Maintenance-free bearing suits solar market

Saint-Gobain Performance Plastics introduces a maintenance-free bearing for the solar market. SOLGLIDE bearings are specifically designed for Concentrated Solar Power (CSP) plants, applied at pivot points at all major tracking systems used in the area of CSP. Proprietary fluoropolymer compounds in SOLGLIDE bearings increase the longterm operational efficiency of solar equipment, reduce energy usage, and decrease longterm costs, according to to company sources.

As the SOLGLIDE bearings offer a unique, thicker layer of fluoropolymer compounds, they provide less friction on a constant level throughout the whole product life. Avoiding stick-slip effects in the tracking systems, the mirrors move more easily and efficiently towards the sun, resulting in less energy usage. Featuring superior corrosion and wear resistance, the new bearings can last the lifetime of a CSP tower, usually around 25 years, with no maintenance costs.

SOLGLIDE bearings can be offered with different backing layers, normal steel protected with a proprietary corrosion protection system, and aluminum or stainless steel backings. All types provide high resistance to harsh outdoor elements such as radiation, water, and dust. Saint-Gobain engineers can also customize various parameters to meet specific applications.

To comply with environmental regulations, SOLGLIDE bearings feature lightweight materials that are free of heavy metals and banned chemicals such as chrome VI and Perfluorooctanoic Acid (PfOA) materials. Additionally, the bearings operate without grease to avoid cleaning costs needed to remove drippings from the structures.

For more information, contact Saint-Gobain Performance Plastics, 150 Dey Rd., Wayne, NJ 07470. Phone: (973) 696-4700.