Summer 2017 - Spartan Superway Solar Team

The solar team was working on demonstrating the loading process of the solar module and mount with animation but couldn't complete it. We attempted to use SolidWorks to show the mounting process as it was important to show for future solar teams. Another thing the solar team worked on was writing our final report. We gathered all the research and final design to compile for future teams. We uploaded all the CAD files as well as our report on to the Spartan Superway archive.

This week we continued working on multipe racking system designs. Different ideas for mounting the vertical panels will continue to be tested in the near future. The racking system above allows for three solar panels to be mounted in a row using L-Brackets and T-Brackets connected to the main strutcure. The beam at the center of the rack allows for the two trusses to be connected. It also allows for solar panels to be mounted on the top and clamped on eventually. 

Week 6: Shorter week This week, we worked on designing different solar mounts for the side panels and improving the structural integrity of our truss designs. Claude mentioned the side cover might also have a curved solar panel and we are working on trying to come up with a design that satisfies that need. Below in Figure 1, one of those designs was created with a side mount. This is still a work in progress and needs more work and will eventually be modified to fit more panels on the side and the top. More sheet metal is still required to make it work. Figure 1. Side mount solar panel.