The construction of the new photovoltaic capacity awarded by the Federal Electricity Commission (CFE) will not only open a race among developers, engineering, procurement and construction companies, and equipment manufacturers. The technical specifications will also determine which technologies can be installed and which suppliers will be able to compete .
One of the points generating debate concerns the requirements for solar tracking systems. Official documentation published by the Mexican government stipulates that solar parks must use single-axis, horizontal, single-row trackers with independent drive for each row of modules . Furthermore, it does not allow a single motor for multiple rows and establishes a minimum clearance of 80 centimeters between the bottom edge of the panel and the ground .
These conditions will apply to a large-scale market. The call for proposals, which began with over 200 projects and nearly 38 GW under evaluation, resulted in the selection of 37 initiatives from 31 developers, representing an approximate capacity of 7,411 MW . Around 6,710 MW would be photovoltaic , meaning solar parks would account for approximately 90% of the awarded capacity.
The leap from awarding the contract to commissioning will now shift the pressure to the supply chain. Trackers, modules, inverters, batteries, steel, control systems, and engineering services will all need to meet specific configuration, certification, and performance criteria , on a timeline that aims to bring the assets online by 2029.
In a dialogue with Energía Estratégica, Solar Steel stated that it appreciates that the CFE has defined parameters to ensure the quality and reliability of the power plants, although it believes there is room to review the degree of technological prescription included in the documents.
“At Gonvarri Solar Steel, we want to first acknowledge the effort that CFE is making to promote new renewable generation capacity in Mexico through schemes that contribute to strengthening energy sovereignty, security of supply and the country's economic development,” said the team from the company, which has 1 GW supplied in the country.
However, they stated: “We believe there is an opportunity to incorporate a more open vision from a technological point of view, allowing different tracker configurations to compete on equal terms as long as they meet the performance, structural safety, availability and durability requirements demanded by the project.”
Which companies can supply the trackers?
The specifications establish an initial filter. To participate, manufacturers must offer a commercially proven solution for large-scale projects, featuring east-west tracking, optimized backtracking, automatic return to a safe position, and both automatic and manual operation .
They will also have to integrate the equipment with the plant's distributed control system, maintain historical records of between six and twelve months , issue alarms regarding motors, vibrations, and position, and support protocols such as Modbus TCP, DNP3, REST API, and OPC UA. The document adds diagnostic capabilities and remote updates.
In terms of mechanical specifications, the structures must be built from hot-dip galvanized carbon steel , comply with UNE EN ISO 1461 or NMX-H-004, and have a minimum IP65 protection rating. They must also be certified according to IEC 62817, UL 3703, and UL 2703 standards.
Therefore, not just any manufacturer with a commercial presence in Mexico will be able to automatically supply projects . Companies must demonstrate compatibility with cleaning modules and systems, resistance to wind, earthquakes, and corrosion, utility-scale experience, and digital integration capabilities.
It also prescribes a specific architecture: a single-row tracker, with one motor per row and a minimum free height of 80 centimeters .
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This design, in principle, excludes solutions with shared motors across multiple rows. It may also limit configurations that, despite having international references and meeting structural, energy, and safety standards, do not conform to the intended geometry.
Solar Steel acknowledges that these parameters aim to ensure the operability of the plants, but warns that the same objective could be achieved through duly accredited alternative technologies .
“From our international experience, we have observed that other configurations widely implemented in utility-scale markets in Latin America have also demonstrated high levels of performance, maintaining equivalent standards of quality and reliability throughout the plant's lifespan,” the technical team states.
For his part, Fernando Micó, CBDO of Solar Steel, stated: “It is not about favoring a specific technology, but about allowing the best solutions to compete under the same standards of quality, safety and performance to maximize the value of each MW installed in the country.”
The type of tracker not only modifies the mechanical structure of the park. It also affects the amount of steel, the distribution of the modules, the power density, the foundations, the cabling, the assembly work, and the earthworks.
The minimum height of 80 centimeters may address the need to reduce risks arising from sand, dust, or runoff accumulation. However, its uniform application can also increase material usage or limit design optimization in locations where topographic, hydrological, and geotechnical conditions would allow for a different configuration.
“ The most beneficial approach for the market and for Mexican society as a whole could be to prioritize objectives of performance, availability, energy production, structural resilience and LCOE, subsequently allowing each manufacturer to contribute the most appropriate technological solution to achieve them ,” says Solar Steel.
“International experience shows that technological innovation flourishes when bidding processes set performance and quality goals, simultaneously fostering competition between different solutions,” the company says.
Modules, inverters and storage: CFE's other technical filters
Trackers are not the only technology subject to specific requirements. Photovoltaic modules must be bifacial monocrystalline, have a minimum power output of 650 Wp, and achieve an efficiency of at least 23.9% , in addition to guaranteeing a 25-year lifespan and a maximum degradation of 1% during the first year. CFE also requires manufacturers classified as BloombergNEF Tier 1 and international certifications for performance, safety, and corrosion resistance.
For investors, the call for proposals accepts centralized, modular, or string solutions, provided they can operate in utility-scale projects, comply with the Grid Code, and coordinate with the plant's control system. Suppliers must guarantee spare parts, technical support, and upgrades for at least ten years , in addition to demonstrating experience in plants of comparable scale.
The battery storage system must achieve a minimum cycle efficiency of 90%, a depth of discharge of at least 90%, and a lifespan exceeding 6,000 cycles . Mandatory features include frequency and voltage regulation, ramp control, black start, and grid forming operation.
When the project incorporates hydrogen, CFE requires modular electrolysis and power generation systems of at least 1 MW , sufficient storage to operate for 18 hours, and specific equipment for leak detection, ventilation, and fire protection. This set of requirements narrows the pool of suppliers to companies with proven technology, current certifications, and long-term backup capacity .