Nextracker's NX Horizon smart solar trackers, which use bifacial modules mounted on a 120-degree range of motion tracker, have been chosen for the project.

Initial construction of Sol de Cerrado will begin later this year, with the project scheduled for completion in 2022.  The project will provide 13% of the company's total energy needs in Brazil and offset GHG Protocol Scope 2 emissions by up to 136,407 tons of CO₂/ year.

"We are very confident of Nextracker's experience and the reliability of its products to support Vale in solving the challenges of this important project," said Marco Braga, Vale's Global Procurement Director.

Nextracker has said its solutions generating 30% more energy over fixed-tilt applications. In tests in California, NX Horizon also delivered up to 1-2% additional yield in bifacial applications compared to other traditional one-in-portrait trackers, according to the company.

"Vale's Sol de Cerrado project is yet another example of how the mining industry is embracing renewables as a reliable source of generation to power operations and offset greenhouse gas emissions," said Alejo Lopez, Nextracker vice president of sales for Latin America. "We look forward to working closely with Vale and deploying our smart solar trackers and software to maximize plant performance while minimizing operational costs for the 30-year-plus lifetime of the plant."