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The leading company in design, manufacturing and supply of solar trackers and fixed tilt structures has earned the ISO 45001 certification. This is an international regulation applied to health and safety management system at work; destined to protect workers and visitors against accidents and work-related illnesses. This certification has been created to reduce any harmful factor or risk factor concerning the workers’ physical and mental well-being and it helps to improve the business performance thanks to a safer work environment and healthier staff.

ISO 45001 provides important changes in the health and safety management system that had not been considered on the previous regulation OSHAS 18001.

The principal changes are listed below:

• Understanding of the organization and its proper context.
• Understanding of the needs and expectations from both parties.
• Actions to address risks and opportunities.
• Continuous improvement

The most important change is ‘Continuous Improvement’, since it ensures the commitment of the organization in order to continuously improve their management system year after year, using audits as a main tool.

The ISO 45001 regulation takes the high level structure allowing an easiest integration with the ISO 9001 quality regulation and ISO 14001 environment regulation. Nclave maintains its dedicated commitment with the management systems, in commitment with the next step, the management system (tri integrated) certificate, improving the company competitiveness, making themselves an example to be followed by the rest of competitors.

This new seal of quality adds to the UL3703 solar trackers certification and UL2703 fixed tilt structures certification granted by UL American certifier. Nclave also counts with CE marking, ISO9001, ISO 14001 and IEC 62817 regulations and the DNV-GL certification (bankability). With more than 15 years of experience, Nclave has supplied 5 GW around the world and has offices and production centres on five continents. The multinational offers their customers high quality solutions with the lowest installation, operation and maintenance costs.

The multinational Nclave will supply its single axis tracker mono-row SP160 in two different projects of 110 and 103 MW of power respectively in Chile, as well as another project of 100 MW in United States. In addition, there is a fourth project of 27 MW located on the other side of the Atlantic, in one of the areas with more solar radiation in Colombia, whose sponsor is Trina Solar Energy Spain. These projects make Nclave keep the lead in the Chilean market and embark on large projects in United States and Colombia, markets in which Nclave will strengthen its position over the next few years.

Nclave has the widest range of products in the market; fixed structures, single axis tracker mono-row SP160 and multi-row SP1000 and twin tracker SP240, – the latest design to be incorporated, which has recently received the UL3703 certification, granted by the UL LLC, besides the one already obtained for the mono-row and multi-row models and UL2703 certification for fixed tilt structures. Nclave also has the CE marking, renewed last June due to the integration of the EN 1090 standard for structural component requirements, ISO 9001, ISO 14001, IEC 62817, ISO 14064 and TÜV-NORD certifications (structural security of fixed structures) and DNV-GL (bancability).

Nclave will end 2019 with over 4.5 GW supplied worldwide. With more than 15 years of experience and offices and production centers on five continents, Nclave, is a leading company in the development, design, manufacture, installation and maintenance of fixed tilt structures and solar trackers, including the design and execution of any foundation solution. Nclave offers solutions with the lowest installation costs on the one hand, and, during the life of the project, operation and maintenance.

The company has the largest portfolio of products in the photovoltaic industry: single axis tracker mono-row SP160 and single axis tracker multi-row SP1000, fixed structure and the new twin tracker SP240.

Nclave has designed a new single axis tracker with two rows designed to mitigate the dynamic and aero-elastic risks inherent in large trackers.

One of the main advantages of this tracker is the allowance to a better optimization of the ground (GCR) since it enables more power installation on a smaller surface. It should be noted its great adaptability when installed on terrains with high/changing slopes.

Its configuration in two rows eases the access for maintenance and cleaning works which lets it endorse both the advantages of multi-row and mono-row trackers. All this grants savings in installation, operation and maintenance costs; decrease of commercial components by more than 25% / Mw and a reduction in assembly time of up to 65% / Mw compared with competitors.

With more than 15 years of experience, 3.5 GW deployed and offices and production centers in five continents, Nclave, is a leading company in the development, design, manufacture, installation and maintenance of fixed tilt structures and solar trackers, including the design and execution of any foundation solution. Nclave offers solutions with the lowest installation costs on the one hand, and, during the life of the project, operation and maintenance.

Nclave has obtained the UL3703 certification for its solar trackers granted by the UL LLC.

The American company has a certificate of security and authentication of muti-row SP1000 and mono-row SP160 trackers. This certification was added to the CE marking, renewed last June thanks to the integration of the EN 1090 standard for structural component requirements, ISO 9001, ISO 14001, UL 2703, IEC 62817, ISO 14064 and TÜV NORD –  certifications (structural security of fixed structures) and Black & Veatch (bancability).

Nclave has supplied more than 700 MW of its solar trackers and fixed structures  during the first half of this year 2019 worldwide. With more than 15 years of experience, more than 3.5 GW installed and offices and production centers in the five continents, Nclave is one of the leading companies in the design, manufacture, installation and maintenance of trackers and fixed structures for the photovoltaic solar market.

The structural international regulations are not sufficient to face the current aeroelastic phenomena. Nclave company provide a solution for this emptiness in the field of trackers design.

The innovative process incorporates several requirements to be fulfilled during trackers design, overcoming the deficiency dragged by international standards.

Designed by the photovoltaic company Nclave, this method includes an update which considers the structures behavior in front of dynamic effects as flutter or torsional galloping, which were not taken as relevant until now. Its application has developed, as a result, the new single row tracker SP 160 2V.

It is a fact, that the structural international regulations are insufficient to guarantee the solar trackers integrity while facing aeroelastic phenomena due to wind blow. The new challenges of this industry, going all the way through the maximum optimization of the resources to manage to reduce the LCOE, have led to much bigger trackers than their predecessor. This new reality implies a challenge that neither ASCE nor EUROCODE contemplated within enough consideration.

BACKGROUND, PROBLEMS OF AEROELASTIC INSTABILITY

As well as it happened to the engineers responsible of the design of Tacoma bridge, the optimization in the structures design and the use of new and far more resistant materials have led to slender structures. The static design is not the key factor in structural calculation anymore, making aerodynamic phenomena as flutter critical aspects that condition the tracker design.

Flutter or torsional galloping are aeroelastic non-stationery instabilities. These complex phenomena imply the alternate detachment of vortexes in the back and top sides of the photovoltaic module due to its oscillation.

STUDY OF DYNAMIC BEHAVIOUR

Due to these issues, Nclave detected the need to fulfill several researches to reframe the single row tracker design SP160 2V. Among different analysis, there is the study of aeroelastic wind tunnel, whereby the critical wind speed in which the tracker suffers flutter was calculated. In this study, 62 different configurations were analyzed. One of the main conclusions obtained from this study was that, staying in horizontal position, the critical speed is higher than in the rest of tested positions.

Through CFD analysis and the provisional FEM, the reduction of wind speed between rows and the increase of tension in the tracker due to flutter was evaluated. The conclusion was the existence of an important reduction in the wind impact due to the rows effect.

Combining these studies and tests results with the measurement of the tracker dynamic parameters in an experimental modal test, it is evaluated if it could suffer an aeroelastic instability. This evaluation allows the individualized study per project according to the design speed.

In short, this analysis of structural design, validated by first level engineering, manages to solve the implicit deficiencies of the regulations and offers a solution to the singularities of dynamic behavior in this type of structures.

Nclave manage to keep leading in the design and manufacturing of photovoltaic solar trackers in any configuration, and under any type of request.

Trina Solar, the Chinese leading supplier of global solutions for the photovoltaic sector, has reached an agreement to acquire a controlling interest in Nclave.
This agreement consolidates the strategic one signed this March between both companies; an engagement to jointly develop, commercialize and install integrated solutions for the photovoltaic sector with Nclave’s advanced photovoltaic tracker.
This corporate transaction reinforces Nclave’s position in the photovoltaic tracker market; and boosts the company’s growth plans. This change will enhance Nclave’s strategic plan and global positioning by increasing its already wide client portfolio. Nclave bankability and financial backing also receive a huge boost with the entry of Trina Solar as the new controlling share holder.

Trina Solar Limited, founded in 1997, is one of the leading companies in the solar sector worldwide. Currently, the company is immersed in an ambitious transformation process with the aim of becoming one of the main suppliers of global solutions in the solar sector. The company´s leading position in the industry is based on innovation excellence, high quality products, vertically integrated capacities and an environmentally efficient, responsible management.
This March, which marks the company’s twentieth anniversary, Trina Solar launched the TrinaPro solution; offering an optimized integration of modules-trackers-inverter, with the objective of reducing the LCOE for photovoltaic installations. Nclave will design and integrate trackers and solar structures within the TrinaPro intelligent solutions.

About Nclave,
Nclave was founded by the Clavijo Family and integrated the company with MFV in 2017 together with the participation of the fund Q-Growth. Nclave has over 12 years of experience in renewable energy, having provided more than 2.5 GW’s worth of structures worldwide. It currently has its headquarters in Madrid (Spain), commercial offices on five continents and manufacturing facilities in Navarra (Spain).
Nclave is a leading company in the development, design, manufacturing, installation and maintenance of fixed structures and photovoltaic solar trackers, including completed design services for all foundation solutions. Nclave will continue to offer the widest range of products (fixed structures and single and multi row trackers with any configuration) to the market at large for all photovoltaic solar projects. Nclave solutions represent the minimum investment, installation, operations, and maintenance costs for solar projects today.

The Spanish multinational company, Nclave has initiated the supply of one row solar trackers SP160 in a 70 Mwp power photovoltaic solar park in Mexico. The objective is to carry out the net connection during the month of September.

With this new project, Nclave strengthens its presence in this country that is set to become one of the first ten solar energy providers worldwide over the coming years.

Nclave has over 12 years of track record, 2,5 GW installed and offices and production centres around the world; it is a leading company in the development, design, manufacturing, installation and maintenance of structures and photovoltaic solar trackers, including design and implementation of any foundation solution. Nclave offers minimum costs solutions, on one hand, in installation and, during the project lifetime, in operation and maintenance

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year

The Spanish multinational company NCLAVE (the result of the merger between Grupo Clavijo and MFV Solar) has achieved the IEC 62817:2014 certification, a specific regulation for photovoltaic tracking systems which assesses the quality of relevant components and the tracker as a whole.

One of the strategic objectives of the Spanish company is to offer maximum quality and security in its products and processes to meet the demands of all international markets. The IEC 62817 regulation joins the rest of the regulation certificates achieved such as the CE marked UL2703, the ISO 9001, ISO 14001, ISO 14064 carbon footprint and the TÜV-NORD certification (structural safety of fixed structures) and Black & Veatch (B&V) bankability.

With over 12 years’ experience, 2.5 GW installed and offices and production centres on all five continents, Nclave is a leading company in development, design, manufacturing, installation, and maintenance of structures and trackers for the photovoltaic solar market, including the design and execution of any type of foundation. Nclave offers the lowest installation costs and, during the project’s lifespan, the lowest operational and maintenance costs.

The horizontal single-axis trackers from NCLAVE (comprised of the fusion between Grupo Clavijo and MFV Solar) have been selected by the multinational Fotowatio Renewable Ventures (FRV) for the Clare Solar Farm project, which has already begun close to Ayr in Queensland, Australia. It is the horizontal single-axis SP1000 tracker that is being supplied, which in addition to its reliability and efficiency, also incorporates the exclusive patented spherical bearing that is resistant to solar degradation and requires neither lubrication nor maintenance.

This solar farm represents a new step for NCLAVE in consolidating its goal of  being the world leader in tracking systems for developers, installers and EPC contractors for the photovoltaic market.

NCLAVE Japan KK has concluded an agreement to deliver a solar mounting solution for a 25MW solar project in Yamegata, Japan. NCLAVE`’s scope of service includes the design, fabrication and installation of a fixed tilt mounting structure which has been approved by the Tohoku METI. NCLAVE is responsible for the mechanical completion of the project which will commence in August 2017 and is expected to finish by May 2018.

“The design of the mounting system required 3 different designs within a heavy snow area location, with varying slopes and soil characteristics.  NCLAVE`’s flexible design and in-house installation capabilities was a critical factor for the project stakeholders”, said Country Manager Alvaro Estelles.

The Spanish multinational NCLAVE (the result of the merger of the Grupo Clavijo and MFV Solar) has obtained the UL2703 certification for its single-post and dual-post fixed structures (granted by UL LLC), accrediting that it has exceeded the requirements of the electrical and mechanical safety standard “UL 2703 Standard for Mounting Systems, Mounting Devices, Clamping/Retention Devices, and Ground Lugs for Use with Flat-Plate Photovoltaic Modules and Panels”.

One of the Spanish company`s strategic objectives is to offer maximum quality and safety in its products and processes, adapting to the requirements of all international markets. The UL2703 standard is added to the CE marking, obtained last year through the integration of the EN 1090 standard for structural component requirements, the ISO 9001 and ISO 14001 standards, the TÜV-NORD certifications (structural safety of fixed structures) and the bankability report by Black & Veatch (B&V).

With more than 12 years of experience, 2 GW installed and offices and production centres on five continents, Nclave, made up of Grupo Clavijo and MFV Solar, is one of the leading companies in the design, manufacture, installation and maintenance of structures and trackers for the solar photovoltaic market.

The Spanish companies Grupo Clavijo and MFV Solar, with the support of the Q-Growth Fund, have reached a merger agreement to form NCLAVE, the new name of this partnership, aimed at becoming the world leader in the design, manufacture and installation of structures and trackers for the solar photovoltaic market.

NCLAVE now has more than 10 years of experience, during which it has installed over 2 GW in 40 countries; and it is scheduled to install 600 MW in the coming months. It currently has offices and production centres on all five continents, making ita global company.

Grupo Clavijo,with its headquarters in Viana (Navarra, Spain) is now one of the sector leaders in Latin America, the USA and in the MENA region and it has production plants and offices in Chile, the USA, Brazil and Australia. In turn, MFV Solar, with its headquarters in Liria (Valencia), has a long and strong track record with installations in various countries in Europe, Latin America and on the Asian continent.

Q-Growth Fund is an investment vehicle of Qualitas Equity Partners, a fund management company with one of the longest track records in the Spanish private equity industry and with extensive experience in the photovoltaic sector. This operation is encompassed in its fund targeting companies in growth stages.

Photovoltaic solar energy has reached the point where it can compete with conventional energy sources. This means that there will be strong global growth in the sector in the coming years. Our goal is to help create a global leader that is able to harness the growth opportunities existing in the sector, remarks Borja Oyarzabal, a partner at Q-Growth.

The merger with MFV Solar is a strategic step that strengthens our companies` international standing in the structures and solar trackers sector. Furthermore, with the support of Q-Growth, we are taking a major step towards making the most advanced solar tracking technology available to developers, EPC contractors and installers worldwide””, notes Miguel Clavijo, CEO of Grupo Clavijo.

The Spanish firm Grupo Clavijo and the Argentinian company Grupo Iraolahave signed a strategic agreement to produce structures and solar trackers in the province of Santa Fe, Argentina. This partnership will enable these products to provide a solution for the large number of companies in Argentina that are investing in photovoltaic energy, as reflected in the RENOVAR 1 and RENOVAR 1.5 tenders.

Grupo Iraola, to which the companies Corven Autopartes and Corven Motos belong, has its manufacturing centres in the city of Venado Tuerto, in the province of Santa Fe. It is made up of different business units that are engaged in the auto parts, motorcycle, farming, energy and real estate sectors; directly employing more than 800 people. The companies include two divisions that are leaders in their sectors: Corven Autopartes, which has manufactured and sold auto parts for over 45 years; and Corven Motos, a company that manufactures and sells motorcycles in the Argentinian market.

CLAVIJO ELT S.L, is a Spanish company with over 50 years of experience in studying, designing, manufacturing and installing solar trackers for photovoltaic plants and it has performed installations with a capacity of more than 2 GW in various parts of the world. The more than 150 projects completed on all five continents demonstrate the adaptability of the Spanish company and its products to overcome the various challenges presented by climate and land topography, thanks to the efficiency, durability and reliability of its products and services.

Grupo Clavijo has consolidated its international expansion with the completion of the Solar One Ceylon solar photovoltaic project for the company Windforce. The facility, with 12.56 MW of power, has 624 single-axis trackers from the SP 160 model, which have 315/320 Wp polycrystalline modules manufactured by JA Solar. This solar farm is located in the town of Welikanda and was completed in five months.

Solar energy facilities in the south-east of Asia reached a total power of almost 5 GW in 2016, and this is estimated to grow by an average of 50% per year in the region over the next five years. Itis currently one of the most attractive areas for developing photovoltaic solar projects, along with countries like China and India.

This project has consolidated the internationalisation of the Spanish firm, which has now installed over 1.2 GW across the world, with over 600 MW in development in various countries. Its commitment to the most advanced tracking technology and its capacity to develop projects in any country in the world are behind the international growth of the company. Grupo Clavijo has its corporate headquarters in Viana (Navarre, Spain), production plants and offices in the USA, Brazil and Chile.

(Photo: courtesy of Windforce)