Optimization of Innovative Solar Racking System Incorporating Bi-Directional Capabilities Increasing Wide Load Distribution

hb Solar International位于安大略省剑桥市中心，拥有一个仓库和制造车间，为所有类型的屋顶提供创新的太阳能光伏安装系统。该公司的屋顶货架解决方案仍然是业内大多数工程师、开发商和承包商使用的基准。最近，随着该技术在加拿大迅速普及，光伏发电的部署迅速增长。

With a warehouse and fabrication shop centrally located in Cambridge, Ontario, hb Solar International provides innovative solar PV mounting systems for all types of rooftops. The company's rooftop racking solutions remain the benchmark used by most engineers, developers, and contractors in the industry. Recently, there has been rapid growth in the deployment of photovoltaics with the technology quickly gaining ground in Canada. To remain competitive in the global renewable energy market, hb Solar has developed a new racking design for solar panels. However, it is not market-ready due to high manufacturing costs and heavy load. Currently, the company's racking system consists of front and back skyrails that are placed in East-West direction only. Therefore, the collaborative project with Lambton College will focus on optimizing and improving the new solar racking system to include permanent North-South rails connected to the East-West rails to work the new racking system bi-directionally. To achieve this, the research team will evaluate the current system design for flat roofs to redesign a new system, analyze the load with modelling and simulations, test the racking structural stiffness, improve the roof ballast design, and perform a cost analysis of various material options. The results of this project will contribute to Canada's green economy as PV technology plays an essential role in reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and deregulation. As well, the new product design provides a solid foundation for hb Solar International to manufacture a new, low cost, lightweight, easy to install, rail-based, ballasted racking solution for all types of flat rooftops to the market. While also meeting building code requirements for North America which will increase hb Solar's capacity to compete in the North American market. It is also estimated that over the next five years there will be $4,000,000 in revenue generated as well as the creation of 8 to 10 new full-time positions in the field.