ELEMENT Design Development: Solar Panel

The solar panels being placed on the roof are being supplied by BP Solar. The panels are 170 Watt Photovoltaic Module units (Model BP 7170). The efficiency of these panels is rated at 13.5%. This number may seem small; however, the most current photovoltaic cell converts sunlight into DC power at an efficiency rate of at most 15%. For more detailed information about BP Solar’s products or services visit their residential solar applications website at:

http://www.bp.com/subsection.do?categoryId=3050503&contentId=3060168

After the module shift took place, we were able to more adequately maximize the roof area available for solar panels. As seen below, the roof of each module has a solar array consisting of a 12 photovoltaic module units in a 3 x 4 grid. Then attached to the façade of each module there are an additional 4 photovoltaic module for a total of 48 photovoltaic module units to power the house and the electric car.

South Elevation showing the Solar Array

Performance and transportation where the two main drivers behind the design of the solar arrays. The solution to both these issues came when we decided to hinge each group of panels. The 12 units on the roof fold down on top of the roof for ease of transportation while the 4 units on the south façade fold inward against the façade during transport. This hinging will help protect the panels during the trip to Washington DC and it will also help us maximize the performance of the photovoltaic cells. By placing the panels perpendicular to the rays of the sun the cells while be able to convert more of the light into power. The hinged panels attached to the south façade will also help shade the windows on the south façade to prevent unwanted solar heat gain during the summer months.

Conceptual Design of Hinged Solar Arrays