Roller Chain for Solar Panel Positioning and Solar Farms

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.