Located in a city named Lostant in LaSalle County, Illinois, Solitude II is a 3-MW community solar project brought to life by Nexamp, a solar developer that works with communities, businesses, and municipalities to democratize clean energy and support U.S. energy independence. As one of the leading clean energy providers within the community solar industry, Nexamp has a long history of working hand in hand with Terrasmart to kickstart new solar opportunities. As a key partner of Terrasmart and a long-time customer of TerraTrak 2P, Nexamp was keen to utilize TerraTrak 1P for its value-engineered, wind-resilient design and ease of installation.

With an unbiased view of 1P vs 2P tracker configurations, our engineers were highly equipped to advise Nexamp on the best-fit olution for the Solitude II site. With a focus on reducing project costs through fewer parts and efficient installation, we found that TerraTrak 1P was the best solution for the site’s 10% grade and flat topography.

One of the key benefits of utilizing TerraTrak 1P is that it required fewer foundations. For this project, the two-string rows required seven foundations, while the one-string rows required only four foundations. This is because TerraTrak 1P’s zero-degree stow reduces static and dynamic wind loads, resulting in fewer foundations per MW. This, in turn, results in fewer materials needed and faster installation, saving time and money for the developer.

TerraTrak 1P also boasts 30% fewer components resulting in faster installation. Our new spherical bushings have resulted in a 73% reduction in bushing assembly parts,
ensuring a quicker and more efficient installation process. The spherical shape allows for more tolerances and efficient torque tube alignment, making it easier to install.
The tracker’s easy wire management design also helps to facilitate faster wire installation and save on skilled labor. Additionally, the efficient wire layout requires fewer materials and ensures long-term safety and reliability by routing the wiring along the torque tube.

TerraTrak 1P is easily paired with driven pile or ground screw foundations. In this case, we paired the tracker with our patented ground screws to eliminate the risk of refusal and ensure no schedule delays.

Our engineering team spent over 500 hours conducting wind tunnel testing in collaboration with RWDI to determine the optimal balance of wing length, stiffness, and damping. This led us to determine that a zero-degree stow angle would greatly reduce static and dynamic wind forces, while dampers would ensure aeroelastic stability. Through our resilient design, TerraTrak 1P can easily withstand the 105 mph wind load incurred at Lostant, Illinois.

Our seasoned team of experts installed the site’s 5,616 modules and 2,016 ground screws, completing the project on time and on budget.