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Utilitas Trac Series 
Storm Hardened Solar Tracking Solution

Solar Photovoltaic(PV) Power has many advantages as a resilient power source, including the ability to provide power after a natural disaster. While solar arrays can survive severe weather events, in some case systems are compromised and left unable to provide power- Hotchkiss 2016

SEMS Utilitas Trac Series is a ground-mounted storm hardened single-axis solar tracker that was engineered using the optimal combination of steel and aluminum. This Series was developed for use in the Commercial and Utility-scale solar tracking markets. SEMS field-proven and patent-pending technologies are all incorporated into the Utilitas Trac Series making it a resilient, cost-effective, and efficient horizontal single-axis solar tracker. Lifetime value is optimized by reducing risks and maximizing energy yield that will deliver a bankable Levelized Cost of Energy. This helps project developers and asset owners realize the best performance from their projects.

Consistent Performance, Elevated Energy Yield & Lower OPEX

Utilitas Trac Series achieves a balance between tracker operation (i.e. performance), energy yield, and operation and maintenance costs (OPEX). This reduces risk in real world conditions while ensuring the solar modules can produce energy for the longest amount of time. Delivering a bankable and consistent levelized cost of energy over the system life while reducing operating costs, by decreasing the amount of planned and unplanned maintenance.

  • More solar modules per row achieved with decoupled racking, distributed drives, and independent rows. ​​

    • Optimized for 1000 and 1500 volt strings.

    • ​Up to 320 with Utilitas 8.0 and 160 with Utilitas 4.0

  • Superior yield with one real-time sensor with back up control per control box.

    • One decentralized control box per 10 linear actuators

    • Tracking range from +/- 35° to +/- 50° depending on model

  • Access between rows is increased by having no mechanical components between rows using 240V AC linear actuators instead of link drive architecture.​

    • Eliminates additional solar panels and batteries of self-powered drives.

    • Removes the expense of battery replacement.

  • Autonomous decentralized control boxes mitigate energy loss during planned and unplanned events.

    • One control box per ten linear actuators

  • Grade 5 hardware with Nord Lock wedge lock washers mitigates relaxation and self-loosening of fasteners reducing the risk of damage during critical weather events while reducing the systems OPEX.

Engineer for Strength & Resiliency

Through its effective design, Utilitas Trac Series reduces potential failure points and risks of damage while maintaining reliability, strength, and system performance in real-world conditions.

  • ​​Constructed of closed-form 6005A Aluminum and galvanized steel.

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  • Reduces the risk of extreme bending and twisting during critical weather events with decoupled racking sections.

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  • Prevents hole elongation in load-bearing joints by enhancement with our field-proven, patent-pending shock bearing technology.​

    • ​Requires no lubrication or maintenance.

  • Distributed drives and decoupled racking sections minimize wind-induced oscillation

    • Eliminates the need for damper and stow technologies.

  • Mitigates relaxation and self-loosening of fasteners with grade 5 hardware with Nord-Lock wedge lock washers.

Flexibility & Optimal Panel Density

Decoupled sections with independent row architecture and distributed drives optimize flexibility and panel density with respect to site layout, construction, and maintenance of even the most irregular shaped sites or non-adjacent lots.

  • Design permits the construction of any row length up to forty decoupled racking sections.

  • Enhanced row length flexibility with distributed 240 volt AC linear actuators

    • ​One linear actuator per four sections of racking.

  • ​Achieves optimal panel density in irregularly shaped sites resulting in optimum ground coverage, energy yield, and performance under real-world conditions with two different models.

    • Utilitas 4.0

    • Utilitas 8.0​

  • Piles and poles are designed to work with a variety of foundation techniques.

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  • Mitigates relaxation and self loosening of fasteners with grade 5 hardware with Nord-Lock wedge lock washers

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  • Self-aligning racks allow up to 10° grade along row axis making it ideal for challenging terrain.

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Streamlined Installation

Utilitas Trac Series features bolted connections using standardized hardware. Only standard tools and equipment are necessary for assembly. The efficient design allows for it to be assembled in a logical, step-by-step manner with no additional steps required to square racking.

  • Solar panels can be mounted without the use of ladders.

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  • Assembly is achieved with bolted connections requiring only basic hand tools.

    • No additional steps to square racking.

    • Field cutting, drilling, or welding are not required for assembly.

  • Kitted solution with no third-party sourcing of additional components.

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  • Rapid and secure solar module installation with our simple and robust dual clamp design. ​

    • Twice the resistance to critical wind events over the standard single clamp design;​

    • ​Nord-Lock wedge-locking washers mitigate the effects of severe vibration and dynamic loads caused by wind that loosens module fasters.

Lifetime Quality & Value

The Utilitas Trac Series offers quality and reliability while mitigating risks.  SEMS  design principles and field-proven technologies make the Utilitas Trac Series a robust and cost-effective solution. Creating and adding value for system installers, engineers, operators, and asset owners by reducing risk while delivering a bankable levelized cost of energy.

  • The structural life expectancy of 50-years​.

  • Drive and Control life expectancy of 25-years.

  • Industry-leading warranties;

    • 15-years on structure, drive, and controls​;

    • Extendable to 20-years

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  • Operator Training Program available.

“The selection of framing members comprising a racking system were another determinant of survivability. Light gauge (14–16ga), cold-rolled steel “C” or hat channels are not durable enough to survive severe weather without extreme bending and twisting. These bending forces transfer to the mounted solar modules and lead to breakage. Consulting engineers need to specify frame elements that are sufficiently strong. In general, closed-form (tubular) frame elements with low drag coefficients have proven to be superior to openshaped “C” and hat channels.”-Robinson 2018

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