Solar Tracker Beam With Integrated Nozzles for Panel Cleaning and Cooling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Solar panels face inefficiencies due to dirt accumulation and heat, requiring frequent manual cleaning and additional cooling systems, which are costly and labor-intensive.
Innovation Solution
A solar tracker system with a main beam that incorporates a liquid channel for cleaning and a nozzle to spray liquid on the panels, also utilizing air ducts for cooling, integrated into the existing structure to minimize additional components and labor.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If manual cleaning is used, then cleaning effectiveness is achieved, but labor cost and time consumption increase
Solution Approach 1:
The solar tracker structure performs cleaning automatically through integrated nozzles that spray liquid onto the panel surfaces, eliminating the need for external manual cleaning operations and enabling self-maintenance capability
Solution Approach 2:
The cleaning system is merged with the solar tracker structure by integrating nozzles and liquid delivery channels into the existing beams, combining two separate functions (tracking and cleaning) into a unified system
2Extent of automation
If external cleaning systems are added to trackers, then automatic cleaning is achieved, but installation cost and device complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The tracker beams serve multiple functions: structural support for the panels, housing for liquid delivery channels, mounting for nozzles, and integration with the tracking mechanism, eliminating the need for separate cleaning system components
Solution Approach 2:
The cleaning functionality is merged into the existing tracker structure rather than being added as a separate system, reducing overall device complexity by sharing structural components between tracking and cleaning functions
3Temperature
If separate cooling systems are installed, then panel cooling is achieved, but material cost and installation labor increase
Solution Approach 1:
The liquid delivery system serves dual purposes: cleaning the panel surfaces and cooling the panels through evaporation and direct contact, eliminating the need for separate cooling system components
Solution Approach 2:
The cleaning and cooling functions are merged into a single liquid delivery system, where the same nozzles and fluid channels perform both cleaning and thermal management 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
The system automatically cleans and cools solar panels, enhancing efficiency by reducing labor and material costs while maintaining optimal performance.
Implementation Method 1
The nozzle is configured to spray the liquid on a collecting surface of the solar panel to clean and cool the solar panel
Implementation Method 2
The nozzle is configured to spray the liquid on a collecting surface of the solar panel to clean and cool the solar panel
Data Source
AI summary
A system and method for cleaning and cooling solar panels are described. A solar tracker includes a main beam for supporting the solar panels, and nozzles coupled to the main beam. The main beam includes a water channel along its interior which supplies water to the nozzles. The nozzles are positioned to spray water on the collecting surfaces of the solar panels to clean and cool them. The solar tracker may also include gutters to reclaim used water. The solar tracker may include air ducts which direct air across the undersides of the solar panels to cool them.