Solar

tk1sc – Solar Field Service Management System

When designing photovoltaic (PV) systems for their clients, tk1sc must take into account many design factors for the project, including size, location, weather, and the local climate and environment. tk1sc’s current solar design software uses a common inaccurate environmental estimate known as yearly soiling. tk1sc inputs this estimated soiling value into their soiling design software to calculate a PV system’s expected energy output. tk1sc is aware that their current yearly soiling estimate process is inaccurate, and has tasked our team with developing a process to determine monthly soiling averages for their new client’s PV systems. tk1sc desires an accurate, reliable, and internal method to approximate monthly soiling rates to increase customer satisfaction and PV production estimates for clients.

Thermal Energy Storage for Load Shifting

Physics Professor Pete Schwartz has a hot tub in his backyard and four 425 Watt solar panels on his roof. Currently, his panels heat his hot tub directly using resistive heating elements, and he cannot use his hot tub in the evening. Our team, Ra Energy, designed a thermal energy storage system, so Dr. Schwartz can use his hot tub after the sun sets. Energy storage can shift electrical load away from the late afternoon when people return to their homes, and it is a crucial technology necessary to create a sustainable future.

Cal Poly Microgrid Fixed PV Array

Our team has designed an adjustable solar panel mount for the Cal Poly Mechanical Engineering Department to aid in the ongoing solar energy research on campus.