Mechatron Mk18D Tracker

Mechatron Trackers have proven themselves for 20 years in hot, cold, rainy, and dry climates. They adapt to wind and snow, making them suitable for our Canadian winters.

You will find the the world littered with 2-axis trackers that are pointing in odd directions and no longer are tracking.  Most use gears and motors and encoders to position the array. These wear and become less reliable over the years. Gears can be stripped or array damage done by a sudden gust of wind.  Mechatron uses hydraulic drives with clutches.  Wind gusts will move the array rather than cause damage.  The intelligent software simply returns it to its correct position.

The M18kD uses a mechanical framework with a large designed-in safety factor.  It can support the weight of a foot of snow and withstand category 1 hurricanes.  The nine columns of solar panels are independently attached so that standing waves, which can damage some ground mount systems, do not occur. Hot dipped galvanized components prevent corrosion.  Intelligent sensors dump snow and reduce platform tilt in high winds.

Each system includes the main body frame, the mechanical support structure that attaches to it, and even the bolts, nuts, hinges, and even the required fasteners to attach solar panels to the platform.

The tracker frame sits on four legs on the ground during assembly, making all tasks easy and safe.  How easy? One person singlehandedly assembled the first Mk18D tracker in Canada.  The complete electronics/hydraulics control cabinet is fully assembled at the factory so you only need to connect the supplied hydraulic hoses and make electrical connections. The hydraulic drive unit is delivered complete and ready to lift onto the pedestal.

The pedestal in the photos is a concrete ballast.  Complete design drawings for the concrete, rebar and attachment bolts are provided. Other pedestal options including piles can be chosen to accommodate local soil conditions and special applications.

Many applications for solar do not accommodate a large array of  ground mounted panels.  Our gallery images illustrate this point.  The estate, the cattle farm, and the urban parking lot are examples of applications that are best implemented, or could only be implemented, with the small footprint and reliability of Mechatron trackers.

Maintenance costs are low throughout the twenty year warranted life of the tracker.  An annual inspection of the hydraulic hoses plus the lubrication 5 grease nipples is recommended.  Spare parts should include hydraulic hoses and fluid. A brake pad may need replaced after a few years in very windy climates.  Otherwise, as owners say, it just runs.

Real time information for each tracker is available to you or your control room via a web link.  You can see the vertical and horizontal position of the platform.  You can control the tracker and issue commands from a computer terminal for testing and maintenance activities. Mechatron can view your tracker, run factory tests, and offer assistance.