Solar Power Production and Metering

Abstract

Systems and methods for positioning photovoltaic panels above agricultural land are disclosed. The photovoltaic panels can be suspended over agricultural land and supported by vertical holders, which are generally arranged in a two-dimensional grid. Sufficient clearance exists between the base surface and the photovoltaic panels for the operators and the agricultural machinery. The position of the photovoltaic panels can be adjusted using panel orientation systems. A decision about the photovoltaic panel angle with respect to the incoming sunlight can be based on the insolation / shade needs of the agricultural plants beneath the system and also on the need to generate electrical energy by insolating the panels. Furthermore, the systems and methods can be used for a net metering of energy. An energy ratepayer who is also a sole or fractional owner of the renewable energy production capacity can subtract the energy production from the energy consumption, thus resulting in the net metering of energy.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0001]The present invention relates generally to solar, wind or other renewable energy production. More particularly, the renewable energy is produced in conjunction with harvestable plant production on agricultural land. The renewable energy produced can be used to offset the renewable energy consumed at a ratepayer's residence or business, thus resulting in a net energy metering.[0002]Due to the concerns over global warming and the limited amount of fossil fuels, alternative methods of energy production are desired. Such alternative sources of energy are solar energy produced by photovoltaic solar panels, which utilize the photoelectric effect to convert the energy of sun's radiation into electricity, wind energy that is converted to the electrical energy by wind turbines and electrical generators, or other renewable sources of energy.[0003]While the average solar power density reaching Earth is 1.3 kW / m2 to 1.4 kW / m2, depending on the time of year, the ...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0007]The present invention relates to systems and methods for positioning photovoltaic panels above agricultural land. The photovoltaic panels can be supported by vertical holders, which are generally arranged in a two-dimensional grid over a base surface that is used as the agricultural land. Sufficient clearance can be left between the base surface and the photovoltaic panels for the operators and the agricultural machinery. The position of the photovoltaic panels can be adjusted using panel orientation apparatuses. A decision about the photovoltaic panel angle with respect to the incoming sunlight can be based on the insolation/shade needs of the agricultural plants beneath the system and also on the need to generate electrical energy by insolating the photovoltaic panels. Furthermore, the systems and methods in accordance with the embodiments of the present invention can be used for a net metering of energy. An energy ratepayer who is also a sole or fractional owner of the renewable ener

Problems solved by technology

While sizeable areas of flat and mostly cloudless land are available in many desert regions, such regions are often far away from the urban locations, where most of the energy is ultimately consumed.

Constructing the electrical transmission lines can cost up to $3,000,000 per mile according to some estimates, depending on the required capacity of the transmission lines and the type of the terrain where the transmission lines are installed.

Furthermore, excessive temperatures and sand erosion in the deserts can reduce the conversion efficiency and shorten the lifespan of the photovoltaic panels, resulting in a more expensive renewable energy.

Some existing methods and devices use electrical meters that, essentially, spin backwards when energy is delivered from the ratepayer's site to the common utility grid, thus reducing the renewable energy producer's total electricity bill.

However, these methods and devices are only practicable for energy production sites that are collocated with or close to the respective energy consumption sites.

However, with this method the burden of the accounting paperwork and reconciling the ratepayer's produced vs. consumed energy is shifted to the public utility.

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