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 safety concerns, as well as the inconvenience of installing solar panels on roofs and occupying space within buildings.

Innovation Solution

Off-grid electrical power systems that include solar panel racks generating power stored in batteries, with inverters converting DC to AC, and a control and data acquisition system predicting electricity demand and production, allowing for efficient use of generators and electricity, without the need for utility company-provided power.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If solar panels are installed on the roof and electrical components are placed within the building, then electrical power can be generated and stored, but installation becomes inconvenient and safety concerns increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveelectrical power generation and storageVSAvoidinstallation convenience and safety

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts electrical components (inverters, charge controllers, batteries) from the building interior and places them in an external enclosure. This separation eliminates safety concerns and installation complexity associated with placing electrical equipment inside buildings, while maintaining full functionality for solar power generation and storage.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces an external enclosure as an intermediary structure that houses all electrical components. This enclosure acts as a mediator between the solar panels and the building's electrical system, providing a safe, accessible location for equipment while maintaining electrical connections to the building through standardized interfaces.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If solar panels and electrical components are installed within the building, then power generation and storage are achieved, but space within the building is occupied

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepower generation and storage capabilityVSAvoidbuilding interior space

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSVolume of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent removes bulky electrical components (batteries, inverters) from the building interior and relocates them to an external enclosure. This extraction frees up valuable building space while maintaining all necessary power generation, storage, and control functions outside the building structure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

3Productivity

If predictive control systems are implemented, then energy use is optimized, but system complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveenergy use efficiencyVSAvoidcontrol system complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements a predictive control system that continuously monitors weather forecasts, historical energy consumption data, and solar production patterns. This feedback mechanism enables the system to automatically adjust battery charging/discharging schedules and generator operation to optimize energy efficiency, with the added benefit that the predictive algorithms actually reduce complexity by automating decision-making.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

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 reliable, efficient, and cost-effective means of powering buildings without grid connection, reducing installation complexity and safety concerns, while optimizing energy use through predictive control features.

Implementation Method 1

solar panel racks (e.g., photovoltaic cells on sheets stabilized using ballasts, anchors, or mounting) that generate electrical power

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPhotovoltaic effect: Photovoltaic Effect

Implementation Method 2

one or more batteries configured to store electrical power as chemical energy

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectrochemical energy storage: Battery (electricity)

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

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectrical energy conversion:

Data Source

PatentUS10811883B2Off-grid electrical power system

Publication Date: 2020.10.20 RAVOLT LLC

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 systems 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.