Plastic Bearings for Solar Technology

Always the correct angle to the sun: This is guaranteed for the SolarOptimus tracking systems at the sower power plants of the Conergy AG. The two-axle drive systems controlled by an astronomical algorithm increase the yield of environment-friendly energy by around 30%.

For the maintenance-free operation of the plants for long periods under extreme weather conditions, Conergy decided on components from igus® for both the bushings and rod end bearings and linear units.

Tracking increases yields
The task of the system is to always ideally position the solar generators in the direction of the solar incident radiation - an investment that pays off for the operator, because you can increase the energy yield by more than 30% with a two-axis tracking system.

All bearing positions of the SolarOptimus are equipped with igus® products: the iglide® plastic bearings at the main axles of the about 66-feet long framework system provide for low-friction and maintenance-free bearing.

The integrated solid lubricant of the high-performance polymer allows the freedom to avoid dirt-attracting lubricants. This is a central requisite for the long service life of the bearing under the given application conditions.

Conergy employs iglide® G300, the "all-purpose" among the numerous iglide® materials, which is suited for pivoting and rotating movements at low to medium speeds. The insensitivity to dirt is another important property of the iglide® G300 bearings.

As a result, the developers deliberately avoided complex drive systems and used simple-structured, but high-quality components. This applies for the motors as well as for the bearing positions.

Throughout development, the frequently arid locations of the solar plants had to be taken into account, as sand and fine dust become environmental factors.

Linear guide carriage for motor relief
The drylin® W carriages provide for accurate linear guidance of the axles. The drylin® W carriage housing made of rugged zinc die casting moves on a stable rail profile; the tribological pairing of hard anodized aluminum (rail) and iglide® liner (housing) creates the precondition for low-friction operation without "stick/slip" effects.

The mounting plate for the support of the moving components was adapted by igus® at the request of the Conergy developers. Sand and dust can do no harm to this guide carriage: They are simply pushed away in the "snow-shovel effect" without impairing the glide properties.

For the coupling bars which interconnect the solar module mounting, Conergy opted for igubal® rod end bearings.

These connectors take high loads, have excellent dampening properties and at the same time weigh only a fifth of the weight of conventional metallic bearing housings.

Most importantly, the rod end bearings remain maintenance-free even when the environment is stressed by fine dust or abrasive pollutants. There is no danger of fretting or jamming, and the integrated solid lubricants provide for low friction with extreme abrasion resistance.