Efficient solar panel systems require a precisely designed support structure

Simplicity and flexibility are the hallmarks of Szermann Kft. products, which are manufactured with precision and designed with the involvement of Orha Művek Zrt. as a strategic supplier. As one of the most modern machine parks in the country, steel structure manufacturing and construction company in Hungary, Orha Művek demonstrates its commitment to quality by ensuring that the load-bearing capacity of the delivered trusses is verified in each case by a structural engineer.

"As a support structure manufacturer, we are responsible for the design and use of materials for the support structures of solar power plants, for which Orha Művek manufactures the essential Z-elements and other profiles for Szermann support structures at its Nyíregyháza plant."

- Anna Bánlaky, Business Development Manager of Szermann Kft., who added that Szermann and Orha Művek have started a development cooperation focused on improving the production of Szermann supports, aiming to increase production efficiency and introduce innovative solutions.

Szermann also offers solutions for residential and industrial use, and manufactures and distributes a wide range of support structures. Among the wide range of products, the East-West support structure stands out, which has recently been chosen by an increasing number of customers. This type of support structure has been sold for more than 20 MW of power systems this year alone.

Simple and durable

"Many people already choose this type for the benefits it offers in terms of area utilisation, but we also recommend it for those who are looking for a solar tracker but don't have the time and energy to deal with solar tracker failures in the long term and want reliable, balanced performance with maximum area utilisation."

- added Anna Bánlaky, as there are many arguments in favour of their product over solar tracking systems.

Perhaps the most important of these is the higher space utilization, as East-West mounting structures allow more solar panels to be placed on a given area than uniaxial solar trackers. Because the panels are arranged in a compact layout and there is no need for shading distance due to movement, East-West configurations can maximize the use of available space, making them ideal in cases where space is limited.

Because of their simpler design, they also require less engineering than single-axis sun trackers, which incorporate motors and tracking mechanisms. This simplicity means lower installation and maintenance costs. As there are no moving parts in these systems, there is also less potential for failure, which translates into longer life. This can be particularly important in remote or hard-to-reach locations where maintenance is challenging and costly.

Reduced wind load, consistent performance

In the East-West support structure, the panels are closer to the ground due to the smaller tilt angle and form a more stable structure than uniaxial solar tracking systems (they have a larger wind shadow).

While the uniaxial solar trackers optimise energy production by following the movement of the sun, the East-West support structures provide a consistent energy output throughout the day: the panels can harness early morning and late afternoon sunlight, making the system particularly beneficial for applications where a stable and predictable energy supply is required.