Solar Energy - Effective Update Through High Quality & Simple Components

Online, March 8, 2011 (Newswire.com) - Those who want to use solar energy for electricity production effectively cannot avoid the talk of updating their systems. To be sure that your investments will be worthwhile the systems have to meet several requirements. A long lifetime and easy maintenance are important in relation to the development of upgraded systems.

Head of development at Mp-Tec, Roland Wenzel, elaborates on requirements for the development of upgraded systems, "Already during the construction phase we have to take into consideration that the systems have to be cost-effective through many years. A significant aspect such as easy replacement of components must also be considered early in the system design process."

Another important aspect is the quality of every single construction part. Strict selection methods and various tests under extreme conditions ensure that the selected parts have a long lifetime and meet the necessary requirements.

The firm Mp-Tec is already testing the solar systems under extreme conditions during development. As with the car industry, products need to be able to function under continued strain before they are produced in serial. Integrated components from suppliers must also meet these requirements.

Roland Wenzel has high demands to the electric systems. "Our systems have to work for many years, during stormy, snowy, rainy or windy weather. The motor for the installation of our updated Skytrap has to perform impeccably under these terms."

After countless tests, Mp-Tec has chosen to apply LINAK® actuator systems. One of the reasons that Mp-Tec chose the Danish specialists in electric linear movement was that LINAK has been successful for several years with other applications, which also needed to function under harsh conditions - such as salting vehicles during wintertime.

"Not only do we sell systems for electrical movement, we also percieve it as our job to develop solutions in cooperation with our customers and to adapt the systems accordingly", says Werner Preuß, responsible for industrial applications at LINAK GmbH.

Internal technique
The adjustment of the Skytrap consists of sensitive solar sensors developed by Mp-Tec. The integrated sensors respond to even a low solar radiation and the system makes sure that the solar panels are positioned optimally in relation to the sun.

With a differential angle below two degrees, the modules are always ideal for operation even in strong windy conditions. The highly sensitive sensor which is designed to be used in temperatures between minus 25 degrees Celsius and plus 70 degrees Celsius sends the regulation signals directly to the LINAK linear actuator, but the system must not exclusively focus on the task of adjustment. It also has to hold the solar panels in the right position steadily in spite of strong windy conditions. During the development, a high level of resistibility was also a goal for Roland Wenzel.

A safeguard integrated in the system ensures high safety during storms and heavy snow. An additional important characteristic for LINAK systems is the connection to a network through an incorporated Bus-system.

By means of a Bus-system, it is easy and efficient to operate the solar tracker. Usually two parts have to be built for such a solution: a linear actuator and a unit for steering with an integrated Bus-control system. As one of the first manufacturers, LINAK has recombined the two areas and now provides actuators with incorporated Bus-steering.

The integrated electronics replaces the need for external solutions from additional manufacturers. The well-known LA36 actuator as well as the LA35 actuator is now available with incorporated electronics.

With their updated Skytrap, Mp-Tec now offers a solar solution, which, thanks to high quality construction parts and devised ideas, is designed for durable and almost maintenance-free usage.
Compared to static systems the dynamic solution can increase the output of up to 30 percent dependant on the location of the solar cells. High quality construction parts do not fail; they function even under extreme conditions and ensure constant system function. Though the investment in a high quality system is somewhat higher, the combined benefits of the investment are worth the while.