The objective of this project was to develop a new method of locating roof rafters that improves on both efficiency and accuracy to decrease the overall installation time of solar panels.
Sponsored by: Solar Energy Solutions
Team Members
Austin Azemar Dongsu Seo Kyle Russell Mikayla Roach Mateo Lupinetti
Instructor: Jessica Menold
Project Poster
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Project Video
Project Summary
Overview
Solar Energy Solutions is a solar energy and solar battery storage installation firm that approached the Penn State Engineering Capstone Program to find a more effective and efficient method of locating roof rafters for solar panel installation. The current method involves striking a roof with a hammer, listening to the sound produced, and estimating the rafter’s location. However, this process often needs more accurate results, extra repair costs, and increased installation time. Therefore, Solar Energy Solutions tasked our group with researching and developing a new alternative for a significantly faster locating process.
Objectives
– Develop new method of locating roof rafters that improves on both efficiency and accuracy to decrease the overall installation time of solar panels.
– Construct prototype to test newly develop method.
– Construct model roof to replicate a typical residential roof for solar panel installation.
– Perform experimentation of striking a roof in different locations to learn about frequency response of a roof.
– Analyze frequency response of striking a roof rafter and develop pre-amplifying system to analyze response and output a rafter location.
Approach
Approach:
– Conduct weekly meetings with our Solar Energy Solutions Sponsor to receive constructive feedback.
– Utilized a Pugh Concept Selection Matrix to select our primary design for our process.
– Created CAD models of the prototype and its subsequent systems.
– Developed a method to decrease solar panel installation time by automating the locating process.
– Used PVC to test optimal frame dimensions and cut prototyping costs.
– Used CAD to model 80/20 aluminum frame.
– 3D printed handle, trigger, and other small components to improve ergonomics and help with rapid prototyping.
– Constructed a mock roof to test acoustic equipment and integrated systems.
– Studied acoustic response of roof rafters using Matlab frequency analysis tools.
Outcomes
– Developed rafter testing procedure.
– Identified the low frequency rafter response.
– Light-weight hand operated prototype.
– Developed a semi-permanent marking system.
– Powered by common rechargeable batteries accessible.
– New rafter locating process that could lead to cost and time savings.
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