GameChange Solar Validates Genius Tracker with Seismic Shake Testing
GameChange Solar, a global provider of solar tracker and fixed-tilt mounting systems, has completed what it describes as the industry’s first full-scale seismic shake table test for a solar tracker. The company evaluated its Genius Tracker system at the University of California, Berkeley’s Pacific Earthquake Engineering Research (PEER) Center, following IEEE 693 seismic design guidelines. The testing replicated severe earthquake conditions typical of high-risk areas, including the New Madrid Seismic Zone—one of the most demanding scenarios for solar installations in the United States.
During the program, a full-scale tracker equipped with PV modules was exposed to progressively stronger seismic forces, including broadband motion and high-intensity testing reaching up to 2.5g spectral acceleration.
Across various configurations and stress levels, the system showed strong resilience:
During the program, a full-scale tracker equipped with PV modules was exposed to progressively stronger seismic forces, including broadband motion and high-intensity testing reaching up to 2.5g spectral acceleration.
Across various configurations and stress levels, the system showed strong resilience:
- Critical components such as torque tubes, bearings, posts, and actuators remained structurally intact.
- Built-in seismic design elements, including GameChange’s proprietary Lateral Capture System, activated as designed and effectively managed load distribution.
- The PV modules experienced no microcracking and less than 1% performance degradation.
- The tracker motor continued to function normally after the tests were completed.
Scott Van Pelt, Chief Engineer at GameChange Solar, noted that as solar projects expand into earthquake-prone regions like California, Chile, and the New Madrid Fault Zone, there has been limited real-world performance data for modern utility-scale trackers under seismic stress. He stated that the results now provide clear evidence that systems like the Genius Tracker can be engineered to endure significant earthquake forces.
Detailed findings are outlined in the white paper titled “Seismic Shake Table Testing of Single Axis Solar Trackers,” available through GameChange Solar. The results were also shared during a pv magazine webinar on March 18, highlighting how shake table testing demonstrates the earthquake resilience of solar tracking systems.
Seismic failure at a solar facility can lead to extensive module damage, expensive repairs, prolonged downtime, and safety risks for operations and maintenance teams. By establishing a data-backed performance benchmark, GameChange Solar aims to help developers, asset owners, and insurers better assess seismic risk and make informed decisions for projects in high-risk zones.
The system’s performance was independently verified by the Renewable Energy Test Center (RETC) in Fremont, California, which confirmed that it remained structurally sound and fully operational after testing.
Overall, the results indicate that the Genius Tracker system is built to deliver reliable performance in seismic environments, supporting solar deployment in some of the world’s most challenging conditions.
Detailed findings are outlined in the white paper titled “Seismic Shake Table Testing of Single Axis Solar Trackers,” available through GameChange Solar. The results were also shared during a pv magazine webinar on March 18, highlighting how shake table testing demonstrates the earthquake resilience of solar tracking systems.
Seismic failure at a solar facility can lead to extensive module damage, expensive repairs, prolonged downtime, and safety risks for operations and maintenance teams. By establishing a data-backed performance benchmark, GameChange Solar aims to help developers, asset owners, and insurers better assess seismic risk and make informed decisions for projects in high-risk zones.
The system’s performance was independently verified by the Renewable Energy Test Center (RETC) in Fremont, California, which confirmed that it remained structurally sound and fully operational after testing.
Overall, the results indicate that the Genius Tracker system is built to deliver reliable performance in seismic environments, supporting solar deployment in some of the world’s most challenging conditions.
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