Self-Ballasted Modular Solar Platforms for Working Lands
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Constructing utility-scale solar farms requires sophisticated knowledge and equipment, making it difficult for landowners to deploy solar farms on working lands without disrupting agricultural production or accommodating livestock, as existing systems require complex installations and permanent foundations.
Innovation Solution
Pre-engineered, self-ballasted modular platforms that can be assembled onsite using prefabricated components, allowing for easy deployment on various land types without extensive ground preparation, and can be arranged to accommodate both solar panels and livestock, using bifacial photovoltaic modules that generate energy on both sides.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Power
If conventional ground-mounted solar farms are constructed, then electricity generation capability is achieved, but construction complexity and cost increase, and land productivity is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The solar farm system is divided into modular platform units that can be independently assembled and deployed. Each module contains integrated components (frames, ballast, mounting structures) that can be assembled on-site without requiring complex professional construction, thereby reducing construction complexity while maintaining electricity generation capability
Solution Approach 2:
Components are pre-engineered and pre-assembled into modular platforms before delivery to the site. The platforms arrive as complete functional units with all necessary structural elements, electrical connections, and ballast already in place, eliminating the need for complex on-site construction activities
2Power
If conventional solar farms are constructed on working lands, then solar energy generation is achieved, but agricultural productivity is disrupted
Solution Approach 1:
The modular platforms are designed to be movable rather than permanently fixed. They can be relocated using standard equipment like tractors, allowing the land to alternate between solar energy generation and agricultural use, thereby maintaining agricultural productivity while enabling solar energy production
Solution Approach 2:
The solar installation is segmented into discrete movable platforms rather than a continuous permanent structure. This segmentation allows selective deployment on portions of the land while leaving other areas available for agricultural activities, maintaining overall land productivity
3Reliability
If professional consultants and workers are used to deploy solar farms, then proper installation is achieved, but time and effort requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The modular platforms are designed for owner-deployable installation using standard equipment and simple assembly procedures. The self-ballasting mechanism and pre-assembled components enable landowners to install the systems themselves without requiring professional consultants or specialized workers, significantly reducing deployment time while maintaining installation reliability through straightforward connection procedures
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
Enables landowners to build solar farms independently, maintaining agricultural productivity and accommodating livestock, while generating enough energy for carbon-free operations, including hydrogen and ammonia production, with reduced construction time and costs, and allowing for easy expansion or repowering of the solar installations.
Implementation Method 1
bifacial photovoltaic modules that generate energy on both sides
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure provides a self-ballasted, pre-engineered modular platform for deployable solar installations including one or more photovoltaic modules, one or more tables to support the photovoltaic modules, one or more reflectors, and a base configured to support the one or more reflectors at a first position proximate a ground surface, and to support the one or more tables at an elevated relative to the one or more reflectors. In some examples, multiple modular platforms may be connected to provide a single electrical output. In some examples, the modular platform is assembled onsite for generating electricity with bifacial photovoltaic modules.