TrinaTracker, a smart tracker solution provider owned by Trina Solar, has introduced the latest version of its Vanguard 2P tracker equipped with a multi-motor control system.
This configuration, with fewer piles, will decrease balance of system (BOS) costs, particularly in harsh soiling conditions and situations with high pile requirements. Such environments are becoming more widespread globally, as flat land for solar plants becomes scarcer.
Vanguard 2P is TrinaTracker’s primary product, first launched in 2021. Its spherical bearing reduces friction, minimizes misalignment, cuts installation costs and time, and complements Trina Solar’s module and tracker research and development capability. The product is compatible with ultra-high power modules, maximizing the energy generation potential of solar plants. As of the end of 2022, TrinaTracker had shipped 3 GW of Vanguard 2P trackers worldwide.
The new generation of Vanguard 2P uses a multi-motor control system instead of the previous mechanical technique. In the updated system, the primary controller dispatches commands, and the secondary controller receives them to drive the motors. The self-developed smart mechanism enables the synchronization of multiple motors, avoiding possible structural failures and reducing operations and maintenance costs.
The latest version of Vanguard 2P is also designed to fit larger-sized modules of up to 695W, enhancing the structure’s compatibility. These improvements decrease system costs, lower the levelized cost of energy (LCOE), and improve performance in challenging sites.
Andrew Gilhooly, the Head of Utility, Commercial, and Industrial Solutions for Trina Solar Asia Pacific, noted that solar projects are increasingly deployed in sloped terrains, deserts, and coastal regions, requiring solar components to meet higher quality standards and be more innovative to function in harsh conditions. The second generation of Vanguard 2P aims to tackle these challenges effectively.