Agrivoltaic Optical Layer Tracking for Adjustable Light Transmission
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional photovoltaic systems for agrivoltaics face inefficiencies in energy conversion and light transmission, leading to reduced electricity production and non-uniform illumination for crops, while existing solutions like translucent solar cells have low efficiencies and stability issues, and rotating trackers require significant space and are not compatible with greenhouse structures.
Innovation Solution
An optomechanical system with optical and light collection layers, a low-profile tracking system that adjusts the position of these layers along a circular trajectory to control direct and diffuse light transmission, allowing for precise regulation of light energy conversion and transmission based on various parameters, including temperature, humidity, and irradiance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If conventional silicon photovoltaic modules are installed above crops, then electricity production is achieved, but light transmission to plants is blocked causing non-uniform illumination and reduced crop growth
Solution Approach 1:
The photovoltaic module is segmented into multiple sub-modules with transparent conductive layers, creating gaps and translucent regions that allow light to pass through to crops below while still capturing solar energy for electricity generation
Solution Approach 2:
Different regions of the photovoltaic module have different optical properties - some areas are opaque for maximum energy capture while other areas are translucent or transparent to allow light transmission to plants, creating spatial variation in functionality
2Illumination intensity
If translucent solar cells are used to allow light transmission, then crop illumination is improved, but energy conversion efficiency drops below 10%
Solution Approach 1:
The photovoltaic module combines opaque photovoltaic materials for energy conversion with transparent conductive materials and translucent regions, creating a composite structure that achieves both high electricity generation and adequate light transmission to crops
3Illumination intensity
If solar modules are mounted on rotating trackers with wide angular range, then light control for crops is achieved, but device size and spacing requirements increase making them incompatible with greenhouse structures
Solution Approach 1:
The photovoltaic module incorporates adjustable and movable elements that can dynamically change their position or orientation to control light transmission, replacing the need for large-scale rotating trackers while maintaining adaptability to different lighting conditions
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 system enables efficient conversion of light energy into electricity while providing optimal light conditions for crops, balancing energy production with crop growth needs, and is compatible with various agrivoltaic installations, including greenhouses and rooftop structures.
Implementation Method 1
each light collection layer is at least partially translucent to light and comprises multiple distant elongate photovoltaic cells arranged in rows and spaced by gaps
Implementation Method 2
optical elements configured to focus a direct component of incident light
Data Source
Figure 1A~1B
Figure 2A~3
Figure 4A~5
AI summary
The present invention relates to an optomechanical system (1) to regulate light transmission and electricity production, in particular in the field of agriculture, comprising an optical arrangement (10) with a plurality of optical layers (11), wherein each optical layer (11) comprises multiple optical elements (12) configured to focus a direct component of incident light (101) and to transmit a diffuse component of incident light (102); a light collection arrangement (20) with a plurality of light collection layers (21), wherein each light collection layer (21) is at least partially translucent to light (100) and comprises multiple distant elongate photovoltaic cells (22) arranged in rows and substantially spaced by gaps; one or more guiding elements (50) arranged between the optical arrangement (10) and the light collection arrangement (20) capable of providing a relative translation and suppressing any rotation between the optical arrangement (10) and the light collection arrangement (20); a centralized tracking system (60) configured to either displace the optical arrangement (10) or the light collection arrangement (20) along at least one axis such that at least part of a direct component of incident light (101) is directable onto the elongate photovoltaic cells (22) of the light collection arrangement (20) and at least a part of a diffuse component of incident light (102) is transmittable through the gaps between the rows of the elongate photovoltaic cells (22); wherein the centralized tracking system (60) is configured to displace translationally either the optical arrangement (10) or the light collection arrangement (20) such that the amount of the direct component of the incident light (101) focused on the photovoltaic cells (22) and the amount of the direct component of incident light (101) transmitted through the optomechanical system (1) is adjustable.