Ventilated Solar Panel Roof With Split Airflow Cooling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Integrated solar panels lack effective cooling mechanisms, leading to reduced efficiency due to elevated temperatures, as there is typically no air gap for cooling, and existing solutions like GSE Air's hot air suction systems are complex and costly.
Innovation Solution
A ventilated solar panel system with joists and electrical fans that create separate air streams under the panels, enhancing airflow and using a controller to optimize fan operation based on temperature, power output, and weather forecasts for improved efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If integrated solar panels are installed without air gap, then construction simplicity and cost efficiency are improved, but cooling capability deteriorates leading to reduced solar cell efficiency
Solution Approach 1:
The invention segments the airflow into multiple separate streams by introducing vertical dividers between adjacent solar panels. Each divider creates independent airflow channels that allow air to pass underneath each panel separately, ensuring effective cooling for all panels while maintaining the integrated construction approach without requiring a continuous air gap.
Solution Approach 2:
The vertical dividers act as intermediary structures that facilitate cooling by creating separate airflow paths. These dividers are positioned at the edges of solar panels and extend downward to form channels that guide air flow, enabling effective cooling without compromising the integrated panel construction.
2Temperature
If hot air suction system is implemented, then cooling capability is improved, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The invention utilizes natural air buoyancy and convection currents to drive airflow underneath the solar panels. Warm air naturally rises and is replaced by cooler air, creating a self-sustaining circulation pattern that provides effective cooling without requiring complex mechanical suction systems or additional energy input.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention employs pneumatic principles by designing vertical dividers that channel and direct air flow underneath the solar panels. The dividers create pressure differentials and guide airflow paths that enhance natural convection, providing effective cooling through simple structural modifications rather than complex mechanical systems.
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 ventilated system increases solar panel efficiency by up to 10%, reducing the power required to operate the fans and providing a cost-effective cooling solution for both retrofit and integrated solar panel installations.
Implementation Method 1
each fan is configured to create a flow of air towards the ridge
Implementation Method 2
enabling air to circulate and cool the underside of the panels
Data Source
AI summary
A ventilated solar panel system mounted on a roof of a building (1), comprising a plurality of joists (12, 112) arranged substantially normal to an upper ridge (14) of the roof, and extending from the upper ridge (14) to a lower region of the roof, and a set of rectangular solar panels (2, 13), arranged on and supported by the joists (12, 112). The system further comprises a set of electrical fans (25), each fan (25) being arranged in the lower region of the roof and being aligned with one of the joists (12, 112), wherein each fan (25) is configured to create a flow of air towards the ridge (14), and wherein each joist (12, 112), in an end facing one of the fans (25), is formed with a dividing edge (32, 132) configured to divide the flow of air into two sub-flows (26a, 26b), a first sub-flow (26a), directed to a first side of the joist (12, 112), and a second sub-flow (26b) directed to a second side of the joist (12, 112), opposite to the first side.