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Safety concerns for single-axis tracker PV plants

In this pv magazine Webinar, we will bring together three experts from across the solar value chain to discuss how to design, test, and operate plants that can withstand nature’s extremes.

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Extreme weather has been a concern for single-axis tracker solar projects for years. High winds, hailstorms, and heavy snow can all test the resilience of single-axis tracker PV plants, and when these events occur in combination, the challenges multiply.

In this pv magazine Webinar, we will bring together three experts from across the solar value chain to discuss how to design, test, and operate plants that can withstand nature’s extremes.

Pedro Magalhães, general manager, EU & North American markets at tracker manufacturer Arctech, will share insights into how his company has developed flat-stow strategies to protect modules during high winds. This marks a departure from the more common steep-stow approach. We will ask what drove this innovation, how it was achieved, and how it changes plant design options.

Parsa Enshaei, associate principal at wind testing specialist CPP, will explain the aerodynamic forces, damping, and stiffness considerations that determine whether flat or steep stow is optimal. He will also outline how tracker designs are tested and certified, and what this means for project bankability.

From the module perspective, Andy You, solutions engineer at Jinko Solar, will discuss how IEC wind load standards translate into practice, whether stow strategy influences module failure risks, and what module-specific factors should be considered in tracker selection.

The discussion will also address how to prioritize stow positions when multiple extreme weather threats occur simultaneously and what this means for warranties and long-term reliability.

pv magazine Webinar content:

  • High-wind mitigation strategies:comparing flat vs. steep tracker stow positions and their impact on structural loads and module safety.
  • Tracker design flexibility and certification:how different configurations can be combined, tested, and bankability verified.
  • Module design considerations:understanding IEC wind load limits in practice and aligning module choice with tracker strategy.
  • Managing multiple extreme weather events:prioritizing stow positions when wind, hail, and snow risks overlap, and the implications for warranties.

Join us in for a discussion with takeaways for project developers, EPCs, and investors.
The webinar will be moderated by Marian Willuhn, senior editor at pv magazine.

Participation for this webinar is free of charge.

Speakers

Pedro Magalhães, General Manager, EU & NA Markets, Arctech

Pedro Magalhães counts with over 22 years of global experience in the renewable energy sector. A strong technical leader, he has successfully launched six PV systems, holds three patents, and has managed cross-functional teams across the U.S., Asia, and Europe—driving innovation, product development, and strategic partnerships in solar energy.

Andy You, Solutions Engineer, Jinko Solar

Andy is a Solutions Engineer at Jinko Solar's Technical Service Center. His work focuses on ensuring module compatibility with different mounting structures and electrical components, and he also conducts field tests to validate product performance.

Parsa Enshaei, Associate Principal, CPP

Parsa is an Associate Principal at CPP’s Sydney office, where he leads the firm’s solar capabilities across Australia and the wider region. With extensive experience delivering wind tunnel testing for major projects across Australia, Asia, and Europe, he has developed deep expertise in wind loads and aeroelastic effects on solar structures. Over his career at CPP, Parsa has worked with dozens of solar mounting structure manufacturers in China, India, and Europe, driving technical innovation and commercial growth in the sector. He regularly presents at national and international conferences and is an active member of the Australian Wind Engineering Society.

Moderators

Marian Willuhn | Senior editor, pv magazine

Covering news on power electronics, start-ups and inverters, Marian writes for pv magazine’s international, Australian and German news platforms. He also helps edit the German print magazine. Marian previously worked as a PR-advisor for different clients in the renewable energy business.

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