{"id":118386,"key":"Ballast-Supported_Foundation_Designs_for_DIY_Low-Cost_Open-Source_Solar_Photovoltaic_Racking_Systems","title":"Ballast-Supported Foundation Designs for DIY Low-Cost Open-Source Solar Photovoltaic Racking Systems","latest":{"id":1273267,"timestamp":"2026-09-16T13:10:58Z"},"content_model":"wikitext","license":{"url":"https://www.appropedia.org/Appropedia:Copyrights","title":"CC-BY-SA-4.0"},"source":"{{Solar footer}}\n\n[[File:Ga ballast.png|thumb]]\n\n{{FAST notice}}\n\n{{Publication data\n| type = Paper\n| year = 2024\n| cite-as = Vandewetering, N.; Jamil, U.; Pearce, J.M. Ballast-Supported Foundation Designs for Low-Cost Open-Source Solar Photovoltaic Racking. ''Designs'' 2024, 8, 17. https://doi.org/10.3390/designs8010017 [https://www.academia.edu/114557674/Ballast_Supported_Foundation_Designs_for_Low_Cost_Open_Source_Solar_Photovoltaic_Racking academia open access], [https://www.preprints.org/manuscript/202401.0616/v1 preprint]\n| location = London, ON, Canada\n}}\n\n{{Project data\n| status = Designed, Modelled, Prototyped, Verified\n| verified-by = FAST\n| made = Yes\n| replicated = No\n}}\n\nAlthough solar photovoltaic (PV) system costs have declined, capital cost remains a barrier to widespread adoption. Do-it-yourself (DIY) system designs can significantly reduce labor costs, but if they are not attached to a building structure, they require ground penetrating footings. This is not technically and economically feasible at all sites. To overcome these challenges, this study details systems designed to (1) eliminate drilling holes and pouring concrete, (2) propose solutions for both fixed and variable tilt systems, (3) remain cost effective, and (4) allow for modifications to best fit the user’s needs. The ballast-supported foundations are analyzed for eight systems by proposing two separate ballast designs: one for a single line of post systems, and one for a double line of post systems, both built on a 4-kW basis. The results of the analysis found that both designs are slightly more expensive than typical in-ground concrete systems by 25% (assuming rocks are purchased at a landscaping company), but the overall DIY system’s costs remain economically advantageous. Sensitivity analyses are conducted to show how modifications to the dimensions influence the weight of the system and thus change the economic value of the design, so users can trade dimensional freedom for cost savings, and vice versa. Overall, all wood-based PV racking system designs provide users with cost-effective and easy DIY alternatives to conventional metal racking, and the novel ballast systems presented provide more versatility for PV systems installations.\n\n'''Source'''\n\n* Vandewetering, N.; Jamil, U.; Pearce, J.M. Ballast-Supported Foundation Designs for Low-Cost Open-Source Solar Photovoltaic Racking. ''Designs'' 2024, 8, 17. https://doi.org/10.3390/designs8010017 [https://www.academia.edu/114557674/Ballast_Supported_Foundation_Designs_for_Low_Cost_Open_Source_Solar_Photovoltaic_Racking academia open access], [https://www.preprints.org/manuscript/202401.0616/v1 preprint]\n\n[[File:Ga ballast.png|right|500px]]\n\n{{Pearce publications notice}}\n\n== Keywords ==\n\n [[Sustainable development]]; [[Open-source]]; [[Photovoltaic]]; Racking; racking; solar energy; biomaterials; wood; photovoltaic; mechanical design; balance of systems; renewable energy; ballast\n\n{{Video|Ck4uObX7c6U}}\n\n== See also ==\n\n* [[To Catch the Sun]]\n* [[3-D printable photovoltaic module spacer]]\n* [[Open source DIY solar photovoltaic racking]]\n* [https://gitlab.com/go-commons/delftopenhardware/circular-pv-panel Circular PV panel]\n\n{{OS-PV-racks}}\n\n{{Page data\n| part-of = FAST Completed\n| keywords = energy, solar energy, solar power, photovoltaics, sustainable development, Mechanical engineering, Racking, biomaterials, wood, mechanical design, balance of systems, renewable energy, Environmental, ballast\n| sdg = SDG07 Affordable and clean energy, SDG08 Decent work and economic growth, SDG09 Industry innovation and infrastructure, SDG11 Sustainable cities and communities\n| published = 2024\n| organizations = FAST, Western University\n| language = en\n| authors = N. Vandewetering, U. Jamil, User:J.M.Pearce\n| description = Solar racks made simple. Appropedia guides DIY builders through ballast-supported designs that avoid concrete and reduce cost.\n}}\n\n[[Category:FAST Completed]]\n[[Category:Solar power]]\n[[Category:Solar energy]]\n[[Category:Photovoltaics]]\n[[Category:sustainable development]]\n[[Category:Mechanical engineering]]\n[[Category:Energy]]\n[[Category:Wood]]\n[[Category:Renewable energy]]"}