Bifacial Solar Reflector Layout for Uneven Ground and Weed Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional solar power generation systems face challenges with weed growth that reduces power generation efficiency, require significant maintenance, and are inefficient in terms of land use and construction costs, especially when installed on non-flat grounds.
Innovation Solution
The system employs double-sided incidence-type solar panels with a reflector that integrates a light-reflecting and weed barrier layer, which reflects sunlight onto the back surface of panels, suppresses weed growth, and is designed to be installed on non-flat grounds without reducing reflectivity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If a reflective multi-sheet is laid on the ground to utilize reflected light for power generation, then power generation efficiency is improved, but the sheet becomes non-flat on non-flat ground reducing reflectivity
Solution Approach 1:
The reflector is designed with a curved or flexible surface that can adapt to the non-flat ground topology. This curvature allows the reflector to maintain contact with uneven terrain while still directing reflected light effectively onto the back surface of the solar panels, thereby preserving reflectivity despite ground irregularities.
Solution Approach 2:
The reflector employs a flexible or adjustable structure that can dynamically conform to the ground surface. This dynamic adaptation ensures that the reflecting surface remains functional on non-flat ground, maintaining light reflection efficiency without requiring a perfectly flat installation surface.
2Loss of time
If a reflective multi-sheet is used to suppress weed growth, then maintenance work is reduced, but construction complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The reflector integrates multiple functions into a single component: light reflection for power generation enhancement and weed barrier functionality. By combining these functions, the system eliminates the need for separate weed barrier installations, thereby reducing overall construction complexity while maintaining weed suppression capabilities.
Solution Approach 2:
The reflector serves multiple purposes simultaneously: it acts as a light-reflecting surface to improve power generation efficiency, a weed barrier to suppress vegetation growth, and potentially a protective layer for the ground. This multi-functionality reduces the number of separate components needed, simplifying construction while achieving multiple objectives.
3Productivity
If double-sided incidence-type solar panels are installed with a reflector, then power generation amount increases, but site area requirement increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system utilizes the vertical dimension by installing double-sided solar panels at an inclination angle with a reflector positioned beneath them. This three-dimensional configuration allows the reflector to direct light onto the back surface of the panels, effectively using space in the vertical dimension to enhance power generation without requiring proportional increases in horizontal site area.
Solution Approach 2:
The reflector enables the system to 'skip' over the limitation of single-sided light absorption by capturing and redirecting light that would otherwise be lost to the ground. This allows the solar panels to utilize both front and back surfaces for power generation, effectively doubling the light utilization efficiency without requiring double the site area.
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
Improves power generation efficiency and reduces maintenance costs by reflecting sunlight onto the back surface of panels, suppresses weed growth, and maintains reflectivity on uneven terrain, while extending the life of the reflector through UV protection and water management.
Implementation Method 1
a reflecting layer (14) having a light-reflecting surface made of a sheet material with a highly light-reflective colour, in which a surface side facing a lower surface of power generation surface (12) reflects directly incident light and scattered light of sunlight
Implementation Method 2
a weed barrier layer (15) made of a weed barrier sheet material, in which a back surface side faces the site ground (7)
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention is provided with a plurality of solar power generation panels installed via trestles, where an upper surface of power generation surface of the panels faces the sunlight incidence direction. The solar power generation panels include double-sided incidence-type solar power generation panels provided with power generation surfaces on both the upper and lower sides. A light passage space is provided below a lower surface of a power generation surface. The present invention includes a reflector laid so as to cover a site ground underneath the solar power generation panels and the periphery thereof. The reflector is provided with a reflecting layer including a sheet material with a highly light-reflective colour where the surface side facing the lower surface of power generation surface reflects directly incident light of sunlight and scattered light of sunlight.