Solar Panel Wire-Frame Protection Grid for Hail Impact Deflection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing solar panel protection technologies fail to address the damage from atmospheric agents and other potential hazards, such as hail and falling objects, while existing solutions like nets and thick protective glass are either inefficient or costly and cumbersome.
Innovation Solution
A protection device comprising a wire and frame structure with specific hole configurations that can be easily mounted on solar panels, using elastic nylon wire to deflect hail and impactors without significantly increasing weight or cost.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If anti-hail nets are arranged above solar panels to protect from hail, then protection from atmospheric agents is improved, but energy output is significantly reduced due to filtering effect
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts only the essential protective function from traditional nets by using individual protective elements (domes or bubbles) positioned at specific locations where hail impacts are most likely, rather than covering the entire panel surface with a continuous net. This allows sunlight to pass through to most of the panel surface while providing targeted protection where needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies protection locally rather than uniformly across the entire panel. The protective elements are positioned at specific locations (e.g., corners, edges, or high-risk impact zones) rather than covering the whole surface, allowing maximum sunlight transmission to the photovoltaic cells while providing protection precisely where hail damage is most probable.
2Strength
If protective glass with considerable thickness is used to protect solar panels, then resistance to hail impact is improved, but weight and cost are significantly increased
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses thin, flexible protective elements (such as transparent domes made from thin plastic or polymer materials) instead of thick rigid glass. These thin films provide sufficient protection against hail impact while maintaining minimal weight and allowing light transmission, unlike thick protective glass which would block light and add substantial weight.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs composite protective elements that combine multiple materials with complementary properties - such as a thin transparent polymer dome that provides impact resistance while maintaining optical transparency, replacing the need for thick monolithic glass that would compromise both weight and light transmission.
3Strength
If thick protective glass is used to protect solar panels, then resistance to hail impact is improved, but manufacturing and mounting complexity are significantly increased
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the protective function into multiple small, independent protective elements (individual domes or bubbles) rather than using a single large piece of thick glass. Each element can be manufactured separately using simple processes and installed independently, making the overall system easier to manufacture and install compared to custom-sized thick glass panels.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses inexpensive protective elements that can be easily manufactured and replaced if needed, rather than expensive custom-made thick glass. These simple protective domes can be produced in standard sizes and shapes using low-cost materials and processes, significantly reducing manufacturing complexity and cost.
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
Effectively protects solar panels from hail and falling debris without reducing efficiency or adding substantial weight or cost, suitable for both new and existing installations.
Implementation Method 1
The protection device 10 protects the solar panel to which it is attached thanks to the nylon wire 22, which, due to its elastic properties, causes hail or other impacting bodies to bounce off
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3~5
AI summary
Protection device for solar panels, suitable for being arranged on top of a solar panel so as to act as a protection, comprising a frame to which a wire is tied so as to create a protection grid.