Off-Grid Solar Power System with External Enclosure
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Solution Overview
Problem
The deployment of alternative energy producing technologies like solar power at residential and commercial premises is deterred by physical, economic, and political considerations, including inconvenience, safety concerns, and high costs associated with installation and space occupation.
Innovation Solution
Off-grid electrical power systems that include solar panel racks, batteries, and inverters, which generate and store electrical power separately from the building, allowing direct connection to the main electrical panel and utilizing a control and data acquisition system for efficient energy management.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If solar panels and electrical components are installed on/inside the building, then electrical power can be generated and stored, but installation inconvenience, safety concerns, and space occupation increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the solar panels and electrical components from the building interior and roof space, relocating them to an external enclosure. This separation eliminates the safety concerns and installation inconveniences associated with interior mounting while maintaining the power generation and storage functions. The enclosure acts as a self-contained unit that houses all active components away from occupied spaces.
Solution Approach 2:
The system is segmented into distinct functional modules: solar panels for power generation, batteries for energy storage, inverters for power conversion, and an enclosure for housing. This modular segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently and simplifies installation and maintenance while improving overall system reliability.
2Reliability
If solar panels and electrical components are installed on/inside the building, then electrical power can be generated and stored, but installation cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
By extracting components from the building structure and consolidating them in an external enclosure, the patent eliminates costly roof penetrations, structural modifications, and interior electrical work. The enclosure can be installed as a standalone unit, reducing labor costs and material requirements while maintaining full functionality.
3Reliability
If electrical components occupy space within the building, then power storage and conversion are enabled, but building space availability decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes all electrical components (batteries, inverters, control systems) from the building interior and places them in an external enclosure. This extraction completely frees up building space while maintaining the power storage and conversion capabilities outside the structure.
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
These systems provide a cost-effective and safer solution for powering buildings without grid connection, enabling efficient energy use and storage, and reducing the need for interior installation, thus overcoming existing deterrents to alternative energy adoption.
Implementation Method 1
solar panel racks (e.g., photovoltaic cells on sheets) that generate electrical power
Implementation Method 2
one or more batteries configured to store electrical power as chemical energy
Implementation Method 3
The one or more inverters are configured to convert direct current (DC) electricity from the one or more solar panel racks or the one or more batteries to alternating current (AC) electricity
Data Source
AI summary
Various implementations power homes and businesses without needing to connect to electric utility company-provided power, i.e., they can operate off-grid. Generally the system includes solar panel racks (e.g., photovoltaic cells on sheets stabilized using ballasts, anchors, or mounting) that generate electrical power used to provide power to a building or that is stored on batteries. The system includes the solar panel racks and an enclosure to be installed at the premises and separate from the building. The enclosure includes the batteries and inverters that are electronically connected to the solar panel racks and batteries. The inverters are configured to convert direct current (DC) electricity from the solar power racks and batteries to alternating current (AC) electricity to provide power to the building via wires electrically connecting the inverters to the main panel of the building.