| Work Detail |
Arctech, a leading provider of solar tracking and racking solutions, has successfully enabled the on-time grid connection of the Mengxi Blue Ocean Photovoltaic Power Station, the world’s largest single-capacity solar power plant constructed on a coal mining subsidence area. The plant, which utilizes Arctech’s SkyWings 1P single-axis dual-row solar tracking system, has seen a remarkable 7.41% improvement in its annual average grid-connected capacity, significantly boosting its return on investment (ROI).
SkyWings, featuring Arctech’s synchronous multi-point drive mechanism and a cutting-edge torque tube design with superior bending and torsion resistance, ensures reliable operation even in extreme wind conditions of up to 18m/s (level 8 gale). This resilience contributes to a 2% increase in power generation. Additionally, powered by second-generation AI algorithms, SkyWings optimizes tracker tilt for different terrains, offering real-time shading avoidance and delivering an extra 8% energy generation boost. This advanced technology is enhancing the performance and efficiency of the world’s largest solar project built on land once affected by coal mining.
To better address the plant’s uneven and varied terrain, Arctech developed a custom SkyWings solar tracking solution with terrain-following capabilities. This design accommodates the plant’s topography, ensuring a 20% tolerance for undulation in the east-west direction and 15% in the north-south direction between adjacent rows. Additionally, Arctech optimized the post height to maximize the space beneath the solar panels, supporting agrivoltaic practices. This innovative design enables farmers to grow crops and raise livestock under the solar panels, generating both economic and ecological benefits.
In order to minimize environmental impact and prevent damage to the grassland during construction and operation, SkyWings utilizes one-piece H-shaped steel piles, with the construction team performing static pressure installation on-site. Furthermore, after 25 years of safe operation, about 90% of SkyWings’ steel pipe piles are still recyclable, which helps reduce waste discharge by approximately 60% compared to traditional concrete piles.
Once operational, the plant is projected to generate 5.7 billion kilowatt-hours of electricity annually, enough to power two million households. This will result in a savings of 1.71 million tons of standard coal each year and a reduction in carbon dioxide emissions by approximately 4.7 million tons — the equivalent of planting 62,700 hectares of trees. The deployment of Arctech’s SkyWings in this plant highlights its adaptability as a solar tracking system, capable of effectively operating in a range of conditions, including agrivoltaic setups, uneven terrains, and areas affected by coal mining subsidence. |
