Optical Solar Enhancer Panel for Low-Angle Sunlight Coupling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional solar panels experience efficiency decline when the sun is not overhead, as they struggle to couple sunlight effectively at non-normal angles, leading to reduced electrical output during morning and afternoon hours.
Innovation Solution
The optical solar enhancer, a panel with a corrugated surface and varying refractive index, redirects and concentrates solar radiation using total internal reflection and optical concentration, increasing radiant energy entry at acute angles, thereby enhancing solar panel efficiency without the need for rotating mechanisms or anti-reflection coatings.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If conventional solar panels are used with flat surfaces, then they can maintain simple structure and ease of manufacture, but they experience efficiency decline when sunlight enters at non-normal angles
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies curved surfaces (lenticular lenses or corrugated structures) to the solar panel surface instead of flat surfaces. These curved structures redirect oblique sunlight at non-normal angles to enter the solar cell more perpendicularly, improving light coupling efficiency during morning and afternoon hours when the sun is at acute angles, while maintaining a relatively simple overall panel structure.
2Productivity
If rotating mechanisms are added to track the sun, then solar panel efficiency can be maintained throughout the day, but device complexity and cost increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces mechanical rotating tracking systems with passive optical structures (curved lenses or corrugated surfaces) that automatically redirect sunlight based on the angle of incidence. This optical solution eliminates the need for motors, sensors, and control systems while maintaining improved light coupling efficiency throughout the day as the sun moves across the sky.
3Productivity
If anti-reflection coatings are applied to reduce light loss, then light absorption improves, but manufacturing complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses curved optical surfaces (lenticular lenses or corrugated structures) that inherently reduce reflection losses through their geometry and refractive index differences, eliminating or reducing the need for additional anti-reflection coatings. The curved surfaces naturally guide light into the solar cell through refraction and total internal reflection, simplifying the manufacturing process.
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
This solution increases the initial current output of solar panels by at least 10% during acute sun angles, while maintaining maximum output levels, and extends peak energy production hours, without increasing maximum power during peak sun exposure.
Implementation Method 1
The optical solar enhancer, a panel with a corrugated surface and varying refractive index, redirects and concentrates solar radiation using total internal reflection and optical concentration
Implementation Method 2
The optical solar enhancer, a panel with a corrugated surface and varying refractive index, redirects and concentrates solar radiation using total internal reflection and optical concentration
Implementation Method 3
the panel includes a refractive index that varies from the top surface to the bottom surface
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3A~3B
Figure 3C~4
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.