Solar Lattice

Measurement

Loss aligned with motor blocks

ID
meas:motor-block-aligned-loss
IRI
https://solarlattice.org/kb/meas/motor-block-aligned-loss
Status
active

This signature is underperformance that clusters along tracker motor block boundaries instead of being scattered randomly across the array. It usually repeats with sun position and is strongest during low sun-angle periods, so compare normalized row or inverter output across morning and afternoon windows. Map underperformance against tracker block IDs, row locations and time of day, then compare the affected zones with topographic survey data, as-built drawings and the terrain assumed in the energy model. Before attributing the loss to geometry, separate backtracking intervals from curtailment, clipping, outages and inverter limits. Drone imagery, row-end angle surveys, tracker command logs and normalized string or inverter output show whether losses line up with grade breaks or motor block edges rather than with equipment failure. The main failure mode is terrain undulation yield loss: a large motor block can drive one command angle across rows that need different backtracking positions, which adds shading loss or cosine loss. Tracker twist can look similar and may lower production across a whole tracker block, so check mechanical row geometry with an angle survey before blaming the controls.

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Signals

Monitoring channels where this signature appears, named by SunSpec model point.

PointUnitPattern
model_403.InDCAAnormalized string current lower in rows near motor block boundaries during morning and afternoon backtracking windows
model_160.DCAAnormalized string current lower in specific tracker blocks or rows, repeatable by time of day
model_103.WWnormalized inverter output lower for inverters serving affected terrain zones, mostly in morning and afternoon backtracking windows

Referenced by

Data