STI Control is intended to provide with total control of a solar tracking project and maximized power generation
Array STI Norland, one of the five largest solar tracker suppliers worldwide, has launched a new system that optimizes power generation in solar tracking plants. This new system, called STI Control, is used for comprehensive control and monitoring of photovoltaic plants equipped with Array STI Norland’s trackers.
STI Control is comprised of three networked components within a smart process that favors complete system communication. The first component is the System Network Controller, which acts as the heart of the solar plant and communicates wirelessly with all other system elements, being capable to manage up to 200 solar trackers.
The second component is the Tracker Smart Controller, which is installed by the solar tracker motor and uses an astronomical algorithm to calculate the sun’s position and command all solar trackers to position themselves perpendicularly to solar rays. To maximize efficiency, the Tracker Smart Controller uses AI and an inclinometer to calculate a new solar tracker angle in case of shading between adjacent rows. This happens when the sun is low, during the early and late hours of the day, especially in uneven terrains.
Additionally, Array STI Norland has launched its own smartphone application for wireless connection to the Tracker Smart Controller, thus making the process more user-friendly and accelerating the commissioning and subsequent operation and maintenance of any PV project.
The third component of STI Control is the Intelligent Weather Controller, a self-powered weather station capable to accommodate multiple sensors which gather and send information on atmospheric conditions. It also generates alarms in case of strong winds or snow accumulation, among others. These alarms will cause the system to take actions relating to tracker movement with the aim of ensuring structural tracker integrity.
STI Control uses wireless technology Zigbee, which operates at 2.4 GHz with a larger reach and lower energy consumption, thus ensuring controllers can issue signals even in case of network node failure.
In parallel, the company has internally created a Center of Operations to control, monitor, and collect data from PV plants equipped with de Array STI Norland solar trackers.
“A hallmark of Array STI Norland is our customer-oriented nature, as demonstrated by the release of STI Control. This new communication system increases operational margins, autonomy and freedom to adapt to the specific needs to each customer and project”, says Íñigo García Colomo, Electronic Engineer and leader of this project. “The release of STI Control means going a step further to attain optimized solar power plant performance”.
About Array STI Norland
Array STI Norland is an international manufacturer of solar trackers and fixed structures for utility-scale PV projects. Established in 1996, it offers engineering, supply and installation services. Array STI Norland developed the first dual-row solar tracker on the market, specially designed for uneven terrains and where the orography has significant changes in gradient.
In January 2022, Array Technologies acquired STI Norland, strengthening supply chains and international expansion.
About Array Technologies, Inc.
Array Technologies (NASDAQ: ARRY) is a leading American company and global provider of utility-scale solar tracker technology. Engineered to withstand the harshest conditions on the planet, Array’s high-quality solar trackers and sophisticated software maximize energy production, accelerating the adoption of cost-effective and sustainable energy. Founded and headquartered in the United States, Array relies on its diversified global supply chain and customer-centric approach to deliver, commission and support solar energy developments around the world, lighting the way to a brighter, smarter future for clean energy. For more news and information on Array, please visit arraytechinc.com.
Media Contact
Daniel Tapia
Head of Marketing (Array STI Norland)