How Do 1P Trackers Improve Utility-Scale Solar Projects on Challenging Terrain?
Gonvarri Solar Steel has successfully completed the supply and commissioning of its 1P trackers for a new photovoltaic project in Spain. Located in the province of Palencia, the solar plant has been developed as part of a hybrid renewable energy project alongside an existing wind farm, with engineering, procurement, and construction (EPC) services delivered by GES Global Energy Services.
This milestone further strengthens Gonvarri Solar Steel’s position as a leading supplier of 1P solar trackers for utility-scale photovoltaic projects across Europe, supporting developers and EPCs with advanced solar tracking technology designed to maximize energy production while reducing project costs.
SmarTSlope Technology: Unlocking Solar Potential on Complex Terrain
One of the biggest challenges facing utility-scale solar development today is the availability of suitable land. As developers increasingly move toward sites with more demanding topography, terrain adaptability has become a critical factor in project design and economics.
For this project, Gonvarri Solar Steel supplied its 1Ptrackers equipped with SmarTSlope technology, an advanced terrain-adaptive solution that adds more than 1 additional degree of variation between piles. This capability complements the inherent flexibility of Solar Steel’s tracking systems, which already accommodate slopes exceeding 15% in both North-South and East-West directions.
By allowing the tracker layout to follow the natural contours of the land more effectively, SmarTSlope significantly reduces the need for grading and earthworks, helping developers optimize site layouts while preserving tracker performance.
Why Terrain Adaptability Matters in Utility-Scale Solar
As solar projects continue to expand across Europe, the ability to develop sites with irregular topography is becoming an increasingly important competitive advantage.
Advanced 1P trackers capable of adapting to terrain variations provide several key benefits:
- Reduced earthworks requirements.
- Lower civil works costs.
- Improved site utilization.
- Greater layout flexibility.
- Faster project execution.
- Enhanced project economics.
- Optimized Levelized Cost of Energy (LCOE).
By minimizing ground preparation activities, developers can reduce CAPEX while maximizing the value of available land, making previously challenging locations more attractive for solar development.
Optimizing LCOE with our 1P Trackers
Reducing project costs while maximizing energy production remains a primary objective for every utility-scale photovoltaic plant.
The combination of 1P solar trackers and SmarTSlope technology allows projects to achieve both goals. Improved terrain adaptation helps reduce construction costs associated with excavation and grading, while solar tracking technology maximizes energy capture throughout the day.
This balance between performance and constructability directly contributes to a more competitive LCOE, enhancing project profitability and long-term asset value.
Reinforcing Solar Steel’s Leadership in Europe
The successful completion of this project further demonstrates why Gonvarri Solar Steel continues to be recognized as one of Europe’s leading providers of 1P trackers.
With an extensive portfolio of utility-scale installations across the continent, the company continues to develop solutions that combine high energy performance, installation efficiency, structural reliability, and advanced terrain adaptability.
As suitable flat land becomes increasingly scarce, technologies such as SmarTSlope are helping developers unlock new opportunities for photovoltaic deployment while maintaining the performance standards required by modern solar projects.
The Future of Utility-Scale Solar Is Terrain-Adaptive
The evolution of utility-scale solar is no longer defined solely by energy generation. It is increasingly shaped by how effectively projects can adapt to real-world site conditions.
By combining high-performance 1P trackers with advanced terrain-following capabilities, Gonvarri Solar Steel is helping developers reduce constraints, improve project economics, and expand the range of viable locations for solar deployment.
This latest project in Spain demonstrates how intelligent engineering and innovative tracking solutions can transform challenging terrain into a strategic advantage for utility-scale solar development.
FAQ
How do 1P solar trackers improve project economics on challenging terrain?
1P trackers equipped with advanced terrain-adaptive technologies such as SmarTSlope allow solar plants to follow natural land contours more effectively. By reducing earthworks requirements, lowering civil works costs, and maximizing site utilization, developers can optimize project CAPEX and achieve a more competitive Levelized Cost of Energy (LCOE) without compromising energy production.