Solar trackers are systems capable of positioning a surface, usually made of photovoltaic panels or mirrors, to capture the maximum amount of solar energy. These solar tracking systems need to know the date, time, and coordinates of their installation location to calculate the sun's path for each day of the year in that specific area. Solar trackers increase photovoltaic electricity production by 30% compared to fixed installations and are essential when using high-concentration photovoltaic (HCPV) cells, which require high precision in sun alignment and stability against atmospheric conditions.
The system developed by Indra incorporates the ability to withstand adverse environmental conditions (wind, desert, snow, etc.). Unlike other systems on the photovoltaic market, the movement system used is not based on mechanical gears and rings, but rather on two hydraulic actuators. It also features a control system that allows it to orient itself in extreme positions, maximizing solar energy capture and maintaining a pointing accuracy (deviation from the perpendicular to the sun) of less than 0.3 degrees at all times.
High-concentration solar technology uses very small amounts of semiconductor material in its cells and converts sunlight into electrical energy with high efficiency (over 40% compared to 20% for conventional photovoltaic systems), using lens systems that can increase the amount of sunlight reaching the cells by up to 1,000 times.
In 2011, Indra launched a Renewable Energy Logistics Support Center (CENSOLOR) in the Bierzo Alto Industrial Park (Bembibre, León). From this facility, the multinational technology company manages its activities as a supplier of engineering products and services, as well as lifecycle support for the wind, solar photovoltaic, and electric vehicle sectors.
Among its most significant projects are Aerogidas, its intelligent predictive maintenance system for wind turbines; SIPAM, a maintenance task planning and management system with documentation support and remote assistance via mobile devices for solar and wind power plants; and its pitch control system for wind turbines based on measuring the loads to which the blades are subjected. It also carries out extensive research and development of products aimed at improving the performance of photovoltaic solar panels and provides support for the manufacturing of the new smart meters developed by Indra and its end-to-end electric vehicle charging solution.
