Pickup-Mounted Solar Generator With Sun-Tracking Panels
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current portable solar-powered generators are cumbersome and difficult to transport, limiting their utility in remote or harsh environments, and they often require complex setups that are impractical for military and civilian emergency use.
Innovation Solution
A portable solar-powered generator system designed to be installed on a pickup truck, featuring solar panels that can be manually or automatically adjusted to track the sun's movement using linear actuators, with a battery pack and inverter for efficient energy storage and conversion, and a user-friendly control panel for monitoring and safety features.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Power
If solar panels are mounted on a trailer-mounted system, then power generation capability is improved, but portability and ease of transport deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The solar power system is divided into separate functional modules: solar panels mounted on the vehicle bed, battery storage in a separate compartment, and control systems distributed throughout. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently and facilitates easier transport and assembly compared to integrated trailer systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The system is designed to be universally applicable to various pickup truck platforms, requiring no custom trailer or specialized mounting infrastructure. The solar panels, batteries, and control systems can be installed on standard pickup trucks, providing multi-functional utility for both military and civilian applications without requiring dedicated transport equipment.
2Power
If solar panels are made large to increase energy harvest, then power output is improved, but device complexity and transport difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The solar panels are designed with adjustable and reconfigurable mounting capabilities, allowing the array size and configuration to be dynamically adapted based on available space on the vehicle bed and power requirements. This dynamic design enables optimization of energy harvest without committing to fixed large-scale installations that would complicate transport.
Solution Approach 2:
The solar panels are designed to nest or fold into compact configurations when not in use, allowing large surface area panels to be stored in a space-efficient manner on the vehicle. This nesting capability enables large energy-harvesting panels to be transported and stored without proportionally increasing the system's footprint or transport complexity.
3Productivity
If automatic sun-tracking systems are added, then energy production efficiency is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The solar panel mounting system incorporates automatic or semi-automatic adjustment mechanisms that use simple sensors to detect sun position and automatically adjust panel angles without requiring complex control systems, motors, or power consumption. This self-service approach maintains high energy production efficiency while minimizing added system complexity.
4Quantity of substance
If multiple batteries are used to increase storage capacity, then energy storage capability is improved, but weight and device complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The battery storage system is extracted as a separate, removable module that can be independently configured and replaced. This allows the system to be scaled by adding or removing battery units based on specific power needs, rather than being constrained by fixed integrated battery packs. The extracted battery module design reduces overall system weight by eliminating unnecessary storage capacity while maintaining required energy storage capability.
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 system provides a compact, reliable, and efficient source of clean electricity in various settings, including remote and harsh environments, with enhanced energy production capabilities and ease of operation, making it suitable for both military and civilian use.
Implementation Method 1
solar panels mounted on top of a housing
Implementation Method 2
linear track actuators to push the solar panels out and in
Implementation Method 3
The battery capacity is 418 AH @ 48 Vdc (20 kWh)
Implementation Method 4
The inverter has an output of 3.6 kW rated and 6 kW surge with a 120 Vac 60 Hz single phase
Data Source
AI summary
A system and method for portable solar power generation is provided. The portable solar power generator will be mounted on a movable platform, making it easy to transport and install in different places. Using solar panels, the generator will create electricity, which will be stored in a battery and converted to alternating current (AC) via an inverter. The generator has a control panel that allows users to monitor and regulate power generation.