3D printed solar photovoltaic racking
| Keywords | solar energy, 3d printing, energy |
|---|---|
| Uses | development, industry |
| Authors | Joshua M. Pearce |
| Status | prototype |
| Made? | Yes |
| Replicated? | Yes |
| Designed in | United States |
| Affiliations |
MTU MOST |
| Materials |
Metal Plastic |
| SDGs |
SDG07 Affordable and clean energy SDG08 Decent work and economic growth SDG09 Industry innovation and infrastructure SDG11 Sustainable cities and communities |
| Manifest data | |
| Language | English |
| Updated | 2020-06-04 |
| Author | Kathy Nativi |
| Author affiliation | Appropedia |
| Author email | info@appropedia.org |
|
Michigan Tech's Open Sustainability Technology Lab.
Wanted: Students to make a distributed future with solar-powered open-source 3-D printing and recycling. |
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Pearce Publications: Energy Conservation • Energy Policy • Industrial Symbiosis • Life Cycle Analysis • Materials Science • Open Source • Photovoltaic Systems • Solar Cells • Sustainable Development • Sustainability Education
 |
This Open Source Appropriate Technology has been designed but not yet tested — use at your own risk. |
|
This Open Source Appropriate Technology has been modeled. |
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This Open Source Appropriate Technology has been prototyped. |
Source
- B.T. Wittbrodt & J.M. Pearce. 3-D printing solar photovoltaic racking in developing world. Energy for Sustainable Development 36, pp. 1-5 (2017). DOI:10.1016/j.esd.2016.08.001 open access
Abstract
The purpose of this paper is to provide a technical and economic evaluation of the value of the RepRap as an entry-level 3-D printer in the developing world and provide a cost effective solar photovoltaic (PV) racking solution to better serve the developing world and aid in the acceleration of their economic and socioeconomic growth. A customizable open-source PV racking concept is designed, prototyped for three types of modules, constructed into systems, and outdoor tested under extreme conditions for one year. An economic analysis is provided along with a technical evaluation of the system, which found the proposed racking system can be successfully printed with RepRap 3-D printers and saves between 85% and 92% from commercially available alternatives depending on the plastic used for printing. In addition, the plastic parts proved able to withstand some of the harshest outdoor conditions and due to the free and open-source nature of the designs, it allows the system to be adapted to custom applications in any region in the world more easily than any commercial alternatives. The results indicate that the 3-D printable X-wire solar photovoltaic racking system has the potential to aid in the acceleration of solar deployment in the developing world by providing a low cost PV racking solution.
Highlights[edit | edit source]
- RepRap evaluated as an entry-level 3-D printer in the developing world.
- For 3-D printing cost effective solar photovoltaic (PV) racking components
- Customizable open-source PV racking concept is designed, prototyped and tested.
- Results in 85% and 92% savings from commercially available alternatives
- Potential to aid acceleration of solar deployment in the developing world
Keywords[edit | edit source]
Developing world; 3-D printing; Sustainable development; Open-source; Photovoltaic; Racking
X-Wire Racking System[edit | edit source]
Fig 1: Close up of joints
Fig 2: How to wire a 2 by 2 array
Fig 3: Finished system
- Source code for STLs and OpenSCAD: https://www.youmagine.com/designs/open-source-racking-for-solar-cell-modules
See also[edit | edit source]
- Total U.S. cost evaluation of low-weight tension-based photovoltaic flat-roof mounted racking
- Distributed manufacturing with 3-D printing: a case study of recreational vehicle solar photovoltaic mounting systems
- 3-D printable photovoltaic module spacer
- Design of Post-Consumer Modification of Standard Solar Modules to Form Large-Area Building-Integrated Photovoltaic Roof Slates
- Development of a Resilient 3-D Printer for Humanitarian Crisis Response
- Open-source 3-D Printing in Managing Humanitarian Innovation
- Distributed manufacturing of after market flexible floating photovoltaic modules
- Water Conservation Potential of Self-Funded Foam-Based Flexible Surface-Mounted Floatovoltaics
News[edit | edit source]
- Cutting the cost of solar power - Eniday