Initial Plan
We have 1-2 modules (?)
Plan is to make a few top shell variants, each with different hole distributions and locations, all of them will have a test module placed on them and then placed outside to see how temp rises and how efficiency changes
Place on 2 by 4s or something to prop them up, and then test all simultaneously so that conditions are similar, if not the same
See which one is the best
...
Revised Plan
Plan is being revised because we need to know if array cooling is something that we need to take into account when figuring out driver position
We are considering making a 2 part top shell design and having air flow through the shell in order to cool the array. However this is mainly just possible if driver is near the rear of the car since back driver makes it more practical to have a flat top shell, and air flow through that is easier than a curved top shell.
This year regs have changed so water cannot be sprayed on the array to cool it down which makes array cooling even more important. (8.1.H)
We have a total of 5 modules available for us, and will use the best ones to gather data. There are 4 configurations that we can test
[2 ply CF, Nomex, 2 ply CF] - Enclosed box
This would be the daybreak equivalent of top shell but with Nomex, which is the current plan for this year
Simulates array with no cooling considerations whatsoever, to see what would happen if we didn’t change anything from before
[2 ply CF, Nomex, 2 ply CF] - Enclosed box with holes in top shell
This simulates how having holes in the top shell would affect array, mainly to see if there is an initial increase in efficiency when temp inside box is lower than the temp of the array
[2 ply CF, Nomex, 2 ply CF] - 2 sides closed with holes in top shell
This simulates how having non-stagnant air would affect array
[2 ply CF, Nomex, 2 ply CF] - 2 sides closed with holes in top shell with airflow
This will only happen if we have a reliable way of having consistent airflow (also if we can measure the rate of airflow beforehand)
This would simulate how array would preform with holes and constant airflow (aka car is running)
The plan is to place all array panels in similar/same conditions, and then track the energy generation of all panels as well as the temp of all cells. We will also be tracking internal temp of boxes if possible just to put those in context, and be able to track heat increase, especially for test sample 2.
Using the energy generation numbers, we can figure out how efficiency changes (decreases) over time given the configuration of top shell, which will help us determine how to position driver/ if we need to have any form of array cooling and to what extent array cooling needs to be considered while designing the aeroshell