Long-life bearing technology for PV systems

Strong UV radiation, heat, wind and dust: photovoltaic systems have to function under extreme environmental conditions. With over 18 years of experience in the solar sector, we offer standard and customised solutions that meet precisely these requirements. Our spherical bearings, slide bushings and lead screw technology made from high-performance polymers are used successfully in PV tracker systems, fixed installations, floating photovoltaic and cleaning systems, for example. The advantages of our bearings:

• UV-resistant, lubrication-free and maintenance-free
• Quiet operation without torque fluctuations
• Extremely low coefficient of friction due to tribo-optimised plastics
• Suitable for tight installation spaces
• Insensitive to dirt and dust
• Long predictable service life
• Low cost

Order the sample box free of charge

Convince yourself of the quality of our products and test our maintenance-free polymer bearings for PV technology. The box contains: a split igubal pillow block bearing for square profiles, a half shell for solar trackers, a fixed flange bearing, a rod end and three different plain bearings.

Download whitepaper

25 years of service life in dust, heat and UV radiation, in the best case without failures and with minimised maintenance requirements: in this white paper, you can read about the requirements placed on the bearings of single-axis solar trackers and the solutions we offer for this.

Split pillow block bearing for square profiles

• Split version of housing and spherical balls
• Compensation for misalignment
• Easy assembly and disassembly
• For long service life under high loads

Metal rod end bearing with male thread

• For rotating, oscillating and linear movements
• Suitable for long-term temperatures from -40 to +90°C
• Insensitive to dirt, dust and moisture
• Maintenance-free dry operation

Dry-running lead screw technology

• Lubrication and maintenance-free
• Insensitive to dirt, dust and moisture
• Low coefficient of friction - low wear rates
• Temperature-resistant
• Various shapes

Slewing ring ball bearing, slewing ring

• With sliding elements made of wear-resistant high-performance plastic
• 100% lubrication-free and maintenance-free
• Resistant to dirt and moisture
• Anodised aluminium or stainless steel rings

Fixed flange bearings with two mounting holes

• Compensation for misalignment
• Absolutely corrosion-resistant
• Lightweight
• Maintenance-free dry operation

iglidur bar stock

• 100% maintenance-free and lubrication-free
• Excellent wear resistance
• Resistant to dirt, dust and humidity
• No minimum order value or quantity

igubal solar pillow block bearings convince in the lab test

In the company's own 3,800 square metre igus test laboratory, the service life, wear resistance and load capacity of igubal pillow block bearings for solar modules were examined under real loads of the daily motion sequence, simulated in a time-lapse.
 
The number of movements achieved under a load of 1.5 tons corresponded to a service life of 72 years.

igubal solar pillow block bearings in laboratory test

Reliable tracking with igubal pillow block bearings

To ensure that solar unit daily tracking movement works perfectly, the company uses our robust igubal ESQM pillow block bearings – a "fit and forget" solution, since they are maintenance-free throughout their 25-year service life.

Withstand all weather conditions: plain bearings in PV trackers

Tracking systems from TecnoSun Solar Systems score highly in terms of cost efficiency thanks to their low installation height. iglidur P plain bearings are used in the traction ring. They withstand all weathers, are dirt-resistant and can easily withstand high loads caused by snow.

Clean bearing solutions for solar panel cleaning equipment

The remote-controlled cleaner from TG hyLIFT removes fine dust, bird droppings and lichen from solar surfaces. Media-resistant iglidur P plain bearings are used in the wheels and self-aligning igubal fixed flange bearings in the rotating brush, which work without any problems with prolonged contact with water and cleaning agents.