Vertical Solar Panel Pillars With Rotating Sun-Tracking Arrays
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing solar panel systems struggle to optimize energy harvesting by efficiently tracking the sun's movement and utilizing vertical space for increased energy production.
Innovation Solution
The development of solar panel towers and pillars with rotator and flipper panels that pivot and rotate to face the sun optimally, along with solar platforms featuring pivotable panels and unique geometries to enhance energy capture, including bifacial and stacked designs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If conventional solar panels are installed horizontally on surfaces, then installation is simple and structure is compact, but vertical space utilization is poor and energy harvesting potential is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions solar panels from horizontal installation to vertical installation, utilizing the vertical dimension for energy harvesting. The solar panels are mounted on vertical surfaces such as walls, fences, and building facades, thereby converting unused vertical space into productive energy-generating area without significantly increasing structural complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The patent integrates solar panels into existing vertical structures such as fence panels, wall assemblies, and building facades. The solar panels are nested within or attached to these existing structures, allowing dual functionality where the same vertical surface serves both its original purpose and solar energy generation
2Productivity
If fixed solar panels are installed, then structure is simple and maintenance is easy, but sun tracking capability is poor and energy capture efficiency is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent incorporates adjustable and movable mounting mechanisms that allow solar panels to change their orientation and tracking angle. The mounting structures include adjustable brackets, hinges, and positioning mechanisms that enable the panels to dynamically reposition themselves to follow the sun's movement across the sky, thereby maximizing energy capture efficiency
Solution Approach 2:
The tracking system is divided into modular segments including individual panel adjustments, section-level positioning, and overall structure orientation. This segmentation allows for incremental tracking capability where each segment can be independently adjusted to optimize its angle relative to the sun, providing effective sun tracking without requiring a completely complex centralized mechanism
3Quantity of substance
If solar panels are installed on flat horizontal surfaces, then installation is straightforward and structure is simple, but energy density per unit area is limited and vertical space is wasted
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from horizontal to vertical solar panel installation, utilizing the vertical dimension to increase energy density per unit volume. By mounting panels on vertical surfaces such as walls, fences, and building facades, the system captures solar energy from previously unused vertical space, thereby increasing the quantity of energy generated per unit of installed structure volume
Solution Approach 2:
The patent designs universal mounting systems that can be adapted to various vertical surfaces including walls, fences, railings, and building facades. The mounting mechanisms are designed to be versatile and compatible with different substrate types, allowing the same solar panel assembly to be installed on diverse vertical surfaces without requiring custom-designed installation structures for each application
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
Enhances solar energy harvesting efficiency by maximizing solar irradiation capture and increasing energy density per unit volume and area, suitable for various applications including vehicles and buildings.
Implementation Method 1
Solar panels are used to harvest solar energy and convert such energy into electricity
Data Source
AI summary
Pillars and towers with solar panels mounted thereto allow for more solar panels to be located within a 2 dimensional footprint by using the vertical three dimensional space above the 2 dimensional footprint. The pillars and towers may be secured to the ground. Solar panels may attached to the pillars and towards vertically on top of each other and extend out horizontally. The solar panels may be arranged in to different configurations (e.g., zig-zag) to further increase solar harvesting within the two dimensional footprint and three dimensional space. The solar panel pillars may also have a plurality of solar panel columns that surround the pole that they are mounted thereto to increase solar energy harvesting potential.