So far, I did indeed venture down the path of using a python script node which calls the Robot API to create trapezoidal loads (keeping it 2D at the moment instead of moving ahead with panels).
The problem now is that I can no longer use the structural analysis for dynamo package (as it does not have trapezoidal load capability). This is all very similar to a post from @Jonathan.Olesen back in 2018 (Dynamo - Python Output - Matching output of Structural analysis node).
My guess is I will have to venture down a custom calculate and getResults node - if anyone has any examples of syntax/required calls using python script that would be great.