- The system is the result of an R&D project co-financed with regional funds and it has been developed with Indra's Logistic Centre for Renewable Energy Support (CENSOLOR) in Bembibre.
- The maintenance cost savings, the high and constant aiming precision and the simple design are some of its main contributions
Indra, the top IT multinational in Spain and one of the leaders in Europe and Latin America, has just completed the development of an advanced solar tracker (ICST-70) for high concentration photovoltaic panels (HPCV) at its Logistic Centre for Renewable Energy Support (CENSOLOR), located at the San Román industrial park in Bembibre (León). The project, which was launched in 2010, has been co-financed by the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) and the Castilla y León Regional Government. The new trackers are now ready for commercialisation and several have already been installed in a number of European and Middle East countries.
Solar trackers are systems capable of facing a surface to the sun, generally comprised by photovoltaic solar panels or mirrors, in order to capture the maximum amount of energy. These solar tracking systems need to know the date, time and coordinates of the location where they are installed in order to calculate the sun's path that corresponds to each day of the year for that specific area. Solar trackers increase electrical photovoltaic energy production by 30% compared to fixed installations and they are essential when solar panels are comprised by high concentration photovoltaic cells (HCPV), which require high precision in terms of their aim towards the sun as well as stability against atmospheric agents.
Lower maintenance costs and improved aiming precision
The system developed by Indra provides major advantages compared to others available on the market. This competitive system is based on a simple design, it is highly reliable and also easy to assemble and maintain, and it includes the capability of supporting adverse weather conditions (wind, desert, snow, etc.). Unlike other systems in the photovoltaic market, the movement system used is not based on mechanical gears and crowns, which are expensive and difficult to maintain, and instead it uses two hydraulic drivers. It also has a control system that allows it to orient itself in extreme positions, making the most of solar energy and with an aiming precision (perpendicular deviation from the sun) within 0.3 degrees at all times.
This allows Indra to transfer its experience and innovative capabilities to a technology being developed, as is the case of high concentration solar energy. This technology uses very small amounts of semiconductor material in cells and transforms solar light into electrical energy with a high degree of efficiency (over 40% compared to 20% of conventional photovoltaic systems) using lens systems that can increase the power of the sun that reaches its cells by up to 1000 times. As a result, extremely precise aiming systems are required.
Leading technology for renewable energy
In 2011, Indra launched a Logistic Centre for Renewable Energy Support (CENSOLOR) in the Bierzo Alto Industrial Park (Bembibre-León). At this facility, the technological multinational channels its activities as a provider of engineering products and services as well as of support of the life cycle of the aeolian, photovoltaic solar and electric vehicle industries. Its objective is to centralise all its logistic support activities for renewable energy in order to provide the industry with quality products and services at competitive prices.
Its most relevant projects include Aerogidas, its predictive smart maintenance system for wind turbines; SIPAM, a maintenance task planning and management system with document support and remote assistance in mobile devices for solar and aeolian plants; and its wind turbine pitch control system based on measuring the loads to which the blades are subject. It also carries out extensive research and development work for products aimed at improving the performance of photovoltaic solar panels and also provides manufacturing support for new smart meters developed by Indra and its end-to-end recharge system for electric vehicles.
Indra
Indra is the leading consultancy technology multinational in Spain and a leader in Europe and Latin America. Innovation is the cornerstone of its business and sustainability, having allocated €550 million to R&D in the last three years, making it one of the leading companies in Europe in its sector in terms of investment. With sales approaching €3,000 million, 55% of its income is from the international market. The company employs 42,000 professionals and has customers in 118 countries.
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