Elevated Solar Shade Structure for High-Clearance Panel Access
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current solar energy collection technologies face challenges such as environmental impact, inefficient land use, high costs, and discomfort in sunny areas due to lack of shade, heat island effects, and limited functionality of solar farms.
Innovation Solution
A modular solar structure that integrates solar panels with adjustable angles and shade panels, allowing for efficient energy collection while providing shade, reducing land use, and generating revenue through multiple sources like advertising and electric car charging, with a design inspired by natural elements to enhance aesthetics and functionality.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If large solar farms are built to collect large amounts of solar energy, then energy collection capacity is improved, but environmental impact and land use are worsened
Solution Approach 1:
The solar panels are integrated into shade structures that serve multiple functions: energy generation, providing shade for public spaces, and supporting vegetation. This multi-functionality allows the system to collect solar energy without requiring dedicated solar farm land, thereby reducing environmental impact while maintaining energy collection capacity.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention transitions from ground-level solar panels to elevated solar panels mounted on vertical supports. This vertical dimensionality change allows solar energy collection above ground level, enabling the underlying land to be used for other purposes such as parks, walkways, or vegetation, thus reducing the environmental footprint while maintaining energy collection.
2Ease of manufacture
If solar panels are installed on ground level, then energy collection is simplified, but land area consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The solar panels are mounted on vertical supports that elevate them above ground level. This vertical placement reduces the horizontal land footprint while maintaining energy collection capability. The ground space beneath the panels can be used for vegetation, walkways, or other purposes, effectively decoupling energy collection from land consumption.
3Productivity
If solar panels are set back from tall objects to function efficiently, then energy collection efficiency is improved, but land area required increases
Solution Approach 1:
By elevating solar panels on vertical supports, the system can place panels closer to tall objects without compromising energy collection efficiency. The vertical separation eliminates the need for horizontal setbacks, reducing the land area required while maintaining optimal panel positioning for sunlight exposure.
4Ease of operation
If shade structures are provided for public spaces to make them comfortable, then user comfort is improved, but cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The solar panels serve dual purposes: generating electricity and providing shade for public spaces. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate shade structures, reducing overall cost while improving user comfort. The same infrastructure delivers both energy generation and environmental control benefits.
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 modular solar structure effectively collects solar energy, reduces environmental impact, provides comfortable shaded areas, minimizes land use, and offsets costs through diversified revenue streams, while maintaining efficient energy production and aesthetic appeal.
Implementation Method 1
a structure installed over a public area and configured to support and retain a plurality of solar panels
Data Source
AI summary
Solar energy shade structures and methods of designing and installing the same. These structures are capable of supporting a contiguous solar panel holding structure solar panel at heights greater than 18 feet above their mounting surface. The solar energy shade structure may comprise a retaining mechanism accessible and operable from underneath for attaching/detaching a solar panel, and may comprise openings through which the solar panel can be passed when installing or removing the solar panel from beneath the structure. The structure may comprise rows of first and second force lateral brace frames the rows respectively proximate first and second sides for respectively counteracting lateral forces, and a plurality of vertical column supports for providing dead load support. The solar energy shade structure may have an arrangement of the plurality of solar panels that is uninterrupted by service or access lanes.