Optical solar enhancer
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional solar panels experience efficiency decline when the sun is not overhead, as they struggle to effectively couple sunlight at non-normal angles of incidence, leading to reduced electrical output during morning and afternoon hours.
Innovation Solution
An optical solar enhancer with a corrugated surface featuring convexly shaped parallel features that redirect radiant energy at acute angles, increasing its entry into the solar panel and enhancing energy absorption, particularly during off-peak hours, using total internal reflection and optical concentration techniques.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If conventional solar panels are used with flat surfaces, then they effectively couple sunlight at normal angles, but they experience efficiency decline when the sun is at acute angles
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies curvature by featuring corrugated surfaces with convexly shaped parallel features that redirect acute-angle sunlight into the solar panel. The curved geometry concentrates radiant energy at acute incidence angles while maintaining normal-angle performance, thereby improving productivity during morning and afternoon hours without compromising reliability across varying sun positions.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements local quality by creating regions of different surface properties: the convexly shaped features locally concentrate and redirect light at acute angles, while other regions maintain standard light-coupling characteristics. This localized modification allows the panel to handle varying sun positions differently, improving overall productivity without sacrificing the reliability of normal operating conditions.
2Productivity
If optical solar enhancer with corrugated surface is added, then radiant energy at acute angles is increased, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the optical enhancer features directly into the solar panel structure itself, integrating the corrugated surface design into the panel's front surface. This combination eliminates the need for separate optical components or complex mounting systems, thereby improving productivity at acute angles while minimizing the increase in device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The corrugated surface structure serves multiple functions: it acts as both the protective front surface of the panel and the optical element for redirecting acute-angle sunlight. This multi-functionality reduces the need for additional components, improving productivity without proportionally increasing device complexity.
3Productivity
If convexly shaped parallel features are used to concentrate radiant energy, then energy absorption is enhanced, but manufacturing precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent optimizes the geometric parameters of the convexly shaped features, such as radius of curvature, feature spacing, and depth, to achieve effective light concentration with tolerable manufacturing tolerances. By carefully selecting these parameters, the design enhances energy absorption efficiency while keeping manufacturing precision requirements at practical levels.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies precise geometric features only where needed for light concentration, rather than requiring high precision across the entire panel surface. This localized precision approach enhances energy absorption at critical areas while reducing overall manufacturing precision requirements.
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 optical solar enhancer increases the initial current output by at least 10% during acute sun angles and extends peak energy production hours without increasing maximum output during peak sun exposure, optimizing solar panel efficiency across varying sun positions.
Implementation Method 1
each feature includes a pair of convexly shaped surfaces configured to concentrate the radiant energy to a location below the bottom surface
Implementation Method 2
redirect the increased radiant energy through the bottom surface
Data Source
AI summary
An optical solar enhancer comprises a panel that has a top surface and a bottom surface and an imaginary central plane that extends between the top surface and the bottom surface. The panel includes a plurality of generally parallel features configured to variably increase radiant energy entering the top surface at an acute angle relative to the central plane such that the effect is strongest at lower angles (early morning and late day sun) and weakest at higher angles (mid-day sun) and then redirect the increased radiant energy through the bottom surface.