BMG has extended the supply of Varvel gearboxes for small and medium power applications to include customised worm gearboxes for installation in photovoltaic solar tracking systems.
“As part of BMG’s commitment to providing alternative energy sources, the company works in conjunction with Varvel specialists and South African PV component manufacturers to design sustainable solutions for local conditions,” says Kelly Mac Iver, gears business unit manager, BMG. “Through close collaboration, BMG, Varvel and South African solar tracking manufacturers, PiA Solar SA, have redesigned mechanical drive components for solar tracking systems, to enhance cost-efficiency, increase installation speed and optimise the performance of every PV tracking installation.
“Customised Varvel worm gearboxes – designed to minimise losses associated with the energy conversion process – are incorporated in PiA Solar’s ContouR+ single-axis trackers. These maintenance-free gearboxes maximise efficiency by ensuring solar panels are always in the optimal position to track the sun.”
The PiA Solar tracker solution consists of a horizontal single-axis tracker that is capable of contour tracking the sun, both along and between rows of solar panels (up to 60 modules per row and 32 rows wide). The modular design requires no cutting, drilling or welding on-site and forms a mass-balanced system, reducing wear and self-consumption of the PV plant. The spring structure eliminates deviations in tilt within the rows, reduces peak power requirements of the electrical push-pull drive system, and also protects against oscillation of the system at low tilts.
BMG’s lightweight Varvel worm gearboxes are installed on solar panels to ensure that they are constantly in an optimal position to be able to track the sun. Versatile Varvel RT worm gearboxes have numerous advantages for PV installations, including an ingress protection rating of IP66. Other significant features include a high ratio of 1120:1 and the non-back driveability design for locking the solar panels in place, to resist external forces from moving the panels off their stopped position.
The Varvel range, which is designed for flexibility and interchangeability with other leading gearboxes, as well as easy mounting and quick lead times, enables BMG to offer customised power transmission solutions to users of gearboxes in diverse sectors.
Read more...Why utilities must prioritise maintenance of SA’s remote data Schneider Electric South Africa
Electrical Power & Protection
The story of power generation is more than meets the eye. Beyond energy distribution and the infrastructure are invisible, point of presence data centres located the remotest parts of our country that play a fundamental role in keeping systems running
Read more...The house that revolutionises substations WEG Africa
Electrical Power & Protection
Traditional substations have major drawbacks in terms of their construction and resilience. One solution is the E-house, a prefabricated, customised and transportable steel structure designed to house a range of electrical and automation equipment.
Read more...Localised inverter-integrated transformer
Electrical Power & Protection
ACTOM, South Africa’s largest manufacturer, repairer and distributor of electromechanical equipment, is launching a breakthrough in renewable energy integration with its localised inverter-integrated transform
Read more...ABB innovation for energy efficiency and sustainability
Electrical Power & Protection
The application of sensor technology to reduce the operational and standby power losses of traditional current and voltage transformers can lead to energy savings of 181 MWh over a 30-year period, the lifetime of a typical switchboard in the African environment.
Read more...UPS systems are key to keeping SA’s automotive industry up and running Schneider Electric South Africa
Electrical Power & Protection
During loadshedding, PLCs and OT systems often fail, not because they are directly tied to the factory’s core manufacturing process, but because they are now an integral part of IT infrastructure. When an IT system shuts down, the impact is far more complex than simply restarting machinery.
Read more...ACTOM advances energy infrastructure
Electrical Power & Protection
At this critical juncture where South Africa is poised to modernise its power infrastructure, ACTOM’s Engineering Projects and Contracts (EPC) Division showcased its capabilities for the first time at Enlit Africa 2025.
Read more...Advanced contactor solution to revolutionise motor management Schneider Electric South Africa
Electrical Power & Protection
Schneider Electric South Africa has launched the TeSys Deca Advanced, an advanced contactor solution designed to revolutionise motor management with unparalleled efficiency, reliability, simplicity and sustainability.
Read more...Steaming ahead with boiler skills development
Electrical Power & Protection
As an expert in steam and boiler operations and maintenance, AES is very focused on safety, quality, technology advancement and the development of human capital. The company invests heavily in training and the promotion of talented people on an equal opportunity basis into the industrial operations environment.
While every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of the information contained herein, the publisher and its agents cannot be held responsible for any errors contained, or any loss incurred as a result. Articles published do not necessarily reflect the views of the publishers. The editor reserves the right to alter or cut copy. Articles submitted are deemed to have been cleared for publication. Advertisements and company contact details are published as provided by the advertiser. Technews Publishing (Pty) Ltd cannot be held responsible for the accuracy or veracity of supplied material.