Solar power station
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current sun-tracking solar systems require significant installation, adjustment, and maintenance costs due to the use of independent sun-tracking assemblies for each light-receiving surface, and they occupy more space than necessary.
Innovation Solution
A solar power station design featuring a first light-receiving element with a flat working surface and a second light-receiving element with a vertically oriented working surface, where the second element is fixed on a driving mechanism that moves or rotates relative to the first surface to track the sun, allowing for simplified sun tracking and reduced space requirements.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a distributed sun-tracking system is used with independent sun-tracking assemblies for each light-receiving surface, then all light-receiving surfaces can perform sun-tracking movements, but installation, adjustment, operation and maintenance costs significantly increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple independent sun-tracking assemblies into a single shared tracking mechanism. The first light-receiving surface remains stationary while the second light-receiving surface is mounted on a rotating platform that can be driven by one motor to achieve sun-tracking for both surfaces simultaneously, reducing the number of independent tracking systems from multiple to one.
Solution Approach 2:
The single rotating platform serves multiple functions: it supports the second light-receiving surface and enables sun-tracking for both the first and second surfaces. The one motor drives the entire tracking mechanism, making the system more universal and reducing overall complexity while maintaining adaptability to sun movement.
2Adaptability or versatility
If a distributed sun-tracking system is used with independent sun-tracking assemblies for each light-receiving surface, then sun-tracking movements are achieved, but space requirements between multiple assemblies increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple light-receiving surfaces onto a single integrated platform structure. The first light-receiving surface is fixed on the ground while the second surface is mounted on a rotating platform that shares the same base, eliminating the need for separate spaced-apart tracking assemblies and reducing ground area requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
The second light-receiving surface is nested on the rotating platform which itself is nested on the common base structure. This hierarchical nesting allows compact arrangement where the rotating platform and its mounted surface are contained within the overall footprint defined by the first light-receiving surface and shared base, minimizing required ground space.
3Productivity
If the second light-receiving surface is positioned to receive sunlight directly, then solar energy collection is maximized, but the area required for installation increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from having all light-receiving surfaces lie flat on the ground (two-dimensional arrangement) to positioning the second surface vertically on a rotating platform (three-dimensional arrangement). This vertical orientation allows the second surface to capture sunlight from different angles without requiring additional horizontal ground space, effectively using the vertical dimension to increase energy collection density.
Solution Approach 2:
The second light-receiving surface is mounted on a rotating platform that can dynamically adjust its orientation to track the sun's movement. This dynamic positioning allows the surface to maintain optimal sunlight reception throughout the day while sharing the same ground footprint with the first surface, maximizing energy collection without proportionally increasing installation area.
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 design reduces installation and maintenance costs while minimizing the required surface area for solar energy collection, enhancing efficiency and scalability of solar power stations.
Implementation Method 1
sunlight irradiates onto the first working surface after passing through the second working surface
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3
Figure 4
AI summary
Disclosed is a solar power station, comprising a first light-receiving device (110) having a substantially planar first working surface (111), a second light-receiving device (120) having a second working surface (121) substantially perpendicular to the first working surface, and a first drive mechanism (130). The first and second working surfaces are configured so that sunlight (SS) strikes the first working surface after passing through the second working surface or passes through the first working surface and then strikes the second working surface. The second light-receiving device is fixed on the first drive mechanism. The first drive mechanism is used to drive the second working surface to move or rotate relative to the first working surface according to the movement of the sun. The substantially vertical light-receiving device is centralized and configured to follow the sun by the first drive mechanism, making the overall structure and configuration of the solar power station simpler, being also advantageous for reducing the costs of the solar power station and requirements on the surface area of the ground.