Case Studies Generating clean, low-cost solar power worldwide with SolidWorks

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	Generating clean, low-cost solar power worldwide with SolidWorks

Generating clean, low-cost solar power worldwide with SolidWorks

Technology Category	Analytics & Modeling - Predictive Analytics Application Infrastructure & Middleware - Data Visualization Functional Applications - Product Lifecycle Management Systems (PLM)
Applicable Industries	Construction & Infrastructure Renewable Energy
Applicable Functions	Product Research & Development Quality Assurance
Use Cases	Predictive Maintenance Process Control & Optimization Remote Asset Management
Services	Software Design & Engineering Services System Integration
Challenge	Lower solar power mounting-structure costs through the development of a more cost-efficient solar panel rack-mounting system for retail store applications. Read More
About Customer	SunEdison LLC, an MEMC company, is a leading provider of solar power solutions to commercial and governmental customers. The company installs rooftop solar systems and sells the electricity generated to host customers at a fraction of the cost of conventionally produced power. SunEdison serves a diverse range of clients, including retail stores like Kohl’s and Staples, governmental institutions, utilities, and real estate investment trusts. The company is committed to making solar power less costly and more accessible, thereby promoting the use of clean, renewable energy. Read More
Solution	SunEdison implemented SolidWorks Premium 3D design and analysis software, along with SolidWorks Flow Simulation computational fluid dynamics (CFD) software, to create, prototype, and build a more innovative and effective solar power rack-mount design. The software's ease of use, support for an iterative approach, and integrated structural and fluid dynamics analysis capabilities were crucial in developing the new system. The design team explored different materials and ultimately chose Galvalume coated steel for its durability and cost-effectiveness. Using SolidWorks, they were able to iterate and validate the new Delta Rack solar panel rack-mounting concept, significantly reducing costs and development time. Read More Log in to view content
Contents

Technology Category

Analytics & Modeling - Predictive Analytics

Application Infrastructure & Middleware - Data Visualization

Functional Applications - Product Lifecycle Management Systems (PLM)

Applicable Industries

Construction & Infrastructure

Renewable Energy

Applicable Functions

Product Research & Development

Quality Assurance

Use Cases

Predictive Maintenance

Process Control & Optimization

Remote Asset Management

Services

Software Design & Engineering Services

System Integration

Challenge

Lower solar power mounting-structure costs through the development of a more cost-efficient solar panel rack-mounting system for retail store applications.

About Customer

SunEdison LLC, an MEMC company, is a leading provider of solar power solutions to commercial and governmental customers. The company installs rooftop solar systems and sells the electricity generated to host customers at a fraction of the cost of conventionally produced power. SunEdison serves a diverse range of clients, including retail stores like Kohl’s and Staples, governmental institutions, utilities, and real estate investment trusts. The company is committed to making solar power less costly and more accessible, thereby promoting the use of clean, renewable energy.

Solution

SunEdison implemented SolidWorks Premium 3D design and analysis software, along with SolidWorks Flow Simulation computational fluid dynamics (CFD) software, to create, prototype, and build a more innovative and effective solar power rack-mount design. The software's ease of use, support for an iterative approach, and integrated structural and fluid dynamics analysis capabilities were crucial in developing the new system. The design team explored different materials and ultimately chose Galvalume coated steel for its durability and cost-effectiveness. Using SolidWorks, they were able to iterate and validate the new Delta Rack solar panel rack-mounting concept, significantly reducing costs and development time.

Impact #1	Cut solar panel mounting-structure costs by 80 percent.
Impact #2	Realized a 75 percent reduction in the development cycle.
Impact #3	Decreased the need for wind tunnel testing, saving time and money.

Impact #1

Cut solar panel mounting-structure costs by 80 percent.

Impact #2

Realized a 75 percent reduction in the development cycle.

Impact #3

Decreased the need for wind tunnel testing, saving time and money.

Benefit #1	Reduced mounting-structure costs from 50 cents to 10 cents per watt.
Benefit #2	Achieved an 80 percent bottom-line cost reduction.
Benefit #3	Reduced development cycle by at least 75 percent.

Benefit #1

Reduced mounting-structure costs from 50 cents to 10 cents per watt.

Benefit #2

Achieved an 80 percent bottom-line cost reduction.

Benefit #3

Reduced development cycle by at least 75 percent.

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Overview

Generating clean, low-cost solar power worldwide with SolidWorks

Operational Impact

Quantitative Benefit