8 06, 2024

Solar Tracker Industry Components that Need Steel or Aluminum

2024-07-10T17:09:30+00:00June 8th, 2024|News Blog, NMC Media|

Your solar farm is now operational, with gleaming rows of panels basking in sunlight. But are you maximizing your investment? The secret lies in the robust solar tracking industry components that keep your solar trackers moving smoothly and efficiently while withstanding the constant battle — relentless sun, harsh weather, and the pressure to maximize your energy output.

 

But which material should you choose? Steel or aluminum? Each offers unique advantages, and the wrong choice can impact your tracker’s performance and lifespan. Selecting the appropriate material can seem like a daunting task. As a leader in steel processing and supply-chain management, National Material Company will help you choose the best material for specific components, ensuring your trackers operate flawlessly for years and your solar farm achieves peak performance.

What are Solar Trackers and Why Do We Need Them?

Envision a world where your solar panels could constantly face the sun, soaking up every last ray of energy. That’s the power of solar trackers – these innovative systems are like tiny robotic assistants for your solar facility, constantly adjusting the angle of your panels to maximize sunlight exposure throughout the day.

Image Attribution: https://www.freepik.com/free-photo/robot-with-solar-panel_918549.htm#fromView=search&page=1&position=27&uuid=34d4ca3f-8b9e-4ee3-bb2b-0f48a4133939

But why is this constant adjustment so crucial? The more directly sunlight hits a surface, the more heat it absorbs. So, the angle of sunlight directly impacts how much power your panels generate. A panel facing the sun head-on captures the most energy, while tilted panels see a decrease in output.

 

Solar trackers ensure your panels are always basking in the most optimal light by constantly tracking the sun’s movement across the sky, east to west. Research indicates this can substantially increase power generation, with up to 30-40% more energy produced than stationary panels. This translates to a more productive solar farm and a bigger return on your investment.

How Does Steel for Solar Tracker Manufacturing Help Us?

  1. Champion against corrosion. Unlike some materials that succumb to rust and leave unsightly stains, galvanized steel stays strong and keeps your installation looking sharp. The zinc coating acts like a shield, preventing rust and ensuring your investment thrives for years to come.
  2. Durability against harsh conditions. Solar panels often face harsh conditions, from scorching sun to fierce weather. The zinc coating in galvanized steel is like a protector’s UV shield, standing strong against the sun’s harmful rays. This resilience makes it perfect for withstanding the elements, whether your solar farm basks in a desert or endures hurricane-force winds.
  3. Great conductor of heat. This might sound surprising, but it’s a hidden benefit of solar power. By allowing heat to flow freely through the solar panel mounting […]
8 04, 2024

Galvanized Steel for Solar Tracking: Applications and Capabilities

2024-04-10T15:16:06+00:00April 8th, 2024|News Blog|

The immense potential of solar power as a renewable energy source is globally acknowledged, leveraging the abundant, clean, and accessible energy from the sun. To maximize sunlight capture throughout the day, solar panels need to be optimally oriented, a task achieved by solar trackers. Furthermore, these devices adjust solar panels or collectors to follow the sun’s path. Significantly, this enhances their efficiency and energy output by 25% to 40% over fixed installations.

What makes a well-designed solar tracker? What material can support the weight and movement of solar panels or collectors while resisting corrosion and rust from exposure to the elements? It’s simple. The answer is galvanized steel.

This blog will explore the role and benefits of galvanized steel for solar tracking and how it can help you achieve your green energy goals. Stay tuned and learn more about galvanized steel for solar tracking and how the leading steel service center, National Material Company, can enhance your sustainable energy projects.

Galvanized steel is an incredibly powerful material that should not be underestimated.

To produce galvanized steel, manufacturers apply a layer of zinc to the steel, which prevents rust and corrosion. In fact, the function of the zinc coating is to act as a sacrificial anode. This means the zinc layer will corrode before the steel layer beneath it. Various industries and applications widely use galvanized steel due to its low cost, long life, and resistance to mechanical damage.

Galvanized steel offers several advantages: 

  • Less expensive than stainless steel and does not require additional surface treatments or coatings.
  • It has a lengthy lifespan of more than 50 years in average environments and more than 20 years in severe water exposure.
  • The galvanization process controls the coating thickness and quality, making it reliable and consistent.
  • As a result of the zinc coating creating a metallurgical bond with the steel, its mechanical properties are improved, rendering it solid and long-lasting.

Some galvanized steel applications are:

  • Construction — People use galvanized steel for roofing, walling, foundations, and structural components such as beams, columns, and frames.
  • Automotive — Manufacturers use galvanized steel to make body panels, chassis, and other parts that must withstand corrosion and maintain strength.
  • Solar — Mounting systems, frames, and supports for solar panels are made with galvanized steel, capable of enduring severe weather and UV exposure.
  • HVAC — Ductwork, pipes, and fittings for heating, ventilation, and air conditioning systems often utilize galvanized steel due to its ability to prevent both condensation and corrosion.
  • Agriculture — Galvanized steel is used for fencing, silos, greenhouses, and animal shelters. This is because it can resist animal damage and chemical exposure.

Solar Trackers: Where Steel Shines

Image Attribution: https://www.freepik.com/free-photo/photovoltaics-solar-power-station-energy-from-natural_10896368.htm#page=2&query=galvanized%20steel%20in%20solar%20trackers&position=28&from_view=search&track=ais&uuid=965b391b-330b-401a-9427-5fa200bf38bd

Some […]

Go to Top