QBotix, which harnesses the power of robotic tracking to optimize solar plant operation, announced on January 13th its further international expansion through a 45 MW supply contract with UK-based developer Castillium. QBotix will provide the Robotic Tracking System (RTS) for use in Castillium’s pipeline of more than 200 MW of ground-mounted solar PV projects throughout the UK.
The combination of up to 45% more energy generation and similar installation costs results in RTS project cost savings of up to 20% over traditional mounting systems.
“Castillium is delighted to be working with QBotix. QBotix’s innovative approach to reducing the cost of solar tracking technology will improve the financial competitiveness of solar PV projects across the UK, extending the range of solar PV as commercial pressures increase through reducing tariffs,” said Derek Mitchell, Castillium Director.
QBotix and Castillium expect the first projects to begin construction in the middle of 2014.
“QBotix is pleased to begin this relationship with the experienced Castillium team,” said Matt Lugar, QBotix VP of Sales & Marketing. “Their intelligent focus on distributed generation projects is a perfect fit for the RTS, which is able to optimize energy production at high latitudes and in irregularly shaped land parcels.”
The RTS’s flexible project design capabilities and its optimized daily and annual power curve maximize the quantity and quality of power production, while enabling efficient utilization of available land area and dual-use with agriculture or other activities.
QBotix has already successfully installed projects in Japan in 2013. As part of its international expansion, QBotix will exhibit at several international conferences this year, including PV Expo 2014 in Tokyo, Japan February 26-28 and Intersolar Europe in Munich, Germany June 4-6.