Project Title: Highly Efficient Steel Cable Solar PV Mounting System
Funding Opportunity: Technology to Market 3
SolarĀ Subprogram: Technology to Market
Location: Carbondale, Colorado
Amount Awarded: $1,000,000
Awardee Cost Share: $340,547

This project is focused on driving down the costs of solar parking canopies using its tensioned cable suspension technology, which will significantly grow the solar carport market. While the process of designing a solar parking canopy previously required customization, this project will transform the product design using a highly efficient, light-weight panel support system that is capable of being mass-produced. The new design will also be engineered to minimize material and construction costs.

Approach

The project team is focusing on the engineering required to optimize the parking canopy design in order to substantially reduce cost while maintaining structural integrity. This includes the testing, peer review, and certification of the design. At the end of each design cycle, the team will assess the relative success at achieving the project goals. Additionally, construction of a test project will allow optimization of construction processes and will provide a platform for physical validation of solar generation, wind response, operating track record, and validation of the cost model.

Innovation

This project will help to expand the solar carport market by introducing four fundamental innovations:

  • Super-structure weight reduction that reduces material and labor costs as well as seismic loading;
  • Cable construction techniques to accelerate construction cycle time;
  • High structural integrity and wind resistance associated with tensile structure design; and
  • The ability to economically modify solidity and other aerodynamic features to reduce wind loading.