Axial’s engineering team achieves a unique design adapted to the special characteristics of this large photovoltaic project
Axial Structural has just announced that it will supply 375Mw of ground mounting systems for the largest photovoltaic plant built in the UK to date. This is a new milestone for the Valencian company in the British market, which it leads as the main designer and manufacturer of trackers and fixed structural systems.
The design of the structures is characterized by its uniqueness and complete customization to adapt to all the customer’s needs in a particularly complex project due to its dimensions, location and terrain conditions.
This new plant will generate more than 350Mw of clean and renewable energy, which will allow to feed annually more than 91,000 homes. This translates into a reduction of up to 68,000 tons of CO2 emissions per year.
Ad hoc photovoltaic structures
In the words of Antonio Robredo, Chief Sales Officer, “the great challenge for Axial has been to carry out a 100% customized project to offer an optimal structural design that ensures maximum utilization of a plant of this size. We have adapted to all the client’s demands, both in terms of configurations and heights, as well as weather and terrain requirements. A meticulous job has been done. It has required the maximum effort of our entire team. So ee are very proud of this new project, which keeps us as a leader in the UK”.
Specifically, up to 5 different table configurations have been used, all of them gabled to obtain a better use of solar energy. These configurations stand out for the enormous size they reach with different minimum heights, ranging from one meter to two meters, reaching a maximum height of 4 meters.
Another of the main challenges faced by the engineering team has been to adapt to the demands of the location of the park, the peculiar geotechnical and meteorological conditions of the area, which are characterized by constant rainfall and high exposure to corrosion and strong winds.
Finally, in addition to direct ramming, screw foundations were also used in those soils with low bearing capacity or where environmental requirements were demanded.
Prototype and ongoing technical support
Given the technical requirements of the project, Robredo explained that “a prototype of the photovoltaic structures was made, and certain installation procedures were proposed for a table of this size so that the client could verify that they met their needs, while ensuring maximum quality and safety”.
In addition, the company also offers the customer ongoing on-site consulting and quality control and technical assistance from all departments.
2Gw in the United Kingdom
With this new macro project, which has already started up, Axial strengthens its leadership in the English market. A market where it is already the number one supplier of fixed structures with 2Gw supplied.
It should be noted that the company has been responsible for supplying four of the ten largest solar plants in the country to date.
Among the fifty or so projects it has developed in the United Kingdom, some of its main projects include the 69.2 MW Porth Wen, the 65 MW Defford Airfield, the 70 MW Burwell and the 67 MW Breach Farm.
Axial Structural
Axial Structural Solutions, integrated in the Energy and Infrastructure division of Grupo Alonso, has established itself as an international benchmark in the design and manufacture of fixed structural systems and solar trackers for photovoltaic installations.
Our hallmark is our commitment to a high level of technological development, which allows us to provide great advances in the design and manufacture of structures and solar trackers.
Axial is present throughout the project, from its initial design to its execution, to achieve through our products and services the excellence and satisfaction of all our customers.
