WO2024019658A1 - Dispositif de modulation de lumière - Google Patents

Dispositif de modulation de lumière Download PDF

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Publication number
WO2024019658A1
WO2024019658A1 PCT/SG2023/050475 SG2023050475W WO2024019658A1 WO 2024019658 A1 WO2024019658 A1 WO 2024019658A1 SG 2023050475 W SG2023050475 W SG 2023050475W WO 2024019658 A1 WO2024019658 A1 WO 2024019658A1
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WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
support
light
photovoltaic cell
modulating device
light modulating
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/SG2023/050475
Other languages
English (en)
Inventor
Changyun JIANG
Wei Peng Goh
Original Assignee
Agency For Science, Technology And Research
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Agency For Science, Technology And Research filed Critical Agency For Science, Technology And Research
Publication of WO2024019658A1 publication Critical patent/WO2024019658A1/fr

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Classifications

    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A01—AGRICULTURE; FORESTRY; ANIMAL HUSBANDRY; HUNTING; TRAPPING; FISHING
    • A01G—HORTICULTURE; CULTIVATION OF VEGETABLES, FLOWERS, RICE, FRUIT, VINES, HOPS OR SEAWEED; FORESTRY; WATERING
    • A01G9/00—Cultivation in receptacles, forcing-frames or greenhouses; Edging for beds, lawn or the like
    • A01G9/22—Shades or blinds for greenhouses, or the like
    • A01G9/222—Lamellar or like blinds
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A01—AGRICULTURE; FORESTRY; ANIMAL HUSBANDRY; HUNTING; TRAPPING; FISHING
    • A01G—HORTICULTURE; CULTIVATION OF VEGETABLES, FLOWERS, RICE, FRUIT, VINES, HOPS OR SEAWEED; FORESTRY; WATERING
    • A01G9/00—Cultivation in receptacles, forcing-frames or greenhouses; Edging for beds, lawn or the like
    • A01G9/24—Devices or systems for heating, ventilating, regulating temperature, illuminating, or watering, in greenhouses, forcing-frames, or the like
    • A01G9/243—Collecting solar energy
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H02—GENERATION; CONVERSION OR DISTRIBUTION OF ELECTRIC POWER
    • H02S—GENERATION OF ELECTRIC POWER BY CONVERSION OF INFRARED RADIATION, VISIBLE LIGHT OR ULTRAVIOLET LIGHT, e.g. USING PHOTOVOLTAIC [PV] MODULES
    • H02S20/00—Supporting structures for PV modules
    • H02S20/20—Supporting structures directly fixed to an immovable object
    • H02S20/22—Supporting structures directly fixed to an immovable object specially adapted for buildings
    • H02S20/23—Supporting structures directly fixed to an immovable object specially adapted for buildings specially adapted for roof structures
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H02—GENERATION; CONVERSION OR DISTRIBUTION OF ELECTRIC POWER
    • H02S—GENERATION OF ELECTRIC POWER BY CONVERSION OF INFRARED RADIATION, VISIBLE LIGHT OR ULTRAVIOLET LIGHT, e.g. USING PHOTOVOLTAIC [PV] MODULES
    • H02S20/00—Supporting structures for PV modules
    • H02S20/30—Supporting structures being movable or adjustable, e.g. for angle adjustment
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H02—GENERATION; CONVERSION OR DISTRIBUTION OF ELECTRIC POWER
    • H02S—GENERATION OF ELECTRIC POWER BY CONVERSION OF INFRARED RADIATION, VISIBLE LIGHT OR ULTRAVIOLET LIGHT, e.g. USING PHOTOVOLTAIC [PV] MODULES
    • H02S30/00—Structural details of PV modules other than those related to light conversion
    • H02S30/20—Collapsible or foldable PV modules
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H02—GENERATION; CONVERSION OR DISTRIBUTION OF ELECTRIC POWER
    • H02S—GENERATION OF ELECTRIC POWER BY CONVERSION OF INFRARED RADIATION, VISIBLE LIGHT OR ULTRAVIOLET LIGHT, e.g. USING PHOTOVOLTAIC [PV] MODULES
    • H02S40/00—Components or accessories in combination with PV modules, not provided for in groups H02S10/00 - H02S30/00
    • H02S40/20—Optical components
    • H02S40/22—Light-reflecting or light-concentrating means
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F24—HEATING; RANGES; VENTILATING
    • F24S—SOLAR HEAT COLLECTORS; SOLAR HEAT SYSTEMS
    • F24S30/00—Arrangements for moving or orienting solar heat collector modules
    • F24S30/20—Arrangements for moving or orienting solar heat collector modules for linear movement

Definitions

  • the invention relates to a light modulating device.
  • While greenhouses may be designed to provide a conducive environment for plant growth all year round, in practice, there may be an excess amount of heat trapped in the interior during the day particularly in a hot weather environment, which may be detrimental to crop yields. This may particularly be the case for greenhouses in tropical climates, as they may trap excessive heat to result in excessive loss of moisture from plants.
  • the light modulating device may comprise a first support comprising a first photovoltaic cell on a surface and a first light-reflector on an opposing surface, and a second support comprising a second photovoltaic cell on a surface and second light-reflector on an opposing surface.
  • the first support and the second support may be pivotably coupled to each other along an edge portion of the respective support, and movable between a collapsed position in which the surfaces comprising the first photovoltaic cell and the second photovoltaic cell are opposed and inwardly facing and an extended position in which the surfaces comprising the first photovoltaic cell and the second photovoltaic cell lie substantially in the same plane, to modulate transmission of light.
  • an apparatus comprising light modulating device according to the first aspect.
  • the apparatus may be a window or a door.
  • a method of modulating light into a building using the light modulating device according to the first aspect may comprise positioning the light modulating device at a facade of the building which is adapted to allow light to pass through into the building.
  • FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram depicting front views of a light modulating device 100 according to an embodiment.
  • two supports 110 and 120 are present in the light modulating device 100.
  • a first support 110 comprising a first photovoltaic cell 113 on a surface and a first light-reflector 111 on an opposing surface
  • a second support 120 comprising a second photovoltaic cell 123 on a surface and second light-reflector 121 on an opposing surface may be present.
  • the first support 110 and the second support 120 may be pivotably coupled to each other along an edge portion of the respective support.
  • the first support 110 and the second support 120 may be movable between a collapsed position in which the surfaces comprising the first photovoltaic cell 113 and the second photovoltaic cell 123 are opposed and inwardly facing, such as that shown in (i), and an extended position in which the surfaces comprising the first photovoltaic cell 113 and the second photovoltaic cell 123 lie substantially in the same plane, such as that shown in (iii).
  • angle 0 formed between the surfaces comprising the photovoltaic cell of the first support 110 and the second support 120 may be 0°
  • angle 0 formed between the surfaces comprising the photovoltaic cell of the first support 110 and the second support 120 may be 180°.
  • the first support 110 and the second support 120 are movable between the two positions with angle 0 in the range from 0° to 180°, and may assume a position as shown in (ii), whereby angle 0 formed between the respective surface comprising the photovoltaic cell of the first support 110 and the second support 120 is 90°.
  • (i) may depict a folded position of the light modulating device 100 with minimum blockage of light transmission by the light modulating device 100, and with light-reflectors 111 and 121 arranged at an exterior surface of the light modulating device 100, (ii) with the light modulating device 100 in a “V” configuration may depict the light modulating device 100 at half deployment, and (iii) may depict the light modulating device 100 at full deployment with maximum blockage of light transmission by the light modulating device 100.
  • FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram depicting front views of a light modulating device 200 according to an embodiment.
  • the first support 210 and 220 along with a further set of two supports are shown, i.e. four supports are present.
  • a first support 210 may comprise a first photovoltaic cell 213 on a surface and a first light-reflector 211 on an opposing surface
  • a second support 220 may comprise a second photovoltaic cell 223 on a surface and a second light-reflector 221 on an opposing surface.
  • a third support may comprise a third photovoltaic cell 233 on a surface
  • a fourth support may comprise a fourth photovoltaic cell 243 on a surface.
  • the first support and the second support may be pivotably connected to each other along an edge portion of the respective support via the third support and the fourth support, which in turn are pivotably connected to each other.
  • all the four supports may be pivotably connected to each other along a respective edge portion.
  • the four supports are movable between a collapsed position in which the respective surface comprising the first photovoltaic cell 213, the second photovoltaic cell 223, the third photovoltaic cell 233, and the fourth photovoltaic cell 243 are opposed and inwardly facing, such as that shown in (i), and an extended position in which the respective surface comprising the first photovoltaic cell 213, the second photovoltaic cell 223, the third photovoltaic cell 233, and the fourth photovoltaic cell 243 lie substantially in the same plane, such as that shown in (iii).
  • angle 0 formed between the surfaces comprising the photovoltaic cell of the first support 210 and the third support, and between the fourth support and the second support 220 may be 0°, while at (iii), the angle 0 may be 180°.
  • the four supports are movable between the two positions with angle 0 in the range from 0° to 180°, and may assume a position as shown in (ii) whereby angle 0 formed between the respective surface comprising the photovoltaic cell of the first support 210 and the third support, and between the fourth support and the second support 220 is 90°.
  • (i) may depict a folded position of the light modulating device 200 with minimum blockage of light transmission by the light modulating device 200 and with light-reflectors 211 and 221 arranged at an exterior surface of the light modulating device 200
  • (ii) with the light modulating device 200 in a “W” configuration may depict the light modulating device 200 at half deployment
  • (iii) may depict the light modulating device 200 at full deployment with maximum blockage of light transmission by the light modulating device 200.
  • FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram depicting an array 350 of light modulating devices 300, 301, and 302 according to an embodiment, (i) shows a perspective view of an array of light modulating devices 300, 301, and 302 being arranged on a light transmitting surface 380 such as a window to a building or part of a greenhouse, while (ii) shows a front view of the array arranged on the light transmitting surface 380.
  • Light modulating devices 300, 301, and 302 may be identical, each having four supports such as that shown in FIG. 2.
  • the first support 310 and second support 320 may be pivotably connected to each other along an edge portion of the respective support via a set of two supports, which may in turn be pivotably connected to each other. In other words, all the four supports may be pivotably connected to each other along an edge portion.
  • a first support 310 may comprise a first photovoltaic cell 313 on a surface and a first light-reflector 311 on an opposing surface
  • a second support 320 may comprise a second photovoltaic cell 323 on a surface and a second light-reflector 321 on an opposing surface.
  • a third support may comprise a third photovoltaic cell 333 on a surface
  • a fourth support may comprise a fourth photovoltaic cell 343 on a surface.
  • the four supports may be in a collapsed position in which the respective surface comprising the first photovoltaic cell 313, the second photovoltaic cell 323, the third photovoltaic cell 333, and the fourth photovoltaic cell 343 are opposed and inwardly facing.
  • the collapsed position may depict a folded position of the light modulating devices 300, 301 and 302 with minimum blockage of light transmission by the array 350 comprising the light modulating devices 300, 301 and 302.
  • Each light modulating device 300, 301 and 302 may be of the same length and have width x and height y.
  • the incident light directed to light modulating devices 300, 301 and 302 may be sent directly into the light transmitting surface 380, or be reflected by the light-reflectors present on an external surface of the light modulating devices, such as that shown by the first light-reflector 311 and the second light-reflector 321, into the light transmitting surface 380. Presence of the light-reflectors may help to redirect any available light to the light transmitting surface 380, which may in turn be transmitted into the building, to maintain high light transmittance.
  • FIG. 4A is a photograph showing a set-up of an array of two light modulating devices according to an embodiment.
  • Each of the two light modulating devices are formed from four supports.
  • the light modulating devices are in the collapsed position with mirrors on an exterior surface of the device. Surfaces comprising the photovoltaic cell of the respective support form an angle 0 of about 0° therebetween.
  • FIG. 4B is a photograph of the set-up of an array of two light modulating devices shown in FIG. 4A, in the half deployment position with surfaces comprising the photovoltaic cell of the respective support forming an angle 0 of about 90° therebetween.
  • FIG. 4C is a photograph of the set-up of an array of two light modulating devices shown in FIG. 4A, in the extended position with surfaces comprising the photovoltaic cell of the respective support forming an angle 0 of about 180° therebetween.
  • the two light modulating devices may be arranged such that they do not overlap when in the extended position, such that maximum light blockage of underlying surface may be achieved.
  • Embodiments disclosed herein relate to a light modulating device, which may be in the form of a mechanical shutter system for dynamic solar shading.
  • the mechanical shutter system may comprise slats on a louvre-like system. By controlling the angle in which the slats are deployed, light blockage area of the slats, translating into amount of light transmission to a surface, may be controlled.
  • the slats may be pivotally connected to each other and may be movable from a collapsed position to an extended position.
  • the slats In the collapsed position, the slats may be arranged in an orientation whereby surfaces of the slats functioning as light blockage areas substantially overlap or overlap fully, so as to minimize light blockage to underlying surface. In so doing, light transmission to the underlying surface may be maximized. Conversely, in the extended position, the slats may be arranged in an orientation whereby surfaces of the slats functioning as light blockage areas do not overlap, so as to maximize area of light blockage to underlying surface. In so doing, light transmission to the underlying surface may be minimized. [0020] Photovoltaic cells may be mounted on the slats. Accordingly, besides the light modulation mentioned above, photovoltaic cells present on the slats may double up as solar energy harvesters.
  • light-reflectors such as mirrors may be arranged on an exterior surface of the light modulating device, so as to deflect and/or redirect light from the light modulating device to the underlying surface.
  • the term “light modulating device” refers to a means or apparatus for controlling light intensity.
  • the light modulating device may be used to control intensity of light by reducing or increasing light blockage or shade coverage, so as to increase or decrease amount of light that reaches an underlying surface, respectively.
  • shade coverage refers to obstruction of light by the device to result in shadow or shade.
  • high light blockage by the device may translate into high shade coverage by the device.
  • increased light blockage or shade coverage by the device may mean that there is reduced light transmission through the device, whereas reduced light blockage or shade coverage by the device may mean that there is increased light transmission through the device.
  • the light modulating device may comprise a first support comprising a first photovoltaic cell on a surface and a first light-reflector on an opposing surface, and a second support comprising a second photovoltaic cell on a surface and second light-reflector on an opposing surface.
  • photovoltaic cell may refer to a light absorbing material which absorbs photons and generates electrons via a photoelectric effect.
  • the photovoltaic cell may absorb light in any wavelength, such as wavelength in the range from about 380 nm to about 750 nm.
  • the photovoltaic cell may, for example, be a solar cell.
  • the photovoltaic cell may be in the form of a plurality of photovoltaic cells, which may be arranged into arrays or panels. In various embodiments, the photovoltaic cell is in the form of a photovoltaic panel.
  • a first light reflector may be comprised on a surface of the first support which is opposed to the surface comprising the first photovoltaic cell.
  • opposing or “opposed to”, this means that the surface comprising the first light reflector may be oriented in a direction opposite to the surface comprising the first photovoltaic cell.
  • a second light reflector may be comprised on a surface of the second support which is opposed to the surface comprising the second photovoltaic cell, meaning that the surface comprising the second light reflector may be oriented in a direction opposite to the surface comprising the second photovoltaic cell.
  • the term “light-reflector” as used herein refers to a material that is able to return a high percentage of light that is directed to it.
  • reflective surfaces such as mirrors or highly polished metallic surfaces, which are able to return at least 50% of incident light, such as at least 60%, at least 70%, or at least 80%, may be considered herein as a lightreflector.
  • the light-reflectors are able to reflect available light even at low light conditions.
  • the first light-reflector and the second light-reflector may independently be a mirror, a metallic coating, or bright anodized aluminium. In some embodiments, the first light-reflector and the second light-reflector are mirrors.
  • the first support and the second support may be pivotably coupled to each other along an edge portion of the respective support.
  • the term “pivotably coupled” may refer to two objects being connected to each other in a manner that permits pivoting movement of the supports with respect to each other. Pivotably coupling of the first support to the second support may be carried out using a connector, such as a hinge, along an edge portion of the respective support.
  • the respective support may be pivotably coupled along at least a part of, or all of the edge portion, of the respective support. The connection may be carried out such that the respective surface comprising the photovoltaic cell on the first support and second support are able to move towards or away from each other via movement about the pivotably coupled edge portion.
  • the first support and the second support may be movable between a collapsed position in which the surfaces comprising the first photovoltaic cell and the second photovoltaic cell are opposed and inwardly facing and an extended position in which the surfaces comprising the first photovoltaic cell and the second photovoltaic cell lie substantially in the same plane, to modulate transmission of light.
  • the surfaces comprising the first photovoltaic cell and the second photovoltaic cell are facing towards a centre portion or middle portion of the light modulating device.
  • the surfaces comprising the first photovoltaic cell and the second photovoltaic cell may be positioned within a centre portion, while being opposed and inwardly facing in the collapsed position, such that only the surfaces comprising the first light-reflector and the second-light reflector may be seen at an exterior of the light modulating device.
  • the surfaces comprising the first photovoltaic cell and the second photovoltaic cell may be at least substantially overlapping or fully overlapping, which may mean that light blockage areas of the light modulating device is minimised, so as to allow maximum transmission of light to an underlying surface.
  • the first support and the second support may assume an extended position in which the surfaces comprising the first photovoltaic cell and the second photovoltaic cell lie substantially in the same plane. This may mean that the first support and the second support are able to open flat while being pivotably coupled at their respective edge portions, so that an angle of 180° may form between the surfaces comprising the first photovoltaic cell and the second photovoltaic cell.
  • the surfaces comprising the first photovoltaic cell and the second photovoltaic cell may not be overlapping, which may mean that light blockage areas of the light modulating device may be maximised, so as to allow minimum transmission of light to an underlying surface.
  • the first support and the second support are pivotably coupled to each other along an edge portion of the respective support via one or more sets of two supports, such as one set of two supports i.e. two supports, or two sets of two supports i.e. four supports, or three sets of two supports i.e. six supports, or four sets of two supports i.e. eight supports, and so on.
  • each support of the one or more sets is pivotably coupled to another support of the one or more sets along an edge portion of the respective support to form a joined support, wherein opposing edge portions of the joined support are respectively pivotably coupled to the edge portion of the first support and the edge portion of the second support.
  • an edge portion of the third support may be pivotably coupled to an edge portion of the fourth support to form a joined support.
  • Opposing edge portions of the joined support may respectively be pivotably coupled to the edge portion of the first support and the edge portion of the second support.
  • a light modulating device comprising the first support, the second support, the third support and the fourth support which are pivotably connected to each other may be formed.
  • an edge portion of the third support may be pivotably coupled to an edge portion of the fourth support
  • an opposing edge portion of the fourth support may be pivotably coupled to an edge portion of the fifth support
  • an opposing edge portion of the fifth support may be pivotably coupled to an edge portion of the sixth support, to form a joined support.
  • Opposing edge portions of the joined support may respectively be pivotably coupled to the edge portion of the first support and the edge portion of the second support.
  • Each support of the one or more sets may comprise a photovoltaic cell on a surface, wherein in the collapsed position, the surface of each support comprising the photovoltaic cells is opposed and inwardly facing and in the extended position the surface of each support comprising the photovoltaic cells lies substantially in the same plane to the surfaces comprising the first photovoltaic cell and the second photovoltaic cell, to modulate transmission of light.
  • suitable photovoltaic cells that may be used have already been discussed above.
  • the surfaces comprising the first photovoltaic cell and the second photovoltaic cell may be opposed and inwardly facing in the collapsed position, meaning that they may be facing towards a centre portion or middle portion of the light modulating device, such that only the first light-reflector and the second-light reflector may be seen at an exterior of the light modulating device.
  • the surface of each support comprising the photovoltaic cells may similarly be positioned within a centre portion and/or facing towards a centre portion of the light modulating device, such that only the surfaces comprising the first light-reflector and the second-light reflector may be seen at an exterior of the light modulating device.
  • each support comprising the photovoltaic cells may lie substantially in the same plane to the surfaces comprising the first photovoltaic cell and the second photovoltaic cell, which may mean that the respective supports are able to open flat while being pivotably coupled at their respective edge portions, so that an angle of 180° may form between the respective surfaces comprising the photovoltaic cell.
  • the surface comprising the photovoltaic cell is arranged to form an angle in the range of 0° to 180° to a neighbouring surface comprising the photovoltaic cell.
  • the angle formed may be about 0° or about 180°, or be in the range of 45° to 180°, 90° to 180°, 135° to 180°, 0° to 135°, 0° to 90°, 0° to 45°, or 45° to 135°.
  • the respective support may be of substantially the same size comprise, and/or be formed of any suitable material that is able to support, or withstand mounting of, the photovoltaic cell and the light-reflector.
  • suitable material may include wood, plastic, and metal.
  • the photovoltaic cell may be in the form of a photovoltaic panel, such that a back portion of the photovoltaic panel may form the support for mounting of or supporting the light-reflector.
  • the light modulating device may be formed of a first photovoltaic panel with a first light-reflector arranged on a back surface of the first photovoltaic panel, and a second photovoltaic panel with a second light-reflector arranged on a back surface of the second photovoltaic panel.
  • the first photovoltaic panel and the second photovoltaic panel may be pivotably coupled to each other along an edge portion of the respective photovoltaic panel, and movable between a collapsed position in which the first photovoltaic panel and the second photovoltaic panel are opposed and inwardly facing, and with the first light-reflector and the second light-reflector at an exterior of the light modulating device, and an extended position in which the first photovoltaic panel and the second photovoltaic panel lie substantially in the same plane, to modulate transmission of light.
  • the light modulating device may further comprise a motor operable to control movement of each support between the collapsed position and the extended position for light modulation.
  • the light modulating device disclosed herein may be self-powered through use of energy harnessed from the photovoltaic cells.
  • a photo-detector operable to determine amount of photo flux present to derive settings for configuring the light modulating device may additionally, or alternatively, be comprised in the light modulating device.
  • the photo-detector may be used to derive settings for an end user to manually control the position of each support in the light modulating device for light modulation.
  • the photo-detector may alternatively be used to control the motor operable to control movement of each support between the collapsed position and the extended position for light modulation.
  • the photo-detector is operable to derive settings for configuring the light modulating device to provide a Photosynthetic Photon Flux Density (PPFD) value within a range of about 50 to 500 pmol/m 2 /s, such as about 80 to 400 pmol/m 2 /s, or about 100 to 300 pmol/m 2 /s. This may be useful when applying the light modulating device to greenhouses for achieving optimal plant growth conditions. As mentioned above, wide fluctuations in Photosynthetic Photon Flux Density (PPFD) from about 0 to about 2000 pmol/m 2 /s may result due to weather changes.
  • PPFD Photosynthetic Photon Flux Density
  • light transmittance may be modulated in a range of about 0% to 96%, which demonstrates its potential use for harnessing excess unused energy while not compromising optimal PPFD for the plants.
  • Various embodiments refer in a second aspect to an apparatus comprising the light modulating device according to the first aspect.
  • the apparatus may, for example, be a window or a door.
  • a plurality of the light modulating devices may be arranged, so that the plurality of the light modulating devices may, in the extended position, work in tandem with one another to cover at least most or substantially all of an underlying surface intended for by the apparatus. In so doing, control of light transmission to the underlying surface may be achieved.
  • Various embodiments refer in a further aspect to a method of modulating light into a building using the light modulating device according to the first aspect.
  • the method may comprise positioning the light modulating device at a facade of the building which is adapted to allow light to pass through into the building.
  • a facade may include, but not limited to, an opening, a window or a door.
  • the building is a greenhouse.
  • a plurality of the light modulating devices may be arranged on a side of a greenhouse, such as in a checkerboard arrangement, to modulate light into the greenhouse.
  • Other application areas may include modulating light for indoor farms, shelters, and residential and commercial buildings for indoor comfort.
  • a light modulating device in the form of a dynamic photovoltaic mirror shutter which is able to optimize light entry and increase modulation range while harvesting solar energy is disclosed herein.
  • the photovoltaic mirror shutter for optical modulation may be in the form of a mechanical shutter system for dynamic solar shading, comprising photovoltaic cells mounted on horizontal slats of a louvre-esque system, which allows light transmission to be modulated by controlling the angle in which the slats are deployed in accordance to solar irradiation intensity.
  • the shutter may be designed to represent a louvre-esque system, with its slats bunched up in sets of 2 or 4. They may collapse together as vertical slats (perpendicular to substrate), allowing light transmission. They may be deployed as horizontal slats (parallel to substrate), blocking light transmission.
  • Mirrors may be mounted on both sides of each set of slats to redirect any available light indoors when needed.
  • photovoltaic cells may be present on the slats to double up as solar harvesters.
  • a prototype mechanical shutter with a “W” or “V” -shaped configuration, mounted with photovoltaic modules and mirror films, is demonstrated herein to be capable of realizing higher transmittance contrast ratio and efficient solar energy harvesting in a simple method without the use of any solar tracking system.
  • the light modulating device disclosed herein is able to achieve dynamic solar shading control, which may be adaptive to climate changes. Furthermore, photovoltaic cells or solar modules may be installed on the light modulating device to harness unused photon flux.
  • the light modulating device disclosed herein may be self-powered through use of the harnessed solar energy. Modulation range from 0% to 96% may be achieved from a light modulating device disclosed herein for all incident light.
  • present device As compared to solar tracking systems for active control of the position of solar panels to improve energy harvesting efficiency, present device is simpler and cheaper to fabricate. [0058] As compared to mechanical shutter systems, whereby realization of mechanical dynamic shading with high transmittance contrast ratio, simple design and energy efficient control is a challenge due to blockage of a certain percentage of light even when the shutter is at its fully opened state resulting from presence of the slats’ shadows, present device is able to harness solar energy more efficiency and impart better transmittance contrast (between the fully closed and opened states).
  • a mechanical photovoltaic (PV) mirror shutter system mounted on collapsible slats is disclosed.
  • the shutter is able to provide shading to plants during particularly hot days, energy from the sun can also be harvested to power other auxiliary requirements in the greenhouse such as watering and artificial lighting. Presence of integrated mirror films complementarily help to redirect any available light into the greenhouse during cloudy days.
  • the PV mirror shutter may comprise of slats which are bunched together in a louvrelike system in sets of 2 (FIG. 1) or 4 (FIG. 2). Each set may be mounted at regular intervals. In each set, the slats may be collapsible in a “W” (for the 4-slats set) or “V” (for the 2- slats set)-shaped configuration. Each slat may accommodate one PV module.
  • the mirrors on each opposite end of each set of slats may redirect all available light into the greenhouse, regardless of the direction of incident light (FIG. 3), which ensures the indoor receiving ample PPFD for plant growth.
  • the PV modules may be transformed from its inactive role to being actively harvesting solar energy, regardless of direction of light incidence.
  • Movement of the slats may be controlled by a motor, which may drive the linkages and gears.
  • the PV mirror shutter may also be complemented by a photo- detector, which may determine position of the slats by detecting the amount of pre-determined photon flux suitable for specific plant growth.
  • a PV mirror shutter prototype was fabricated, comprising 2 sets of 4 PV modules (FIG. 4A to FIG. 4C), which is analogous to FIG. 3.
  • Each PV module had an area of 5 x 20 cm 2 and thickness of 2 mm, and the whole prototype had an active area of 40 x 20 cm 2 .
  • FIG. 4A shows the positions of the PV modules lined up almost vertically to allow light entry.
  • the slats opened up to block incoming irradiation, while improving solar harvesting, as depicted in FIG. 4B.
  • the PV modules run at maximum capacity when the slats were open fully and light entry was at its minimum, as portrayed in FIG. 4C
  • Each PV module had a P ma x of 1.3 W, as measured under AM1.5G illumination at 100 mW/cm 2 .
  • the average figures of merit of a single solar module are summarised in TABLE 1.
  • the derived transmittance of 96% was a maximum value based on the assumption that the thickness of each PV module is 2 mm.
  • an increasing angle blocked an increasing amount of light illumination.
  • the Pmax increased as well, with a highest power output of 10.4 W (or 130 W/m 2 considering the active area) from the prototype at the fully deployed state.
  • the mirror films were exposed to incoming sunlight ( ⁇ 90° or 0 > 90° in FIG. 3), which help to redirect the sunlight indoors. This may aid in maximising light transmission and minimising shadowing effects on the indoor plants.
  • the transmittance (T) was estimated based on the shadow cast by the PV shutter.
  • T ma x theoretical maximum transmittances
  • Tmin theoretical minimum transmittance
  • the light modulating device disclosed herein is able to achieve a much higher transmission contrast ratio, while establishing efficient solar energy harvesting for power generation and energy efficient dynamic solar shading.
  • a mechanical shutter structure comprising PV modules and mirrors mounted as slats, that forms a louvre-like or louvre-esque system.
  • the louvre-esque system may allow for optical modulation to control the amount of light intensity and heat entering indoors.
  • the louvre-esque structure system may allow for optical modulation to control the amount of light intensity and heat entering indoors via mounted mirrors.
  • the louvre-esque system that may be used to adjust an appropriate amount of PPFD entering indoors for plant growth.
  • the louvre-esque system may be able to harvest solar energy efficiently when needed, regardless of the sun’s position.
  • the PV modules may be configured in a “W” or “V” -shaped arrangement, with the integration of mirrors on opposite ends of each set of slats.
  • a set of 4 (or 2) PV modules may be comprised to fold/unfold into an “W” (or “V”)-shaped shutter, with mirrors mounted on opposite ends. Mirrors may redirect available light to maximise light entry at low light conditions.
  • the shutter may optimize light entry suitable for specific plant growth, while PV modules may harness solar energy as a secondary function.
  • bidirectional nature of the PV modules may allow solar energy harvesting regardless of the position of the sun.
  • the PV mirror shutter may not cover the entire greenhouse. They may be placed in optimum positions (such as a checkerboard arrangement) so that there is ample sunlight reaching the crops in the greenhouse while the slats are fully deployed.
  • Further advantages may include adjustable PPFD; dynamic switching of transmittance with very high contrast ratio; redirection of light using mirrors to maximize transmission without the need for a solar tracker.

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  • Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Environmental Sciences (AREA)
  • Architecture (AREA)
  • Civil Engineering (AREA)
  • Structural Engineering (AREA)
  • Sustainable Development (AREA)
  • Sustainable Energy (AREA)
  • Photovoltaic Devices (AREA)

Abstract

Divers modes de réalisation se rapportent à un dispositif de modulation de lumière. Le dispositif peut comprendre un premier support comprenant une première cellule photovoltaïque sur une surface et un premier réflecteur de lumière sur une surface opposée, et un second support comprenant une seconde cellule photovoltaïque sur une surface et un second réflecteur de lumière sur une surface opposée. Le premier support et le second support peuvent être accouplés de manière pivotante l'un à l'autre le long d'une partie de bord du support respectif, et peuvent être déplacés entre une position repliée dans laquelle les surfaces comprenant la première cellule photovoltaïque et la seconde cellule photovoltaïque sont opposées et orientées vers l'intérieur, et une position étendue dans laquelle les surfaces comprenant la première cellule photovoltaïque et la seconde cellule photovoltaïque se trouvent sensiblement dans le même plan, pour moduler la transmission de lumière.
PCT/SG2023/050475 2022-07-21 2023-07-06 Dispositif de modulation de lumière WO2024019658A1 (fr)

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Citations (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US20100212720A1 (en) * 2009-02-23 2010-08-26 Tenksolar, Inc. Highly efficient renewable energy system
CN109347427A (zh) * 2018-10-30 2019-02-15 湖南大学 一种太阳能光伏发电与建筑遮阳一体化系统及调节方法
CN111464127A (zh) * 2020-04-13 2020-07-28 界首市谷峰光伏科技有限公司 一种折叠翻转式太阳能电板

Patent Citations (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US20100212720A1 (en) * 2009-02-23 2010-08-26 Tenksolar, Inc. Highly efficient renewable energy system
CN109347427A (zh) * 2018-10-30 2019-02-15 湖南大学 一种太阳能光伏发电与建筑遮阳一体化系统及调节方法
CN111464127A (zh) * 2020-04-13 2020-07-28 界首市谷峰光伏科技有限公司 一种折叠翻转式太阳能电板

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