Illuminating the future

The renewable energy sector in the United States is thriving, buoyed by political support and climate awareness. Soltec, a Spanish firm specializing in solar trackers, has seized opportunities in this market, demonstrating leadership through innovation and executing large-scale projects across the country.

Political support has gained special prominence in recent years, due to the approval of the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA). Climate awareness is another factor driving this boom: according to 2023 data from Yale University, 64% of Americans are committed to climate change.

In response, the green energy industry, especially photovoltaics, is recognized as one of the most profitable, efficient, and sustainable ways to produce clean energy directly from the sun. The USA provides ideal conditions for solar energy capture. Its territorial expanse, high solar irradiation, and diversity of climate and geography means it’s capable of supplying 45% of its electricity from the sun, as indicated by the report from the Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA) and Wood Mackenzie in September 2023.

In this context, Soltec, founded in 2004 and specializing in the design, manufacturing, and installation of solar trackers, stands out as a strong candidate for the sustainable development of the United States. This is due to extensive experience in the American market, where it has been operating for nine years.

Soltec first entered this market back in 2015, when the company identified promising opportunities in terms of product and service demand. Currently, the United States has become its second most relevant market, representing 25% of its global turnover with the aim of increasing this percentage to 50% of industrial division sales in the coming years.

The US is a target market for Soltec for several reasons. Firstly, the size and potential of the solar energy market stands out as one of the broadest and most dynamic globally. According to data provided by the Solar Energy Industries Association of America (SEIA), installed capacity in this sector is expected to exceed 250 GW by 2030.

The diversity and complexity of solar energy projects here demand solutions tailored to specific conditions and regulations of each state, region, and type of terrain. Considering this variability as a challenge, the company is prepared to face it through innovation and cuttingedge technology, allowing it to develop customized and efficient solutions for each project.

The competitiveness and prestige of this solar energy market also plays a fundamental role in the company’s strategic decision-making. It demands high quality and safety standards, requirements that favor Soltec, thanks to its international and local certifications, which endorse the quality of its products and services.

A solid commitment to innovation and quality

Soltec, with its focus on excellence, flexibility in solutions, and constant innovation in service, has built solid trust among its customers and partners. To achieve this, the company has strengthened its agreements with American suppliers, ensuring supply chain reliability.

Additionally, it invests in innovation as one of its fundamental pillars, staying aligned with the latest trends and technological advances in the photovoltaic sector. Continuous investment in research and development is evidence of this commitment, enabling Soltec to offer solar trackers that meticulously adapt to the specific needs of each project, maximizing the performance and profitability of solar plants. This approach has recently materialized in two new models of solar trackers, designed exclusively for the American market.

The first of these models, the SFOne US, launched in November of the past year, stands out for its high density and efficiency. This single-row vertical configuration tracker maximises solar energy generation thanks to advanced algorithms like TeamTrack, minimizing shading losses between rows; Diffuse Booster, maximizing gains during cloudy days; and Dy-WIND, ensuring plant protection against adverse weather conditions. This groundbreaking system not only simplifies costs associated with the installation and maintenance of solar systems but also improves their performance.

The second is the SF7 US is a two-in-vertical configuration solar tracker characterized by its simple, robust, and versatile design. By reducing the number of parts, installation, and maintenance costs, this model increases energy production and reliability. Compatible with any type of module, including bifacial ones, the SF7 can be installed on terrain with slopes of up to 17%.

Additionally, it incorporates an intelligent control system that allows individual tracking of each row, improving terrain adaptation and shadow management. Regarding protection against adverse weather phenomena, the tracker includes an algorithm designed by Soltec for hail defense. Aimed at better protecting solar modules, it ensures a quick response to any risk of this kind, reinforcing installation resistance without compromising efficiency. According to a study, the SF7 can increase energy production by 6.2% compared to other conventional solar trackers.

In summary, Soltec’s dedication to innovation and customization of efficient technological solutions reflects its continuous commitment to leadership in the solar energy sector, consolidating its position as a leader in the American and global markets.

Leader in projects driving transition

The company has demonstrated its ability to execute large-scale and complex projects across the country, where it has installed over 2 GW of its solar trackers. From Virginia to Hawaii, Soltec has shown its ability to adapt to the technical and environmental needs of each project, contributing to the advancement of energy transition in the United States.

Among them is the 92 MW project in Virginia, where it supplied its SF7 tracker to one of the world’s largest independent renewable energy producers. This project, located in Halifax County, uses bifacial modules to harness sunlight reflection on the ground. It is Soltec’s first project in Virginia and the second in eastern United States. The project was completed in less than six months and will generate enough energy to power over 20,000 homes.

In the state of Missouri, the company founded by Raúl Morales, has a project with 302 MW of installed capacity through its SF7 tracker. This project, located in Atchison County, also uses bifacial modules to increase energy generation. It is Soltec’s largest project in the US and the third-largest in the country. The project started in 2023 and is expected to be operational by late 2024. It will provide energy to power over 100,000 homes and prevent the emission of over 400,000 tons of CO2 annually.

Just a year ago, the company secured a 56 MW project on the island of Oahu, Hawaii, where it supplied its SF7 tracker to one of the world’s largest energy companies. This project, located in Waianae, is in an area with strong winds and extreme weather conditions, requiring Soltec to adapt its solar trackers to the necessary technical and environmental specifications. The project was completed in 2023 and produces enough energy to power over 15,000 homes.

These projects reflect Soltec’s commitment to the development of photovoltaic solar energy in the United States. The Spanish company has capitalized on the opportunities offered by this growing market, establishing itself as a reliable provider and leader in innovation. Its high-quality, efficient, and sustainable solar trackers perfectly adapt to the conditions and regulations of each project, thereby contributing to the advancement of energy transition in the country.

Soltec thus emerges as a company illuminating the future of the United States with cutting-edge solar technology, asserting itself as a reference in the photovoltaic sector and a strategic partner for sustainable energy progress.