US 2022/0287249 A1 · ARRANGEMENT OF PHOTOVOLTAIC PANELS AND SYSTEM FOR OPTIMIZING ANGULAR POSITIONING OF PHOTOVOLTAIC PANELS IN A GREENHOUSE

Abstract

An arrangement of photovoltaic panels is configured for installation in a greenhouse having support beams. The arrangement includes frames. Each frame comprises at least one photovoltaic panel mounted on a rod. At least one motor is mechanically connected to rotate one or more rods, for bringing each photovoltaic panel to different fixed angular positions. Fittings are arranged at a perimeter of the arrangement. Each fitting is sized and shaped to attach to at least one of the support beams, such that the arrangement is supportable exclusively by the support beams. A system includes at least one such arrangement, a controller, and a plurality of sensors. The controller is programmed to select an optimal fixed angular position for each photovoltaic panel for promoting plant growth, based on environmental and plant conditions and the sensor outputs, and to instruct each motor to rotate each rod to the selected angular position.

Claims23

Dependent claims

An arrangement having a plurality of photovoltaic panels and configured for installation in a greenhouse having a roof supported by a plurality of support beams, comprising:

a plurality of frames, wherein each frame comprises at least one photovoltaic panel mounted on a rod;
at least one motor, each respective motor mechanically connected to rotate one or more respective rods, for bringing each photovoltaic panel to a plurality of different fixed angular positions;
and
a plurality of fittings arranged at a perimeter of the arrangement, each fitting sized and shaped to attach to at least one of the plurality of support beams, such that the arrangement is supportable exclusively by the plurality of support beams.

1 more element

A method of optimizing angular positioning of photovoltaic panels in a structure for cultivating plant growth, wherein the structure comprises a plurality of frames, each frame comprising at least one photovoltaic panel mounted on a rod, and at least one motor, each respective motor configured for rotating one or more respective rods and for maintaining the one or more respective rods in a plurality of fixed angular positions, and a wireless receiver, the method comprising:

monitoring, with a plurality of sensors within the structure, at least one of air temperature, leaf temperature, root temperature, irradiance, humidity, and carbon dioxide concentration at locations within the structure, to thereby generate sensor outputs;
transmitting the sensor outputs to a controller;
selecting, with the controller, an optimal fixed angular position for each photovoltaic panel for promoting plant growth, based on a combination of environmental and plant conditions and the sensor outputs;
and
instructing at least one respective motor to rotate the one or more respective rods to the selected fixed angular position.

2 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Arrangement of photovoltaic panels and system for optimizing angular positioning of photovoltaic panels in a greenhouse

Life of this patent

Arrangement of photovoltaic panels and system for optimizing angular positioning of photovoltaic panels in a greenhouse

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims23