Solar Panel

After meeting with the solar team we decided to improve on the solar panel design from the previous teams design. Last year they had a tracking system, so that the panel is always in direct sunlight. One major problem we saw with the tracking system is that it will be difficult to maintain and repair. We have to keep in mind that there will miles upon miles of track. Another scope we would like to improve on is making the solar mounts more modular. Making the solar panel mounts modular would help with installation and repair.

We decided to look into cylindrical solar units. The cylindrical design helps us eliminate the tracking system. We have not had the chance to contact the manufacturer in regards to customs sizes for length and diameter. Also, we were wanted to know if efficiency will be affected  when the dimensions are altered. From the research we did it looks like the solar units will need to be arranged either horizontally or vertically side by side. This would help us make the solar units into a modular unit. Our idea would be to design a frame that can hold the solar units in the proper arrangement. The image below would gave us our basic idea of our design.