Light Adjustment System Using Solar Panels for Skylight Illuminance
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional systems fail to maintain consistent indoor illuminance using light diffusion type skylight windows and solar panels, leading to inefficient lighting device operation and reduced power saving effects due to variable sunlight intensity.
Innovation Solution
A light adjustment system that associates work surface illuminance from light diffusion type skylight windows with electrical power or current generated by solar panels, using the solar panels' power as a sensor to automatically control lighting device operation, turning them on or off based on set illuminance and power values.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of energy
If light diffusion type skylight windows are installed to provide natural illumination, then power consumption of lighting devices is reduced, but indoor illuminance becomes unstable and requires frequent lighting device operation
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses solar panels to detect sunlight intensity and generates electrical signals that are sent to a control unit. The control unit automatically adjusts lighting device operation based on this feedback, turning lights on when natural illumination is insufficient and off when it is sufficient, thereby maintaining stable illuminance while minimizing energy consumption.
Solution Approach 2:
The solar panels serve dual functions: generating electrical power for the building and simultaneously acting as sensors to detect sunlight intensity for automatic lighting control. This multi-functionality resolves the contradiction by using the same component for both energy generation and illuminance monitoring.
2Illumination intensity
If lighting devices are installed to compensate for insufficient natural illuminance, then indoor illuminance is maintained, but lighting devices operate frequently reducing power saving effects
Solution Approach 1:
The control unit receives electrical signals from solar panels indicating sunlight intensity levels. Based on this feedback, the system automatically switches lighting devices on or off, ensuring illuminance is maintained only when necessary, thereby reducing overall lighting energy consumption.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses the solar panels' own electrical output as the control signal for lighting operation. When solar panels generate sufficient electricity, it indicates sufficient sunlight, and the lighting devices are automatically turned off without requiring external monitoring equipment.
3Power
If solar panels are arranged on the roof to generate electrical power, then energy is generated, but the combination with light diffusion type skylight windows creates complex system coordination requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The solar panels perform both energy generation and illuminance detection functions. The electrical signals generated by the solar panels are directly used to control lighting devices, eliminating the need for separate sensing equipment and simplifying system coordination despite the combination of multiple functions.
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 system ensures uniform indoor illuminance and reduces lighting energy consumption by 60% or more, extending the life of lighting devices and enabling efficient energy generation.
Implementation Method 1
electrical power, current or voltage generated by photovoltaic power generation panels
Implementation Method 2
light diffusion type skylight windows for collecting natural light into the indoor
Data Source
AI summary
An illuminance obtained by light passed through light diffusion type skylight windows is affected by the weather. This is to solve such problems by polarization of lighting devices and control technology in addition to improvements in the quality of skylights themselves, and the advantages of the high natural lighting offered by light diffusion type skylight windows are now being utilized. A set value that is the result of associating a required work surface illuminance for indoors with the work surface illuminance obtained by light passed through light diffusion type skylight windows and the generated power of a photovoltaic power generation panels is set as a reference for a light adjustment signal. In situations such as winter sunsets and rainy weather which are in a range equal to or less than the set value, light adjustment of lighting devices is performed by a signal transmitted from the photovoltaic power generation panels.