Design Method of Primary Structures of a Cost-Effective Cable-Supported Photovoltaic System

Abstract

Cable-supported photovoltaic systems (CSPSs) are a new technology for supporting structures that have broad application prospects owing to their cost-effectiveness, light weight, large span, high headroom, few pile foundations, short construction period, and symbiosis with fisheries and farms. Recently, a new CSPS with a much smaller settlement and stronger wind resistance was proposed. The new CSPS, with a 10% lower cost compared with traditional fix-tilted PV support, is a better alternative to traditional photovoltaic (PV) support systems. In this study, the failure models and bearing capacity of the primary structures of the new CSPS were investigated in detail using the FEM method, and a design method for the new structure was proposed based on the limit state design method. The results showed that the structure had a strong load-bearing capacity. Failure of the cables and triangular brackets are the two main types of failure of the primary structure. The cross-sectional area of the cables is the most important factor affecting the load-bearing capacity of the structure and directly affecting the failure modes of the CSPS. The numerical case verified that the proposed design method works well and that the designed structure has sufficient loading capacity and is cost-effective.

Keywords

• PV modules
• flexible support
• numerical simulation
• wind-resistant design
• design method