Using ways to generate energy in a clean, renewable and low
environmental impact has been one of the new paradigms in Chile’s
energy industry in recent years. Awareness of the carbon footprint
and the scarcity of fossil fuels have boosted and enhanced the use
of unconventional renewable energies (NCRE).
Gone are the times when the investment to generate NCRE was so
high, that it returned to economically unviable projects. In Chile,
from 2013 to 2018, the investment cost of a photovoltaic plant has
fallen by almost 35%, which has resulted in the execution of a
series of projects that make 17% of our energy matrix today of
solar origin.
One of the challenges proposed by the photovoltaic industry has
been to have local suppliers capable of efficiently manufacturing
and installing support structures for the panels. Along these
lines, Tecnovial has developed designs focused on improving the
efficiency and costs of projects, using recyclable and reusable
materials, such as galvanized steel profiles.
SUPPORTING STRUCTURE FOR PHOTOVOLTAIC PANELS
In general, the design of the panels is standardized and their
measurements do not vary greatly between brands and models. In this
way, its materiality characteristics can be approximated as a 1x2 m
panel with a thickness close to 50 mm, presenting a weight close to
20 Kg per panel.
The location of the panels in the field depends on the
geographical conditions of the area and the installation options.
For smaller projects, the roofs of the structures are usually used
as a support base. In larger projects, the structures are installed
directly on the ground, using large extensions to make better use
of sunlight.
The most efficient solution
Quick and easy installation, either by driving or base
plate.
It can be used on any type of terrain.
It does not require heavy equipment as support.
It is easy to transport.
It helps the environment by being clean energy.
It uses galvanized steel or Magnelis, which allows greater
durability.
Light models of national manufacture.
General characteristics
SOLAR PANEL STRUCTURES
Santa Marta 1717, Maipú, Santiago. / Fono (56-2) 2351 0800 /
[email protected] · www.tecnovial.cl
the ground, using a machine that generates repetitive impacts on
the head of the element, until it penetrates to the specified
length. The length of penetration necessary to guarantee the
stability of the support depends both on the properties of the
structural profile, and on the soil conditions.
This methodology is used in various situations, being
particularly practical for installing modular structures arranged
continuously, such as road containment barriers. In the vast
majority of cases, the terrain allows the installation of an
inflated groove, even in soils that contain rock bolons of
considerable size (up to 10 ”), since the profile is capable of
moving or splitting it.
However, in cases where penetrating the terrain with the
profiles is unfeasible, there are two alternatives, according to
the soil conditions:
Dig and make a small foundation of reinforced concrete for each
post.
Use a hole to drill the floor, then enter the structural profile
and fill the spaces with compacted soil.
Support Structure Design
Thinking about easy installation, assembly and transport,
Tecnovial developed a structure based on steel profiles with bolted
joints. Its design allows it to be installed on the ground without
the need for specialized labor.
The profiles are structural in A36 type steel with channel,
stiffened channel and angle geometries, all connected with high
strength structural bolts. In turn, to guarantee the strength of
the steel during the life of the project and, considering that many
times they are in aggressive corrosion environments, all the
elements are subjected to a hot galvanized process.
For the design of the structure, the structural profiles are
sized according to the AISC-360 standard. In turn, the NCh3171
“Structural design - General provisions and combinations of loads”,
NCh431 “Snow loads”, NCh432 “Wind loads” and NCh2369 standards were
used to calculate the load states to which the system will be
subjected. “Seismic design of industrial structures and
facilities”. This ensures that the design of the support structures
is consistent with the environmental conditions of our country.
The driving method is a highly efficient alternative to install
these types of structures. This consists of burying the structural
profile in
Santa Marta 1717, Maipú, Santiago. / Fono (56-2) 2351 0800 /
[email protected] · www.tecnovial.cl
SOLAR PANEL STRUCTURES
Structure assembly
Waterfront support
Bolted post
Strut
Bowed post
Support beam
Clip
