ASET Technology Alberta Fall 2021 - 30

PROJECT
Tool-free, Floating,
Solar PV Roof Mount
ACADEMIC INSTITUTION
Red Deer College
ENGINEERING TECHNOLOGY DISCIPLINE
Electrical engineering technology,
Instrumentation engineering technology,
Mechanical engineering technology
PROJECT DESCRIPTION
The popularity of solar panels - to reduce the consumption
of fossil fuels and the associated carbon footprint of carbon-based
fuels - has resulted in a reduction in the cost per
watt ($/watt) for the materials. There is a catch; the installation
of these solar panels currently requires specialized
individuals who charge higher labour rates for the specific
skills required to mount solar panel arrays. Current designs
generally utilize at least four anchors with flashing for each
panel, which end up putting many holes into the roof. This
requires significant time spent on the roof to ensure the
penetrations do not result in leaks. Compounding this fact
is the lack of a concise standard within the Canadian Building
Code (CBC) regarding the forces to be resisted by the
mounting system.
Our team considered the challenge of mounting a solar
panel array and the conditions allowed by the CBC with an
advanced support structure utilizing the mass of the assembly
and panel components. The resultant system design is
tool-free, safer and easier to install without the need for roof
penetrations. Further, the design requires less time on the
roof for installation, which improves safety and reduces the
cost of installation. This means a better return on investment
for the owner.
Project goals and outcomes are:
* to deliver the proof of concept for a tool-free,
clip-type mounting system
* to create a design that reduces specialized work
and minimizes use of tools; and
* to complete the design using over-peak straps
with solar panels mounted onto the straps.
Calculations demonstrating the low-profile design with ample
ventilation space will effectively mitigate wind effects
from the sides and bottom.
Full tool-free, floating installation hardware.
Solar panel snap-clip assembly and inter-panel coupling.
30 | FALL 2021 | TECHNOLOGY ALBERTA

ASET Technology Alberta Fall 2021

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of ASET Technology Alberta Fall 2021

ASET Technology Alberta Fall 2021 - Cover1
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ASET Technology Alberta Fall 2021 - Cover3
ASET Technology Alberta Fall 2021 - Cover4
https://www.nxtbook.com/dawson/aset/ta_spring_2024
https://www.nxtbook.com/dawson/aset/ta_winter_2023
https://www.nxtbook.com/dawson/aset/ta_fall_2023
https://www.nxtbook.com/dawson/aset/ta_summer_2023
https://www.nxtbook.com/dawson/aset/ta_spring_2023
https://www.nxtbook.com/dawson/aset/ta_winter_2022
https://www.nxtbook.com/dawson/aset/ta_fall_2022
https://www.nxtbook.com/dawson/aset/ta_summer_2022
https://www.nxtbook.com/dawson/aset/ta_spring_2022
https://www.nxtbook.com/dawson/aset/ta_winter_2021
https://www.nxtbook.com/dawson/aset/ta_fall_2021
https://www.nxtbook.com/dawson/aset/ta_summer_2021
https://www.nxtbook.com/dawson/aset/ta_spring_2021
https://www.nxtbook.com/dawson/aset/ta_winter_2020
https://www.nxtbook.com/dawson/aset/ta_fall_2020
https://www.nxtbook.com/dawson/aset/ta_summer_2020
https://www.nxtbook.com/dawson/aset/ta_spring_2020
https://www.nxtbook.com/dawson/aset/ta_winter_2019
https://www.nxtbook.com/dawson/aset/ta_summer_2019
https://www.nxtbook.com/dawson/aset/ta_spring_2019
https://www.nxtbook.com/dawson/aset/ta_fall_dec2018
https://www.nxtbook.com/dawson/aset/aset55anniversary
https://www.nxtbook.com/dawson/aset/ta_spring_2018
https://www.nxtbook.com/dawson/aset/ta_winter_2018
https://www.nxtbook.com/dawson/aset/ta_fall_2017
https://www.nxtbook.com/dawson/aset/ta_spring_2017
https://www.nxtbook.com/dawson/aset/ta_winter_2017
https://www.nxtbook.com/dawson/aset/ta_fall_2016
https://www.nxtbook.com/dawson/aset/ta_summer_2016
https://www.nxtbook.com/dawson/aset/ta_spring_2016
https://www.nxtbook.com/dawson/aset/ta_winter_2016
https://www.nxtbook.com/dawson/aset/ta_fall_2015
https://www.nxtbook.com/dawson/aset/ta_summer_2015
https://www.nxtbook.com/dawson/aset/ta_spring_2015
https://www.nxtbookmedia.com