Press releases

World premiere – SkyCarrier

As a highlight at the Grand Opening, a+f presents the “SkyCarrier” for the first time.

The SkyCarrier is the tracking system for open-space solar installations situated near to the equator. The perfect area of use is between the 0 and 30th parallels both north and south of the equator. In some places, the angle of the sun here can be up to 90°, which means that tracking of the horizontal axis aligns the photovoltaic modules with the sun in an optimum fashion. The “SkyCarrier” can be used as a single installation on its own, or in large solar power plants.

With a module surface of 247 square metres extending for 30.50 m (longitudinally) and 8.10 m (across), the “SkyCarrier“ guarantees an additional yield of up to 25% compared with conventional solutions available in the market. Depending on the type of module used, 33,350 Wp can be installed on the SkyCarrier.

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In developing the single-axis tracking system, care was taken to ensure that the module surface can be fitted with solar modules from a wide variety of manufacturers. The rotational axis of the tracking system ensures that the pitch angle of the module surface moves at an angle of +/- 30° relative to the horizontal plane, and the modules are therefore always precisely aligned with respect to the sun. The SkyCarrier is thus ideally suited for use in open-air installations in regions near to the equator.

The drive system, which is crucial for tracking purposes, is provided by two electrically synchronised motors with a planetary gear and a steel chain which requires virtually no maintenance. Just like the SunCarrier, no delicate sensors are used here. When it comes to tracking, the SkyCarrier orientates itself all year round following the path of the sun. The drive motor receives the information necessary for this task from a PLC (programmable logic control system). The PLC receives the signals it needs for this from an electronic clock, an incremental encoder between the gear and drive motor, and a set of mechanical pushbutton switches. This means that the system ensures exact alignment with the current position of the sun around the clock.

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It is possible to monitor all functions, and obtain reports on the system at any time via the Internet. This reduces the level of administration required to a minimum, and assures continued ease of system operation over the long term.

The newly unveiled product represents a sustainable addition to a+f GmbH’s product range and it is intended primarily to help the company to gain a foothold in the Middle Eastern market. A prototype of the “SkyCarrier“ has been erected on a+f’s test site in Würzburg for three weeks, and the second model is currently being installed in Dubai.

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Key facts about the SkyCarrier:

• PLC-controlled tracking for up to 25% more power compared with conventional solutions offered in the market
• World’s largest elevation tracking system with a module surface area of up to 247 square metres (30.50 m x 8.10 m)
• Very stable steel structure
• The perfect area of use is near to the equator from approx. the 0 to the 30th parallels both north and south of the equator
• All types of modules can be used
• Can be employed flexibly as a single SkyCarrier or in large solar power plants
• Maximum resistance thanks to large lever arm in order to keep chain forces low
• Thanks to the solid foundations, an optimum yield level is guaranteed even in strong winds
• Wind load: according to EN 1991-1-4:2005 (D), up to 140 km/h (=12 Bft, 39 m/s, equivalent to a hurricane)
• Tested in a wind tunnel
• Crucial advantages over two-axis systems in respect of reliability and safety
• Long service life with very low expenditure required on servicing

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