Drives for solar tracker with integrated electronics

Thanks to built-in electronics and built-in Modbus capability, manufacturers of tracker systems save time and money with the new drives from Linak. Adjustment drive and control have become one unit. No additional cables have to be installed and there is no need to adapt the drive and control. Install the drive, connect it and the system is ready. The maintenance effort remains low and the information about the condition of the drive enables efficient service.

For the efficient use of solar energy, two-axis solar trackers are now used in large solar parks, which are able to optimally capture the sun's rays thanks to their adjustment options. However, this technology only becomes efficient if the adjustment is inexpensive and easy to implement. In a solar park, many trackers are controlled in parallel. Manufacturers and operators of solar trackers rely on a serial BUS system for this control of the adjustment drive. Costs can already be saved during the installation and cabling of the systems. Controlling the trackers via a BUS system is simple and efficient.

Air circuit breaker, digital protection relay and soft starter

Until now, two parts had to be installed for this solution: an adjustment drive and a unit for the control with built-in BUS controller. Linak is now the first manufacturer to bring these two areas together and offers variable displacement motors with built-in BUS control. The built-in electronics directly in the drive replace an external solution from another manufacturer. Both the well-known variable motor LA36 and the LA35 are now available with built-in electronics. The manufacturer relies on the Modbus protocol, which has meanwhile established itself as the de facto standard among the communication protocols for programmable logic controllers. An RS-485 interface is used as the interface for the Modbus models.

Not only save cable

The new generation of adjustment systems not only saves cables during installation. With the new possibility of precise control and the built-in limit switches, overloading the drive can be avoided even better, thereby achieving a longer service life for the entire system. Soft start and soft stop reduce the stress on the mechanical parts of the tracker. Overload protection protects the motors and ensures a long service life.

Solar farm operators are looking for a simple and cost-effective solution to produce as much green energy as possible. The new systems help him with this. For the optimal use of a solar tracker, it is important to always know the exact position and the adjustment speed of the drive. With an electronic control system, exact adjustment angles can be programmed and the process automated. Due to the optimal control, the mechanical parts of the tracker are less stressed. Programming via a serial interface saves time.

Plan maintenance work better

The LA35 Modbus and LA36 Modbus drives also offer the option of reading out data. Maintenance work can thus be better planned. This enables optimal service. With the two new drives, the solar park operator can reduce its operating costs, because the systems can be put into an energy-saving sleep mode via the BUS system.

Miniature connectors for safe signal transmission 

Of course, the LA36 Modbus and the LA35 Modbus have the same features as the standard models LA36 and LA35: great power and extreme ruggedness. The drive eliminates all prejudices against electrical solutions and their limitations. The use in harsh environments is nothing in the way. The drive fulfills the IP66 degree of protection during operation and IP69 in stand-by mode. Cleaning with a high-pressure cleaner does not affect functioning such as dirt, dust, rainwater or high temperatures.

Retrofit version with holding force of 30.000 N

With the size of the surface of the solar modules also increases the wind load, which must withstand a solar tracker. The demands on the adjustment system and the engine are increasing. The LA36 drive in a version with reinforced spindle and reinforced mounting system is enclosed by a steel fitting, which is attached to the solar tracker. This allows the drive to hold static forces of up to 30.000 N. Large safety reserves with high wind loads can thus be realized. The exact positioning of the solar modules to the sun is particularly important for the efficiency of the system. The additional housing gives the whole system more stability. The axial tolerance and thus the "free play" are minimized. The alignment of the solar panels is more accurate, which in turn increases the efficiency of the entire system.

Already during the development of the retrofit mounting system, the engineers paid attention to the greatest possible compatibility with existing systems. With the new bracket it is now possible to incorporate the proven products, which are characterized by their robustness and longevity, by their built-in electronics and the possibility of control via Modbus, into existing solar trackers. The support frame is available in two versions with different attachment options. With the retrofit mounting system, older solar tracker systems can now be retrofitted with modern technology.