2024-07-28 06:38:00
NASA developed a spreadsheet program that demonstrated that the suspended solar design, Skysun, would not be susceptible to destructive oscillations at any scale. A larger installation, the solar pergola, advances the design further by suspending panels over a patio.
The Skysun Solar Pollinator is designed to be suspended over plants that thrive in partial shade, and it can generate up to two kilowatts of energy. The suspended design was validated by dynamics experts at the Glenn Research Center under the Adopt-A-City program.
Challenges and Design Validation
When Jim Clair examined how to focus mirrors in a concentrated solar power plant, he considered suspending the mirrors on cables but recalled images of the Tacoma Narrows Bridge collapsing. To determine how well these suspended solar panels would withstand potentially destructive oscillations, Clair and his company Skysun LLC in Cleveland, Ohio, sought help from the NASA Glenn Research Center in 2016 to verify that their design would be safe against dangerous resonance.
Trevor Jones, a dynamic at Glenn, went to the nearby Lorain County Community College to work with a prototype of the system. Jones induced vibrations in the cables with hammers and measured the resulting oscillations. With these data, Jones designed a program that could accurately model the design’s tensile strength against wind-induced oscillations at any scale. With the dimensions inputted, the program performed the calculations and demonstrated that Clair’s idea would work without collapsing.
Current and Future Innovations
Today, Skysun builds various suspended solar energy generation systems, ranging from the Skysun Solar Pollinator, hammock-like, to full-sized solar pergolas that provide both electricity and shade.
Imagine a bridge twisting and turning as it is battered by strong winds before finally collapsing into the river below. This occurred in 1940 when the Tacoma Narrows Bridge in Washington state fell apart on a blustery November day. This collapse resulted in huge changes in engineers’ approaches to suspension bridge designs, not just in large projects like bridges but also in smaller cases.
In 2012, Jim Clair was considering investing in renewable energy and came across concentrated solar power. Unlike photovoltaic panels, which generate electricity with semiconductors, concentrators function by reflecting large amounts of sunlight onto a small receiver, heating it tremendously. This heat then generates electricity through a steam turbine. To explore this technology, Clair founded Skysun LLC in Cleveland. Since the Sun changes position throughout the day, moving the mirrors to direct the most light to the receiver is vital. Clair thought a suspended cable design would facilitate mirror movement but recalled the distorted bridge.
Since his main education was in economics, not engineering, Clair needed help determining if his idea would be safe under strong winds. This led him to the Adopt-A-City program, a collaboration between NASA’s Glenn Research Center in Cleveland, the Cuyahoga County government, and MAGNET, a local non-profit business development organization. For several years, the program helped businesses in Northeast Ohio improve their technologies with NASA expertise.
Paul Bartolotta, a now-retired project manager from NASA, oversaw the selection of companies and the assignment of their problems to NASA experts. After seeing how multidisciplinary Clair’s project was, he chose Skysun as part of the 2016 Adopt-A-City class.
Trevor Jones, a dynamic at Glenn, went to Lorain Community College to work with a prototype of the system that Clair had set up there. Jones induced vibrations in the cables with hammers and measured the resulting oscillations. With all this data, Jones designed a spreadsheet that could accurately model the design’s tensile strength against wind-induced oscillations at any scale. With the entered dimensions, the spreadsheet program performed the calculations and demonstrated that Clair’s idea would work without collapsing.
Impact and Future Projections
While the company continues to explore concentrator-based solar energy, Skysun is currently making installations that use standard photovoltaic panels that can be hung over an area as easily as a hammock. The initial product, Solar Pollinator, is designed to be suspended over plants that thrive in partial shade. Like a concentrator, the panels can track the Sun to maximize exposure.
Skysun has installed multiple Solar Pollinators around the Cleveland area and is preparing to install its first larger Solar Pergola system. The pergola generates up to three to five kilowatts of energy in places where more permanent solar installations cannot be placed, such as rental homes or leased commercial spaces. Clair credits NASA’s assistance as instrumental in the designs of both products.
Source nasa.gov
More information: www.skysunsolar.com
Emerging Trends in Suspended Solar Technology
As the demand for renewable energy sources continues to surge, innovative solar technologies are taking center stage. One notable advancement is the development of suspended solar systems, such as the Skysun Solar Pollinator. This design not only presents an efficient way to harness solar energy but also addresses challenges posed by traditional layouts.
Sustainability Meets Technology
Suspended solar panels promise greater flexibility in installation, particularly in areas where traditional solar setups may not be viable. The integration of such designs allows for the installation of solar energy solutions in urban environments, enhancing their appeal for both residential and commercial use.
Research and Validation
Collaborations with organizations like NASA have ensured these innovative designs can withstand environmental challenges such as high winds. Through rigorous testing, developers can confidently introduce these systems to the market, significantly reducing the risk associated with the installation of new technologies.
Increased Efficiency and Versatility
One of the most compelling features of suspended solar systems is their ability to track sunlight effectively. Much like traditional solar concentrators, these new configurations can pivot to capture maximum sunlight throughout the day, leading to heightened energy production. This increased efficiency makes them attractive for various applications, from urban gardens to commercial properties.
The Future of Urban Energy Solutions
As cities seek greener solutions, suspended solar technology offers a practical alternative to conventional installations. Skysun’s upcoming projects, such as their larger solar pergolas, highlight how such systems can fit into diverse environments, providing significant energy generation while preserving green spaces.
With advancements in engineering and growing awareness of renewable energy’s importance, suspended solar panels are poised to become a staple in our energy landscape. Expect significant advancements as companies like Skysun continue to innovate, paving the way for a sustainable future.
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