Modular Solar Panel Array for Scalable Roof Geometry Fit
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing photovoltaic power generation systems face challenges in scalability and adaptability, as they are often designed with uniform panel sizes and configurations, which can lead to inefficiencies in power generation and high costs due to the need for manual sizing and installation, making it difficult to match energy demand and environmental constraints.
Innovation Solution
A modular power production system featuring adaptive solar panels with connective edge faces and units that can be easily connected and reconfigured to match surface geometries and power demands, allowing for flexible and scalable power generation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If solar panels are installed with sufficient power generation capacity to fully meet energy needs and provide room to grow, then energy security and future scalability are improved, but installation costs become prohibitive
Solution Approach 1:
The solar power system is divided into modular panels that can be independently installed and connected. Each panel contains integrated wiring and connectors, allowing the system to be built incrementally by adding or removing individual modules rather than installing complete arrays at once.
Solution Approach 2:
The system employs releasable electrical connectors that enable dynamic reconfiguration of the solar array. Users can easily add, remove, or rearrange panels based on changing energy needs, allowing the system capacity to evolve over time without complete reinstallation.
2Ease of manufacture
If a small solar system is installed to reduce initial costs, then installation cost is reduced, but the system locks users into insufficient power generation capacity
Solution Approach 1:
The system is composed of discrete, standardized panels that can be added in small increments. This segmentation allows users to start with a minimal configuration and expand by adding individual panels or groups of panels as budget and space permit, avoiding the need to oversize the initial installation.
Solution Approach 2:
The standardized connectors and uniform panel design create a universal system where any panel can be integrated with any other panel or connection unit. This universality ensures that the system remains fully functional and adaptable as it grows, with no loss of efficiency or complexity regardless of system size.
3Ease of manufacture
If solar panels are designed with uniform sizes and configurations, then manufacturing and installation are simplified, but adaptability to different environmental geometric space constraints is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
By dividing the solar array into small, uniform modular panels, the system can be configured in various patterns to fit different geometric spaces. The standardized shape and connection interfaces of each module allow them to be arranged in rows, columns, or custom configurations while maintaining manufacturing simplicity.
Solution Approach 2:
The modular panel design adds configurational flexibility by allowing panels to be arranged in two-dimensional patterns that can adapt to different roof or ground geometries. The releasable connectors enable easy reconfiguration between different layouts without requiring custom-sized panels.
4Manufacturing precision
If manual wire selection and sizing is performed to match power generation levels and predefined voltages, then electrical system precision is improved, but design complexity and installation time increase
Solution Approach 1:
Each solar panel is pre-configured as an independent electrical module with integrated wiring and standardized voltage output. This segmentation eliminates the need for manual wire sizing and electrical calculations, as each module is self-contained and can be connected in series or parallel using simple standardized connectors.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses standardized voltage parameters and connector types that remain constant across all panels. This standardization allows the electrical system to be configured by simply adding or removing modules rather than recalculating wire sizes and electrical characteristics, maintaining electrical precision while dramatically reducing design complexity.
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 system enables efficient and cost-effective power generation by allowing panels to be easily expanded or reconfigured to meet changing energy needs, improving adaptability and reducing installation costs while maximizing power output.
Implementation Method 1
A plurality of adaptive solar panels comprising photovoltaic faces
Data Source
AI summary
Apparatuses and systems are presented for photovoltaic power production. A plurality of adaptive solar panels comprise photovoltaic faces and connective edge faces. Connective edge faces each comprise a panel connection interface so that the plurality of adaptive solar panels are releasably affixed one to another in configurations adaptive to surfaces and environmental geometric space constraints. Connective edge faces each further comprise a panel electrical connector such that the plurality of adaptive solar panels are releasably electrically connectable. One or more adaptive connection units comprise unit connection interfaces so that the one or more adaptive connection units are releasably affixed to the plurality of adaptive solar panels. One or more adaptive connection units further comprise one or more connection electrical connectors so that the one or more adaptive connection units are releasably electrically connectable to the plurality of adaptive solar panels.