Light-concentrating solar system
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Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional solar energy systems face limitations in collecting solar energy due to the direct exposure of energy conversion devices, which restricts their efficiency and increases costs, as larger working surfaces are required for effective sunlight collection.
Innovation Solution
A light-concentrating solar energy system utilizing a combination of Fresnel lenses and reflecting surfaces to converge and reflect sunlight onto a photovoltaic panel, achieving a higher light-concentration ratio while reducing system height and enhancing flexibility, allowing for improved heat dissipation and energy utilization.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Illumination intensity
If a conventional condenser lens focuses sunlight directly onto a photovoltaic panel, then the light-concentration ratio is improved, but the mounting structure becomes restricted and system flexibility is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a multi-dimensional optical path with multiple reflecting surfaces arranged at different angles and positions. Instead of direct focusing in a single dimension, sunlight is reflected multiple times through a complex spatial arrangement, achieving high concentration ratio while providing design flexibility in mounting configurations.
Solution Approach 2:
The optical system employs nested reflecting surfaces where multiple reflection paths are arranged within a compact structure. The first and second reflecting surfaces are positioned to create nested optical paths, allowing the system to achieve high light concentration while maintaining a compact and flexible mounting structure.
2Productivity
If the working surface area of photovoltaic panels is increased to collect more solar energy, then the energy collection ability is improved, but the system cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the optical parameters by introducing multiple reflection paths and varying the angles of reflecting surfaces. This transforms the optical path length and concentration ratio without increasing the photovoltaic panel area, achieving higher energy collection ability with the same or reduced panel quantity.
Solution Approach 2:
The optical collection system is segmented into multiple functional components: Fresnel lenses for initial concentration, first reflecting surface for directional redirection, and second reflecting surface for final focusing. This segmentation allows each component to optimize its function, achieving high energy collection with minimized panel area.
3Device complexity
If a direct focusing system is used, then the structure is simple, but the system height is large and space utilization is poor
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from a single-dimensional direct focusing structure to a multi-dimensional reflected focusing system. By arranging reflecting surfaces at various angles and positions, the optical path is folded into a compact three-dimensional configuration, significantly reducing system height while maintaining focusing capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs adjustable and configurable reflecting surfaces that can be positioned at optimal angles. This dynamic arrangement allows the system to achieve compact height while maintaining optical efficiency, and provides flexibility for different installation spaces.
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 system achieves a higher light-concentration ratio and flexibility in design, enabling more efficient solar energy collection and heat dissipation, while maintaining cost-effectiveness and ease of installation.
Implementation Method 1
The first Fresnel lens is provided with at least one tooth surface, wherein each tooth surface has at least one Fresnel unit. The first reflecting surface and the second reflecting surface are arranged to enable incident sunlight to converge via the first Fresnel lens
Implementation Method 2
at least part of the incident sunlight is reflected onto the second reflecting surface by the first reflecting surface
Implementation Method 3
The first photovoltaic panel is arranged to enable at least part of the sunlight reflected by the second reflecting surface to directly irradiate to or be led to irradiate to the first photovoltaic panel
Implementation Method 4
a first photovoltaic panel. The first reflecting surface and the second reflecting surface are arranged to enable incident sunlight to converge via the first Fresnel lens, and then to irradiate to the first reflecting surface
Data Source
Figure 1(a)~2
Figure 3~4
Figure 5~6(b)
AI summary
A light-concentrating solar system, comprising: a first Fresnel lens (111) provided with at least one tooth face, wherein each tooth face contains at least one Fresnel unit; two reflective faces (112, 113) arranged to enable incident sunlight to converge via the first Fresnel lens (111), and then to irradiate to a first reflective face (112), and at least part of the incident sunlight to be reflected onto a second reflective face (113) by the first reflective face (112); and a photovoltaic panel (114) arranged to enable at least part of the sunlight reflected by the second reflective face (113) to directly irradiate to or be led to irradiate to the photovoltaic panel (114). Since a twice-reflection structure is adopted, on one hand, the system can provide a higher light-concentration ratio; on the other hand, the height of the system can be reduced; and at the same time, a structural design of the system has better flexibility, so that a peripheral design, such as heat dissipation or heat energy utilization, of a photovoltaic panel can be performed more easily.