By Greentech Lead America: DEGERenergie, a provider of
solar tracking systems, has shipped 112 DEGERtrakers for Apex Construction
Services’ four solar parks in Tennessee. The solar tracking systems have been
installed together with the Apex construction team.
The MLD technology featuring tracking
systems have been installed in four solar fields. Each solar park consists
of 28 6000NT DEGER trackers and is designed to power up to 200 kilowatts. The
6000NT DEGERtraker is a dual-axis solar tracking system that aligns the solar
modules to the brightest source in the sky at all times, ensuring maximum
yield. DEGERenergie systems can generate up to 45 percent more energy than
fixed installations.
The solar parks have begun operation on April 14, 2012.
The four small solar farms are part of the Tennessee Valley Authority Renewable
Energy Program.
“Our tried and tested MLD technology and our well
organized partner network in Tennessee have paved our way. Not only is this a
key project with which we provide cost-efficient solar energy in the supply
area of TVA, but also an important contribution to environmental protection in
Tennessee,” said Adam Jan Glapiak, sales manager for DEGERenergie North
America.
Hydro Aluminum Extrusion Americas has supplied the
aluminum parts for the systems. The rails of the DEGERtraker are made of impact
extruded aluminum by Hydro. This is the first project DEGERenergie completed
together with Hydro Aluminum, in the United States.
“DEGERenergie’s design calls for very tight
tolerances. Our engineering, combined with DEGERenergie’s staff in Germany and
production groups here had to go above and beyond the usual to get this just
right. Now we are working with them on some alloy choices that might help us
make it even tighter than they originally called out,” said Allan Bennett,
vice president of solar market development for Hydro’s Extrusion North America.