Flexible Photovoltaic Column Cladding for Low-Turbulence Power Generation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing solar cells and wind turbines are not form-fittingly attached to columns, leading to susceptibility to weather damage, airflow interference, and reduced efficiency due to protruding frames and rotation forces.
Innovation Solution
The integration of flexible photovoltaic elements directly attached to the surface of columns, such as wind turbine pillars, using adhesive bonding and flexible materials like perovskite or organic photovoltaic elements, which are bendable and stretchable, eliminating the need for frames and stabilizing structures.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If solar cells are mounted in fixed frames on the column surface, then the photovoltaic elements are securely attached, but the solar panels protrude from the column surface making them susceptible to weather damage and affecting airflow over rotor blades
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies flexible photovoltaic elements that can be directly attached to the column surface without rigid frames. These thin film photovoltaic elements conform to the column's curvature and can be secured through adhesive bonding or other attachment methods, eliminating the protruding frame structure that causes weather damage and airflow interference while maintaining secure attachment.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention extracts and removes the frame structure from the photovoltaic element assembly. By using frameless flexible photovoltaic elements, the design eliminates the harmful protruding frames while retaining the essential photovoltaic functionality, allowing direct surface attachment that reduces weather exposure and airflow disruption.
2Productivity
If solar panels are mounted on rotor blades, then energy generation is enhanced, but the solar cells are subjected to greater forces due to rotation and affect airflow over the rotor blades
Solution Approach 1:
Flexible photovoltaic elements are used on rotor blades to replace rigid solar panels. These flexible elements can withstand the dynamic loading and deformation experienced during rotation, maintaining structural integrity while generating energy. Their flexibility allows them to accommodate blade flexing without failure.
Solution Approach 2:
The photovoltaic elements are designed to conform to the curved surface of the rotor blades, following the blade's aerodynamic profile. This curved adaptation ensures the photovoltaic elements remain attached during rotation and do not disrupt the airflow over the blade surface, maintaining both structural strength and aerodynamic efficiency.
3Ease of manufacture
If conventional solar panels with frames are used on columns, then the photovoltaic elements are easily installed, but additional structures and scaffolding are needed for stabilization and securing
Solution Approach 1:
The invention removes the frame structure entirely from the photovoltaic element design. Frameless flexible photovoltaic elements are applied directly to the column surface using adhesive bonding or other simple attachment methods, eliminating the need for complex additional stabilizing structures and scaffolding while maintaining installation ease.
Solution Approach 2:
The flexible nature of these photovoltaic elements allows them to conform to the column surface and be secured through simple bonding techniques, replacing the need for complex mechanical mounting structures. The flexibility enables direct surface attachment without requiring additional stabilization frameworks.
4Productivity
If more photovoltaic elements are attached to the column surface, then energy generation increases, but the weight limit of the column may be exceeded
Solution Approach 1:
Flexible photovoltaic elements are used instead of conventional rigid panels, significantly reducing the weight per unit area. This weight reduction allows a larger total area of photovoltaic elements to be installed on the column surface without exceeding the column's weight bearing capacity, thereby increasing overall energy generation capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the physical parameters of the photovoltaic elements by using flexible thin film technology, which has significantly lower density and weight compared to conventional framed solar panels. This parameter change enables higher photovoltaic element density on the column surface while maintaining structural load constraints.
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
Enhances energy generation efficiency by protecting photovoltaic elements from weather, reducing wind turbulence, and optimizing airflow, while allowing for a larger number of elements to be attached without exceeding weight limits, thus improving overall energy output.
Implementation Method 1
at least one flexible photovoltaic element, in particular a solar cell, for converting radiant energy of light into electrical energy
Implementation Method 2
The flexible photovoltaic element is attached to the column in a form-fit manner, in particular by adhesive bonding
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a column having at least one photovoltaic element for converting radiation energy of light, in particular sunlight, into electrical energy, the at least one photovoltaic element being arranged on the column, and the photovoltaic element being a flexible photovoltaic element.