Solar Shade Structure with Column-Screened Electrical Components
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current solar energy collection technologies face challenges such as large environmental impact, inefficient land use, high costs, and the need for effective shade provision in sunny areas, as well as the heat island effect and protection of electrical components.
Innovation Solution
A solar energy shade structure that incorporates a force lateral brace-frame with cladding supports and electrical components mounted in a screened manner within columns, allowing for efficient solar panel placement, reduced land use, and integrated shade provision, while also facilitating maintenance and power distribution.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If solar panels are installed on rooftops for personal use, then environmental impact is reduced, but energy collection amount is limited to 50 kilowatts or less
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from two-dimensional rooftop installation to three-dimensional vertical column structures. Electrical components are mounted on vertical columns that extend upward, allowing solar panels to be arranged in vertical arrays rather than horizontal spreads. This dimensional change enables significantly higher energy collection capacity while maintaining urban aesthetic standards and reducing ground footprint.
Solution Approach 2:
The vertical columns serve multiple functions simultaneously: they provide structural support for solar panels, house electrical components (inverters, combiners, disconnects), provide shade to underlying areas, and maintain aesthetic standards for urban environments. This multi-functionality allows the system to achieve large-scale energy collection without the negative impacts of traditional solar farms.
2Quantity of substance
If large tracts of land are converted to solar farms for large energy collection, then energy collection amount increases to one megawatt to several hundred megawatts, but environmental impact and land use efficiency deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces horizontal land occupation with vertical structure utilization. Instead of spreading solar panels across large land areas, the system concentrates energy collection capacity in vertical columns that can be distributed throughout urban areas. This enables megawatt-scale generation without converting large tracts of land, thereby avoiding the environmental damage associated with traditional solar farms.
Solution Approach 2:
Electrical components are nested within the vertical columns alongside structural support elements. The columns contain inverters, combiners, and disconnects in an integrated manner, eliminating the need for separate ground-mounted equipment areas. This nesting approach reduces overall land footprint while maintaining full functional capacity for large-scale energy collection.
3Ease of operation
If transmission lines are built to transport energy from solar farms to cities, then energy distribution is achieved, but cost and environmental impact increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the inverter function from centralized ground-mounted locations and integrates it directly into the vertical column structures at the solar panel locations. This distributed inverter architecture eliminates the need for extensive transmission infrastructure, as energy can be converted to usable forms and distributed locally through existing urban electrical grids, reducing both cost and environmental impact.
4Object-affected harmful factors
If electrical components are mounted on vertical columns in screened manner, then urban aesthetics are improved and components are protected, but accessibility for maintenance may be reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The vertical columns are segmented into distinct sections with modular access points. Electrical components are mounted in accessible zones that can be reached through designated openings or platforms on the columns. This segmentation allows maintenance personnel to access components without compromising the overall aesthetic design, as access points can be discreetly integrated into the column structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces intermediary access platforms or openings in the vertical columns that serve as mediators between the screened electrical components and maintenance personnel. These intermediaries allow safe and easy access to components for inspection and repair while maintaining the aesthetic screening from ground level views, resolving the contradiction between protection and accessibility.
5Area of stationary object
If solar panels are placed near the ground to minimize land use, then land area is reduced, but access roads and paths must be created consuming additional land area
Solution Approach 1:
The patent moves electrical components from ground level to elevated vertical columns, eliminating the need for access roads and paths. Maintenance personnel can access components at elevated levels through the column structures themselves, which are distributed throughout the area. This vertical arrangement eliminates horizontal access infrastructure, thereby minimizing total land consumption without creating additional access road requirements.
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 solution enables efficient solar energy collection with reduced environmental impact, effective land use, and improved urban aesthetics, while providing shade and mitigating the heat island effect, all while maintaining the structural integrity and accessibility of electrical components.
Implementation Method 1
mounting photovoltaic solar panels on the rooftops of homes or other buildings
Data Source
AI summary
In accordance with various exemplary embodiments, solar energy shade structures and support systems are disclosed that have electrical components concealed or screened within columns located under the structure. For example, a solar energy structure may comprise: a solar panel support structure, a plurality of solar panels supported by the solar panel support structure, a plurality of vertical supports connected to the solar panel support structure for supporting the solar panel support structure elevated above a surface, and a column, located under the solar panel support structure. The column comprises an electrical component mounted to the column in a screened manner, wherein the electrical component comprises at least one of a string inverter, a combiner, and a battery.