Photovoltaic assembly for use in diffuse weather conditions and related methods
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Solution Overview
Problem
Photovoltaic arrays face inefficiencies in energy collection due to the inability to account for diffuse weather conditions, such as cloud cover, beyond simply tracking the sun's movement, which limits irradiance capture and energy production.
Innovation Solution
A method and apparatus that collect site-specific and real-time data to calculate predicted irradiance for multiple orientations of photovoltaic arrays, comparing it to current tracked irradiance, and re-orienting the arrays to maximize energy capture, even if it means deviating from sun-tracking positions to account for factors like cloud cover.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Illumination intensity
If photovoltaic devices simply track the sun across the sky, then the angle of incidence of light is minimized, but the amount of irradiation collected is reduced in diffuse weather conditions
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts the orientation of photovoltaic devices based on real-time weather conditions. Instead of fixed sun-tracking, the devices can re-orient to capture diffuse irradiation from multiple directions when cloud cover is detected, making the system adaptive to changing atmospheric conditions
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes operational parameters by modifying the orientation angles of photovoltaic devices based on calculated irradiance predictions. When diffuse conditions are predicted, the system adjusts orientation parameters to maximize capture of scattered light rather than direct sunlight
2Productivity
If photovoltaic devices re-orient to account for diffuse weather conditions, then irradiance capture is improved, but the system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary calculations of predicted irradiance for multiple orientations before actually re-orienting the devices. By pre-calculating which orientation will maximize energy capture under current weather conditions, the system avoids trial-and-error adjustments and reduces unnecessary movements
Solution Approach 2:
The system introduces an intermediary control layer that processes weather data, calculates optimal orientations, and generates re-orientation commands. This intermediary intelligence layer coordinates the complex decisions without requiring complex mechanical systems, separating the computational complexity from the physical actuation
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 approach enhances energy production by optimizing photovoltaic array orientations in diffuse weather conditions, ensuring maximum irradiance capture and improved energy yield by considering site-specific and environmental factors beyond traditional sun-tracking methods.
Implementation Method 1
Photovoltaic devices are used to collect energy from the sun and convert it to electrical energy
Data Source
AI summary
A method includes collecting site specific data, collecting field data at a site of an array of photovoltaic members, determining a current tracked irradiance of the array of photovoltaic members, calculating predicted irradiance for multiple orientations based on the site specific data and the sensed field data, or sensing an actual irradiance for multiple orientations. The method further includes determining a maximum predicted irradiance from the calculated predicted irradiance or a maximum actual irradiance from the sensed irradiance. The method further includes comparing the maximum predicted irradiance or the maximum sensed irradiance with the current tracked irradiance, and re-orienting the array of photovoltaic members to an orientation having the maximum predicted or actual irradiance if the maximum predicted or actual irradiance is greater than the current tracked irradiance.