On October 30, the Solar Energy Association of Ukraine held a joint webinar with the Polish company Energy5, a leading Polish manufacturer of solutions for the solar energy sector and a member of SEAU.
The topic of the meeting was “Solar Trackers: Improving Energy Efficiency with Energy5 Solutions”.
The event was moderated by Dmytro Lukomskyi, Advisor to the Chairman of SEAU.
The keynote speaker was Jakub Balter, Commercial Director of Energy5, who presented the technological and economic advantages of tracker systems. Adrian Małachowski, Technical Consultant, complemented the presentation with technical details and provided comprehensive answers to numerous participant questions.
Participants learned how solar tracking systems enable an energy production increase of 15–25% compared to fixed-tilt structures, reduce weather-related impact, and optimize project profitability.
During the presentation, Energy5 representatives discussed:
- structural features of trackers – central motor, damping system, polymer-insert bearings, and a modular axis with Magnelis® coating providing 25-year corrosion protection;
- automatic snow removal and smart tilt angle control depending on wind speed;
- 3D-backtracking function minimizing shading between panel rows;
- ability to integrate with backup power sources (UPS), ensuring a safe panel position in case of a power outage.
Special attention was given to the Agri-PV topic – combining crop cultivation and solar power generation on the same land plot. The speakers demonstrated how partial shading from panels creates a favorable microclimate, protects crops from overheating, and reduces water consumption.
The speakers also showcased implemented projects and presented analytics: annual generation increase of over 13%, and additional income may reach 18% depending on electricity market prices.
Energy5 has over 10 years of experience, 1.5 GW of manufacturing capacity, and 6 GW of installed structures in Europe. The webinar became an important event for EPC contractors, developers, investors, and equipment manufacturers interested in implementing innovative solutions to improve PV plant efficiency.
“Trackers are a technology that not only increases production, but also makes solar generation more flexible, resilient, and profitable. Ukrainian companies already have all the opportunities to actively adopt it”, emphasized webinar moderator Dmytro Lukomskyi.
Q&A: Everything You Wanted to Know About Energy5 Solar Trackers
During the webinar, participants asked many technical and practical questions, which Energy5 experts answered in detail. Below are key discussion points.
Safety & Reliability
- Wind load: the system automatically enters stow mode at wind speeds above 50 km/h (13.9 m/s). Automation filters short-term gusts to avoid false triggers.
- Snow load: a snow sensor measures snow thickness; if the threshold is exceeded, a snow-shedding mode (east/west tilting) is activated. If strong wind occurs simultaneously, wind-safety mode takes priority.
Efficiency & Generation
- Actual production gain: 13-29%, depending on location. Highest results achieved at sites near the Baltic Sea.
- System energy consumption: minimal – 20 W motors operate in short cycles, having negligible impact on ROI.
- Power supply: mostly from own generation; at night, grid power may be used for emergency procedures.
Finance & Economics
- ROI: calculated based on Polish electricity prices. Payback period is about 7 years, but trackers ensure higher long-term profitability compared to adding extra modules on fixed structures.
- Estimated cost: tracker systems are slightly more expensive due to their structure, but other project costs (inverters, cabling, installation) remain similar to FIX systems.
Warranty & Maintenance
- Warranty:
- 10 years – structure
- 25 years – Magnelis coating
- 2 years – control system (extendable to 5 years)
- Maintenance: performed by specialized O&M companies trained by Energy5. Expected costs – up to €1,000/year, or 10-15% higher than fixed systems.
System Configurations
- Single-axis vs dual-axis: dual-axis systems are more expensive and better for small or demo sites; single-axis trackers are optimal for industrial PV – easier to maintain and more cost-effective.
- Dual-axis production: currently not manufactured by the company.
Webinar participants actively discussed practical aspects of tracker implementation in Ukraine, including for industrial and agro-PV projects. Energy5 experts provided in-depth technical explanations, sparking lively discussion and demonstrating strong market interest in technologies improving solar plant efficiency.
For cooperation inquiries, please contact: Iga Artman, Senior Customer Service Specialist, iartman@energy5.pl, +48 882 808 644
The webinar recording and Energy5 experts’ presentation will be available to members of the Solar Energy Association of Ukraine in the next issue of the “Solar Digest”. We also remind you that SEAU members may request access to recordings of Association sessions and webinars, as well as expert presentations.