Mounting system for photovoltaic arrays
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional solar array systems on landfills face issues with weight-related movement, adhesive failures due to thermal expansion, and inability to redeploy, leading to maintenance challenges and high costs.
Innovation Solution
A rapid-installation PV array mounting system using standoff mounts, elongated mounting rails, and attachment rails that allow for flexible installation, movement, and easy redeployment, featuring elastomeric materials and polymeric components for stress absorption and secure attachment to geomembranes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If flexible panels are directly adhered to the geomembrane surface, then the system can accommodate settling of waste material, but thermal expansion causes adhesive failure and panel damage
Solution Approach 1:
The system divides the mounting structure into separate components: mounting rails attached to the geomembrane, and panels positioned on the rails. This segmentation eliminates the adhesive layer that causes thermal expansion failure, while the rails remain attached to the geomembrane to accommodate settling.
Solution Approach 2:
The mounting rails serve as an intermediary between the geomembrane and the panels. The rails are attached to the geomembrane and provide a stable mounting surface, eliminating the need for adhesive between the panels and geomembrane, thus preventing thermal expansion-related adhesive failure.
2Strength
If conventional rigid glass-encapsulated panels on metal frames are used, then structural strength is improved, but weight causes movement and panel breakage due to differential settlement
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses flexible photovoltaic panels instead of rigid glass-encapsulated panels. These flexible panels can accommodate the movement and deformation of the underlying waste material and geomembrane without breaking, eliminating the panel breakage issue associated with rigid panels.
3Ease of manufacture
If panels are directly adhered to the geomembrane, then installation simplicity is improved, but maintenance and repair become difficult
Solution Approach 1:
By separating the panel mounting from the geomembrane attachment through the use of mounting rails, the system enables easy panel removal and replacement. Panels can be detached from the rails without affecting the rail-geomembrane attachment, simplifying maintenance while maintaining installation ease.
4Weight of moving object
If lightweight flexible panels are used, then weight-related movement is reduced, but thermal expansion stress on adhesive causes failure
Solution Approach 1:
The mounting rails act as an intermediary structure that eliminates the direct adhesive bond between panels and geomembrane. The rails are attached to the geomembrane and provide mechanical support for the panels, removing the thermal expansion stress issue from the adhesive layer while maintaining the lightweight panel design.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The system enables cost-effective, easy installation and maintenance, reduces panel and membrane damage, and allows for flexible reconfiguration and redeployment of solar arrays, addressing weight and thermal expansion issues while maintaining system integrity.
Implementation Method 1
featuring elastomeric materials and polymeric components for stress absorption
Data Source
AI summary
Photovoltaic (PV) systems are disclosed, to include mounting brackets and mounting systems. In one embodiment, a PV array mounting system with brackets comprising pairs of panel connectors and panel connector receivers is disclosed.