Solar Collector Receiver Support Layout to Reduce Shadow Concentration
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional solar energy collectors face performance degradation due to shadows cast by support structures, which can significantly reduce the efficiency of solar cell performance, especially when the sun is overhead, as these shadows concentrate onto a single transverse strip of the receiver, degrading the performance of individual solar cells.
Innovation Solution
The solar energy collector design features a support structure with tilted receiver supports that spread shadows along the receiver's length, reducing their impact on solar cells by tilting away from the equator, and a reflector arrangement with vertically offset reflector subsections to minimize shadows from gaps between reflector panels, ensuring that shadows are spread across a broader area of the receiver, thereby reducing their darkness and impact.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional vertical receiver supports are used, then structural stability is maintained, but shadow concentration on solar cells degrades performance
Solution Approach 1:
The receiver supports are tilted at an angle relative to the vertical axis, creating an asymmetric configuration that spreads shadows along the length of the receiver rather than concentrating them on a single transverse strip, thereby maintaining structural stability while improving solar cell efficiency
Solution Approach 2:
The support structure introduces a longitudinal dimension to shadow distribution by tilting the supports, transforming the shadow pattern from a concentrated transverse strip (2D concentration) to a distributed longitudinal pattern (3D distribution), which reduces shadow impact on individual solar cells
2Ease of manufacture
If reflector subsections are arranged with gaps, then manufacturing and assembly are simplified, but shadow formation from gaps reduces solar energy collection
Solution Approach 1:
The reflector subsections are vertically offset relative to each other, creating a staggered three-dimensional arrangement that prevents shadow formation from gaps while maintaining manufacturing simplicity, as each subsection operates in a different vertical plane
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 design improves the overall performance of the solar energy collector by reducing the impact of shadows on individual solar cells, enhancing the efficiency of electricity generation and heat collection by ensuring that shadows are spread across a larger area, thus minimizing their effect on the performance of the solar cells.
Implementation Method 1
a linearly extending reflector oriented parallel to a long axis of the receiver and fixed in position with respect to the receiver
Implementation Method 2
a linearly extending receiver comprising solar cells
Data Source
AI summary
Systems, methods, and apparatus by which solar energy may be collected to provide electricity, heat, or a combination of electricity and heat are disclosed herein.