Sunlight modulation device with divergent reflection of converged sunlight for solar energy utilization
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional solar panel installations face issues with direct sunlight causing glare and energy inefficiency due to the need for large area coverage, which limits the use of solar energy for illumination and requires costly energy transformation processes, and the panels are difficult to move to allow scattered sunlight to reach behind them.
Innovation Solution
A sunlight modulation device comprising a light focusing module to converge direct sunlight and a light deflection module to separate and redirect it, allowing for flexible installation and utilization of both direct and diffuse sunlight for energy generation and illumination purposes without shadowing areas behind the panels.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by moving object
If solar panels are installed in large area to absorb solar energy, then energy generation efficiency is improved, but the area behind the panels is shadowed and cannot receive scattered sunlight for illumination
Solution Approach 1:
The solar installation system is segmented into two functional components: solar panels for energy generation and a light deflection module for illumination. This segmentation allows the system to simultaneously achieve both energy generation and illumination functions without mutual interference, resolving the contradiction between energy absorption area and light transmission to underlying areas.
Solution Approach 2:
A light deflection module acts as an intermediary component between the solar panels and the area behind them. This intermediary redirects scattered sunlight that would otherwise be blocked by the panels, enabling both energy generation and illumination to occur simultaneously in the same spatial zone.
2Illumination intensity
If solar panels are moved to allow scattered sunlight to reach behind them, then illumination is improved, but the device becomes difficult to move due to large area
Solution Approach 1:
The system separates the solar panel array from the light deflection function, placing a compact light deflection module at the focal region. This segmentation enables the illumination function to be achieved without moving the large-area solar panels, thus maintaining ease of operation while improving illumination.
Solution Approach 2:
The light deflection module serves as a stationary intermediary that handles the light redirection function. By placing this compact intermediary component rather than moving the entire solar panel array, the system achieves illumination improvement without compromising the ease of operation of the main solar installation.
3Use of energy by moving object
If direct sunlight is used for illumination, then energy utilization is improved, but the sunlight is too strong causing glare and plant withering
Solution Approach 1:
The light deflection module creates different light quality zones: concentrated direct sunlight is redirected to solar panels for energy generation, while scattered sunlight passes through to provide gentle illumination for plants and people. This local differentiation of light quality resolves the contradiction between energy utilization and harmful effects.
Solution Approach 2:
The system extracts the harmful concentrated direct sunlight from the illumination path and redirects it to energy generation. Only the beneficial scattered sunlight remains for illumination purposes, eliminating glare and plant withering while maintaining energy utilization through the separate solar panel component.
4Power
If conventional solar panels are installed to generate electricity, then energy generation is achieved, but energy transformation losses occur in the photo-to-electron and electron-to-photo processes
Solution Approach 1:
The solar installation system is designed with multi-functionality: solar panels generate electricity from direct sunlight, while the light deflection module simultaneously provides illumination using scattered sunlight. This universal system reduces overall energy transformation losses by utilizing sunlight directly for illumination rather than converting it through electrical processes.
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 device enables efficient use of solar energy by directing direct sunlight to solar panels or heating devices while using diffuse sunlight for illumination, reducing energy transformation losses and allowing for flexible, sheltered, or erected installations without increasing the footprint of solar panel installations.
Implementation Method 1
a light focusing module configured to let incident sunlight pass through and to converge direct sunlight of the incident sunlight on a focal region
Implementation Method 2
a light deflection module configured to separate the converged direct sunlight from diffusion sunlight of the incident sunlight by reflecting the converged direct sunlight
Data Source
AI summary
A sunlight modulation device includes a light focusing module and a light deflection module. The light focusing module is configured to let incident sunlight pass through and to converge direct sunlight of the incident sunlight. The light deflection module is configured to separate the converged direct sunlight from diffusion sunlight of the incident sunlight by reflecting the converged direct sunlight. The above-mentioned sunlight modulation device allows more diverse configurations for solar panels, heating devices or the like means, as well as illumination purpose.