RBI Solar

The innovative Sunflower II design from RBI Solar is not bound by the limitations of other commercial single-axis tracker systems. Accommodating variable slope tolerances, and having adjustable row lengths up to 120 modules, allows this system the flexibility to adapt to a variety of site conditions that used to impact tracker designs. With over 600 MW of single-axis trackers deployed across the United States since entering the tracker market in 2018, RBI Solar has established itself as a top manufacturer of solar tracking systems in the North American renewable energy sector.

The system is engineered to operate on North/South slopes up to 15%, which reduces the costs associated with civil work on potential projects. Combined with multiple foundation design options, Sunflower® II can be installed on relatively flat sites with standard soil conditions, undulating terrain with stiff/rocky soils, or even landfill/brownfield sites with the addition of a specially engineered ballast block. Based on independent studies led by RBI Solar, on projects with terrain slopes of 5% or more, civil cost savings of Sunflower® II were commonly shown to be $0.03/w more compared to other typical torque tube system architectures.

The revolutionary Gearbox and Drivetrain technologies eliminate the need for dampeners by utilizing a distributed row technology, making O&M simple. No special tooling or heavy equipment is required to install the system. Each Sunflower II system is custom designed to meet the unique specifications of each project site.

The Sunflower® II features four main areas of innovation to better serve the commercial single-axis tracker marketplace.

• Drivetrain Technology – The Drivetrain system connects the Gearboxes at the top of each foundation and carries the power from the Motor to rotate PV Modules throughout the day. The Drivetrain has been engineered to operate on undulating topography, ensuring that the Sunflower® II system can operate on any grade changes up to 15%.
• Enhanced Communications & Controls – Each row of the Sunflower® II system operates independently, so software upgrades to the Communications & Controls systems ensures every row is rotating in conjunction with one another. This accounts for backtracking.
• Field Support Services – RBI Solar has dedicated Project Managers and certified installation teams that are capable of ensuring each Sunflower® II system is properly installed and commissioned. Our installation crews are required to complete mandatory training and must follow QAQC protocol in order to install the Sunflower® II system.
• Integrated Wire System – Along with the complete mounting system, the Sunflower® II is equipped with an integrated electronic balance of systems (eBos) that ranges from wiring to combiner boxes.

RBI Solar designs, engineers, manufactures, and installs the most cost effective and efficient commercial/utility scale solar mounting systems in the North American Marketplace. With professionally licensed design and engineering teams in house, along with multiple domestic manufacturing facilities, RBI Solar is able to provide a large scope of services to our customers with a focus on reducing overall project costs in each step of the process.