Solar racking system developer Roll-A-Rack has announced the debut of its newest product, the SunChord multi-purpose ground-mounted solar racking system.

First unveiled Nov. 10, the SunChord will make its debut at this year’s RE+ trade show, Nov. 16-19 in Las Vegas. The new product aims to address thread one of the solar industry’s most common needles, officials say, producing more power than ever while also reducing impact on potentially valuable land.

Roll-A-Rack representatives say the SunChord system combines multiple racking functions into a single system, which is entirely UL-certified.

“The next generation of solar technology needs to do more than produce clean electricity. It needs to make better use of land, minimize environmental impacts, and create value beyond the energy generated,” says Roll-A-Rack founder Don Scipione, Ph.D. “SunChord reflects our vision of harmonizing sun and earth, combining solar energy production with rainwater harvesting and soil conservation in a system that can unlock new opportunities for solar development on land where conventional approaches fall short.”

The new system heavily reduces installation time, according to officials, and uses up to 34% less land than more conventional fixed-axis or tracker racking systems. This results in minimal visual impact, utilizing a low profile and reduced land requirements to conserve as much soil as possible.

Optimal applications

In addition to solar and land benefits, the system captures 95% of rain that falls onto the array, directing it to bioswales, water storage vessels, or suitable pollinator habitats. Representatives say SunChord will be most useful for either land-constrained commercial, industrial, and community projects, as well as agrivoltaics.

“Solar panels are attached to the channels using a snap-slide-secure fastening system that streamlines installation,” the company says. “This process was validated at a Roll-A-Rack pilot project at Hood Honey urban bee farm in Cleveland, where a (two person) crew placed a series of solar panels quickly and efficiently.”

Roll-A-Rack is now offering free SunCloud racking for up to five pilot projects, each of them incorporating a 50 kW SunChord block as part of a planned solar project. Developers working on projects like agrivoltaic sites, land-constrained sites, landfills, brownfields, community solar, or other environmentally sensitive projects are encouraged to contact the Cleveland-based firm.

Roll-A-Rack will be available to meet with prospective developers and EPCs to identify potential SunChord partners.

— Solar Builder magazine