Arctech, the world’s leading tracking, racking, and BIPV solutions provider announced starting shipment of 1P single-axis tracker SkyLine II for Sierras de Ullum solar farm project in Argentina, the company’s first utility-scale project utilizing SkyLine II in the country.
2021 has seen both the return of proven policies in Latin America in the form of auctions, as well as progress in new areas of the energy transition. After three consecutive years of recession, Argentina is poised to rebound in 2021 with7.7% GDP growth, according to a survey conducted by Bloomberg.
Demand was stronger particularly from April onwards thanks to a pick-up in industrial activity, followed by the commercial sector. The electricity demand through September 2021 was 5% higher than the same nine months of 2020. Economic activity has picked up as vaccination rates have increased. Approximately 67% of the population was fully vaccinated, as of November.
As a ground-mounted solar PV power project with a combined capacity of 82 MW., the Sierras de Ullum Solar PV Park is planned over 100 hectares in San Juan, Argentina, the western part of the country. Planned in a single phase, the project construction is likely to commence in 2022 and is expected to enter into commercial operation by the end of the year.
The project is expected to bring an investment of over USD 60 million and new jobs for the region. The Sierras de Ullum solar farm will use over 150,000 bifacial panels and is expected to supply enough clean energy to power 50,000 households. The project is equipped with SkyLine 2 single axle tracker, the world’s first 1P single-axis tracker equipped with a pentagonal torque tube design and synchronous multi-point drive mechanism.
SkyLine II has a wind stow threshold of 22m/s, the highest in the industry so far, which allows it to track the sun for many more hours when compared with the industry standard. The rigidity provided by the multi-point drive mechanism also allows to safely stow to 0-degree.
Arctech is the key technology partner for the biggest developers in the Latam region, where it has a portfolio of close to 1.6 GW across the region. The company has been supporting clients in the Latam region from five local offices in Colombia, Chile, Brazil, Argentina and
Mexico. The team of 40 people with rich experience has been providing engineering, manufacturing and after-sales support for Arctech’s local operation in the Latam region, with an intend to source materials for its tracking systems from within the region in response to the
favorable policies.
“We are supporting our partners from the very early stages of their projects. With our support, our partners can optimize the layout of the projects and increase the yearly energy generation of the PV plant, the technology advancement, One-Stop Solar Tracker Solution
and winning partnership propel our presence in the market. “Remarked by Alejandro Silva Zamora, Regional Director of Chile & South LATAM at Arctech.
