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I have designed the lift system to be 24” wide. My panels are 52” long, so that gives a overhang of 14” on each end. It can be built wider but I would like to do some testing first to see how wide I can go with it. Also I still need to design some other safety systems.
The install height is 4.5” including the panel. The static load on the lifting device is 500 lbs..
Force, F = A x P x Cd
A = The projected area of the item
P , Wind pressure (Psf), = .00256 x V^2 (V= wind speed in Mph)
Cd , Drag coefficient, = 2.0 for flat plates. For a long cylinder (like most antenna tubes), Cd = 1.2.
When tilted, a 40 mph wind will give a wind load of 62 lbs. per panel.
For a 40 mph wind the calculation would be:
52” x 21.25 = 1105 sq. inch (1105 /12/12 = 7.6 sq. ft.)
40 x 40 x 0.00256=4.096 per sq. foot.
31.1296 x 2 = 62.2592
So I think in a 100 mph wind it will rip the frame off the roof before it folds up the panel.
I think it would be best to install a wind speed indicator to automatically fold down the panels when the wind reaches a certain speed. I also have found a device that will allow the panels to track the sun from east to west. So when you have to park north south they can automatically move with the sun. That will be a later upgrade.
Time to move to Death Valley, Later.
Gary
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