Difficult terrain, the lack of a paved access road or the possibility of making one, the inability of trucks to access unpaved roads, the need to hire a crane for unloading or even not enough space to set it up are the most common struggles when investing in the delivery and siting of stations on photovoltaic farms.
The solution to these problems, is the system designed by ZPUE for unloading and foundation of the station using a caterpillar platform and hydraulic jacks.
For the transport of the station and the crawler platform, we provide our own transport on a specially designed low-loader semi-trailer with ramps allowing the platform to descend directly. The platform and the station can move on dirt roads without the need for additional hardening. Approaches and descents with a steep gradient of up to 17°, as well as a long range of up to 20 km per refuelling, are additional advantages of the lien.
In addition, the system enables the safe transport and positioning of substations under power lines and in places where it is not possible to deploy a crane, e.g. in compact urban infrastructures or production halls.
Station design
Specially designed lifting lugs enable the station to be lifted including all equipment (installed switchgear, transformer, connections) and the roof. Hydraulic jacks attached to these corners replace the crane. Their design load capacity is as high as 32t.
The design of the station allows it to be built directly onto the prepared substructure without the need for transport and the installation of a foundation bowl. Heavy-duty mats are laid for travel on the prepared substructure or to protect asphalt roads (for semi-trailer exits).
The substation is equipped with a sealed oil sump and internal cable connections connecting the transformer to the MV and LV switchgears. To facilitate the entry of cables from outside, modular cable ducts are used under the station. The switchgear itself has seals in the floors to prevent rodents from entering the station.
