Bifacial Solar Station Layout With Reflective Support Surfaces
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Solution Overview
Problem
Rural communities face challenges in adopting solar energy due to skepticism, spatial constraints, roof damage concerns, and complex permitting processes, leading to lower adoption rates despite favorable conditions for solar installations.
Innovation Solution
A compact, affordable, and turnkey solar energy station in the form of a small outbuilding or ground-mounted structure incorporating building-integrated photovoltaics and balance of system components, utilizing bifacial panels and virtual tracking to maximize solar energy capture, with optional solar reflective materials to enhance efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by moving object
If traditional solar panels are installed on rural homes, then solar energy generation is achieved, but roof damage and installation complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The solar energy system is segmented into two separate components: a portable solar panel unit that can be easily deployed and removed, and a stationary base unit containing the battery and control electronics. This segmentation eliminates complex roof mounting requirements while maintaining solar energy generation capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts the solar panel from the traditional fixed roof-mounted configuration and makes it a portable, removable component. The solar panel can be placed on any flat surface without requiring roof penetration or complex installation, thus reducing installation complexity and roof damage risks.
2Adaptability or versatility
If solar panels are installed in rural areas, then renewable energy adoption increases, but spatial constraints and installation costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The solar panel unit is designed to be dynamic and movable rather than fixed. It can be relocated to different positions on the property to optimize sunlight exposure or adapt to changing spatial needs, making the system highly adaptable to various rural settings and spatial constraints.
Solution Approach 2:
The system transitions from traditional two-dimensional roof mounting to utilizing three-dimensional space by placing panels on ground-level surfaces, vehicle roofs, or other available horizontal surfaces, thereby overcoming spatial constraints and reducing installation costs.
3Productivity
If bifacial panels with virtual tracking are used, then solar energy capture efficiency increases, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The bifacial panels incorporate virtual tracking capability that automatically adjusts their orientation to maximize sunlight capture without requiring external control systems or complex mechanical components. The system serves itself by using simple sensors and actuators to optimize energy capture based on sun position.
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 solution provides a reliable and efficient solar power source capable of generating up to 29 kWh daily, reducing installation complexity, and lowering costs, while promoting decarbonized energy adoption in rural areas.
Implementation Method 1
The PV array includes at least one bifacial PV panel, both sides of which have solar cells for collecting solar energy
Implementation Method 2
A solar reflective material can be provided to reflect sunlight onto the underside of the PV panels
Data Source
AI summary
An increased-yield solar energy station is disclosed. In an example, an upper support structure of a base structure is raised off of the ground for mounting a photovoltaic (PV) array to the base structure. An interior portion of the base structure at least partially shields balance of system (BOS) components for the PV array from effects of weather. At least one bifacial photovoltaic (PV) panel of the PV array, and is mounted in a raised position relative to the upper support structure. The bifacial PV panel has a first side facing toward the sky, and a second side facing away from the sky. Both the first and second sides of the bifacial PV panel have solar cells for collecting solar energy. A solar reflective material (SRM) on the upper support structure reflects sunlight from the upper support structure onto the second side of the bifacial PV panel.