GB2492063A

GB2492063A - Solar Panel unit comprising of a plurality of pyramidal solar panels on a dome or elliptically shaped base.

Info

Publication number: GB2492063A
Application number: GB1110100.3A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Rania Gideon
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2011-06-15
Filing date: 2011-06-15
Publication date: 2012-12-26
Anticipated expiration: 2031-06-15
Also published as: GB2492063B; WO2012172296A1; GB201110100D0

Abstract

Multiple three dimensional solar panel base units with a dome shapes base (4, figure 1) or an elliptically shaped base (1, figure 2) or a combination of both, which are directly placed on an existing roof area 2, and a plurality of three dimensional pyramidal solar panels 3 attached vertically to the surface of each base unit 1, whereby the sides of the solar panels are positioned to directly face the sun, starting from the east side and ending at the west side 4. The solar panels are arranged in a staggered fashion in which the solar panels minimise any shading but maximise the passage of available sunlight 5. Any reflected sunlight from neighboring pyramidal panels will therefore be redirected to the opposite facing pyramid , which would not necessarily be exposed to sunlight 6.

Description

Multiple Three Dimensional Solar Panel Base

Description

This invention's purpose is to maximise the amount of sunlight captured by a solar panel system, when sunlight falls on an existing area with limited dimen&ons for energy generation purpose. The invention proposes the incorporation of solar panels that are currently available into a three dimensional structure that would help capture the maximum amount of sunlight falling on any given area. This will considerably increase the amount of kilowatts of power generated in the existing photovoltaic solar panel systems, making this technology more cost effective and consequently more attractive for consumers.

The existing conventional two dimensional solar panel systems currently installed on residential and commercial properties, provide around 35% of the annual household kilowatt consumption.

However, it can take up to 25 year to pay back the initial installation cost (investment), which makes the existing two dimensional solar panel system unattractive from a cost perspective.

The current two dimensional panel system gives a better output when the light is shining directly at panel but a significantly reduced output at other angles.

it is obvious that the angle of the sun changes over a yearly cycle as well as a daily cycle, which limits the efficiency of the existing flat panels.

Therefore a fixed solar panel needs to maximize its exposure to the sun and changing angle of the sun during the day and the year to maximize its efficiency.

The proposed dome shaped base with pyramidal shaped solar panels maximizes photon absorption from direct and diffused light at any given angle. The pyramidal shaped solar panels could be any available type and could be chosen by consumer or promoter. This means that the proposed model is flexible and is not restricted to a specific type of solar panel technology. Having said that, it is clear that the more efficient the solar panel used, the more efficient the proposed model becomes.

The pyramids placed on top of the dome base are staggered so they can maximise the photon passage from any direction and also minimise shadowing. By virtue of this arrangement the flat side of the pyramids that are facing the sun, are capturing the maximum amount of light that typically strikes their surfaces at any given angle without any obstruction from the other pyramids.

it is acknowledged that most solar panels do not absorb 100% of photons landing on their surface and therefore a considerable amount are reflected back and not utilised. The staggered design of the pyramids allows the surface of the pyramids that are not facing the sunlight to absorb a certain amount of reflected sunlight from these pyramids that are positioned opposite and are directly exposed to the sunlight. This eliminates or counteracts the photon reflection problem, in the design of the current flat panel system, and creates an additional benefit due to the proposed shaped panels and increases the overall energy generated.

The base could also be elliptical shaped in order to maximise the space usage for any specific roof area, therefore providing more flexibility in terms of usage of the proposed model.

The use of a single large dome base is ideal but could be difficult to handle and maintain practically. It is therefore proposed to use a number of smaller dome bases to cover any specific roof area.

The proposed model provides a solution to the requirement of maximum flat area against direct sunlight and is also more efficient when light is diffused during overcast conditions or when the light is poor (i.e. winter time) due to its 3 dimensional shape and at the time when efficiency is most important.

The principle of this invention and its function wi now be described by the explanatory text b&ow and by reterence to the accompanying drawing: Figure 1-Layout: this shows the proposed single dome shaped base with the staggered fitted pyramidal shaped solar panels.

Figure 2-Section: shows a single unit fitted on an existing roof with a 45 pitch, so that it is exposed to the most sunlight rays.

Figure 3-Layout: shows an arrangement with several dome shaped base units instaHed on a roof area.

Figure 4-Section: shows the system fitted on a 45 pitched roof surface, so that it is exposed to the most sunlight rays.

Several dome base units 1 are fitted to an existing 45 pitched roof surface 2 facing the sunlight rays 4. A number of three dimensional pyramids 3, which surfaces are built of solar panels, are attached to each base in a staggered way S that maximises photon passage and minimise shading.

The dome base could also be elliptical or a combination of both to fit into pre-fixed roof dimensions.

The staggered design of the pyramids allows the side of the pyramids that are not facing the sunlight to get a certain amount of reflected light from those pyramids that are opposite, which are directly exposed to the sunlight 6.

Claims

C'aims 1-A multiple three dimensional solar panel base unit is defined as several dome shaped or elliptical bases or a combination of both, with a number of three dimensional pyramidal shaped solar panels vertically attached to the whole surface area of each base, the pyramid surfaces are made of solar panels with its bases attached to the overall dome or elliptical bases which are proposed to be used for photovoltaic electricity generation.

2-Each three dimensional base unit according to claim 1, which fixed onto a pitched roof area with an ideal angle of 45' degrees, on the elevation where it most exposed to the sunNght, the combined footprint area of the three dimensional base units could be as large as the entire roof surface area permits.

3-The perpendicularly fixed three dimensional solar panel pyramids according to claim 1, which are staggered in such a way as to minimise shading and to allow photon passage from the sun's rays.

4-The perpendicularly attached three dimensional solar panel pyramids according to claim 1, which are attached to each base so that the side of the solar panels are exposed the sun starting and orientated from the east to west elevation, staggered in such a way that maximises exposure to the sunlight and maximises photo absorption.

5-The perpendicularly attached three dimensional solar panel pyramids according to claim 3, in which pyramids are staggered in such a way where they face each other, to allows the side of the pyramids that are not facing the light to get a the maximum amount of reflected light from the opposite pyramids which are directly exposed to the sunlight 6.