PV Panel Solar Shield for Safe Maintenance Shutdown
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Solution Overview
Problem
PV solar panels pose an electrical hazard during maintenance due to continuous generation of electricity from ultraviolet light and other solar radiation, as they lack an on/off switch, necessitating a solution to prevent radiation from reaching the solar cells.
Innovation Solution
A solar shield with a body and fastening feature designed to cover the top surface of PV solar panels, preventing or significantly reducing solar radiation from passing through, thereby preventing electricity generation when engaged.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If PV solar panels are exposed to ultraviolet light and solar radiation, then electricity is generated continuously, but this creates electrical hazards during maintenance operations
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the harmful function of the solar panel by introducing a solar shield that physically blocks solar radiation from reaching the photovoltaic cells. The shield is positioned between the solar radiation source and the solar panel, extracting the harmful ultraviolet light and preventing it from generating electricity during maintenance operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The solar shield acts as an intermediary object between the solar radiation and the solar panel. This mediator blocks the transmission of harmful ultraviolet radiation while allowing maintenance personnel to safely work on electrical components without risk of electric shock from unexpected electricity generation.
2Reliability
If a solar shield is introduced to block radiation, then safety during maintenance is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The solar shield is designed as a flexible, thin opaque cover that can be easily placed over the solar panel surface. This simple structure blocks radiation effectively without requiring complex mechanical systems, motors, or control mechanisms. The shield's simplicity minimizes the increase in device complexity while maintaining high safety effectiveness.
Solution Approach 2:
The solar shield appears to be designed as a simple, potentially disposable or easily replaceable component rather than a permanent integrated system. This approach reduces overall system complexity by using a straightforward blocking mechanism that can be deployed and removed as needed during maintenance operations.
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 solar shield enhances safety during maintenance by eliminating the electrical hazard, allowing for safe handling of PV solar panels without the risk of electric shock, while also simplifying installation and maintenance processes.
Implementation Method 1
preventing or significantly reducing solar radiation from passing through
Data Source
AI summary
A solar shield can include a body and at least one fastening feature. The body can have a length and a width, where each of the length and the width is at least large enough to cover a top surface of at least one of a number of PV solar panels. The at least one fastening feature can be mechanically coupled to the body. The at least one fastening feature, when enabled, secures the body to the top surface of the at least one of the plurality of PV solar panels. The body can be rigid or flexible. The at least one fastening feature can be, at least, a clip, a clamp, or a strap.