FTC Solar Announces the Release of Voyager+, the Next Generation of Its Single-Axis Voyager Tracker
January 27, 2021 at 01:59 pm EST
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FTC Solar?announced the release of Voyager+,?the?next generation?of its single-axis Voyager tracker, engineered to provide compatibility with new large-format solar modules now entering the marketplace. The large modules entering the market are built to incorporate larger solar cells, which are the energy -producing heart of each solar panel. With these larger 182mm and 210mm cells, the modules can achieve power output exceeding 500 watts. Voyager+ supports these larger format modules and will be able to accommodate multiple module sizes from a variety of solar manufacturers.?FTC Solar is currently conducting tests at its research facility near Denver, Colorado, and will be evaluating the performance and structural requirements of a wide variety of large-format modules.??Large-format modules?are expected to?lower solar project development costs and improve the return on investment for solar developers. According to a Wood Mackenzie industry analysis, labor savings alone could be up to 6%, and energy production per acre will?increase, with production gains depending on the module?size and technology. The transition to large-format modules is the next step forward in an industry that has been aligned around?smaller?standard module sizes for over a decade. The industry's?ecosystem of electrical?and structural components has been developed?around these modules and standardization has simplified construction, driving overall system costs down. The?new large?format modules will continue to drive system-level efficiency improvements, but certain components, including trackers, must undergo design modifications. FTC Solar has?been?collaborating?with module manufacturers to identify?and implement?engineering changes?to?support?larger modules?such as strengthened torque tubes and modified damping?technology.?Module manufacturers are?ramping up production of 500W modules with 600W modules?expected to be deployed?in?the second half?of 2021.
FTC Solar, Inc. is a provider of solar tracker systems, technology, software, and engineering services. It offers trackers and software solutions targeting the utility-scale solar energy markets to customers in the United States, Asia, Europe, the Middle East, North Africa, South Africa and Australia. It is engaged in the sale of solar tracker systems and customized components for those systems, individual part sales for certain specific transactions and the sale of term-based software licenses. Its tracker system is marketed under the Voyager brand name (Voyager), which is built upon a self-powered, two-panel in- portrait (2P) single-axis tracker design utilizing a 60-meter independent row architecture. In addition, its Pioneer 1P solar tracker solution leverages the technological advantages of Voyager. It also offers shipping and handling services, engineering consulting and pile testing services, subscription-based enterprise licensing and maintenance and support services.