scholarly journals Solar Panels as Tip Masses in Low Frequency Vibration Harvesters

Energies ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 12 (20) ◽  
pp. 3815 ◽  
Author(s):  
Wang ◽  
Nabawy ◽  
Cioncolini ◽  
Revell
Keyword(s):  
Power Generation ◽  
Solar Panel ◽  
Experimental Results ◽  
Mass Ratio ◽  
Solar Panels ◽  
Energy Harvesters ◽  
Total Length ◽  
Panel Model ◽  
Piezoelectric Energy ◽  
Tip Mass

Tip masses are used in cantilevered piezoelectric energy harvesters to shift device resonance towards the required frequency for harvesting and to improve the electric power generation. Tip masses are typically in the form of concentrated passive weights. The aim of this study is to assess the inclusion of solar panels as active tip masses on the dynamics and power generation performance of cantilevered PVDF (polyvinylidene fluoride)-based vibration energy harvesters. Four different harvester geometries with and without solar panels are realized using off-the-shelf components. Our experimental results show that the flexible solar panels considered in this study are capable of reducing resonance frequency by up to 14% and increasing the PVDF power generated by up to 54%. Two analytical models are developed to investigate this concept; employing both an equivalent concentrated tip mass to represent the case of flexible solar panels and a distributed tip mass to represent rigid panels. Good prediction agreement with experimental results is achieved with an average error in peak power of less than 5% for the cases considered. The models are also used to identify optimum tip mass configurations. For the flexible solar panel model, it is found that the highest PVDF power output is produced when the length of solar panels is two thirds of the total length. On the other hand, results from the rigid solar panel model show that the optimum length of solar panels increases with the relative tip mass ratio, approaching an asymptotic value of half of the total length as the relative tip mass ratio increases significantly.

scholarly journals The Thermoelectric Solar Panels

2016 ◽  
Vol 3 (1) ◽  
pp. 9-14 ◽  
Author(s):  
R. Ahiska ◽  
L. Nykyruy ◽  
G. Omer ◽  
G. Mateik
Keyword(s):  
Electric Power ◽  
Internal Resistance ◽  
Solar Panel ◽  
Maximum Power ◽  
Experimental Results ◽  
Solar Panels ◽  
Photovoltaic Panel ◽  
Load Characteristics ◽  
Panel Surface

In this study, load characteristics of thermoelectric and photovoltaic solar panels areinvestigated and compared with each other with experiments. Thermoelectric solar panels convertsthe heat generated by sun directly to electricity; while, photovoltaic solar pales converts photonicenergy from sun to electricity. In both types, maximum power can be obtained when the loadresistance is equal to internal resistance. According to experimental results, power generated fromunit surface with thermoelectric panel is 30 times greater than the power generated by photovoltaicpanel. From a panel surface of 1 m2, thermoelectric solar panel has generated 4 kW electric power,while from the same surface, photovoltaic panel has generated 132 W only.

scholarly journals Designing and Modeling of Solar Panel with Dish Reflector for Productive Improvement by Optimum Utilisation of Plant Area

2019 ◽  
Vol 8 (3) ◽  
pp. 3955-3957
Keyword(s):  
Power Generation ◽  
Power Plant ◽  
Light Intensity ◽  
Solar Panel ◽  
Solar Power Plant ◽  
Solar Panels ◽  
Factors Associated ◽  
Plant Area ◽  
Parabolic Dish ◽  
Solar Rays

In this paper, we propose a conceptual design to reduce the solar power plant area by using dish reflector and solar panel arrangement by placing the solar panel at 90° angle. The solar rays get redirected into the box with the help of parabolic dish reflectors which results reduced size requirement for the panel installation. The reflective surface increases both light intensity as well as power generation by the solar panel. Also, the usual factors associated with general installation method like dust or snow formation and bird dropping over the panels that affect the efficiency of solar panels are avoided in this light box concept.

Solar Panel Automatic Positioning and Maximum Light Flux Direction Tracking

2021 ◽  
pp. 115-132
Author(s):  
K.V. Selivanov
Keyword(s):  
Power Generation ◽  
Alternative Energy ◽  
Power Plants ◽  
Light Flux ◽  
Solar Panel ◽  
Solar Panels ◽  
Moving Vehicle ◽  
New Device ◽  
Maximum Light ◽  
Automatic Positioning

The paper analyzes the state and possible ways of development of alternative energy, describes the prospects for the development of solar power plants, their classification and areas of application. Within the research, we revealed the problems that arise when installing and operating solar panels and identified the reasons that reduce their efficiency. Consequently, we analyzed the ways to increase the efficiency of power generation by solar panels and suggested solar panel automatic positioning and maximum light flux direction tracking as a possible solution to the problem. The study introduces a new device for positioning solar panels, which is distinguished by the automatic deployment and positioning of solar panels according to the actual direction of the maximum light flux. The device provides possible automation of the installation and greater efficiency of solar panels. The novelty of the device is protected by a utility model patent no. 180765 RF. To confirm the efficiency and to obtain a quantitative value of the increase in power generation by solar panels due to the use of the developed device, we present the comparison methodology and a description of the experiment. The schematic diagram and external view of the developed device are also shown. The experimental results are processed and shown in a graph. The possibility of increasing power generation by solar panels by tracking the maximum light flux and reorienting the solar panel towards it during the day has been confirmed, and a quantitative value of the increase in power generation has been obtained. Based on the positive results of the experiment, the possibility of using the developed device for automating the process of deploying solar panels in an autonomous way and excluding human participation in this process is described. The operation of the developed device on a moving vehicle and other methods of its application are considered. The results are summed up, conclusions are drawn and possible further directions for the development and use of the proposed method for increasing the efficiency of solar panels and the developed device for improving the performance of solar panels are identified

Closed-form solutions for forced vibrations of piezoelectric energy harvesters by means of Green’s functions

2017 ◽  
Vol 28 (17) ◽  
pp. 2372-2387 ◽  
Author(s):  
X Zhao ◽  
EC Yang ◽  
YH Li ◽  
W Crossley
Keyword(s):  
Closed Form ◽  
Piezoelectric Materials ◽  
Forced Vibrations ◽  
Rotational Inertia ◽  
Closed Form Solutions ◽  
Energy Harvesters ◽  
Piezoelectric Energy ◽  
Laplace Transform Technique ◽  
Damping Effects ◽  
Tip Mass

In this article, the closed-form solutions are obtained for the forced vibrations of cantilevered unimorph piezoelectric energy harvesters. A tip mass is attached at the free end, and the moment of its inertia to the fixed end is considered. Timoshenko beam assumptions are used to establish a coupled electromechanical model for the harvester. Two damping effects, transverse and rotational damping effects, are taken into account. Green’s function method and Laplace transform technique are used to solve the coupled electromechanical vibration system. The conventional case of a harmonic base excitation is considered, and numerical calculations are performed. The present model is validated by comparing its predictions with the existing data, the experimental results, and the finite element method solutions. The influences of shear deformation and rotational inertia on the predictions are discussed. The effect of load resistance on the electrical power is studied, and the optimal load resistances are obtained. Ultimately, the optimal schemes are proposed to improve electricity generation performance for the soft piezoelectric materials: PZT-5A/5H.

scholarly journals HELIANTHUS - SMART SOLAR PANEL

2013 ◽  
pp. 19-22
Author(s):  
Prof. Shashank Pujari ◽  
Prangyadarshini Behera ◽  
Devendrakumar Yadav
Keyword(s):  
Power Generation ◽  
Embedded System ◽  
Tracking System ◽  
Energy System ◽  
Solar Panel ◽  
Solar Photovoltaic ◽  
Solar Panels ◽  
Fixed Position ◽  
Photovoltaic Power ◽  
Solar Tracking

The paper outlines an application of smart solar “photovoltaic” power generation. Solar panels are typically in fixed position. They're limited in their energy-generating ability because they cannot consistently take full advantage of maximum sunlight. For more effective solar energy system, the solar panel should be able to align with sunlight as it changes during a given day. The present paper examines the design advantages of creating an intelligent solar tracking system like a helianthus flower using microcontroller based embedded system.

scholarly journals An E-shape broadband piezoelectric energy harvester induced by magnets

2018 ◽  
Vol 29 (11) ◽  
pp. 2477-2491 ◽  
Author(s):  
Qingqing Lu ◽  
Fabrizio Scarpa ◽  
Liwu Liu ◽  
Jinsong Leng ◽  
Yanju Liu
Keyword(s):  
Broad Spectrum ◽  
Output Voltage ◽  
Energy Harvester ◽  
Variation Principle ◽  
Frequency Bandwidth ◽  
Restoring Force ◽  
Energy Harvesters ◽  
Piezoelectric Energy ◽  
Half Power ◽  
Tip Mass

We describe in this work a broadband magnetic E-shape piezoelectric energy harvester with wide frequency bandwidth. We develop first a nonlinear electromechanical model of the harvester based on the Hamilton variation principle that simulates the effect of the nonlinear magnetic restoring force at different spacing distances. The model is used to identify the distances existing between two different magnets that enable the system to perform with a specific nonlinearity. The performance of the E-shape piezoelectric energy harvester is also investigated through experiments, with E-shape energy harvesters at different spacing distances tested under several base acceleration excitations. We observe that the frequency domain output voltage of the system shows a general excellent controllable performance, with a widening of the frequency bandwidth. The half-power bandwidth of the linear energy harvester for a distance of 25 mm is 0.8 Hz only, which can be expanded to 2.67 Hz for the larger distance of 11 mm between magnets. The energy harvester presented in this work shows promising performances for broad-spectrum vibration excitations compared to conventional cantilever piezoelectric energy harvester systems with a tip mass.

Wind Effects on Power Generation of Solar Farm in California

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ni Li ◽  
Arianna Fatahi ◽  
Dennis Lee ◽  
Jim Y. Kuo ◽  
He Shen
Keyword(s):  
Heat Transfer ◽  
Power Generation ◽  
Solar Radiation ◽  
Solar Energy ◽  
Energy Generation ◽  
Solar Panel ◽  
Solar Irradiation ◽  
Energy Output ◽  
Critical Parameters ◽  
Solar Panels

Abstract In comparison to fossil fuels, solar energy is a more sustainable option due to its high availability and less environmental impact. Improving the efficiency of solar farms has been a primary concern of solar energy research. Many studies focus on the control of the tilt angle of solar modules to maximize their solar radiation reception and energy generation. However, an increase in solar radiation is accompanied by an increase in module temperature, which is known to be a significant parameter that reduces the power generation efficiency. Wind is another influential factor that helps Photovoltaic systems maintain a low operating temperature by enhancing the rate of heat transfer. Therefore, solar radiation and wind behavior are both critical parameters that must be considered to optimize solar panel performance. In this paper, the effect of wind conditions on solar panel performance will be examined. The solar panel energy output model will be built by empirically considering the irradiation, ambient temperature, wind speed, and wind direction. The published weather data and energy output data for the year 2017–2018 have been collected from Antelope Valley Solar Ranch, located in Lancaster, California. Four models have been proposed and the results indicate that the model which incorporates the wind conditions has the highest accuracy in approximating the energy production of solar farms. Among the factors that affect the temperature of solar panels and further the efficiency of solar panels including solar irradiation, convection, conduction, wind plays a major role in convective heat transfer. Based on this model, the potential improvement of energy generation via introducing a horizontal installation angle and adjusting this angle monthly according to the wind conditions is further analyzed. These results will help designers improve the design of solar farms by taking into consideration the local weather conditions.

scholarly journals Numerical Analysis of Signal Response Characteristic of Piezoelectric Energy Harvesters Embedded in Pavement

Materials ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 13 (12) ◽  
pp. 2770
Author(s):  
Hailu Yang ◽  
Qian Zhao ◽  
Xueli Guo ◽  
Weidong Zhang ◽  
Pengfei Liu ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Power Generation ◽  
Numerical Study ◽  
Mechanical Energy ◽  
Electrical Energy ◽  
Response Characteristic ◽  
Asphalt Pavements ◽  
Horizontal Distance ◽  
Concrete Pavements ◽  
Energy Harvesters ◽  
Piezoelectric Energy

Piezoelectric pavement energy harvesting is a technological approach to transform mechanical energy into electrical energy. When a piezoelectric energy harvester (PEH) is embedded in asphalt pavements or concrete pavements, it is subjected to traffic loads and generates electricity. The wander of the tire load and the positioning of the PEH affect the power generation; however, they were seldom comprehensively investigated until now. In this paper, a numerical study on the influence of embedding depth of the PEH and the horizontal distance between a tire load and the PEH on piezoelectric power generation is presented. The result shows that the relative position between the PEH and the load influences the voltage magnitude, and different modes of stress state change voltage polarity. Two mathematic correlations between the embedding depth, the horizontal distance, and the generated voltage were fitted based on the computational results. This study can be used to estimate the power generation efficiency, and thus offer basic information for further development to improve the practical design of PEHs in an asphalt pavement.

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