Designing solar panel structure
Designing solar panel structure
(OP)
Hi,
I am a co-op student currently working on designing a structure for a solar array. I am having difficultly calculating the total load the the mounting beams would have to support. I know the snow and wind load and the weight of the panels. I think it may have to do with tributary areas, possibly, but all the cases I see online are only floors not anything slanted with loads that distributed vertically and horizontally and point loads. Any direction or references would help, I'm mechanical so loads distributed over areas are quite new to me and can't seem to grasp it no matter how much research I do. I've attached a image of my model.
I am a co-op student currently working on designing a structure for a solar array. I am having difficultly calculating the total load the the mounting beams would have to support. I know the snow and wind load and the weight of the panels. I think it may have to do with tributary areas, possibly, but all the cases I see online are only floors not anything slanted with loads that distributed vertically and horizontally and point loads. Any direction or references would help, I'm mechanical so loads distributed over areas are quite new to me and can't seem to grasp it no matter how much research I do. I've attached a image of my model.






RE: Designing solar panel structure
RE: Designing solar panel structure
Take the reactions from the beams to the vertical mount assembly and design for any overturning and eccentric loading through statics. Should not be that complicated.
Mike McCann, PE, SE (WA)
RE: Designing solar panel structure
Thankfully, as the others have pointed out, your system isn't indeterminate or geometrically complex. You just need to draw up a bunch of free body diagrams to work the statics out. First draw one with the loads, your solar panel as the structural element, and the frame below as your supports. The reactions you calculate at theses supports then become the loads for your next FBD of the frame.
RE: Designing solar panel structure
Thank you all for you advice. I've gone ahead and done the calculations, just with variables, but when I substitute the equations my reaction variables cancel each other out. Did I make a wrong assumption maybe?
Thank you
RE: Designing solar panel structure
RE: Designing solar panel structure