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Nextracker expands Solar Center of Excellence in Sorocaba (SP)

Open-air laboratory analyzes the performance of tracker use in ground-based plants, with a focus on agrovoltaics

Nextracker expands Solar Center of Excellence in Sorocaba (SP)

Nextracker Solar Center of Excellence in Sorocaba (SP). Photo: Canal Solar

The tracker manufacturer Nexttracker, in partnership with the FIT (Flex Instituto de Tecnologia), expanded the Solar Center of Excellence, located in Sorocaba (SP), from 30 thousand square meters to 46 thousand square meters.

“The expansion of the Solar Center of Excellence reinforces our commitment to innovation and the development of solutions that optimize solar energy generation, contributing to the decarbonization and technological advancement of the sector,” says Nelson Falcão, senior sales director at Nextracker.

Focused on developing new technologies for the global solar market, the open-air R&D (Research and Development) laboratory houses ground-mounted photovoltaic systems in various arrangements that enable the performance study of the manufacturer's solutions.

The facilities have equipment that allows monitoring the entire life cycle of the project – from structural, mechanical and electrical design to the construction, operation and maintenance of solar plants.

With the laboratory, the Nexttracker studies the complete life cycle of tracker systems, from the development of structural projects (mechanical and electrical) and their construction (operation and maintenance). 

Professionals also perform tests on wind dynamics, soil mechanics and improving tracker performance through software and battery backup systems.

In addition to the power electronics and materials and mechanics laboratories, the space has a training center, designed to train internal teams and Nextracker partner companies.

Agrovoltaic systems

One of the main research projects being carried out on site is the use of systems agrovoltaics, using trackers. Nextracker, together with experts from FIT, developed AgriPV, a solution that improves agricultural practices and preserves biodiversity. 

Using the NX Horizon™ or NX Horizon XTR™ solar tracker that is adapted to the terrain's relief, a low-impact approach to the soil was generated, allowing agricultural practices to be carried out without impacting solar energy generation and damage to modules and other solar equipment. 

The main objectives of the ongoing study are to understand the performance and agriculture in projects with AgriPV, in addition to measuring water savings in the irrigation process in these plants.

“We want to support the agricultural community and sustainable farming practices so that farmers can preserve their land for generations, while using it to produce clean energy,” comments Henrique Rodrigues, CEO of Nextracker.


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Ericka Araújo
About the Author
Ericka Araújo

Communications Manager of Canal Solar. Host of Papo Solar. Since 2020, he has been following the renewable energy market. He has experience in producing podcasts, interview programs and writing journalistic articles. In 2019, he received the 2019 Tropical Journalist Award from SBMT and the FEAC Journalism Award.

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