Spectrafy - Model ST-5 -Sun Tracker
By employing the latest advances in tracker technology, the ST-5 makes direct and POA irradiance measurements refreshingly simple and affordable for research and industry alike.
- Compatible sensors: SolarSIM-D2, SolarSIM-G, third-party pyrheliometers.
- Technology: Dual/single-axis, SPA-based, automated sun tracker.
- Highlights: State-of-the-art technology ensures the optimal combination of performance and price for all applications.
By employing the latest advances in tracker technology, the ST-5 achieves a breakthrough in the cost of accurate, reliable solar tracking.
The ST-5’s compact size and weight make transport, installation and maintenance refreshingly simple and affordable. With a payload limit of 5 kg, the ST-5 can be configured to hold up to 4 direct or global SolarSIMs, or an equivalent mass of non-Spectrafy instruments.
The ST-5’s automated control box employs a highly accurate and efficient solar positioning algorithm to determine the sun’s location, while the precision engineered hardware ensures pointing accuracy of ±0.1º. For custom uses, optional PC-based software allows manual control.
The on-board GPS automatically configures time and location upon start-up and eliminates internal clock drift, while the ST-5’s integrated leveling feet, azimuth adjustment and tie-down bolts enable swift and easy installation via the integrated bubble level.
Performance
- Pointing accuracy : ± 0.1 º
- Payload : 5 kg
- Elevation range : 0º to 125º
- Azimuth range : 0º to 360º
- Over-rotation protection : Physical limit stops
- Tracking mode : SPA based (open loop)
- Heating : Optional
- Control : Automated control box or RS-485 ASCII direct to PC
General
- Weight : 6 kg
- Dimensions (W x D x H) : 233 x 140 x 235 mm
- Power supply and use : 12 VDC, 34W in motion, 4W when idle, ~70 Whr/day
- Operating temperature range : -25°C to +55 °C (-40°C to +65 °C optional)
- Humidity range : 0 to 100% RH
- Environmental protection : IP66
- Standard cable length : 10 m
The go-to solution for a wide range of applications.
- Solar R&D : The most affordable and flexible direct irradiance measurement platform for R&D. The ST-5`s software allows for unmatched flexibility in tracker control.
- Meteorological networks : Upgrade your network with the ST-5 to realise lower longterm maintenance costs.
- Solar resource assessment - DNI : The ST-5 makes on-site DNI measurements a feasible and affordable component of resource measurement campaigns - significantly reducing the expanded uncertainty of PV performance models.
- Solar resource assessment - POAI : The ST-5 can be deployed in elevation-only mode, mounted with the SolarSIM-GPV, in order to measure spectrally corrected, plane-of-array irradiance. Thereby providing the most accurate assessment of the solar resource for modern PV plants.
- Solar power plant O&M : Better monitor, understand and optimize your PV asset in real-time with on-site DNI measurements.
- CSP & CPV : The ST-5 represents a big step towards routine, affordable DNI measurements for CSP and CPV plants.
- Custom applications : The ST-5 Sun tracker can be controlled/programmed by the user to follow custom positioning algorithms.