Wikiciv - User contributions [en]

Vertical Free-Swinging Photovoltaic Racking Energy Modelling: A Novel Approach to Agrivoltaics

2025-08-19T13:23:34Z

Khayibo: Created page with "{{Solar menu}} thumb {{FAST notice}} {{Publication data | type = Paper | cite-as = Koami Soulemane Hayibo, Joshua M. Pearce, Vertical free-swinging photovoltaic racking energy modelling: A novel approach to agrivoltaics, ''Renewable Energy'',2023,119343, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.renene.2023.119343. [https://www.academia.edu/106963637/Vertical_free_swinging_photovoltaic_racking_energy_modelling_A_novel_approach_to_agrivoltaics academia open ac..."

{{Solar menu}}

[[File:Freeswingpv.png|thumb]]

{{FAST notice}}

{{Publication data
| type = Paper
| cite-as = Koami Soulemane Hayibo, Joshua M. Pearce, Vertical free-swinging photovoltaic racking energy modelling: A novel approach to agrivoltaics, ''Renewable Energy'',2023,119343, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.renene.2023.119343. [https://www.academia.edu/106963637/Vertical_free_swinging_photovoltaic_racking_energy_modelling_A_novel_approach_to_agrivoltaics academia open access] [https://www.authorea.com/users/583318/articles/623022-vertical-free-swinging-photovoltaic-racking-energy-modelling-a-novel-approach-to-agrivoltaics preprint]
| year = 2023
| location = London, ON, Canada
}}

{{Project data
| status = Designed, Modelled, Verified
| verified-by = FAST
| made = No
| replicated = No
}}

To enable lower-cost building materials, a free-swinging bifacial vertical solar photovoltaic (PV) rack has been proposed, which complies with Canadian building codes and is the lowest capital-cost agrivoltaics rack. The wind force applied to the free-swinging PV, however, causes it to have varying tilt angles depending on the wind speed and direction. No energy performance model accurately describes such a system. To provide a simulation model for the free-swinging PV, where wind speed and direction govern the array tilt angle, this study builds upon the open-source System Advisor Model (SAM) using Python. After the SAM python model is validated, a geometrical analysis is performed to determine the view factors of the swinging bifacial PV, which are then used to calculate the solar irradiation incident on the front and back faces of the bifacial PV modules. The findings reveal that free-swinging PV generates 12% more energy than vertical fixed-tilt PV systems. Free-swinging PV offers the lowest capital cost and the racking levelized cost is over 30% lower than the LCOE of other agrivoltaics racks including the LCOE of commercial fixed-tilt metal racking, optimized fixed-tilt wood racking PV, and seasonally adjusted wood racking PV.

* For designs: https://osf.io/jhx4b/

{{Pearce publications notice}}

== Keywords ==

Photovoltaics; Agrivoltaics; Bifacial photovoltaics; Photovoltaic racking; Photovoltaic balance of systems; Photovoltaic energy models; [[Sustainable development]]; [[Open-source]]; [[Photovoltaic]]; racking; solar energy; biomaterials; wood; photovoltaic; mechanical design; balance of systems; renewable energy; open source; do-it-yourself

== See also ==

* [[To Catch the Sun]]
* [[3-D printable photovoltaic module spacer]]
* [[Open source DIY solar photovoltaic racking]]
* ---
* [https://gitlab.com/go-commons/delftopenhardware/circular-pv-panel Circular PV panel]

{{OS-PV-racks}}

{{Page data
| title-tag = Vertical Swinging Photovoltaic Racking Energy Model
| part-of = FAST Completed
| authors = User:Khayibo, User:J.M.Pearce
| keywords = energy, solar energy, solar power, photovoltaics, sustainable development, Mechanical engineering, Racking, biomaterials, wood, mechanical design, balance of systems, renewable energy, DIY, Environmental
| sdg = SDG07 Affordable and clean energy, SDG08 Decent work and economic growth, SDG09 Industry innovation and infrastructure, SDG11 Sustainable cities and communities
| published = 2023
| organizations = FAST, Western University
| language = en
}}

[[Category:FAST Completed]]
[[Category:Solar power]]
[[Category:Solar energy]]
[[Category:Photovoltaics]]
[[Category:sustainable development]]
[[Category:Mechanical engineering]]
[[Category:physics]]
[[Category:Energy]]
[[Category:Wood]]
[[Category:Renewable energy]]
[[Category:DIY]]

Technical and Economic Viability of Distributed Recycling of Low-density Polyethylene Water Sachets into Waste Composite Pavement Blocks

2025-08-19T13:21:21Z

Khayibo: Created page with "{{FAST notice}} thumb {{Publication data | type = Paper | cite-as = Tsala-Mbala, C.; Hayibo, K.S.; Meyer, T.K.; Couao-Zotti, N.; Cairns, P.; Pearce, J.M. Technical and Economic Viability of Distributed Recycling of Low-Density Polyethylene Water Sachets into Waste Composite Pavement Blocks. ''J. Compos. Sci.'' 2022, 6, 289. https://doi.org/10.3390/jcs6100289 [https://www.academia.edu/88862559/Technical_and_Economic_Viability_of_Distributed_Recyclin..."

{{FAST notice}}

[[File:Gapaver.png|thumb]]

{{Publication data
| type = Paper
| cite-as = Tsala-Mbala, C.; Hayibo, K.S.; Meyer, T.K.; Couao-Zotti, N.; Cairns, P.; Pearce, J.M. Technical and Economic Viability of Distributed Recycling of Low-Density Polyethylene Water Sachets into Waste Composite Pavement Blocks. ''J. Compos. Sci.'' 2022, 6, 289. https://doi.org/10.3390/jcs6100289 [https://www.academia.edu/88862559/Technical_and_Economic_Viability_of_Distributed_Recycling_of_Low_Density_Polyethylene_Water_Sachets_into_Waste_Composite_Pavement_Blocks Academia OA], [https://www.preprints.org/manuscript/202209.0261/v1 preprint]
}}

In many developing countries, plastic waste management is left to citizens. This usually results in landfilling or hazardous open-air burning, leading to emissions that are harmful to human health and the environment. An easy, profitable, and clean method of processing and transforming the waste into value is required. In this context, this study provides an open-source methodology to transform low-density polyethylene drinking water sachets, into pavement blocks by using a streamlined do-it-yourself approach that requires only modest capital. Two different materials, sand, and ashes are evaluated as additives in plastic composites and the mechanical strength of the resulting blocks are tested for different proportion mix of plastic, sand, and ash. The best composite had an elastic modulus of 169 MPa, a compressive strength of 29 MPa, and a water absorptivity of 2.2%. The composite pavers can be sold at 100% profit while employing workers at 1.5× the minimum wage. In the West African region, this technology has the potential to produce 19 million pavement tiles from 28,000 tons of plastic water sachets annually in Ghana, Nigeria, and Liberia. This can contribute to waste management in the region while generating a gross revenue of 2.85 billion XOF (4.33 million USD).

{{Pearce publications notice}}

[[File:Recycledpaver.png|thumb]]

== Keywords ==

composite; waste plastic; distributed recycling; LDPE; low density polyethylene; plastic sand composites; tensile strength; compressive strength; West Africa; economic development

== Sand plastic composites ==

* [[Life Cycle Carbon Emissions Savings of Replacing Concrete with Recycled Polycarbonate and Sand Composite]]
* [[The Potential of Replacing Concrete with Sand and Recycled Polycarbonate Composites: Compressive Strength Testing]]
* [[Potential of distributed recycling from hybrid manufacturing of 3-D printing and injection molding of stamp sand and acrylonitrile styrene acrylate waste composite]]
* [[Evaluation of lab performance of stamp sand and acrylonitrile styrene acrylate waste composites without asphalt as road surface materials]]
* [[Technical and Economic Viability of Distributed Recycling of Low-density Polyethylene Water Sachets into Waste Composite Pavement Blocks]]

{{Video
| video = iFcPqXxAUWM
| align = right
}}

{{MOST-recycle}}

{{Page data
| title-tag = Recycling LDPE Water Sachets into Pavement Blocks
| keywords = composite, waste plastic, distributed recycling, LDPE, low density polyethylene, plastic sand composites, tensile strength, compressive strength, West Africa, economic development
| sdg = SDG09 Industry innovation and infrastructure, SDG12 Responsible consumption and production
| organizations = Western University
| authors = User:khayibo, User:J.M.Pearce
}}

[[Category:FAST Completed]]

User:Khayibo

2025-08-19T13:16:22Z

Khayibo: Created page with "thumb {{User data | location = ; London, ON | affiliations = Western University, Michigan Technological University }} ==Background== Koami Soulemane Hayibo is currently enrolled at [https://www.uwo.ca/ University of Western Ontario] where he is studying towards a Ph.D. degree in Electrical and Computer Engineering. Koami is a member of the [https://www.appropedia.org/Category:FAST Free Appropriate Sustainable Technology (FAST)] group. His curr..."

[[File:My Profile.png |thumb]]

{{User data
| location = ; London, ON

| affiliations = Western University, Michigan Technological University
}}

==Background==
Koami Soulemane Hayibo is currently enrolled at [https://www.uwo.ca/ University of Western Ontario] where he is studying towards a Ph.D. degree in Electrical and Computer Engineering. Koami is a member of the [https://www.appropedia.org/Category:FAST Free Appropriate Sustainable Technology (FAST)] group. His current research is focused on floating PV systems in cold and freezing environments. He obtained a Master of Science degree in Electrical and Computer Engineering at [https://www.mtu.edu/ Michigan Technological University (MTU)], focusing on Solar Photovoltaic (PV) Systems. During his time at MTU, he started his early investigations on floating PV systems. Koami has completed a prior Master's program focused on the design of standalone solar PV systems at [https://www.ujkz.bf/ Université Joseph Ki-Zerbo] in Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso with a minor in sustainable development. There, he worked on the simulation of the thermal behavior of solar photovoltaic panels in a desert environment. Before this degree, he graduated from [https://univ-lome.tg/ Université de Lomé] with a Bachelor of Science in General Physics. Koami used to work with an NGO, [https://www.energy-generation.org/ Energy Generation], where he served as Technical Manager. In that position, he developed a training curriculum for standalone PV systems installation technicians. He helped design a maker space and advised innovative energy project holders on how to improve their prototypes.

== Research Interests ==
Solar PV Systems Design and Optimization | Floating PV and Agrivoltaics | Data Collection and Analysis | Machine Learning
I am interested in energy production and management through renewable energy sources and sustainable technologies with a particular focus on solar PV Systems. I am particularly curious about how innovative and out-of-the-box PV system design ideas can be used to address energy access challenges, especially in rural areas. This idea ties well into [https://sdgs.un.org/goals/goal7 United Nations Sustainable Development Goals 7 (SDG 7)]. I am also interested in the integration of renewable energy systems into the existing grid, and the Life Cycle Analysis and environmental impact of engineering systems. My other interests include the use of renewable energy systems to mitigate Climate Change issues.

== Journals I Review For ==
<gallery heights="100" widths="250">
File:Rser-logo-certificate.png|[https://www.sciencedirect.com/journal/renewable-and-sustainable-energy-reviews Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews]
File:Jcleprod-logo-certificate.png|[https://www.sciencedirect.com/journal/journal-of-cleaner-production Journal of Cleaner Production]
File:Energies-logo.jpg|[https://www.mdpi.com/journal/energies MDPI Energies]
File:Sustainability-logo.jpg|[https://www.mdpi.com/journal/sustainability MDPI Sustainability]
File:Sensors-logo.jpg|[https://www.mdpi.com/journal/sensors MDPI Sensors]

</gallery>

==Completed Projects and Publications==

=== 2025 Completed Projects ===
<gallery widths="200">
File:Pvbenefits.jpg|[[Additional value of non-electricity generating services (co-benefits) provided by non-conventional dual use solar photovoltaic systems: A PRISMA review]]
File:FPV-AEM-big.jpg|[[Experimental integration of a foam-based floating photovoltaic (floatovoltaic) system with an anion exchange membrane electrolyzer for 5 kW-Scale green hydrogen production]]
File:Paleblue.jpg|[[Comparative techno-environmental analysis of grey, blue, green/yellow and pale-blue hydrogen production]]
File:Pv+hp+greenhouse.jpg|[[Greenhouse applications of solar photovoltaic driven heat pumps in northern environments]]
</gallery>

=== 2024 Completed Projects ===
<gallery widths="200">
File:PVbuildings.png|[[Open-Source Software for Building-Integrated Photovoltaic Tiling for Novelty Architecture]]
File:Pv+hp.png|[[Residential Sizing of Solar Photovoltaic Systems and Heat Pumps for Net Zero Sustainable Thermal Building Energy]]
File:Pexels-kelly-8457868.jpg|[[Using a Ledger to Facilitate Autonomous Peer-to-Peer Virtual Net Metering of Solar Photovoltaic Distributed Generation]]
</gallery>

===2023 Completed Projects===
<gallery widths="200">
File:Freeswingpv.png|[[Vertical Free-Swinging Photovoltaic Racking Energy Modelling: A Novel Approach to Agrivoltaics]]
File:Ga-pv-fence-mech.png|[[The potential for fencing to be used as low-cost solar photovoltaic racking]]
File:Bitcoinsolar.jpg|[[Economics of Open-Source Solar Photovoltaic Powered Cryptocurrency Mining]]
File:Vertical Swinging Wooden PV Racking Graphical Abstract.jpg|[[Open-Source Vertical Swinging Wood-Based Solar Photovoltaic Racking Systems]]
</gallery>

===2022 Completed Projects===
<gallery widths="200">
File:Carportga.png|[[Open-source Photovoltaic - Electrical Vehicle Carport Designs]]
File:Gapaver.png|[[Technical and Economic Viability of Distributed Recycling of Low-density Polyethylene Water Sachets into Waste Composite Pavement Blocks]]
File:Fencepv.png|[[Optimal inverter and wire selection for solar photovoltaic fencing applications]]
File:Gatiltwood.png|[[Open-Source Design and Economics of Manual Variable-Tilt Angle DIY Wood-Based Solar Photovoltaic Racking System]]
File:Bifisnow.jpg|[[Monofacial vs bifacial solar photovoltaic systems in snowy environments]]
File:DIY PV Rack Graphical Abstract.jpg|[[Impacts of Location on Designs and Economics of DIY Low-Cost Fixed-Tilt Open Source Wood Solar Photovoltaic Racking]]
File:Ga walker.png|[[Foam-based floatovoltaics: A potential solution to disappearing terminal natural lakes]]
File:Greensun.png|[[The Greenest Solar Power? Life Cycle Assessment of Foam-Based Flexible Floatovoltaics]]
</gallery>

===2021 Completed Projects===
<gallery widths="200">
File:Graphabsvos.png|[[A review of the value of solar methodology with a case study of the U.S. VOS]]
File:Screenshot 2023-11-09 132419.png|[https://www.proquest.com/docview/2539850879/abstract/39798DAB5A824A1FPQ/1 Quantifying the Value of Foam-Based Flexible Floating Solar Photovoltaic Systems]
</gallery>

===2020 Completed Projects===
<gallery widths="200">
File:Fpv-water.png|[[Water Conservation Potential of Self-Funded Foam-Based Flexible Surface-Mounted Floatovoltaics]]
</gallery>

===2018 Completed Projects===
<gallery widths="200">
File:PVT module.jpg|Theoretical Study of a Thermal Photovoltaic Hybrid Solar Collector
</gallery>

==Videos==
{{Video|https://youtu.be/L783ZiDQOCg}}
{{Video|https://youtu.be/tHkTRFwYbX4}}

==Campus Involvement and In the News==
===News Highlights===
<gallery widths="200">
File:The globe and mail koami phd.jpg |[https://www.theglobeandmail.com/business/adv/article-solutions-for-a-low-carbon-future/ '''The Globe and Mail''' - Solutions for a low-carbon future]

File:Fpv-apnews.png|[https://apnews.com/press-release/kisspr/technology-business-alternative-and-sustainable-energy-environment-electric-utilities-37f0dbce61b51f27eebbbcf7dd0bf171 '''AP News''' - Studies: Foam+Floating Solar Crushes Cost of Solar Energy While Saving Water]
</gallery>

===More News===
*[https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2021/02/210209151816.htm Science Daily]
*Involvement in the [https://www.mtu.edu/mechanical/people/ambassadors/ Engineering Ambassadors @MichiganTech] program
*[https://blogs.mtu.edu/engineering/2019/10/30/michigan-tech-ece-welcomes-fulbright-scholar-koami-hayibo/ Michigan Tech College of Engineering Blog]
*[https://sharing-knowledge.org/conference/geneve-suisse-7-8-juin-2019 Sharing Knowledge Conference, Geneva, Switzerland, 7 - 8 June 2019]
*[https://fulbridge.org/w/briefly-noted-march-2021/ Fulbridge - March 2021 Fulbright Alumnis Highlights]

==Literature Reviews==
*[[Additional Services Provided by Solar PV Systems: A review]]
*[[Recycled plastic pavement tiles]]
*[[Life Cycle Analysis of Floatovoltaics]]
*[[Value Of solar literature review|Value Of Solar Literature Review]]

[[Category:5490-2020]]
[[Category:Solar power]]
[[Category:Solar energy]]
[[Category:Photovoltaics]]
[[Category:Water]]
[[category:sustainable development]]
[[Category:water conservation]]
[[Category:Free Appropriate Sustainability Technology Members]]