P14421:Smart PV PanelTeam Leader: Bobby Jones

Sean KitkoAlicia Oswald

Danielle HoweChris Torbitt

AGENDABackground

Problem StatementCustomer NeedsEngineering Requirements

System AnalysisConcept & Architecture DevelopmentEngineering AnalysisRisk AssessmentTest Plan

BACKGROUND

Advance Power Systems◦Jasper Ball◦Atlanta, GA

Snow reduces power output of PV panelsDevelop method to prevent snow from

accumulating in the first place◦Apply current to conductive, heating ink◦Keep temperature of panel surface above

freezing◦Sense presence of snow

PROJECT BACKGROUND

Current State◦Current snow removal techniques make use of

manual labor or mechanical systems that can freeze up when needed.

Desired State◦A robust, automated snow removal system that can

be used for large and small scale PV applications.Goals

◦Prevents snow accumulation◦Easily incorporated into current manufacturing

process◦Used on single panels◦Energy efficient

PROBLEM STATEMENT

RE-FOCUSED SCOPEPrimarily Focused on:

◦Heating Element Layout◦Power Electronics◦Control Electronics◦Sensing Method and Evaluation

Secondary Focus:◦Sensor Integration◦Manufacturing Integration

Working prototype with ink, control and heating systems

Possible sensing methodsTest proof of capabilitiesUser and assembly manualDesign drawingsBOMEdge documentationMSD posterTechnical paper

PROJECT DELIVERABLES

Needs List

Engineering Requirements

Engineering vs. Customer Req.

BENCHMARKING ThermaPAVER

◦ Heat transfer solution◦ Uses pump to push heated water through

tubing in pavement◦ PV collector to power pump

Warmzone◦ Electric Radiant Heating

Radiant heating cables installed under pavement

◦ Hydronic System Combination of hot water and antifreeze

circulates through tubing in pavement Both use an aerial snow sensor that

detects temperature and precipitation

SYSTEM ANALYSIS

FUNCTIONAL DECOMPOSITION

CONCEPT & ARCHITECTURE DEVELOPMENT

ALTERNATIVE CONSIDERATIONS

Possible Concepts

Options Sensor(s) Initiate Heating Supply PowerA Sonic, Thermometer Control System Powered by panel outputB Capacitance Sensor Signal BatteryC Optical, Themocouples Switch GridD Heat Vision Clapper HamstersE Humidity Sensor, Thermometer, Optical Cellphone App Geothermal batteryF Laser, Moisture On/Off Switch Wind turbineG Conductivity, Thermocouples Control Signal BatteryH Temperature, Optical, Moisture Control Signal Battery, Charged by panel

Manual Removal

ARCHITECTURE

Control System

Snow Sensor 2

Power Electronics

Snow Sensor 3

Snow Sensor 1

PV Panel 1

PV Panel 2

PV Panel 3

PV Panel 4

PV Panel 5

ENGINEERING ANALYSIS

RISK ASSESSMENT

RISK ASSESSMENT CON’T

TEST PLAN OUTLINETest Ink

◦Verify heat dispersion, and ink durabilityTest Control System

◦Verify appropriate output signal and system responseTest Battery

◦Verify battery life/performance and response to coldTest Power/Charging Electronics

◦Verify power output and charging capabilitiesTest Sensors

◦Test different sensing optionsSystem Integration Test

◦Verify all subsystems operate together

SCHEDULE

Questions?

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