ROOF
TRACKER®
The first roof-mounted tracker for high-output utility-scale photovoltaic systems
The ROOFTRACKER® Contact Italia is a single-axis solar tracker designed and manufactured in Italy for utility-scale, rooftop and ground-mounted systems. It features east-west tracking and point-to-point wireless communication, enabling flexible system configurations and reduced installation times.
Why choose ROOFTRACKER®
Why choose ROOFTRACKER®
Increased manufacturability
Thanks to the east-west solar tracking with an inclination of up to 30°, the system allows energy production to be increased by up to +30% compared to fixed structures.
Simple installation
The system is ballasted and does not require pile driving or foundations on the roof. The joints are bolted together; no specialist labour is required and installation times are kept to a minimum.
No data cabling
The Thread mesh network between the TCUs eliminates the need for additional data cables on site: less installation work, fewer points of failure and shorter construction times.
Optimised movement
A single motor is capable of moving several rows of modules, improving efficiency and system management. The panels are connected to one another via connecting profiles and a single drive shaft, with a tracking accuracy of 0.1°.
Resistance to wind and turbulence
The system was developed through CFD simulations and subsequently validated in a wind tunnel, ensuring effective management of aerodynamic forces.
Reduced loads on the roof
The system is designed to unload forces onto the structure itself, avoiding the transfer of dynamic stresses onto the roof.
The ROOFTRACKER® was created to meet the real needs of roof-mounted photovoltaics: optimising energy production without compromising the building structure.
Designed for utility-scale photovoltaic systems, both rooftop and ground-mounted, it is intended for projects where maximising specific output is crucial to the economic return on investment.
It is an innovative system that achieves up to +30% of producibility compared to fixed structures, while maintaining low loads on the roof and ensuring stability even in windy and turbulent conditions.
ROOFBRAIN
The ROOFTRACKER® is managed by ROOFBRAIN, control logic developed by Contact Italia to optimise the operation of the tracking system.
ROOFBRAIN co-ordinates the tracker's movements and intelligently manages the system's operating conditions.
The architecture is decentralised and comprises three levels: one TCU (Tracker Control Unit) for each individual actuator, a Thread mesh network connecting all the TCUs, and a GATEWAY acting as a remote access point. All status data and commands are accessible via the web, a smartphone or a PC.
Optimised solar tracking
The system automatically adjusts the angle of the panels to follow the sun’s path throughout the day, maximising the amount of sunlight captured, with a tracking accuracy of 0.1° and a built-in backtracking algorithm to reduce mutual shading between rows.
Wind Management
In adverse weather conditions, ROOFBRAIN activates safety mode to protect the structure and the systemif the set gust or average speed thresholds are exceeded — or in the event of a vibration alarm, low battery or remote emergency — the tracker automatically moves to the horizontal position (stowage position).
Automation and reliability
The control logic enables automated system management, improving operational efficiency and reducing the need for manual intervention.
The TCU incorporates a CBIT (Continuous Built-In Test) system that constantly monitors the operation of the electronics and reports any faults.
ROOFBRAIN represents the brain of the ROOFTRACKER®, designed to ensure high performance, security and business continuity.
How ROOF worksTRACKER®
The system uses an east-west uniaxial tracking mechanism, which allows the photovoltaic modules to follow the movement of the sun throughout the day.
The drive is via a central actuator connected to the structure, designed to distribute the forces within the system without burdening the roof.
An inclination of up to 30° improves the capture of solar radiation throughout the day, increasing the overall output of the system.
✔ Increased energy efficiency compared to fixed systems
✔ Reducing loads on the roof
✔ Fast installation without foundations
✔ Modular and scalable system
✔ Optimisation of plant costs
✔ Wireless communication: zero additional field data cabling
A solution designed for those developing roof-mounted photovoltaic systems and looking for higher performance without increasing design complexity.
The modularity of the system makes it ideal for utility-scale rooftop and ground-mounted photovoltaic systems, including large-scale ones, where the increase in productivity can generate a significant improvement in the economic return on investment.
The ROOFTRACKER® is designed to simplify every stage of the project.
The tests made it possible to analyse the aerodynamic behaviour of the structure during movement and in different operating configurations, optimising system stability and stress distribution.
The result is a solution designed to offer high wind resistance, maximum reliability over time and structural safety for flat roof installations.
The ROOFTRACKER® Contact Italia was tested in a wind tunnel, simulating typical industrial roofing scenarios.
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