Green Solutions in Energy: Polylactic Acid (PLA) and Additive Manufacturing for Solar E-Hub Applications

The emergence of additive manufacturing (AM) technologies has revolutionized design and production processes, offering new opportunities to enhance materials and optimize configurations across diverse industries, including renewable energy. This research focuses on the design and fabrication of a solar energy harvesting module (solar e-hub) using Polylactic Acid (PLA) material in AM techniques for 100-watt applications. In Malaysia, there is an increasing demand for energy adapted to small-scale and off-grid applications, particularly in rural areas where solar energy is readily available. Solar energy storage devices are crucial for these communities, as well as for campers and a reliable power source in remote locations. The research employs the Fused Deposition Modelling (FDM) method to fabricate solar e-hubs using sustainable green PLA materials. The process is controlled using computer-aided design (CAD) software like CREO Parametric 10.0 and slicing software Creatware V70.2, with parameters set to a heated bed temperature of 55°C, a printing temperature of 200°C, and a printing speed of 50 mms^-1 with a cubic pattern of 25% infill. The static analysis yields an excellent safety factor of 533 for the solar e-hub, with a maximum von Mises stress obtained 4.876102 MPa. Pla is non-transparent, and the 10% absorption in the visible range suggests high longevity and reflective properties. The results demonstrate successful rapid prototyping of a complex design, yielding high-quality prints with excellent material strength and UV absorption properties.