Vertical Solar Streetlight Array for Self-Cleaning Power Capture

Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional solar streetlight systems suffer from reduced efficiency due to dirt, animal waste, and obstructions such as dust, snow, and tree leaves, which accumulate on horizontally positioned solar panels, requiring frequent manual cleaning and reducing their effectiveness in severe weather conditions.

Innovation Solution

A vertical autonomous solar streetlight system with a vertically arranged solar array around the pole, utilizing a gravity-induced self-cleaning mechanism and a parallel connection of solar panels to maintain efficiency, combined with a controller, inverter, and battery for continuous operation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Use of energy by moving object

If solar panels are positioned horizontally above the housing, then they can capture sunlight effectively, but they accumulate dirt, animal waste, dust, snow, and tree leaves that reduce efficiency over time

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesolar energy capture efficiencyVSAvoidsystem efficiency over time

Core Design Contradiction:

Use of energy by moving objectVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent inverts the conventional horizontal solar panel arrangement by positioning panels vertically on the pole. This inversion changes the accumulation pattern of debris - instead of pooling on horizontal surfaces, dirt and waste slide down vertical surfaces due to gravity, preventing the efficiency degradation that plagues horizontal panel systems.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

Solution Approach 2:

The vertical panel configuration enables self-cleaning through gravity. Debris naturally slides down the vertical surfaces during rainfall or even light moisture, eliminating the need for manual cleaning interventions and maintaining consistent system efficiency without human intervention.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

2Use of energy by moving object

If solar panels are positioned horizontally above the housing, then they can capture sunlight effectively, but they require frequent manual cleaning to maintain efficiency

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesolar energy capture efficiencyVSAvoidmaintenance requirement

Core Design Contradiction:

Use of energy by moving objectVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent inverts the conventional horizontal solar panel arrangement by positioning panels vertically on the pole. This inversion changes the accumulation pattern of debris - instead of pooling on horizontal surfaces, dirt and waste slide down vertical surfaces due to gravity, preventing the efficiency degradation that plagues horizontal panel systems.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

Solution Approach 2:

The vertical panel configuration enables self-cleaning through gravity. Debris naturally slides down the vertical surfaces during rainfall or even light moisture, eliminating the need for manual cleaning interventions and maintaining consistent system efficiency without human intervention.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

3Productivity

If conventional solar panel systems are used, then they can power streetlights, but they fail to operate reliably during severe weather conditions like tropical storms, hurricanes, snowfall, and flooding

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestreetlight operation capabilityVSAvoidoperation during severe weather

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent transitions from horizontal panel positioning to vertical arrangement, fundamentally changing the spatial dimension. This vertical orientation provides aerodynamic advantages during storms, reduces snow accumulation, and positions panels above flood levels, enabling reliable operation in severe weather conditions that ground conventional horizontal systems.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent inverts the conventional horizontal solar panel arrangement by positioning panels vertically on the pole. This inversion changes the accumulation pattern of debris - instead of pooling on horizontal surfaces, dirt and waste slide down vertical surfaces due to gravity, preventing the efficiency degradation that plagues horizontal panel systems.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

4Use of energy by moving object

If solar panels are positioned horizontally above the housing, then they can capture sunlight, but their efficiency decreases dramatically over time due to obstructions

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesolar energy captureVSAvoidsystem efficiency over time

Core Design Contradiction:

Use of energy by moving objectVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent inverts the conventional horizontal solar panel arrangement by positioning panels vertically on the pole. This inversion changes the accumulation pattern of debris - instead of pooling on horizontal surfaces, dirt and waste slide down vertical surfaces due to gravity, preventing the efficiency degradation that plagues horizontal panel systems.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

Solution Approach 2:

The vertical panel configuration enables self-cleaning through gravity. Debris naturally slides down the vertical surfaces during rainfall or even light moisture, eliminating the need for manual cleaning interventions and maintaining consistent system efficiency without human intervention.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

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 achieves maximum solar energy capture, requires minimal maintenance, operates continuously through prolonged periods, and remains functional in extreme weather conditions like snowfall and flooding, with enhanced wind resistance and self-cleaning capabilities.

Implementation Method 1

The present invention uses a vertical solar array that surrounds the pole of a streetlight to maximize the efficiency of this solar streetlight system

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPhotovoltaic effect: Photovoltaic Effect

Implementation Method 2

The present invention uses a vertical solar array that runs vertically along the pole of a streetlight to maximize the efficiency of this solar streetlight system, while simultaneously creating a gravity induced self-cleaning system

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectGravity: Gravitation

Data Source

PatentUS20240364260A1Vertical autonomous solar streetlight system

Publication Date: 2024.10.31 INGOUVILLE ALAN

AI summary

A vertical autonomous solar streetlight system. The vertical autonomous solar streetlight system uses a vertical solar array that surrounds the lateral sides of a light pole of the streetlight system to capture the maximum amount of light, while simultaneously providing a gravity induced self-cleaning system, and a low-profile geometry that is aerodynamic. The streetlight system uses a solar array, a controller, an inverter, and a battery, all being operatively connected to power the light of the streetlight system.