Airborne PV Array Boom Positioning to Avoid Shadow Losses
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Solution Overview
Problem
Airborne solar power stations face challenges such as shading by the airship, cosine losses, and inefficiencies due to the airship's shadow and orientation, which reduce power generation efficiency, especially in regions with low illumination and mobile applications where infrastructure is lacking.
Innovation Solution
A system where the solar power generation system is deployed at a lateral offset from the airship's center and can pivot in azimuth and elevation to maintain direct sunlight exposure, using a beam or truss attached to a pivot on the airship, allowing the PV array to face the sun optimally and avoid shading.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If the solar array is mounted on the airborne platform, then the system is compact and mobile, but the airship casts shadows on the array reducing power generation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extends the solar array laterally beyond the airship's shadow zone by mounting it on a boom structure that projects outward from the airship body. This dimensional extension allows the array to occupy space outside the cylindrical shadow region, capturing sunlight that would otherwise be blocked while maintaining system mobility.
Solution Approach 2:
The boom structure incorporating the solar array is made rotatable about the airship, allowing dynamic repositioning of the array to optimal orientations. This enables the system to track the sun's movement and adjust to changing shadow patterns as the airship moves or rotates, maximizing energy capture throughout the day.
2Productivity
If the solar array is positioned to avoid shadowing, then power generation increases, but the array moves away from the airship center increasing structural complexity
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of positioning the array vertically above or below the airship, the patent places it laterally on a boom extending from the airship's side. This lateral placement in a different spatial dimension naturally positions the array outside the shadow zone while using the airship's existing structure as a mounting base, reducing overall structural complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The boom structure serves multiple functions: it positions the solar array outside the shadow zone, provides a rotatable mounting mechanism for sun tracking, and utilizes the airship's existing structural elements as attachment points. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate specialized components.
3Productivity
If the solar array faces the sun directly, then energy conversion efficiency increases, but the array must rotate and adjust increasing device complexity
Solution Approach 1:
The boom mounting the solar array is made rotatable, allowing the array to dynamically adjust its orientation to face the sun directly. This single rotational degree of freedom enables sun tracking without requiring complex multi-axis mounting mechanisms, balancing tracking capability with structural simplicity.
Solution Approach 2:
The sun tracking function is merged with the boom's rotational capability. The same structural element that positions the array laterally also provides the rotational mechanism for sun tracking, combining positioning and tracking functions into a single integrated system rather than requiring separate mechanisms.
4Productivity
If large solar arrays are deployed to compensate for low illumination in cloudy regions, then total power output increases, but system cost and complexity increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
By extending the array laterally on a boom rather than mounting it on the airship body, the system maximizes the use of available sunlight in the lateral dimension where shadowing is minimal. This efficient use of collection area per unit size allows achieving higher power output without proportionally increasing system scale or cost.
Solution Approach 2:
The rotatable boom allows the array to dynamically track the sun, maintaining optimal incident angles throughout the day. This dynamic tracking maximizes the energy yield per square meter of collection area, effectively increasing total power output without needing to deploy additional array area or larger systems.
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 configuration significantly increases the average daily output per square meter of solar power generation by minimizing shading and cosine losses, making solar power more viable in cloudy regions and for mobile applications.
Implementation Method 1
The present disclosure is generally related to an apparatus and method for conversion of solar energy to electricity
Data Source
AI summary
A system for generating power from sunlight collected substantially above the earth's surface comprises an airborne platform which supports solar power generation system to collect sunlight, convert the sunlight to electricity, and to transmit the electricity to a selected location on the earth's surface. The solar power generation system is coupled to the airborne platform by a support which can be manipulated by a control system to move the solar power generation system away from a shadow that might be cast by the airborne platform.