Dust-resistant! igubal upright bearing without lubrication aligns solar panels

The maintenance-free and durable igubal upright bearing reliably and maintenance-free aligns solar modules. (Source: igus GmbH)

In order for solar panels to efficiently generate energy, solar park operators rely on movable modules that automatically align themselves according to the sun's position, ensuring a high energy yield. Specifically for storing the modules on square profiles, igus has developed the igubal upright bearing ESQM and has now expanded it with two additional sizes. This provides plant operators worldwide with a maintenance-free, dust- and dirt-resistant solution, whose durability has been tested in the laboratory and is guaranteed for 25 years.

An industry currently experiencing a boom is the photovoltaic industry. In the first half of 2020 alone, 20% more systems were put into operation in Germany compared to 2019. This is shown by the figures from the German Solar Industry Association. But not only in Germany; worldwide, solar energy is being adopted. In Spain, photovoltaic systems account for 19% of electricity generation. Manufacturers of such photovoltaic fields face increasing competition and thus pressure to reduce costs. The goal is to keep the cost of electricity production particularly low and to maximize the utilization of the modules. To achieve this, more operators are turning to bifacial modules, which capture incoming light not only from the front but also from the back of the module. For secure storage of solar panels on square tubes, igus has developed a reliable tested solution made of high-performance plastic with the igubal upright bearing series ESQM. "Due to the high demand for our bearings in the solar industry, we have now expanded our series to include sizes 100x100mm and 140x140mm. In sizes 110x110mm and 120x120mm, the bearing has already been used 500,000 times on square tubes worldwide. With the new sizes, we can now also offer a durable solution to other providers," explains Richard Won, Industry Manager Renewable Energy at igus GmbH.

Test shows: Bearing lasts 72 years

The igubal bearing consists of a plastic housing made of igumid G and a spherical element made of iglidur J4. The tribopolymer materials ensure that the bearing is UV-resistant and corrosion-free. Additionally, the upright bearing is completely maintenance-free, making it insensitive to dust and dirt. It also compensates for misalignments, for example, caused by uneven surfaces. In the company's own 3,800-square-meter test laboratory, the lifespan, wear resistance, and load capacity were simulated and tested under real conditions of daily movement. The number of movements achieved under a load of 1.5 tons corresponds to a lifespan of 72 years. Therefore, igus guarantees a service life of 25 years, which is equivalent to the standard lifespan of a solar module.