Tilting Solar Panel Frame for Lower Wind and Snow Loads
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing solar systems face challenges in withstanding geo-influences such as wind, snow, currents, and waves, leading to mechanical stress and increased costs for anchoring and assembly.
Innovation Solution
The solar panels are attached to a tilting axis, allowing them to align with the direction of geo-forces, thereby reducing mechanical stress and eliminating the need for extensive anchoring. This setup includes a reset weight or counterweight to automatically return the panels to their original position once the geo-force subsides.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If solar panels are mounted in a stationary or electromechanically tracked manner, then the mechanical connection must withstand forces from wind, snow, currents, and waves, but this leads to increased complexity and cost of anchoring and assembly
Solution Approach 1:
The solar panel mounting system transitions from a stationary rigid connection to a dynamic tilting mechanism. The frame can tilt relative to the support structure around a horizontal axis, allowing the solar panels to adapt their orientation in response to geo-influences like wind and snow, thereby reducing mechanical stress and simplifying anchoring requirements
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the orientation parameter of the solar panels dynamically. By allowing the frame to tilt at varying angles relative to the vertical position, the solar panels can optimize their orientation to minimize exposure to harmful geo-influences, transforming the fixed orientation parameter into a variable one that adapts to environmental conditions
2Use of energy by moving object
If solar panels are mounted horizontally to capture sun's rays, then the surface area for energy capture is maximized, but snow can exert large surface forces on the system
Solution Approach 1:
The mounting system enables dynamic adjustment of the solar panel orientation. When snow accumulates or wind blows, the frame can tilt away from the horizontal position, reducing the surface area exposed to snow and wind forces while still maintaining adequate energy capture capability through periodic repositioning
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of mounting solar panels horizontally to maximize energy capture (conventional approach), the system inverts this by allowing the panels to tilt toward a more vertical position when geo-influences are present. This inversion of the mounting angle reduces snow accumulation and wind load while the system periodically returns to optimal energy-capturing orientations
3Object-affected harmful factors
If solar panels are vertically mounted to reduce snow surface forces, then snow load is minimized, but wind creates massive surface forces and loads on the mounting structure
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts the solar panel orientation based on the type of geo-influence present. The frame can tilt to reduce exposure to either snow or wind forces as needed, transforming the static vertical mounting into a dynamic system that adapts its orientation to minimize the specific harmful force acting upon it at any given time
4Object-affected harmful factors
If solar panels are suspended to allow deflection from geo-forces, then damage from wind and waves is prevented, but the costs and installation effort for supports and anchoring are considerable
Solution Approach 1:
The mounting system is segmented into modular components: a support structure, a tiltable frame, and the solar panels. This segmentation allows each component to be independently optimized and assembled, reducing installation complexity. The frame acts as an intermediate element that absorbs geo-forces through controlled tilting, protecting the solar panels without requiring extensive anchoring of each individual panel
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 significantly reduces the horizontal and vertical forces acting on the solar panels, minimizing damage from geo-forces and lowering installation costs by reducing the need for extensive anchoring, while maintaining high efficiency and stability.
Implementation Method 1
The frame with the solar panels held therein can be tilted from the basic position about a substantially horizontal tilt axis in the vertically lower area of the solar panel(s) or about a substantially horizontal tilt axis below the solar panel when a deflection force acts on the solar panel, e.g. a geoforce such as wind or waves
Implementation Method 2
the solar modules/solar panels are to be mounted on an axis with a tilt-flexible design so that when geo-forces act on the solar surface, they align perpendicular to the direction of the force
Data Source
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AI summary
Solar-energy system having at least one solar panel, which is fixed in a frame. In a substantially vertical or upright starting position, the frame keeps the solar panel substantially vertical or upright. The frame here can be tilted out of the starting position, about a substantially horizontal tilting axis extending in the vertically lower region of the solar panel, or about a substantially horizontal tilting axis extending beneath the solar panel, when the solar panel is subjected to a deflecting force in a direction transverse to the tilting axis. As the deflecting force lessens, the frame resets automatically about the tilting axis, for example as a result of a resetting weight, in the direction of the starting position.