Roller Chain For Solar Panel Drives
With renewable energy on the rise, solar farming has become increasingly prevalent worldwide. Here at USA Roller Chain, we are embracing the future of viable renewable energy by providing drive solutions for your solar tracking systems. As one of the nation’s leading authorities on power transmission, we’ve composed the following article outlining the products we supply for driven solar tracking systems. This article covers the specifics of the chains we recommend for this application, taking into account operational parameters, precision, and lifespan.
Table of contents
Best Roller Chains for Solar Panel Positioning
Whether you are using a single-axis or a dual-axis solar tracking system, positioning is essential for maintaining optimal solar harvesting. Roller chains play the crucial role of creating a secure connection between the moving parts of the system and a motor or actuator. This leads us to recommend using a premier series / premium roller chain, which has the tightest dimensional tolerances out of any roller chain we offer. This improvement in tolerance not only prolongs the chain’s life but is instrumental in ensuring that your positions are to the best degree of accuracy when using a chain drive. Loosely assembled roller chains of inferior quality tend to elongate at a faster rate, diminishing sprocket lifespan and disrupting a solar tracking system’s optimal positioning.
Best Roller Chain to Prevent Corrosion in Solar Drives
When it comes to the environment, roller chains for solar panels are often exposed to corrosive conditions outdoors. Due to this, we highly recommend 304-grade stainless steel roller chains for their superior corrosion-resistant properties. Alternatively, for non-stainless anti-corrosive options, there are nickel-plated or coated series chains. The issue with these other options is that non-stainless chains will eventually rust, unless they are sealed in a watertight housing of some sort, which is not only costly but can also create problems in terms of solar tracking system designs. However, not all stainless-steel roller chains are created equally. Outside of the basic tolerances and assembly processes of the chain, most manufacturers still use carbon tooling when manufacturing stainless steel chains to reduce manufacturing costs. This can sometimes cause the stainless components to become impregnated with traces of carbon steel, exceeding the 0.08% maximum carbon content that truly qualifies a stainless steel grade as 304. Eventually, this will result in rust on the exterior of a stainless roller chain. When rust gets introduced to a chain, especially in precision applications, it can cause binding, which can lead to added stresses on the chain and supporting drive components, diminishing the lifespan of the entire tracking drive system. Our premium stainless steel roller chains are manufactured with specialized tooling that ensures no carbon is added to the chain components, eliminating the risk of rust in the long run.
Roller Chain Sprockets for Solar Panel Positioning
Likewise, for the roller chain, we recommend using 303 or 304-grade stainless steel sprockets, or in some scenarios, plastic sprockets. Operating a stainless roller chain with standard carbon steel sprockets is not only un-recommended, but it also diminishes the lifespan of the chain and performance of the system due to rust buildup in the roots of the sprocket teeth. We supply a complete line of stainless steel or plastic sprockets for both ANSI and ISO BS Metric chain sizes. Stainless steel sprockets are a more cost-effective solution because the standard production of plastic sprockets is minimal compared to stainless steel. In most cases, plastic sprockets are made-to-order items. One of the only scenarios where a plastic roller chain sprocket would be recommended over a stainless steel sprocket is if the solar drive system needed to meet weight restrictions.
Bearings for Solar Panel Positioning
In addition to the chain and sprockets, we also supply rod-end bearings and sleeve bearings to support solar positioning systems. Like other components, bearings should be made from anti-corrosive materials to prevent rust and corrosion in the system. Smooth bearing operation is essential in solar farming due to its lower energy consumption and the need to maintain movement to the highest degree of efficiency.
Advantages of Roller Chain for Solar Panel Positioning
Roller chains offer several advantages over belt drives or linear bearing units. Because of this, many engineers and designers for solar farm operations are utilizing roller chains for their drive systems.
- Lifespan - Roller chains made from stainless steel tend to last longer due to their resistance to UV damage and ability to withstand harsh environments.
- Strength - Stainless steel roller chains offer an advantage in terms of strength compared to other drive types. This is beneficial for solar farms situated in extreme conditions, as roller chains will offer superior holding power compared to other options.
- Flexibility - chains offer vast flexibility in design, allowing for more options when designing your solar farm.
- Lower Cost – When compared to other drive options, roller chains have an exponentially lower cost, considering both maintenance and potential downtime.
Roller Chain Selection for Solar Panel Drives
Below is a list of our standard premium ANSI and Metric stainless steel roller chains. We supply a complete line of sprockets in corresponding chain sizes, along with attachments. For additional information or to request a quote, contact our customer service team, and we will assist you promptly!
High Strength Stainless Steel Roller Chains
In environments that are extreme and may be subject to high winds and other environmental factors that put a strain on solar positioning systems, we offer a high-strength stainless steel roller chain (listed below) that has nearly the same tensile strength as its carbon steel equivalent size! We also recommend this chain if your solar farm is located in a remote area or is essential for core grid support in specific scenarios.
Maintenance on Roller Chains for Solar Positioning Drives
Since a roller chain, sprocket, and bearing are still considered mechanical wear items, it is imperative to inspect and clean these components on a routine basis to prevent unexpected failures.
- Inspection – for the chain, inspection involves simply checking the chain to look for cracking in the side plates or other notable wear and looking for elongation by measurement or using one of our roller chain wear gauges. For the sprockets, check for tooth hooking or uneven wear of the tooth profile. With the bearings, check for noises when they are in motion, inspect any seals (if present), and re-grease as needed.
- Cleaning – With components made from stainless steel or polymer, cleaning should be minimal; however, it may still be necessary to prevent buildup on motion components. Using a penetrant that is safe for stainless steel and polymer should suffice for this task.
Overview:
- The Best Roller Chains for Solar Panel Positioning Drives
- Best Roller Chains to Prevent Corrosion in Solar Drives
- Roler Chain Sprockets for Solar Positioning Drives
- Bearings for Solar Panel Positioning Drives
- The Advantages of Roller Chain for Solar Panel Positioning
- Maintenance for Your Roller Chain
For additional information, please contact our sales team at (407) 347-3519 or email sales@usarollerchain.com. We will be happy to assist you.
Connor Eversen
This article was written by Connor Eversen, Vice President of Sales & Marketing
