3D Optical Filter Window for Smart Farm Solar Shading
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing solar power generation systems in smart farms face challenges with reduced sunlight transmission and non-uniformity, leading to shadowing and low installation rates due to the need for solar panels to block sunlight for power generation, which interferes with crop cultivation.
Innovation Solution
A kirigami-origami-based solar power generation system with a dichroic optical filter window that selectively transmits wavelengths needed for cultivation and reflects unnecessary wavelengths to a solar power generation module, using a foldable or flexible substrate to maintain constant transmission and improve efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If solar power generation panels are installed on the roof of a smart farm, then power generation efficiency is improved, but the amount of light transmitted into the greenhouse is significantly reduced and uniformity deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system divides the roof surface into two functional zones: an optical filter window that transmits light for cultivation, and a solar power generation module that converts sunlight to electricity. This segmentation allows both functions to operate simultaneously without interfering with each other's performance.
Solution Approach 2:
Different parts of the system have specialized functions optimized for their specific purposes. The optical filter window is designed with wavelength-selective properties to transmit cultivation light while reflecting power generation light, and the solar module is positioned to receive only the reflected light, ensuring each component operates at optimal efficiency.
2Productivity
If solar power generation panels are installed on the roof, then power generation is enabled, but shading occurs and installation distribution rate is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The system extracts the power generation function from the main roof surface and places it in a dedicated solar module positioned at the edge. This extraction eliminates the shading problem because the solar module is located where it does not block light to the cultivation area, while still capturing reflected sunlight for power generation.
Solution Approach 2:
The optical filter window acts as an intermediary that redirects reflected light to the solar power generation module. This mediator enables the solar module to receive sufficient light for power generation without being positioned in a location that would cause shading to the cultivation area.
3Power
If solar power generation panels are installed, then electricity production is increased, but light uniformity and transmission are deteriorated
Solution Approach 1:
The system segments the light spectrum into two distinct pathways: cultivation light that passes uniformly through the optical filter window to the greenhouse, and power generation light that is reflected to the solar module. This segmentation ensures that electricity production does not compromise light transmission uniformity.
Solution Approach 2:
The optical filter window is designed with specific optical properties that ensure uniform transmission of cultivation light while selectively reflecting power generation light. This local optimization of optical properties maintains light uniformity in the cultivation area while enabling effective power generation.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Enhances solar power generation efficiency by optimizing sunlight utilization, allowing for stable crop cultivation and energy supply, reducing installation costs, and improving power generation efficiency regardless of sunlight angle changes.
Implementation Method 1
it is provided with a solar power generation module which is provided to protrude above an optical filter along the edge of the optical filter window
Implementation Method 2
reflecting and transmitting them
Implementation Method 3
transmit light of wavelengths necessary for plant growth
Implementation Method 4
solar power generation module produced electricity from the optical filter window lower and multi-path reflected sunlight
Data Source
AI summary
The existing solar power generation panel installed on the roof of a smart farm has problems that an amount of light transmitted into the greenhouse is significantly reduced and the transmitted light is also not uniform, and thus an area where the solar power generation panels are installed is shaded and a shadow occurs. For these reasons, an installation distribution rate of solar power generation panels installed on the roofs of smart farms is very low. A solar power generation system for smart farms includes a three-dimensional (3D) optical filter window with a function of selectively transmitting light of wavelengths applicable to smart farms, and a solar power generation module provided to protrude above an optical filter of the optical filter window to increase solar power use efficiency. Since shading occurs when a solar power generation panel is used in a smart farm to affect cultivation, there is a problem in that the solar power generation panel cannot be used on the roof of a smart farm. However, according to the above-described configuration of the present invention, the optical filter window equipped with a dichroic light filter is used to solve this problem so that there is an effect of operating a smart farm more economically.