Jun 21 2007
At the Intersolar 2007 conference today, SunPower Corporation, a Silicon Valley- based manufacturer of high-efficiency solar cells, solar panels and solar systems, launched the next generation of its SunPower(R) Tracker, a solar power system that delivers up to 30 percent more energy than fixed-tilt systems while reducing required land area and installation cost.
The Tracker uses high-efficiency SunPower solar panels tilted at up to 25-degrees to track the sun throughout the day. Benefits of the new system include:
- Higher energy delivery per land area than conventional trackers
- Pre-assembled systems for fast, simple installation
- Patented single-axis technology utilizes fewer moving parts than conventional dual-axis tracking systems, providing more reliability, less maintenance and better wind resistance
- Single-axis design also minimizes land use, enabling tighter spacing than conventional tracking systems
- Backtracking technology, which allows the panels to change direction as necessary, avoids shading and prevents panel sun spots
- Scales easily from 50-kilowatt installations to large, multi-megawatt solar power plants.
Each Tracker module generates up to 2.5 kilowatts of power and comes with a 25-year warranty.
"For our customers, the Tracker's quality construction and higher energy delivery will result in reduced costs and improved return on investment," said SunPower Chief Executive Officer Tom Werner. "SunPower is committed to the development of innovative, efficient solar energy solutions, and we are very proud of our global success in helping customers maximize generation of clean, renewable solar power."
SunPower has recently announced a number of projects around the world that utilize its patented Tracker technology. The company maintains a market-leading position in Spain with more than 61 megawatts installed or under construction; recently completed a 2.2-megawatt solar power plant in Mungyeong, Korea; and is starting construction on the largest solar installation in the U.S., a 15-megawatt system at Nellis Air Force Base in Nevada.