Date of Defense

12-3-2024

Date of Graduation

12-2024

Department

Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering

First Advisor

Bade Shrestha

Second Advisor

Muralidhar K. Ghantasala

Abstract

Sunseeker Solar Car Project manufactures and uses solar modules with a specific material composition to power their car. The current composition consists of many expired materials that are also too expensive to repurchase. In order to find new materials, they need to meet the material requirements while also being affordable for the team. A material analysis was done, and new materials were chosen based on specific properties like transmissibility, UV wavelength range, volume resistivity, adhesion strength, and the thickness. Power losses were then measured using an IV tracer at a set irradiance. This was done before and after encapsulating solar cells in the chosen layering composition. This method shows the difference between the power output through the specific layering. The results were then compared to the current modules showing how the materials change the output power. Following the material search and testing, a strain simulation of the cell was conducted using Ansys, a new fiberglass layer was added for increased stiffness, and a new strain relief bracket was designed and analyzed using SolidWorks and Ansys, respectively. The integrity of the solar module connection points were evaluated using electrical and displacement testing. The rigidity of the module was increased as well with the fiberglass scrim fabric. This increased stiffness is beneficial for resisting bending during transport and while on the car. If the modules bend too much it risks breaking of the internal and external connection points. Lastly, the newly designed strain bracket allowed for only .000548 m/m of strain on the wire. A new solution for the expired materials was found using all the methods stated previously. This has the possibility to save the Sunseeker Solar Car Project thousands of dollars and the ability to continue building their own solar modules.

Comments

Co-authored with:

Riley Fuller

Jadon Kennell

Access Setting

Honors Thesis-Open Access

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Defense Presentation

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