Vertical Bifacial PV Reflector Layout for Low Sun Angles
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current photovoltaic systems have poor production capacity during winter months and early morning/late afternoon hours, leading to a mismatch between electricity demand and production, known as the 'duck curve', and resulting in oversupply and curtailment issues.
Innovation Solution
A photovoltaic system comprising static bifacial solar panels mounted vertically with metallic or specular reflectors positioned on either side, tilted to intersect with the solar panels at an angle of approximately 73°, to redirect sunlight and enhance energy collection during low solar elevation angles.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If reflectors are used to boost energy collection of vertical solar panels, then power production at low solar elevation angles is improved, but solar panel temperature increases causing accelerated degradation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs bifacial panels with differentiated functionality: the vertical surface captures direct sunlight and reflected light from the horizontal reflector for power generation, while the rear surface serves as a heat dissipation interface. This local quality differentiation allows the system to maximize energy collection on the front surface while using the rear surface to manage thermal loads, thereby improving energy collection without proportionally increasing harmful temperature effects
Solution Approach 2:
The horizontal reflector acts as an intermediary that redirects sunlight at optimal angles onto the vertical panels during low solar elevation periods. By positioning the reflector at a 73° tilt angle, it intercepts low-angle sunlight and redirects it onto the panels without concentrating excessive thermal energy, thus enabling improved energy collection while mitigating the temperature increase that would occur with direct perpendicular illumination
2Productivity
If PV systems are optimized for maximum production at noon and during summer, then midday energy production is maximized, but electricity demand mismatch occurs leading to curtailment
Solution Approach 1:
The patent's vertical panel orientation combined with horizontal reflector is specifically optimized for periodic action during winter months and early/late hours of the day. This configuration captures sunlight during periods when traditional horizontal systems produce minimally, thereby shifting the production profile to match peak demand periods and reducing curtailment during midday when production exceeds demand
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 significantly increases electric power production during low solar elevation angles, mitigates overheating issues, and reduces the risk of solar panel degradation, thereby improving the overall efficiency and return on investment of the PV system.
Implementation Method 1
at least two metallic or substantially specular reflectors... tilted to face each side of the bifacial photovoltaic module... so that the planes comprising the reflectors intersect the planes comprising the bifacial photovoltaic modules at an angle substantially of 73°
Implementation Method 2
at least a bifacial photovoltaic module mounted on said support structure in a position substantially perpendicular to the east-west axis
Data Source
AI summary
A photovoltaic system, and an assembly method, for maximizing electric power production during low solar elevation angles, including at least a bifacial photovoltaic module, disposed on a substantially vertical first plane, mounted on a structural support and placed substantially facing the east on one side and the west on the other side, and at least two specular or metallic reflectors facing each side of the bifacial photovoltaic module at an angle of 73°±20° relative to the vertical. The reflectors are shaped or structured so that a fraction of the sun-light incident along a direction that is parallel to the photovoltaic module is redirected towards the photovoltaic module, thus maximizing the electric power production for conditions of low solar elevation such as winter, early morning and late afternoon, and protecting the photovoltaic module from overheating during noon and summer.