Investigating Performance and Estimating Cost of an Overhead Crane Operated by Photovoltaic Panels

Solar energy is capable of producing heat or generating electricity. Solar cells convert the energy of light into electrical energy through the photovoltaic effect. Electricity produced by solar cells can be used for required power of overhead cranes. Mostly, overhead cranes are equipped with 3 motors for lifting, moving along length and width of a workshop. In this study, not only do the solar panels provide required power of the overhead crane, but also they provide required power for lighting of the workshop and HVAC system in it. Nearly 20 000 kWh per year electricity is provided by 108 modules on roof of the workshop, so about 30% of total power production by photovoltaic panels can be consumed for workshop power consumption during a year and rest of it is sold to the grid. According to global price of electricity including taxes and price of solar feed-in-tariff offer to investors, it lasts about 5 years to achieve return on investment completely, so after five-year duration, this system will bring profitability for investors.