3D Solar Cell Module With Dichroic Filtering for Smart Farms
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing solar cell systems for smart farms and greenhouses are inefficient in transmitting the necessary wavelengths of sunlight for plant growth while reflecting unnecessary wavelengths for solar power generation, leading to insufficient light for plants and wasted energy.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of smart-farm solar cells with a three-dimensional structure and a dichroic optical filter that selectively transmits blue and red wavelengths necessary for plant cultivation while reflecting other wavelengths for additional electricity generation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If all wavelengths of sunlight are transmitted to plants for cultivation, then plant growth is supported, but energy is wasted on wavelengths not needed for photosynthesis
Solution Approach 1:
The solar cell system is segmented into multiple layers: a dichroic optical filter layer that segments sunlight into wavelength bands, transmitting blue (450-495nm) and red (620-750nm) wavelengths to plants while reflecting other wavelengths to solar cells for electricity generation. This segmentation allows selective wavelength management to resolve the contradiction between supporting plant growth and preventing energy waste.
Solution Approach 2:
Different regions of the solar cell system are assigned different functional qualities: the dichroic filter provides wavelength-selective transmission quality, while the solar cell layers provide electricity generation quality for specific wavelength ranges. This local quality differentiation enables simultaneous optimization for both plant cultivation and energy utilization.
2Loss of energy
If a dichroic optical filter is used to selectively transmit wavelengths for plant growth, then energy efficiency is improved, but the complexity of the system increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system merges multiple functions into a single integrated structure: the dichroic optical filter and solar cells are combined in a stacked configuration where the filter's reflective surface directly contacts the solar cells. This merging reduces the need for separate wavelength separation systems and simplifies the overall structure while maintaining energy efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The solar cell system performs multiple functions simultaneously: the dichroic filter transmits necessary wavelengths to plants, reflects unnecessary wavelengths to solar cells for electricity generation, and the solar cells generate power while also acting as a structural component. This multi-functionality reduces the need for additional separate systems, thereby reducing overall complexity.
3Productivity
If transparent solar cells are used to allow light transmission, then plant cultivation is supported, but electricity generation efficiency is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The solar cell system is segmented into multiple layers with different transparency and absorption characteristics. The first solar cell layer is designed to be transparent to blue light while absorbing red light, and the second layer absorbs green light. This segmentation allows each layer to specialize in specific wavelength ranges, maintaining electricity generation efficiency while allowing necessary light transmission for plant cultivation.
Solution Approach 2:
Different regions of the solar cell system have different optical qualities: the first solar cell layer has high transparency to blue wavelengths (450-495nm) while maintaining red light absorption, and the second layer has selective absorption for green wavelengths. This local quality differentiation enables simultaneous optimization for light transmission and electricity 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
This solution maximizes the use of sunlight by ensuring that only necessary wavelengths reach the plants, enhancing growth, while converting reflected wavelengths into electricity, thereby optimizing energy utilization in smart farms.
Implementation Method 1
a dichroic optical filter that selectively transmits blue and red wavelengths necessary for plant cultivation while reflecting other wavelengths
Implementation Method 2
converting reflected wavelengths into electricity, thereby optimizing energy utilization in smart farms
Data Source
AI summary
According to a main objective of the present invention, the three-dimensional arrangement of solar cells is adjusted so as to use sunlight directly coming from the sun mainly for solar power generation while transmitting wavelengths necessary for the growth of plants and reflecting wavelengths unnecessary for or hindering the growth of plants among wavelengths of sunlight passing through the solar cells to use the reflected wavelengths for additional solar power generation.Sunlight reflected by the dichroic optical filter may be used to additionally generate electricity using solar cells provided perpendicular to the dichroic optical filter, thereby maximizing the use efficiency of sunlight.