Development and production of active tracking systems for solarthermal and photovoltaic power plants.
Cambras GmbH
Mühlenweg 11a, 18198 StäbelowNew on Amplifa
About Cambras
Cambras GmbH, based in Stäbelow near Rostock, develops, produces, distributes and maintains tracking systems for solarthermal (CSP) and photovoltaic power plants (PV). The core product is the patented Active Tracking System (ATS): an optical sensor with an accuracy of at least 0.03 degrees and permanent self-referencing continuously delivers tracking data to a central big-data-based software. This controls the temperature of the heat transfer fluid (HTF) per loop and keeps the thermal balance of the entire solar field within ±2 °C. In addition, the company offers automation systems with its own Local Controllers (LOC) and control cabinets, predictive maintenance based on AI and IoT, as well as software integration and migration into existing power plants. Installation takes place without plant downtime; reference installations exist, among others, in Germany, South Africa and China. Partners include TÜV SÜD, DLR, CSP Services, ACWA Power and Tianjin University.
- Site
- Stäbelow
- Processes
- Active Tracking System (ATS) for CSP power plants, Automation systems (LOC, control cabinets) for CSP/PV tracking, Predictive maintenance / big-data monitoring, Optical sensor with ±0.03° accuracy and self-referencing, Predictive maintenance based on big data/AI, Optimization of the thermal balance of the HTF, Automation systems including control cabinets and LOC, Software integration/migration into existing power plants
- Materials
- Active Tracking System, Local Controller, Predictive Maintenance
- Certificates
- Redundant safety concept (Industry 4.0)
- Founded
- 2017
- Industries
- Solarthermal power plants (CSP), Photovoltaics (PV), Renewable energies, Automation technology
- 01
Engineering and sensor development
- 02
Software development (big data, AI)
- 03
Production of sensors and Local Controllers
- 04
Control cabinet construction and assembly
- 05
Integration into existing power plant control systems
- 06
Remote service and predictive maintenance
Technology & Processes
Active Tracking System
Optical sensor with ±0.03° accuracy for continuous tracking and focusing of the solar collectors.
Local Controller
Automation control made of standardized components, using only two instead of four controllers per loop.
Predictive Maintenance
AI- and IoT-based service to extend the service life of components such as bearings and HTF.
Location
Stäbelow
DEHeadquarters, development and production
- Materials
- Optical sensor technology, automation technology
- Optical sensors (active tracking)
- Local Controllers (LOC)
- Control cabinets
Products & Components
Inside the production
Industries
Processes & technical limits
| Processes | Tolerance | Max. part | Weight | Lot size | Materials |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Active Tracking System (ATS) for CSP power plantsEngineering | ±0.03° (sensor accuracy) | – | – | – | – |
| Automation systems (LOC, control cabinets) for CSP/PV trackingAssembly | – | – | – | – | – |
| Predictive maintenance / big-data monitoringTesting | – | – | – | – | – |
| Optical sensor with ±0.03° accuracy and self-referencingTesting | ±0.03° | – | – | – | – |
2 Anlagen & Maschinen
| Machine | Manufacturer / model | Quantity | Working area | Year built | Site |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Optical sensor (active tracking) | Cambras | – | – | – | Stäbelow / Rostock |
| Local Controller (LOC) | Cambras | – | – | – | Stäbelow / Rostock |
Additional services
Reference customers
Quality & Reliability
The redundancy concepts of the automation levels (sensor, processing, drive, DCS interfaces) ensure fail-safe operation; predictive maintenance provides preventive operational tools based on big-data analyses.
| Evidence | Stäbelow |
|---|---|
| Redundant safety concept (Industry 4.0) |
Company History
- 2016
Patent: CSP tracking (30.06.2016)
- 2017
Registration of the company as Tracsmart GmbH on 24.07.2017 (AG München HRB 234678); Alexander von Sperber becomes managing director
- 2018
Renaming to Cambras GmbH (29.03.2018); registration of the word mark »CAMBRAS« (04.01.2018); Lukas Kirscht becomes managing director
- 2021
Register change to Amtsgericht Rostock HRB 15197; relocation of registered office to Elmenhorst/Lichtenhagen
- 2023
Patent: sensor arrangement and improved tracking for CSP systems; relocation of registered office to Stäbelow (13.11.2023)
- 2024
State subsidy (€450,000) via the participation fund »MBMV innoGROWTH«
- 2025
Patents: CSP system, sensor arrangement, method and use (12.03.2025) as well as CSP tracking (30.07.2025)