Solar energy disposition

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing solar energy arrangements fail to maximize the use of available utility space for solar energy generation, particularly due to shadowing and wind load constraints, and lack modularity and structural efficiency in individual support structures.

Innovation Solution

A solar energy disposition comprising a plurality of individual support structures with varying parameters such as height, distance, inclination, and porosity, optimized for maximum solar energy generation and reduced wind loads, allowing for modular and cost-effective deployment in diverse utility spaces.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Object-affected harmful factors

If individual support structures are arranged in successive lines with spacing to avoid shadowing, then shadowing is reduced, but the use of available utility space for solar energy generation is not maximized

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveshadowingVSAvoidsolar energy generation capacity

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The solar energy disposition is segmented into multiple individual support structures distributed across the utility space, each with its own top element presenting solar energy means. This segmentation allows flexible arrangement to balance shadowing avoidance with space utilization, rather than using a single large structure or rigid successive lines.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The invention applies local quality by allowing different individual support structures to have varying parameters (height, area, orientation, porosity) based on their specific location within the utility space. This enables optimization of each local position to maximize solar energy capture while minimizing shadowing on neighboring structures.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

2Ease of manufacture

If uniform individual support structures are used throughout the utility space, then manufacturing and deployment are simplified, but structural efficiency and adaptability to diverse spatial configurations are reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedeployment simplicityVSAvoidspatial configuration adaptability

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The invention creates a universal platform where individual support structures can be systematically varied in their parameters (height, area, orientation, porosity) while maintaining a common basic design. This allows the same modular structure type to adapt to diverse spatial configurations and optimization requirements throughout the utility space.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The invention systematically varies key parameters of individual support structures including height, top element area, orientation angles, and porosity ratios based on location-specific optimization criteria. This parameter variation enables adaptation to diverse spatial configurations while maintaining manufacturing efficiency through standardized component families.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Strength

If top elements present solar energy means at high porosity to reduce wind loads, then structural resilience is improved, but the area effectively available for solar energy generation is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestructural resilienceVSAvoidsolar energy generation capacity

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The invention optimizes the porosity parameter of top elements based on location-specific wind load conditions and solar energy generation requirements. Rather than using a uniform porosity value, the system varies porosity ratios to achieve the optimal balance between structural resilience and solar energy capture capacity for each individual support structure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

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 solution enhances solar energy generation capacity to over 90% of the available area, improves structural resilience against wind loads, and optimizes spatial distribution and cost efficiency.

Implementation Method 1

presenting a plurality of solar energy means, such as solar energy panels

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPhotovoltaic effect: Photovoltaic Effect

Data Source

PatentEP3372918B1Solar energy disposition

Publication Date: 2025.11.26 TEIXEIRA E SILVA CARDOSO PAULO ALEXANDRE

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AI summary

The present invention refers to a solar energy disposition comprising a plurality of different individual support structures (1, 1') whereby at least two of said individual support structures (1, 1') are disposed so as to increase the occupation rate of the effectively available area in a utility space (A), while improving the general behaviour of wind loads upon the ensemble of individual support structures (1, 1'). The present invention further refers to a system (10) adapted for solar energy generation, comprising a plurality of different types of individual support structures (1, 1') comprising at least one support element (2) of pole type or similar, that support at least one top element (3) of canopy type or similar at an average height (hm) above a base level (B), so as to increase the number of possibilities of spatial distribution of a respective solar energy disposition as a function of the constrains at a utility space (A).