Fixed Solar Panel Supporting Structure With Reduced Ground Anchoring
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Solution Overview
Problem
Fixed supporting structures for solar panels have high manufacturing and installation costs due to numerous ground anchoring structures, which complicate installation and can cause soil pollution, while their efficiency is lower than mobile trackers but can be comparable to 1-axis trackers in certain cases.
Innovation Solution
A metal supporting structure with a reduced number of ground anchoring structures, featuring a main direction of extension with lower and upper spars connected by crosspieces, and two fixed metallic ground anchoring structures forming an octopus design, allowing for fewer anchoring points and simplified installation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If numerous ground anchoring structures are used, then the stability and robustness of the fixed supporting structure is improved, but the manufacturing cost and installation complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The invention divides the anchoring system into modular components: individual ground anchoring structures with standardized foot, brace, and octopus elements that can be independently manufactured and assembled. This segmentation allows for simplified production while maintaining overall structural stability through systematic arrangement of the modular units.
Solution Approach 2:
The ground anchoring structures are designed to be pre-assembled or pre-positioned at strategic locations before the main metal structure is installed. The foot elements can be prepared in advance and placed in the ground, allowing the upper structure to be quickly connected without complex on-site anchoring operations.
2Reliability
If numerous ground anchoring structures are used, then the stability of the fixed supporting structure is improved, but the manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The ground anchoring structures employ homogeneous, standardized components throughout the system - identical foot designs, uniform brace configurations, and consistent octopus connectors. This standardization enables bulk manufacturing at lower costs while ensuring consistent performance across all anchoring points.
Solution Approach 2:
The successful design of a single ground anchoring structure is replicated multiple times across the solar panel array. By copying the proven foot-brace-octopus configuration rather than designing unique anchoring solutions for each location, manufacturing costs are reduced through economies of scale while maintaining stability.
3Reliability
If numerous ground anchoring structures are used, then the stability of the fixed supporting structure is improved, but the installation time and soil disturbance increase
Solution Approach 1:
The anchoring system is segmented into discrete, pre-fabricated units that can be installed independently and in parallel. This allows multiple ground anchoring structures to be installed simultaneously by different crews without interfering with each other, significantly reducing total installation time compared to sequential installation of a monolithic anchoring system.
Solution Approach 2:
The complex alignment and connection operations are extracted from the main installation process and incorporated into the pre-manufacturing phase. The ground anchoring structures arrive at the site ready-to-install, eliminating time-consuming on-site fabrication and alignment operations that would otherwise delay the installation schedule.
4Reliability
If numerous ground anchoring structures are used, then the stability of the fixed supporting structure is improved, but the soil pollution and deterioration increase
Solution Approach 1:
The most polluting installation operations (deep excavation, concrete pouring, heavy machinery compaction) are extracted from the installation process and replaced with minimally invasive anchoring methods. The ground anchoring structures use surface-mounted or shallow-installed components that avoid soil contamination while providing adequate stability.
Solution Approach 2:
The ground anchoring structures employ simple, easily replaceable components made from materials that minimize environmental impact. If soil conditions change or contamination occurs, the anchoring structures can be quickly removed and replaced without permanent soil modification, unlike concrete foundations or deeply embedded steel piles that cause lasting soil deterioration.
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a fixed load-bearing structure for solar panels comprising: - a metal structure for supporting the solar panels, the metal structure extending longitudinally along a principal direction of extension, and - two fixed metal structures for anchoring to the ground for supporting the metal structure, each fixed metal structure for anchoring to the ground comprising a foot, a first and second brace forming a V and a third and fourth brace forming a V.