Design of a solar tree for the Bajo Cauca Headquarters of University of Antioquia

The conceptual and detailed design of a metal structure resembling a real tree with branches, in whose upper part photovoltaic solar panels are located, is presented in this work. The energy generated will be used to charge batteries for mobile phones, tablets and laptops belonging to the university community in Bajo Cauca headquarter of Universidad de Antioquia, located at a latitude of 7.990584 degrees and a longitude of -75.193100 degrees. For the design of the tree, an estimation of the solar resource in the headquarter was initially conducted; it was established that the annual average of peak solar hours was equivalent to 18.74 MJ/m(2). Based on a daily energy requirement of 1400 Wh/day, the number of 180 Wp panels to be installed was determined to be 2. The tree structure was numerically analyzed using a finite element software in order to determine the stresses and deformations due to external loads and its own weight to guarantee its structural integrity. The featured design is a portable structure that can produce green energy and provide a meeting place at the Bajo Cauca headquarter.