Advanced PV Tracking System

SunPower has introduced the SunPower C7 Tracker, a solar photovoltaic (PV) tracking system that concentrates the sun’s power seven times to achieve what the company claims could be “the lowest levelized cost of electricity (LCOE) for utility-scale solar power plants available today.” The C7 Tracker combines single-axis tracking technology with rows of parabolic mirrors, reflecting light onto 22.8% efficient SunPower Maxeon solar cells. Using mirrors to reduce the number of solar cells required to generate electricity lowers the LCOE by up to 20% compared to competing technologies, the company says. For example, a 400-MW C7 Tracker power plant requires less than 70 MW of SunPower solar cells. The C7 Tracker uses modular solar cell receivers, allowing for future upgrades. The SunPower advanced Tracker Monitoring and Control System provides wireless control of the power plant for increased operating efficiency and reduced maintenance cost. (us.sunpowercorp.com)