Mechatron Solar Completes B&V Bankability Report
A new Black & Veatch Bankability Report enhances the competitiveness of the patented Mechatron Solar M18KD dual-axis tracker for commercial and utility-scale projects. This report follows Mechatron’s June certification to the UL 3703 Tracker standard.
STOCKTON, CA – July 28, 2022: Mechatron Solar has just completed a Bankability Report by Black & Veatch, providing risk analysis of the patented 90-panel M18KD dual-axis solar tracker, the largest and most powerful in the industry. The report also covers the company’s expanded manufacturing facility in Stockton, which has an annual production capacity of 200 MW.
“Black & Veatch is of the opinion that the gearless design of the M18KD Tracker is unique compared to other tracker systems in the industry,” the analyst’s state. The unusually high-yield M18KD tracker – generating 40% more energy than ground-mount frameworks and 20% more than single-axis trackers — has the highest energy density of all solar designs. With a single mast, the tracker also has the smallest ground footprint in the solar market, ideal for carports and other constrained sites.
“The M18KD Tracker features a centralized hydraulic drive system which allows the Tracker to be installed on sites with uneven terrain,” the analysts noted. “Black & Veatch believes that the height of the foundation makes the tracker the ideal solution for agricultural and carport applications,” they said.
For greater energy boost, “The tall foundation may also enhance the power output of Trackers using bifacial modules,” the analysts noted. In terms of safety design, “Black & Veatch observed that the gearless braking mechanism provides automatic protection capabilities and is patented by Mechatron,” the analysts said.
Mechatron’s next-generation gearless ball-bearing tracker design has demonstrated unparalleled operational stability and resilience, operating continuously across widely varied site conditions. The warrantied 99.6% uptime demonstrated by the M18KD is the highest availability of any system in the solar tracking industry. The tracker also presents the lowest maintenance cost over the duration of the project lifespan. As a result, the Return-on-Investment term for a Mechatron tracker is typically less than four years.
Among certifications, “Mechatron has achieved UL 3703 – Standard for Solar Trackers certification for the M18KD Tracker System. Black & Veatch reviewed the UL 3703 test report issued by SolarPTL on June 20, 2022,” the analysts noted.
A unique tracker with self-reliant, self-aligned and self-protected mechanism
The technology innovations and engineering advancements Mechatron incorporated in the tracker design developed a technological marvel with unique features like auto-slippage capability, platform self-stow using eccentric platform mounting, auto-alignment, automatic tilt adjustment per wind conditions.
Specifically, in the event of abrupt wind loads the drive mechanism will slip thus protecting the mechanism from damage. Also, in the case of a main brake failure, the tracker goes to a safe flat position without external power source by utilizing the platform’s gravity. The built-in nitrogen accumulator holds the system immobilize and protects it during the power-off event.
Finally in the event of power failure the fail-safe mechanism utilizing safety vales makes the large tracker’s platform to stow at a horizontal stationary position until power is restored. Since gravity is driving the self-stow movement of the platform, no need for additional diesel generators in the field to power up the electronics and hydraulics.
The tracker’s unique gearless design, a global innovation in the tracking industry, introduces ZERO backlash which makes the mechanism, unbreakable, durable and resilient.