Apparatus for Conditioning Space Under Solar Collectors and Arrays Thereof

Abstract

An apparatus for conditioning a space under an array of solar collectors has a conditioner for conditioning the space under the array, a condensation surface for condensing water vapor in the space, a drip surface for collecting the condensed water vapor, a radiant barrier for insulating the space under the array from a heat radiating from above the radiant barrier, a wall member for enclosing the space under the array, and a cover member for covering a gap between adjacent solar collectors of the array. The apparatus can be adapted for use with a single solar collector or an array of solar collectors.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS[0001]Not applicable.STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT[0002]Not applicable.NAMES OF PARTIES TO A JOINT RESEARCH AGREEMENT[0003]Not applicable.REFERENCE TO AN APPENDIX SUBMITTED ON COMPACT DISC[0004]Not applicable.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0005]1. Field of the Invention[0006]The invention relates to solar collectors and arrays thereof. Particularly, the invention relates to the space under solar collectors and arrays thereof. More particularly, the invention relates to conditioning of the space under solar collectors and arrays thereof[0007]2. Description of Related Art[0008]Solar power is electricity produced from the energy in sunlight, and can be from either a direct conversion using photovoltaic cells, or by concentrating solar radiation to provide a heat source for conventional electrical generation. Photovoltaic cells transform solar radiation into electric currents via the photoelectric effect, and are empl...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

"The invention is an apparatus that includes a solar collector array, a conditioner for conditioning the space under the array, a condensation surface for condensing water vapor, a drip surface for collecting the condensed water vapor, a radiant barrier for insulating the space, and a cover member for covering a gap between adjacent solar collectors. The conditioner moves the water vapor towards the condensation surface in the space under the array and cools it. The conditioner can be positioned adjacent to a solar collector. The apparatus can be used with a single solar collector or an array of solar collectors. The technical effect of the invention is to improve the efficiency of solar energy utilization by effectively collecting and utilizing water vapor in the space under the array."

Problems solved by technology

Establishing and maintaining a suitable habitat for humans and animals is a problem in these hot, arid environments because of the scarcity of water and vegetation.

Prior art solar collectors provide sources of energy and shelter; however, the scarcity of water and vegetation can make survival in such environments extremely challenging, if not impossible.

Such environments are often low in humidity, and when water sources are available in such environments, water evaporates quickly and the water sources have a shorter lifespan than corresponding water sources in cooler, humid environments.

Correspondingly, without adequate supplies of water, vegetation cannot survive.

Another problem is, even when water sources are available in the hot, arid locations of solar collectors and arrays thereof, many farming techniques are challenging and even unsustainable.

Traditional farming is generally not sustainable in hot, arid locations because water sources are generally too scarce.

Irrigation is more sustainable than traditional farming, yet farmers fight a constant battle with supplying enough water for crops or livestock because available water evaporates extremely quickly in hot, arid environments.

The levels and saltwater and freshwater are difficult to control and make aquaculture generally unsustainable in hot, arid environments.

This farming technique is an efficient means of growing plants while conserving water because hydroponic crop yields use only a fraction of the needed water for comparable amounts of traditionally grown terrestrial plants; however, even hydroponic techniques are challenging in hot, arid environments.

Prior art includes environmental conditioning systems for both the removal and harvesting of atmospheric moisture for component protection inside a solar collector assembly and simple water collection using the energy provided by a solar collector; however, there is a need to create micro-environments external of a solar collector and arrays thereof in hot, arid locations so that farming of plants and animals is less challenging and more sustainable.

Images