Horizontal support for photovoltaic modules

Should solar PV modules be mounted on a pitched roof?

Often, solar PV modules are mounted on pitched rooftops without considering the optimal tilt angle, but rather using a tilt angle equivalent to the pitch angle. This consideration affects the overall performance of the solar PV system resulting in lower solar energy yield.

How stiff is a tracking photovoltaic support system?

Because the support structure of the tracking photovoltaic support system has a long extension length and the components are D-shaped hollow steel pipes, the overall stiffness of the structure was found to be low, and the first three natural frequencies were between 2.934 and 4.921.

What is the tilt angle of a photovoltaic support system?

The comparison of the mode shapes of tracking photovoltaic support system measured by the FM and simulated by the FE (tilt angle = 30°). The modal test results indicated that the natural vibration frequencies of the structure remains relatively constant as the tilt angle increases.

What type of mounting structure is used for PV panels?

This mounting structure is often used for residential systems. Helical piles. In sites with weak granular soils, helical piles are driven deep into the ground and attached to the PV panels. They can withstand uplift forces caused by the soil expanding or by strong winds as the helixes in the poles keep them fixed in place.

What are the dynamic characteristics of photovoltaic support systems?

Key findings are as follows. Dynamic characteristics of tracking photovoltaic support systems obtained through field modal testing at various inclinations, revealing three torsional modes within the 2.9–5.0 Hz frequency range, accompanied by relatively small modal damping ratios ranging from 1.07 % to 2.99 %.

What are the mechanical properties of a tracking photovoltaic support system?

In terms of the mechanical properties of the actual components of the tracking photovoltaic support system, the bar element and shell element were used to simulate different components: beam elements were mainly used to simulate the axis bar, photovoltaic support purlins and pillars. Shell elements were used to simulate the photovoltaic panel.