant supplies around 48,000 households with sustainable solar power, saving 140,000 t of CO2. (mfo)