Arctech's SkyWings: Revolutionizing Solar Power on Coal Mining Subsidence Areas

Have you ever wondered what happens to the vast areas left behind by coal mining? Arctech's SkyWings solar tracking system is transforming these once-unusable lands into powerhouses of clean energy. Let's delve into the fascinating story of the world's largest single-capacity PV power plant built on a coal mining subsidence area.

The Mengxi Blue Ocean Photovoltaic Power Station, nestled in Ordos, China, is a testament to the potential of repurposing coal mining subsidence areas. With an installed capacity of 3 million kilowatts, it spans an area equivalent to 10,000 standard football fields, comprising over 5.9 million solar panels. This mammoth project is a shining example of how Arctech's SkyWings is empowering the renewable energy sector.

The SkyWings system, equipped with a synchronous multi-point drive mechanism and an innovative torque tube design, can maintain normal operation even in wind speeds of up to 18m/s (level 8 gale). This exceptional bending and torsion resistance results in an increase of up to 2% in power generation. Moreover, the system's second-generation AI algorithm enables real-time shading avoidance, leading to an additional energy generation boost of up to 8%.

To accommodate the irregular and undulating topography of the plant, Arctech provided a customized SkyWings solar tracking solution with terrain following capabilities. The tolerance for undulation between adjacent rows is set at 20% in the east-west direction and 15% in the north-south direction. Additionally, the design of post height is tailored to maximize space beneath the solar panels, facilitating agrivoltaics practices.



The integration of agrivoltaics practices allows farmers to cultivate crops and raise livestock underneath the solar panels, achieving both economic and ecological benefits. This innovative approach promotes soil and water conservation, improves the ecological environment, and reduces reliance on fossil fuels.

To mitigate pollution and ecological damage to the grassland during both construction and operation, SkyWings employs one-piece H-shaped steel piles, while the construction team utilizes on-site static pressure construction. Following 25 years of safe power station operation, approximately 90% of the steel pipe piles of SkyWings remain suitable for recycling purposes, thereby reducing waste discharge by around 60% compared to traditional concrete piles.

Upon operation, the Mengxi Blue Ocean Photovoltaic Power Station is expected to generate 5.7 billion kilowatt-hours of electricity annually, sufficient to power two million households. Each year, it can save 1.71 million tons of standard coal and reduce carbon dioxide emissions by about 4.7 million tons — equivalent to planting 62,700 hectares of trees.

The utilization of Arctech's SkyWings in this plant further demonstrates its versatility as a solar tracking system capable of adapting to diverse scenarios, including agrivoltaics, irregular terrains, coal mining subsidence areas, and more. As we continue to grapple with the challenges of climate change and resource depletion, innovative solutions like SkyWings offer hope for a sustainable future.