Plant for producing solar energy able to be installed on farmland
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing solar energy production systems installed on farmland face challenges in minimizing weight and size of solar panels and load-bearing structures to allow optimal sunlight penetration and maintain efficient energy conversion, while also ensuring the land remains usable for farming.
Innovation Solution
A solar tracker system with a support structure of tie rods and steel bars fixed to the ground, featuring rotating main and secondary tubes with integrated movement mechanisms, allowing precise orientation of photovoltaic panels along two axes to maximize solar energy capture, utilizing a combination of motors, worm screws, and gear systems for efficient movement control.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If solar panels and movement mechanisms are made heavier and larger to improve structural integrity and energy capture efficiency, then energy production efficiency increases, but weight and size increase which blocks sunlight from reaching crops on the ground
Solution Approach 1:
The support structure is divided into multiple slender poles arranged in a grid pattern rather than a single heavy support structure. This segmentation allows sunlight to pass through the gaps between poles to reach crops below while collectively providing sufficient support for the solar panels and movement mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
The system transitions from a two-dimensional planar arrangement to a three-dimensional spatial configuration with elevated solar panels positioned above the crops. This vertical dimensionality allows sunlight to reach crops at ground level while solar panels operate at an elevated position, resolving the conflict between weight/size and sunlight penetration.
2Productivity
If multiple movement mechanisms are installed on each pole to enable two-axis tracking, then solar energy capture efficiency improves, but weight, size, and cost of the structure increase
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple movement functions (azimuth rotation and elevation adjustment) are combined into an integrated movement mechanism that operates from a single pole position. This merging reduces the total number of separate mechanisms needed while achieving the same two-axis tracking capability, thereby reducing weight and complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The movement mechanism is designed to perform multiple functions (both azimuth and elevation control) through a unified system that utilizes the pole as a common reference point and support structure. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate dedicated mechanisms for each movement axis.
3Strength
If support poles are positioned closer together to provide structural stability, then structural integrity improves, but the distance between poles decreases which may interfere with farming machinery passage
Solution Approach 1:
The support structure is segmented into multiple slender poles distributed across the farmland in a grid pattern. This segmentation allows the structure to achieve overall structural integrity through the collective arrangement of many poles rather than relying on individual heavy poles placed close together, thereby maintaining wide spacing for farm machinery access.
Solution Approach 2:
The support poles utilize high-strength, low-weight composite materials that provide sufficient structural integrity while maintaining a slender profile. This allows poles to be positioned farther apart while still supporting the solar panels and movement mechanisms, ensuring adequate space for farming machinery passage.
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
The system enhances energy production efficiency by up to 35%-45% while maintaining structural integrity and allowing farming machinery passage, achieving a balance between weight reduction and energy capture efficiency, thus optimizing land use.
Implementation Method 1
devices adapted for receiving sunlight, for example photovoltaic panels
Data Source
Figure 1~9
Figure 2~3
Figure 4a~4b
AI summary
Plant for producing solar energy comprising a support structure formed from support poles (2) aligned fixed to the ground, a movement system for receiver devices of solar energy positioned on poles arranged in a row, adapted for allowing the movement of such devices about a first axis (X) and a second axis (Y) substantially perpendicular to one another. Such a system comprises a rotating main tube (4) about such a first axis (X), to which a plurality of secondary tubes (5) is connected, associated with said main tube, such secondary tubes having the receiver devices (P) fixed to them and a movement mechanism (7) for the primary tubes. The plant comprises a sustaining and movement support (6) arranged on each pole of said row, which has a housing that receives such a main tube (4) of the movement system and that allows the rotation thereof about such an axis (X).