Xinjiang PV Plant

This ground-mounted PV plant utilizes our advanced tracking system to maximize energy yield across the 136MW installation. Located in Weifang, a solar-rich region of Shandong Province, the project demonstrates exceptional performance in real-world conditions. The tracking solution optimizes panel angles throughout the day, significantly improving power generation efficiency compared to fixed-tilt systems.

The photovoltaic market in Hungary and across Central and Eastern Europe is expanding rapidly. Strong policy support, rising energy demand, and ambitious renewable targets are driving the development of large-scale solar projects throughout the region.

Although the growth potential is significant, the technical and financial expectations associated with every project are extremely demanding.

This article discusses how the Clenergy D1P single-axis solar tracker was successfully deployed in a 20MW utility-scale ground-mounted project in Hungary despite all these challenges.

Core Project Challenges

While delivering the 20MW utility-scale project in Hungary, the site presented a combination of structural, financial, and regulatory challenges that demanded a carefully optimised approach. The core challenges of this project included:

1. Strict Civil Works Control

During the installation of the smart solar tracker, one of the primary objectives was to minimise ground disturbance. Excessive excavation and foundation work would increase initial investment and extend construction timelines. The project called for a solution that could streamline civil complexity while maintaining structural stability.

On large utility-scale sites, even small reductions in excavation volume or pile quantity can translate into meaningful savings in both time and capital expenditure. Every design choice had to contribute to faster deployment and tighter cost control without compromising durability.

2. Demanding Load and Precision Design Requirements

The site was subject to significant environmental loads, including wind speeds of 23.6 meters per second and snow loads of 1.25 kilonewtons per square meter. These conditions required/necessitated a differentiated, zone-based structural design tailored to varying wind exposure levels across the site. Uniform structural assumptions would have led to material overuse in low-pressure zones and insufficient reinforcement in higher exposure areas.

3. Dual Constraints of Standards and Cost

Compliance with Eurocode standards was mandatory, yet the project also demanded strict overall cost optimisation across both the racking system and civil works. Meeting European structural criteria while keeping the project economically viable relied on an integrated engineering strategy.

During high wind conditions, modules automatically move to a protective stow angle. In heavy snowfall, the solar panel tracker system activates a snow-shedding mode to mitigate structural stress. These automated responses ensure continuous operational safety under changing environmental conditions.

Clenergy’s Customised Solution

Addressing the technical and financial constraints of the Hungary project called for a solution tailored specifically to site conditions. Our approach combined structural precision, construction efficiency, and intelligent tracking control. Here is how we successfully delivered this project:

1. Scientific Wind Protection

We implemented a zonal wind design strategy based on verified wind tunnel testing. Instead of applying uniform structural assumptions across the entire site, we differentiated wind exposure zones.

Windward areas were reinforced to withstand higher pressure, while central zones avoided unnecessary over-design. This precise allocation of structural strength improved safety while controlling material use.

2. Structural Optimisation

To meet the project’s requirement for the longest possible table configuration, we engineered the system to accommodate an increased number of modules per row within wind and load limits.

Longer tables reduce the total number of piles, which directly cuts both racking hardware and civil costs, such as excavation and backfill. Achieving this balance demanded advanced structural calculations, particularly for higher clearance and complex stress distribution.

Careful engineering ensured that the extended table length improved system efficiency without compromising structural safety or long-term durability.

3. Direct Ramming Technology

Pile installation was executed using direct ramming. This method accelerates construction, minimises ground disturbance, and curtails overall civil expenditure. For a utility-scale project of this size, faster deployment translated directly into cost and schedule advantages.

4. D1P Single-Axis Tracking System

At the core of the project was our D1P single-axis solar tracker system, designed to enhance generation performance while maintaining operational reliability. Here are the core features of this single-axis solar tracker.