Solar Energy Shade Structure for Multi-Revenue Urban Integration
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current solar energy collection technologies face challenges such as environmental impact, inefficient land use, high costs, and discomfort in sunny areas due to lack of shade, heat island effects, and limited energy production capacity.
Innovation Solution
A modular solar structure that integrates solar panels with adjustable angles and shade panels, allowing for efficient energy generation while providing shade, reducing land use, and generating revenue through multiple sources like advertising and parking fees, while also being designed to mimic natural light profiles and support vegetation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If large solar farms are built to collect large amounts of solar energy, then energy production increases, but environmental impact on the land increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines solar energy collection with urban infrastructure elements such as parking structures, building facades, and public shade structures. This merging allows solar panels to be integrated into existing urban environments rather than requiring dedicated solar farm land, thereby maintaining energy production while reducing environmental impact on natural landscapes.
Solution Approach 2:
The solar structures serve multiple functions simultaneously: energy generation, providing public shade, creating parking spaces, and enhancing urban aesthetics. This multi-functionality allows the same structure to deliver energy production benefits while also providing public amenities, effectively reducing the need for separate land-use projects.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If solar panels are installed on rooftops for personal use, then environmental impact is reduced, but energy production capacity is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from two-dimensional rooftop installations to three-dimensional solar structures that extend vertically and horizontally. By creating elevated solar arrays, facades, and multi-level structures, the system captures solar energy across multiple planes and heights, dramatically increasing energy production capacity while maintaining urban integration and minimal environmental impact.
3Ease of operation
If shade structures are built to provide comfortable public spaces, then public usability improves, but cost increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges shade structure functionality with solar energy generation and revenue-generating activities. By combining these functions into a single structure, the cost of providing public shade is offset by energy sales and ancillary revenues, making the project economically viable without requiring separate funding for shade infrastructure.
Solution Approach 2:
The solar shade structures are designed to be self-sustaining through multiple revenue streams including energy generation, advertising, and parking fees. These revenues cover the costs of structure maintenance and operation, allowing the system to provide public amenities without continuous external subsidies.
4Temperature
If parking lots are covered to reduce heat island effect, then urban temperature decreases, but land use efficiency decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs thin-film solar panels and translucent shading materials that allow light and air to pass through while providing shade. These flexible, semi-transparent coverings reduce heat absorption compared to solid opaque structures, mitigating the heat island effect while maintaining visibility and airflow that preserve land use efficiency.
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 effectively reduces environmental impact, increases energy production efficiency, provides comfortable shaded areas, minimizes land use, and offsets costs through diversified revenue streams, enhancing both energy production and urban aesthetics.
Implementation Method 1
providing shade and collecting solar energy
Data Source
AI summary
In accordance with various exemplary embodiments, solar energy shade structures and methods of design and revenue generation are disclosed. These systems comprise structures capable of supporting solar panel at heights greater than 18 feet above their mounting surface. These systems may be installed in confined spaces. These systems also comprise structures that are customizable, allowing an installation to be configured with a desired lighting and environmental effect. The methods discussed herein describe processes for achieving desired design effects based on natural elements. Moreover, the methods discussed herein describe processes for reducing the costs of generating solar energy and/or reducing the costs of providing a solar structure.