Structures for photovoltaic power plants: what are the impacts on generation?

The structures that house the photovoltaic panels contribute to increased generation and directly influence the financial results of the power plant.

The modules capture energy in basically 3 ways: by direct incidence – where the light rays fall directly on the front of the photovoltaic panels –, diffuse incidence – the rays are diffused mainly by the air and by the albedo of the soil, which is the light reflected by surfaces, which are absorbed mainly by the back of the bifacial panels, resulting in generation gains.

Well-designed structures allow the panels to be tilted to improve direct incidence, ensuring that the photon hits the panel as perpendicularly as possible, thus increasing generation. The latitude of the installation site directly impacts this perpendicularity.

The inclination of the structure is defined from the horizontal plane, using the Equator as the 0° mark; that is, the further south in the country, the greater this angle becomes. In Brazil, the latitude reaches up to 33°, and Metal Light Solar Estruturas' equipment is capable of adapting to all situations.

The spacing between the module and the ground directly influences the efficiency of the modules, just as the type of soil surface directly impacts reflection. In some cases, this can result in up to a 7% increase in generation. Therefore, more robust structures allow for greater heights, increasing the space at the back for light entry and improving the generation efficiency of the photovoltaic panels.

The strength of the components is extremely important, as low-quality structures often suffer from profile warping, reducing perpendicularity, causing deflection, and exponentially increasing the risk of microcracks in the panels. This can lead to hot spots or even more severe damage.

Furthermore, few manufacturers pay attention to the maximum pendulum of the module and the maximum displacement on the Z-axis, which are key issues for maintaining the module warranty. The equipment from Metal Light Solar The structures are compatible and strictly adhere to the parameters established by the photovoltaic module manufacturers.

The availability rate of the infrastructure is also of paramount importance for stable and efficient generation, as structures using low-quality materials require more maintenance.

The use of steel Pre-galvanized This leads to premature oxidation of components, which will need to be replaced, resulting in lost power generation due to plant downtime. Low-quality structures require constant replacement of fastening clamps and other parts due to severe damage and premature wear.

Whenever you are purchasing a structure, remember that not all are the same, and for the security of your investment and its return, you should buy well-dimensioned, robust structures that are ideal for each type of application, whether roof or ground-mounted.

The opinions and information expressed are the sole responsibility of the author and do not necessarily represent the official position of the author. Canal Solar.