Improvements to multifunction solar utility panels
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Solution Overview
Problem
In developing countries, there is a lack of cost-effective solutions for accessing potable water, electricity, and financing, with existing solar panels not providing multiple functionalities like water purification and pay-as-you-go capabilities.
Innovation Solution
A multi-function solar panel with a tilted tray design, divided into chambers for electricity generation, water purification, and storage, incorporating a solar pump, absorber assembly, and reflective surfaces to produce potable water and electricity, while also enabling pay-as-you-go functionality and data collection.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a single solar panel is designed to provide multiple functions (electricity generation, water purification, hot water production), then the versatility and resource efficiency are improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The solar panel system is designed to perform multiple functions simultaneously: electricity generation through PV cells, water purification through distillation, and hot water production through thermal collection. This multi-functional design allows a single device to address multiple resource needs (energy, clean water, hot water) in remote areas, improving versatility while managing complexity through integrated architecture
Solution Approach 2:
The patent combines previously separate systems (PV electricity generation, solar still water purification, and solar thermal water heating) into a single integrated panel structure. The PV panel serves dual purposes by generating electricity while its back surface acts as a thermal collector for hot water, and the still chamber is integrated within the same structure, merging multiple functions into one unified device
2Productivity
If the solar panel system includes multiple chambers and integrated components for water purification and electricity generation, then the productivity and resource output are improved, but the manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The panel is divided into distinct functional chambers: a still chamber for water purification, a PV chamber for electricity generation, and a thermal collection chamber for hot water production. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized for its specific function while maintaining a modular structure that can be manufactured and assembled systematically, balancing productivity with manufacturing feasibility
3Productivity
If the system uses a solar pump to deliver water flow proportionate to available radiation, then the water delivery efficiency is improved, but the device complexity and maintenance requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The solar pump is driven directly by the PV panel's electrical output, creating a self-powered system where the panel's own energy production drives the water delivery mechanism. This eliminates the need for external power sources or complex control systems, allowing the pump to automatically adjust water flow according to available solar radiation while maintaining relatively simple construction
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, low-cost means to produce potable water and electricity, addresses financing challenges through pay-as-you-go capabilities, and enhances water production efficiency by preheating inlet water before purification, making it suitable for remote and untrained users.
Implementation Method 1
one chamber being used for electricity generation
Implementation Method 2
pump fed using solar pump utilising power generated by the solar PV panel to deliver a water flow proportionate to the avaiable radiation
Implementation Method 3
an absorber assembly. The absorber assembly consists of the absorber base of low conductivity material, to which are attached, on the underside, a number of supporting blocks, and on the upper side, an absorber fabric with low IR (infra-red) transmittance
Implementation Method 4
apply this to the production of water vapour, which then condenses to deliver the distilled water product
Implementation Method 5
production of water vapour, which then condenses to deliver the distilled water product
Implementation Method 6
enhances water production efficiency by preheating inlet water before purification
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2~3
Figure 4
AI summary
A multi-function solar panel, the panel being of the tilted tray type which is divided into three chambers, one chamber being used for electricity generation, and cooling of the PV panel and partial preheating of the feed water to a still, one for processing the feed water to produce potable water and the other for water storage and other ancillary devices used in the production process and PAYG functionality of the multi-function solar panel.