Self-Cleaning PV Panels on Wind Turbines

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Vertical Axis Wind Turbines (VAWTs) face performance limitations due to physical stress, resistance to self-starting, high bearing loads, limited over-speed control, and inefficient solar photovoltaic panel operation due to non-optimal exposure to solar radiation, leading to reduced energy harvesting and increased maintenance needs.

Innovation Solution

The integration of magnetic repulsion levitated rotary airfoils and self-supporting structural frames that allow for self-starting and over-speed control, combined with solar photovoltaic panels that rotate in unison with the airfoils, ensuring continuous exposure to solar radiation and reducing maintenance through centrifugal self-cleaning.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If solar photovoltaic panels are attached to the exterior face of turbine blades, then the panels self-clean due to centrifugal forces from blade rotation, but the panels cannot maintain perpendicular orientation to incoming solar radiation, drastically diminishing photovoltaic efficiency

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveself-cleaning capabilityVSAvoidphotovoltaic efficiency

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The solar photovoltaic panel system is segmented into a stationary support structure and a rotatable panel assembly. The panels can independently rotate about an axial member while the support structure remains stationary, allowing the cleaning function and power generation function to be separated in their operational mechanisms

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The solar panels are designed to rotate dynamically in unison with the airfoils while maintaining their perpendicular orientation to solar radiation. This dynamic adjustment allows the panels to adapt their position continuously, maintaining optimal photovoltaic efficiency while still benefiting from the rotational cleaning effect

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Illumination intensity

If photovoltaic panels are placed on vertical surfaces that rotate, then the panels are exposed to solar radiation during portions of rotation, but the exposure is broken and not continuous, adversely affecting photovoltaic efficiency

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesolar radiation exposureVSAvoidphotovoltaic output

Core Design Contradiction:

Illumination intensityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The solar panels rotate in unison with the airfoils, ensuring continuous exposure to solar radiation throughout the rotation cycle. The coordinated rotation maintains the panels' perpendicular orientation to incoming solar radiation at all times, eliminating the intermittent exposure problem and ensuring continuous photovoltaic power generation

Inventive Principle:

Principle #20Continuity of useful action

3Productivity

If stationary solar photovoltaic panels are used, then the panels maintain optimal orientation to solar radiation, but the panels accumulate dust, sand, and debris requiring labor-intensive cleaning

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvephotovoltaic efficiencyVSAvoidmaintenance requirement

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The solar panel system utilizes the rotational motion of the wind turbine airfoils to automatically clean the panel surfaces. The centrifugal forces generated during rotation throw off accumulated dust, sand, and debris, eliminating the need for manual cleaning operations and reducing maintenance requirements

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

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 configuration enhances energy harvesting efficiency by optimizing wind and solar power collection while minimizing physical stress and maintenance, enabling the wind turbine to operate effectively across varying wind speeds and solar conditions.

Implementation Method 1

solar photovoltaic panels that convert solar energy into electricity

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPhotovoltaic effect: Photovoltaic Effect

Implementation Method 2

the turbine airfoils or blades self-clean because of centrifugal forces that arise from the blade rotation

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectCentrifugal force: Centrifugal Force

Implementation Method 3

magnetic repulsion levitated rotary airfoils

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectMagnetic repulsion: Ion Repulsion/Attraction

Data Source

PatentUS10094361B2Method and apparatus that generates electricity from a wind turbine equipped with self-cleaning photovoltaic panels

Publication Date: 2018.10.09 BARDIA JAIME MIGUEL

AI summary

An apparatus that can optimize wind power without compromising solar photovoltaic power collection by doing so and yet provide self-cleaning of the solar photovoltaic panels of the collector. The panels rotate in unison with rotation of the wind turbine airfoils and arranged in a planar region that is substantially transverse to a circumferential region in which the airfoils rotate beneath the solar photovoltaic collector.