Modular canopy system
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Solution Overview
Problem
Urban areas face challenges in converting solar energy, filtering and cleaning air pollutants, collecting rainwater, and reducing noise pollution due to limited land availability and high costs of implementing renewable energy solutions like solar farms and direct air capture technologies, especially in metropolitan regions.
Innovation Solution
A modular canopy system integrating solar energy conversion, rainwater collection, and mechanical ventilation, featuring a gridshell structure with photovoltaic panels, ETFE layers for insulation, and hollow conduits for air capture and ventilation, which can be deployed over roadways to generate electricity, collect rainwater, and reduce noise and air pollution.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by moving object
If solar farms and direct air capture farms are implemented for renewable energy solutions and negative emission technologies, then solar energy conversion and air pollution filtering are improved, but land availability and implementation cost worsen due to requirement of rural locations where land is less costly
Solution Approach 1:
The invention transitions solar energy collection from horizontal ground surface (2D) to vertical overhead canopy structure (3D space utilization). The canopy system spans above roadways, converting solar radiation in the vertical dimension while preserving ground space for transportation, thus resolving the land availability contradiction.
Solution Approach 2:
The canopy structure serves multiple functions simultaneously: solar energy generation through photovoltaic panels, rainwater collection through integrated gutters, noise reduction through acoustic barriers, and air quality improvement through filtration systems. This multi-functionality consolidates multiple infrastructure needs into a single structure, reducing overall land and resource requirements.
2Use of energy by moving object
If solar farms are implemented for renewable energy solutions, then solar energy conversion is improved, but implementation cost worsens due to land cost being a less costly resource in rural locations relative to urban metropolitans
Solution Approach 1:
By moving solar collection from horizontal ground use to vertical overhead structure, the system utilizes otherwise wasted vertical space above roadways. This eliminates the need to compete for expensive urban land or relocate to rural areas, significantly reducing implementation costs in metropolitan settings.
Solution Approach 2:
The canopy structure combines solar energy generation with necessary urban infrastructure functions (noise barriers, rainwater management, air filtration). This multi-functionality justifies the structure's presence and reduces overall project costs by consolidating multiple infrastructure needs into a single integrated system.
3Power
If modular canopy system with photovoltaic panels is deployed over roadways, then solar radiation conversion to electricity is improved, but device complexity worsens due to integration of multiple functional modules
Solution Approach 1:
The canopy system is divided into modular standardized units that can be independently manufactured, transported, and assembled. Each module contains integrated photovoltaic panels, rainwater collection, and structural components, allowing scalable deployment from small to large scales without proportionally increasing overall system complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
Each modular unit is designed to perform multiple functions (solar generation, rainwater collection, noise reduction, air filtration) within a single integrated structure. This multi-functionality reduces the number of separate systems needed and simplifies overall installation and maintenance compared to implementing multiple separate infrastructure projects.
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 canopy system effectively converts solar radiation into electricity, collects and processes rainwater, and reduces noise and air pollution, providing a sustainable and efficient urban solution for energy generation and pollution mitigation, capable of producing approximately 5 MW of power per mile and offering noise reduction comparable to traditional barriers.
Implementation Method 1
a photovoltaic layer including a plurality of photovoltaic panels for receiving solar radiation and converting the solar radiation to electricity
Implementation Method 2
a first translucent plastic layer for shielding the solid surface of the earth from heat and allowing sunlight to enter through. Each of the plurality of modules further includes a second translucent plastic layer for shielding the solid surface of the earth from heat and allowing sunlight to enter through
Data Source
AI summary
A modular canopy system rests upon a solid surface of the earth. The modular canopy system includes a supporting structure including a plurality of pillars disposed on edges of the solid surface of the earth. The modular canopy system further includes a plurality of modules resting upon the supporting structure. Each of the plurality of modules includes: (i) a hollow frame; (ii) a first translucent plastic layer for shielding the solid surface of the earth from heat and allowing sunlight to enter through; (iii) a second translucent plastic layer for shielding the solid surface of the earth from heat and allowing sunlight to enter through; and (iv) a photovoltaic layer including a plurality of photovoltaic panels for receiving solar radiation and converting the solar radiation to electricity. The modular canopy system further includes a rainwater collection and harvesting module for receiving and collecting rainwater.