PV Panel Net House for Energy-Efficient Crop Protection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional greenhouse and net house farming systems face challenges such as high water and energy consumption, increased production costs, and inability to support premium crops like lettuces and tomatoes, especially during midsummer months.
Innovation Solution
A combined net house and indoor farming system that incorporates a net covering allowing sunlight penetration and a plurality of photovoltaic (PV) panels that shade the net house while generating energy for the indoor farming system, allowing for year-round cultivation of premium crops.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional greenhouses are used for cultivation, then crops can be protected and grown, but water consumption for cooling process becomes excessively high
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines net house structure with indoor farming system, merging the protective function of net houses with the controlled environment of indoor farming. This integration allows crops to benefit from both natural ventilation/protection of net houses and controlled cooling of indoor systems, reducing overall water consumption for cooling while maintaining crop protection.
Solution Approach 2:
The system utilizes natural airflow and passive cooling mechanisms provided by the net house structure to reduce reliance on active water-based cooling systems. The net house design allows natural convection and evaporation to provide cooling, making the system partially self-sufficient and reducing external water consumption.
2Reliability
If traditional greenhouses are used for cultivation, then crops can be protected, but energy consumption becomes 32 times higher than net houses
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges net house passive cooling advantages with indoor farming energy efficiency. The combined system uses the net house's natural ventilation and shading properties to reduce active cooling requirements, while the indoor farming components provide targeted environmental control only where needed, significantly lowering overall energy consumption compared to traditional greenhouses.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of providing uniform environmental control throughout the entire greenhouse structure, the system applies controlled conditions locally within the indoor farming zones. The net house provides general protection and passive cooling, while active environmental control is applied only to specific cultivation areas, reducing overall energy consumption.
3Productivity
If cooling cost in total production cost is reduced, then competitiveness of local product improves, but ability to support premium crops during midsummer months deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The combined system merges the cost-effectiveness of net houses with the premium crop capability of indoor farming systems. The net house provides economical passive cooling for general crops, while the integrated indoor farming components can be activated selectively to support premium crops during critical periods like midsummer, achieving a balance between cost and capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically adjusts its operation mode based on crop requirements and environmental conditions. During mild periods, it operates in energy-saving net house mode for cost effectiveness. During extreme heat periods when premium crops need support, it activates the indoor farming cooling systems selectively, providing dynamic adaptation to maintain both competitiveness and premium crop support capability.
4Productivity
If agrivoltaics systems are implemented for simultaneous solar power generation and agriculture, then land use efficiency improves, but the system fails under extreme weather conditions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the system into distinct functional zones: the net house structure provides weather protection and passive cooling, while PV panels are strategically positioned to generate power without directly exposing crops to extreme weather. This segmentation allows each component to perform its function optimally - the net house handles weather extremes while PV panels generate power, maintaining reliability under various weather conditions.
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 achieves improved energy and water use efficiency, reduces production costs, and enables the cultivation of premium crops throughout the year by utilizing solar energy and minimizing water requirements.
Implementation Method 1
a plurality of photovoltaic (PV) panels which simultaneously shades the net house and supply energy to the indoor farming system
Implementation Method 2
the plurality of PV panels possess a negative temperature effect and absorb heat energy generated on the plurality of PV panels
Implementation Method 3
the plurality of PV panels comprise layers of tempered glass, a PV module, and a heat conducting sheet and pipe
Data Source
AI summary
There is disclosed a combined net house and indoor farming system comprising a net covering the net house while allowing sunlight to pass through; and a plurality of photovoltaic (PV); wherein the plurality of PV panels simultaneously shades the net house and supplies energy to the indoor farming system. The plurality of PV panels cover a maximum of 50% of the net house.