Multi-branch Offshore PV Structure with Automatic Pitch Adjustment
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional offshore photovoltaic structures, such as prestressed concrete pipe piles and floating HDPE structures, have low strength and poor applicability in harsh sea conditions, leading to low utilization efficiency and power generation efficiency due to their inability to adjust angles according to sun orientation.
Innovation Solution
A multi-branch fixed offshore photovoltaic structure with automatic pitch adjustment, comprising a fixed base, a multi-branch integrated tower, a sunlight monitoring system, a PV device, and a control and energy storage system, which allows for axial rotation of the tower and pitch-regulating frames to optimize sunlight exposure.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If traditional prestressed concrete pipe piles are used for offshore PV, then construction cost is reduced, but the structure has low strength and poor applicability in harsh sea conditions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple pipe piles into an integrated multi-branch tower structure where several piles work together as a unified support system. This merging approach increases the overall structural strength and load-bearing capacity while maintaining the cost-effectiveness of using standard pipe pile components, resolving the contradiction between construction cost and structural strength.
Solution Approach 2:
The integrated tower structure functions as a composite structural system where multiple pipe piles are combined with cross-beams and connection nodes to create a unified structure with enhanced mechanical properties. This composite approach allows the structure to withstand harsh sea conditions while using readily available pipe pile materials.
2Ease of manufacture
If traditional fixed offshore PV structures are used, then construction is simplified, but power generation efficiency is reduced due to inability to adjust angles according to sun orientation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a pitch adjustment mechanism that enables the PV panels to dynamically change their inclination angle according to sun orientation. This dynamic adjustment capability maximizes sunlight reception and power generation efficiency while maintaining a relatively simple fixed-base construction approach, resolving the contradiction between construction simplicity and power generation efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The integrated tower structure serves multiple functions: it provides structural support, enables pitch adjustment for optimal sunlight exposure, and supports multiple PV panels. This multi-functionality allows the structure to maintain construction simplicity while achieving high power generation efficiency through angle adjustment capabilities.
3Adaptability or versatility
If floating HDPE PV structures are used, then applicability to protected sea areas is improved, but costs increase sharply due to requirement of floating breakwaters
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the support structure into a fixed base portion embedded in the seabed and an above-water tower structure. This segmentation eliminates the need for floating breakwaters by providing a stable fixed foundation, thereby reducing construction costs while maintaining applicability to protected sea areas through the multi-branch integrated tower design.
4Ease of manufacture
If single pipe pile structures are used, then construction is simplified, but utilization efficiency of piles is poor due to small number of PV panels supported by each pile
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple pipe piles into an integrated multi-branch tower structure where several piles work together to support a larger number of PV panels. This merging increases the utilization efficiency of each pile while maintaining construction simplicity through standardized connection nodes and modular assembly, resolving the contradiction between construction simplicity and pile utilization efficiency.
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 structure can withstand harsh sea conditions, improve power generation efficiency by maximizing sunlight reception, and reduce construction costs through efficient use of resources and simplified construction processes.
Implementation Method 1
a PV device; the PV device is integrated with a light-sensing device
Implementation Method 2
the light-sensing device is configured to monitor an illumination area and an illumination intensity on the PV device
Data Source
AI summary
A multi-branch fixed offshore photovoltaic (PV) structure with automatic pitch adjustment includes a fixed base, a multi-branch integrated tower, and a PV device. The fixed base includes an upper section, a middle section and a lower section arranged in the seabed. The upper section is above the sea level and connected to the multi-branch integrated tower. The multi-branch integrated tower includes a main tower body and multiple pitch-regulating frames rotatably connected to the main tower body. The main tower body is provided with a control and energy storage system to drive the pitch-regulating frames to rotate. The PV device is fixed to the pitch-regulating frames. The main body is provided with a sunlight monitoring system to monitor solar orientation and inclination angle of a sunlight relative to the PV device. The sunlight monitoring system is connected to the control and energy storage system.