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Can Solar Survive an Earthquake? GameChange Says Yes After Extreme Shake Test Photograph: (Archive)
GameChange Solar said on Tuesday it has completed what it described as the solar industry’s first full-scale seismic shake table testing of a utility-scale tracker system, as developers increasingly target earthquake-prone regions.
The U.S.-based supplier of solar tracker and fixed-tilt racking systems said the tests were conducted at the University of California, Berkeley’s Pacific Earthquake Engineering Research (PEER) Center, in line with IEEE 693 seismic design standards.
The programme simulated high-intensity earthquake conditions, including scenarios comparable to those in the New Madrid Seismic Zone, one of the most seismically active regions in the United States.
A full-scale Genius Tracker system equipped with photovoltaic modules was subjected to progressively stronger seismic inputs, including broadband excitation and testing up to 2.5g spectral acceleration, the company said.
GameChange Solar said the system showed no structural damage to key components such as torque tubes, bearings, posts and actuators during the tests. It added that its proprietary lateral capture mechanism functioned as designed, redistributing loads under stress conditions.
The company also reported no significant microcracking in solar modules and less than 1% performance degradation, while the tracker motor remained fully operational after testing.
“As solar expands into seismic-risk regions like California and Chile, the industry has had limited real-world data on how modern utility-scale trackers perform in earthquakes,” Chief Engineer Scott Van Pelt said in a statement.
Independent validation by the Renewable Energy Test Center (RETC) in Fremont, California, confirmed that the system remained in sound physical and operational condition following the testing campaign, the company said.
The findings have been detailed in a technical white paper and were also presented in a webinar earlier this month, according to the company.
Solar assets in high seismic zones face risks including module damage, prolonged outages and increased repair costs. Industry participants say empirical performance data could help developers, insurers and asset owners better assess and mitigate such risks.
GameChange Solar, which ranks among the top global providers of solar tracker solutions, said it has delivered more than 58 GW of systems worldwide for utility-scale and distributed generation projects.
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