Solar Module Configuration Optimization Using Span-Based Alignment

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional solar power system configuration methods are often inefficient due to limited designer knowledge and sensitivity to shading, leading to suboptimal performance and increased costs, especially in space-constrained environments.

Innovation Solution

A computer-implemented optimization engine determines the optimal configuration of solar modules by projecting spans onto a target surface, populating them with solar modules, and aligning them to maximize performance, using a cloud-based and client-side optimization engine to select module types and placements based on geospatial data and performance metrics.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If manual configuration by designers is used, then flexibility in customization is improved, but design precision and optimization are worsened due to limited knowledge and non-linear performance sensitivity

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedesigner flexibilityVSAvoidconfiguration optimization

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces manual designer configuration with an automated computer-based optimization engine that uses algorithms to determine optimal solar panel placement. This substitution eliminates human knowledge limitations while maintaining configuration flexibility through programmable parameters and constraints.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces an optimization engine as an intermediary between design requirements and final configuration. This intermediary process automatically analyzes multiple factors including shading, space constraints, and performance metrics to generate optimized configurations that manual designers cannot achieve.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Adaptability or versatility

If manual configuration process is used, then customization capability is improved, but time consumption and cost are worsened

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecustomization capabilityVSAvoidconfiguration time

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The optimization engine performs self-service by automatically generating configurations without requiring extensive manual intervention. The system takes input parameters including site-specific constraints and automatically produces optimized layouts, dramatically reducing configuration time while maintaining customization.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The patent utilizes parameter changes by allowing users to input various constraints and preferences (tilt angles, panel types, shading obstacles) that the optimization engine processes to generate customized configurations. This approach maintains adaptability while automating the time-consuming analysis process.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Device complexity

If traditional configuration methods are used, then simplicity of process is improved, but performance optimization is worsened due to shading sensitivity and space constraints

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprocess simplicityVSAvoidsystem performance

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The optimization engine performs preliminary analysis of shading patterns, space constraints, and performance metrics before finalizing the configuration. This advance planning ensures optimal placement that accounts for all performance factors, improving reliability while keeping the user interface simple.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system incorporates feedback mechanisms that evaluate configuration performance based on shading analysis and space utilization. The optimization engine iteratively adjusts placements to maximize performance, providing feedback-driven optimization that improves reliability without complicating the overall process for users.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Data Source

PatentUS11387776B2Method and system for optimizing the configuration of a solar power system

Publication Date: 2022.07.12 SUNRUN INC

AI summary

An optimization engine determines an optimal configuration for a solar power system projected onto a target surface. The optimization engine identifies an alignment axis that passes through a vertex of a boundary associated with the target surface and then constructs horizontal or vertical spans that represent contiguous areas where solar modules may be placed. The optimization engine populates each span with solar modules and aligns the solar modules within adjacent spans to one another. The optimization engine then generates a performance estimate for a collection of populated spans. By generating different spans with different solar module types and orientations, the optimization engine is configured to identify an optimal solar power system configuration.