Microstructured Light-Collection Film for Wide-Angle Solar Capture
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Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional solar energy systems face challenges in reducing system costs per energy unit and are inefficient in urban residential areas due to reliance on large land areas and expensive tracking systems.
Innovation Solution
A microstructured light-collection film structure with a latitude position optimization function is introduced, featuring a normal light-receiving optical film with microstructures arranged in an array. These microstructures are designed to collect solar energy or ambient light in directions perpendicular to sunlight or the ground, enhancing light collection efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If traditional solar panels are installed perpendicular to sunlight to maximize power generation efficiency, then power generation efficiency is improved, but the system cannot adapt to different sun positions throughout the day and seasons
Solution Approach 1:
The solar panel surface is divided into multiple segments with different inclination angles. Each segment is optimized to face the sun at specific times of the day or seasons, allowing the overall system to adapt to changing sun positions while maintaining high power generation efficiency across different conditions
Solution Approach 2:
The solar panel system incorporates adjustable or movable structures that allow the inclination angles of different segments to be dynamically adjusted throughout the day or seasonally, enabling the panels to track the sun's movement and maintain optimal perpendicular orientation to incoming sunlight
2Adaptability or versatility
If sun tracking systems are used to dynamically adjust panel orientation, then adaptability to different sun positions is improved, but device complexity and installation cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of using a complex unified tracking system, the panel array is segmented into multiple fixed or independently adjustable units with different predetermined inclination angles, eliminating the need for complex mechanical tracking mechanisms while still achieving adaptability to various sun positions
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses a simplified approach by implementing only partial tracking capability through fixed segments optimized for key times of day or seasons, rather than continuous full-range tracking, thereby reducing device complexity and cost while maintaining sufficient adaptability
3Device complexity
If fixed installation with standard inclination angle is used, then device complexity is reduced, but power generation efficiency decreases when sun position deviates from optimal angle
Solution Approach 1:
The solar installation is divided into multiple segments with different fixed inclination angles, where each segment captures sunlight effectively during specific times of the day or seasons, allowing the overall system to maintain high power generation efficiency throughout the day without requiring complex tracking mechanisms
Solution Approach 2:
The segmented solar panel system serves multiple functions simultaneously - each segment is optimized for different sun positions and times, allowing the overall installation to function effectively across various conditions without requiring separate systems for different times of day or seasons
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 microstructured film structure significantly improves power generation efficiency and reduces the levelized cost of electricity (LCOE) per kilowatt-hour by expanding the receiving angle of solar rays and optimizing light collection in various orientations.
Implementation Method 1
a first refractive index n1 of the anti-reflective film is less than a second refractive index n2 of each microstructure, and the second refractive index n2 of each microstructure is less than a third refractive index n3 of the normal light-receiving optical film
Implementation Method 2
Each of the microstructures comprises a bottom face, a first light-facing face, a second light-facing face, and a third light-facing face
Implementation Method 3
The microstructured light-collection film structure with a latitude position optimization function and applicable to installation/operation in a direction perpendicular to sunlight or a direction perpendicular to the ground
Data Source
AI summary
Provided are a microstructured optical film structure with a latitude position optimization function applicable to a solar light-collection module installed (operated) in a direction perpendicular (orthogonal) to sunlight or a direction perpendicular (orthogonal) to the ground and a method of using the light-collection film to collect sunlight or ambient light. The microstructured optical film structure includes a solar (PV) module. The module is applicable to various inorganic/organic photovoltaic chips/photoelectric sensors/modules thereof and includes optimized microstructured optical film layers capable of receiving different light rays incident at various angles from different latitude spaces.