Patent Application
20230309460
The presently disclosed subject matter relates in general to the field of agro-photovoltaic modules, and more particularly to the field of units enabling the growth of plants and the production of photovoltaic energy.
Available land space is becoming a scares commodity, in the countryside as well as in large cities. Recently, people have started noticing the value of organic agricultural products and are therefore looking for ways to grow their own vegetables. Therefore, people in many of the cities around the world have started to grow vegetables and/or groom a small garden on their rooftops. In order for the rooftop garden to flourish, the agricultural growth need to receive sunlight, water and of course a proper growing bed. Accordingly, personal small units allegedly provide these conditions to enable an individual growing unit on rooftops. Additionally, farmers worldwide are always seeking ways to increase their yield, and therefore have stared to incorporate different types of plants to maximize available land space. In the energy sector it is common to see photovoltaic cells over water reservoirs for exploiting these areas for the production of energy, while not taking up space in other places.
Since the use of available land is becoming a scarce commodity there is the need to use it wisely. Both energy and agricultural products are of great importance for people worldwide and therefore the “battle” between the use of available land for agricultural purposes or for the production of photovoltaic energy can be seen in many places.
For example, US patent application 2015/082697 discloses a low-maintenance and water-conserving container-gardening system used indoors or outdoors to grow plants, vegetables, herbs, fruits, and flowers. This system uses one or more gardening containers each having water-elevating structure causing slow and consistent upward flow of nutrient/fluid into the soil, and nutrient/fluid drainage-facilitating structure that directs surplus nutrient/fluid away from plant roots when the pump stops. The system uses solar panels to supply energy to the pump.
CN 209861787 utility model discloses a cultivation device for vegetable seedling raising. A water tank is arranged at the bottom of the box body; a plant light supplementing lamp and a telescopic device are arranged at the top in the box body; a humidity sensor is arranged at the bottom in the seedling tray. A solar cell panel is arranged at the upper end of the supporting rod, providing energy locally, e.g. to the light, which is positioned within the box, sensor and motor.
Acknowledgement of the above references herein is not to be inferred as meaning that these are in any way relevant to the patentability of the presently disclosed subject matter.
The presently disclosed subject matter refers to agro-photovoltaic modules (at times also referred to as agrivoltaic modules) designed to increase the productivity use of available area. The agro-photovoltaic module can enable agricultural growth and the production of energy, e.g. by using photovoltaic cell(s), while using the same area (land space, lake, rooftop, etc.), therefore the agro-photovoltaic module can offer a good solution for this issue. This may help overcome legislations/rules in different countries, for example, where land can not be used solely for solar energy cultivation and must be integrated with agricultural purposes.
In some embodiments, the agro-photovoltaic module is mobile, at least when empty, and it can be easily shipped around the world and relocated at any desired location. The mobile agro-photovoltaic module can be easily moved according to farmers needs or the unique landscape of any location or it can be positioned on rooftops and/or water reservoirs, etc.
Accordingly, the present subject matter discloses an agro-photovoltaic module comprising: a growing tray having a bottom surface and circumferential side walls, configured to facilitate a growing bed for enabling the growth of one of plants or animals; and a photovoltaic cell positionable over said growing tray, configured to produce photovoltaic energy.
The produced photovoltaic energy is either being used by components of the module or directed to an external electric power system. In some embodiments, a majority of said produced photovoltaic energy is directed to an external electric power system. In some embodiments all of the produced photovoltaic energy is directed to an external electric power system.
The agro-photovoltaic module according to the presently disclosed subject matter has a number of unique features and/or elements identified below in different aspects of the presently disclosed subject matter, each of which contributes in its way to the ability of the module to operate under different conditions and/or to enable production of photovoltaic energy such that, optionally, a majority of which is directed for use of an external electric power system along with the growth of different agricultural products which may require different growing beds, such as solid/semi-solid/semi-liquid/or even hydroponic and/or aquaponic growth. The features of the module according to different aspects identified below and also other features described in Detailed Description of Embodiments can be combined with each other in any combination in accordance with further aspects of the presently disclosed subject matter.
The two basic elements that the agro-photovoltaic module comprise are the growing tray and the photovoltaic cell. The growing tray can be configured for facilitating a growing bed, such as soil, manure, tuff, perlite, peat or alike, which may enable agricultural growth, such as of plants, e.g. vegetables, flowers, shrubs, vines, climbing plants, poultry, bees or alike. The growing tray can have a bottom surface and circumferential side walls which can define a basin capable of facilitating the growing bed therein. The photovoltaic cell can be positioned over the growing tray, thereby increasing the direct line of sight with sunlight or artificial lighting. Being positioned above the growing tray, can also enable the photovoltaic cell to shelter the plants growing in the growing tray. For example, reduce the exposure of the plants to direct sunlight, e.g. particularly during mid-day, i.e. the hottest hours of the day. Additionally, the photovoltaic cell may also shelter the plant, e.g. during heavy rains, which may be harmful to delicate plants such as flower or herbs.
The photovoltaic cell is configured to produce photovoltaic energy, with at least a majority of the produced photovoltaic energy directed to an external electric power system, which can be external with respect to the elements comprising the agro-photovoltaic module, e.g., an external power grid, a battery, an end user any combination thereof and/or any other electrical energy transporting, consuming and/or storing devices. Accordingly, the photovoltaic cell can produce more energy than required and/or consumed by the agro-photovoltaic module, thereby at least the majority of the produced photovoltaic energy may not be intended for powering energy related elements of the module, such as internal lighting, motors, pumps etc.
The agro-photovoltaic module can further comprise a water collecting tank, which can be configured to hold liquid therein, such as water and/or liquid fertilizers. The water collecting tank can have circumferential side walls, such that the growing tray can be contained therebetween or nested therein. The water collecting tank can be positioned under the growing tray, thereby enabling water to drain from the growing tray to the water tank. Additionally, excess rainwater or irrigation water can also be collected in the water tank. Water stored in the water tank may, for example, be used to water the agricultural products growing within the growing tray of the module and/or neighboring modules or other agricultural products, thereby preserving water usage.
The water collecting tank, when filled with water, can affect the ambient environment conditions of the module. The passive heating and cooling of the water collecting tank maintain balanced temperatures in the proximity surrounding of the module.
According to an aspect of the presently disclosed subject matter, the growing tray can be configured for stackable nesting into like growing trays. The water collecting tank can be configured for stackable nesting into like water collecting tanks or wherein the growing tray can be configured for stackable nesting into the water collecting tank, or vise versa.
A stackable nesting arrangement of the agro-photovoltaic module requires a small footprint, e.g. when stored as one module or upon storing multiple modules together, thereby reduce storage and shipping costs.
According to an aspect of the presently disclosed subject matter, the photovoltaic cell can be detachably attachable to the growing tray and/or the water collecting tank. When attached, the growing tray and the water tank can comprise a bottom unit which can be detachably attachable to the photovoltaic cell. Detaching the photovoltaic cell, or other elements, from the module may enable stackable nesting the elements into like elements of like modules, such as the growing trays or water collecting tanks, which may then, be stacked together.
According to an aspect of the presently disclosed subject matter, the agro-photovoltaic module as a whole, or as part of a system comprising at least two agro-photovoltaic modules can float on water, such as a water reservoir, e.g. lakes, fish ponds, treated or rain collecting water reservoirs or like reservoirs. This can be achieved due to the design of the module or parts thereof, e.g. by having a floating design, the material used during production, such as floatable material or by using a floating arrangement which may be connected and/or be part of the agro-photovoltaic module as a whole or to any part thereof. Alternately, the agro-photovoltaic module can be positioned over a support system within the water.
According to a particular embodiment, the growing tray can be configured to float on the stored water in the water collecting tank. This can enable the growing tray to be easily rotated with respect to the water collecting tank, i.e. since the friction factor is reduced by the stored water. In some embodiments, e.g. when the agro-photovoltaic module may not float properly (or at all), a system, comprising at least two agro-photovoltaic modules can be designed to float on water. For example, as a system, the agro-photovoltaic modules can form a floating design i.e. have the structural characteristics of a floating structure.
According to yet an aspect of the presently disclosed subject matter the photovoltaic cell can be connectable to the external electric power system. For example, the photovoltaic cell can be connected to the external electric power system directly or the photovoltaic cell can be connectable to like photovoltaic cells to form a series circuit, a parallel circuit or series of any combination thereof which may then be connected to the external electric power system as a circuit.
The growing bed can be any growing bed which suitable for growth of plants, such as soil, manure, tuff, perlite, peat or alike. The growing bed can be semi-liquid, moist or liquid which can enable hydroponic or aeroponic growth of plants or aquaponic growth of fish.
The growing tray can further comprise a side door for enabling easy access to the plants or growing bed. The door can be opened to facilitate a side entrance, thereby enabling a user an additional point of access to the plants or growing bed. The growing tray can have two doors or more, wherein the doors can be posited along the same side wall, or at different side walls, thereby enabling multiple access points to the plants and/or growing bed.
The agro-photovoltaic module as a whole, or any part thereof, can be mobile by hand, at least when empty. For example, the agro-photovoltaic module can be moved by a user without additional machinery-based assistance, such as a tractor and/or a forklift. The agro-photovoltaic can be secured to the ground, e.g. by stakes, wedges and/or ropes, to prevent it from unintentional movement, at least until it may be filled with the growing bed or water.
Positioning of the agro-photovoltaic can be done, for example, based on environmental conditions of each area. For example, upon positioning of the agro-photovoltaic module or part thereof at a desired location, the user can take into consideration the amount of sheltering required for the plants growing within the growing tray and/or the amount of direct sunlight desired for the photovoltaic cell. Accordingly, the user may choose to position the agro-photovoltaic such that the photovoltaic cell may shelter the growing tray as much as possible, or vice versa. In some embodiments, an optimization program may recommend the desired angle the photovoltice cell should be positioned, so that as much as direct sunlight will reach the photovoltaic cell while sheltering the plants as much as required.
The module or any part thereof can be mobile, even when full of water and/or growing bed, by a forklift, a tractor or any other agricultural or industrial machinery. In most cases after the agro-photovoltaic has been filled with the growing bed or water, or when plants have started to grow, its total weight may prevent unintentional movement. Nonetheless, when necessary to reposition the agro-photovoltaic, e.g. due to change of weather or the scenery (such as shading of a new tree or building), or when the farmer wants to change the system location due to changes in the fields layout, or any other reason, agricultural or industrial machinery, such as forklifts, tractors, trucks or cranes may be of such an assistance.
The growing tray, the solar panel or both, can be rotatable with respect to the water tank. For example, after positioning the agro-photovoltaic module at its location, any one or both of the growing tray and the solar panel can be pivoted according to the movement of the sun through the day. For example, to increase production of the photovoltaic cell, which may be detachably attachable to the growing tray, and/or to increase the plants exposure to the sun, e.g. during winter. This “following the sun” function may be done manually or by a mechanical apparatus such as a motor or a piston, etc., according to a predetermined program, such as a computer program/algorithm or other predefined algorithm, configured to optimize the production of energy and/or agricultural growth. The rotation and/or pivoting of the growing tray with respect to the water tank may be done by a motor and/or manually. As detailed hereinabove the growing tray can float on the liquid stored within the water tank (e.g. water, liquid fertilizers, etc.), when doing so the friction between the growing tray and the water tank may be reduced, thereby enabling the rotation and/or pivoting to be completed by using less force than otherwise required.
According to an aspect of the presently disclosed subject matter there is provided a system comprising at least two agro-photovoltaic modules as described hereinabove, wherein the photovoltaic cell of each of the modules can be connectable to the external electric power system. It should be noted that when forming a system of agro-photovoltaic modules. In some embodiments, the photovoltaic cells are connected to form a series circuit, a parallel circuit or series of any combination thereof which may then be connected to the external electric power system thereby increasing the voltage or current produced by the system, e.g. according to the requirements of the external electric power system.
Any one or more of the following features, designs and configurations can be applied to the agro-photovoltaic module by its own or as part of a system according to any aspect of the present disclosure, separately or in various combinations thereof:
In order to better understand the subject matter that is disclosed herein and to exemplify how it may be carried out in practice, embodiments will now be described, by way of non-limiting example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:
Reference is now made to
The agro-photovoltaic module 100 comprises a growing tray 120 having a bottom surface 122 and circumferential side walls 124 defining a basin, configured to facilitate a growing bed therein (not illustrated) for enabling the growth of plants, a photovoltaic cell 130 is positionable over the growing tray 120, e.g. by rods 132, configured to produce photovoltaic energy, such that a majority of the produced photovoltaic energy is directed to an external electric power system (not illustrated), and a water collecting tank 110 positioned beneath the growing tray 120 configured to store water therein. The stored water in the water tank 110 can be used to water the agricultural products growing within the growing tray 120 or other agricultural products, thereby preserving water usage. The water tank 110 has circumferential side walls 114, such that the growing tray 120 is supported by side walls 114 e.g. when nesting within water tank 110. It should be noted that although the agro-photovoltaic module 100 comprises the water collecting tank 110 the two basic elements of the module are the growing tray 120 and the photovoltaic cell 130. In some embodiment all of the produced photovoltaic energy is directed to an external electric power system.
The growing bed can be introduced into the growing tray 120, to enable agricultural growth of plants, e.g. vegetables, flowers, shrubs or alike. Accordingly, the growing bed can be any solid or semi-solid growing bed, such as soil, manure, tuff, perlite, peat or alike. The growing bed is supported by the bottom surface 122 and by the side walls 124 of the growing tray 120. The bottom surface of the growing tray 122 is inclined towards a drainage port 126 to enable drainage of excess water from the growing tray 122 to the water collecting tank 110. Excess water may result from rains, irrigation and/or use of growing bed which does not “hold” water. The drainage port 126 comprises a filter 127, such as gravel filter, sand filter, carbon filter, membraned filter or any other sort of water filter, that insures that at least a majority of the growing bed does not enter the water tank 110.
The water tank 110 can receive excess water form the growing tray 120 as detailed hereinabove or by a direct water line which can be connected to water port 116. Whereas water port 116 is configured to receive water into the water tank 110, e.g. via connection to a hose, an additional water port 116 (not illustrated) can be configured to enable flow of water to like water tanks, or to big water collection tank e.g. when forming a system of agro-photovoltaic modules 100, such as system 700 illustrated in
The photovoltaic cell 130 is detachably attachable to bottom unit 140 or any part thereof, e.g. the growing tray 120 and/or the water collecting tank 110, this is best illustrated with respect to
Furthermore, since the plants growing in the growing tray 120, may help maintain a more moderate temperature then the surrounding area, e.g. due to vapor of water from the plants, the efficiency of the photovoltaic cell 130, positioned directly above them, may be increased as a result of the more moderate temperature, e.g. by 4-6%. Therefore, positioning the photovoltaic cell 130 over the growing tray 120 may increase both agricultural efficiency and energy production efficiency.
The positioning of the agro-photovoltaic module 100, or at least the growing tray 120 and/or the photovoltaic cell 130, can be according to the environmental conditions. For example, upon positioning of the agro-photovoltaic module 100 at a desired location, a user may take into consideration the amount of sheltering required for the plants growing within the growing tray 120, and/or the amount of direct sunlight desired for the photovoltaic cell 130. In some embodiments, an optimization program may recommend the desired angle at which direct sunlight reaches the photovoltaic cell 130 with respect to the amount of sheltering required for the plants, according to the global positing of the agro-photovoltaic module 100.
It should be noted that the photovoltaic cell 130 is configured to produce more photovoltaic energy then required by the agro-photovoltaic module 100, e.g. when using a pump to propel the water from the collecting tank 110 to growing tray 120, or when using artificial internal lighting to increase lighting for the plants, motors for rotating or pivoting the growing tray 120 and/or the photovoltaic cell 130 etc. Therefor, at least a majority of the produced photovoltaic energy is directed to an external electric power system, which may be external with respect to the elements comprising the agro-photovoltaic module, e.g., an external power grid, a battery, an end user any combination thereof or any other electrical energy transporting, consuming or storing device(s). The photovoltaic cell 130 can be connectable to the external electric power system directly or the photovoltaic cell 130 can be connectable to like photovoltaic cells to form a series circuit, a parallel circuit or series of any combination thereof which may then be connected to the external electric power system as a circuit.
According to another aspect of the presently disclosed subject matter the growing tray 120 the solar panel 130 or both, may be rotatable with respect to the water tank 110. For example, after positioning the agro-photovoltaic module 100 at its location, the growing tray 120 may be pivoted according to the movement of the sun through the day, e.g. at least along a horizontal reference plane of agro-photovoltaic module 100. For example, to increase production of the photovoltaic cell 130, which may be rotated along with the growing tray 120, and/or to increase the plants exposure to the sun. This “following the sun” function may be done manually and/or by a motor, e.g. according to an optimization program, such as a computer program or other predefined algorithm, configured to optimize the production of energy and/or agricultural growth. In some embodiments, the growing tray 120 can be configured to float on the water stored within the water tank 110, when doing so the friction between the growing tray 120 and the water tank 110 may be reduced thereby enabling the rotation and/or pivoting to be completed by using less force than otherwise required.
Although not illustrated, the growing tray 120 can comprise a side door for enabling easy access to the plants or growing bed. The door may be opened to facilitate a side entrance thereby enabling a user an additional access point to the plants or growing bed, e.g. for replacing the growing bed. In some embodiments, the growing tray 120 can have more than one side door, e.g. two doors or more. When comprising more than one side door, the doors may be posited along the same side wall 124, e.g. at opposite ends of the same side wall, or at different side walls 124a, 124b, 124c or 124d, thereby enabling multiple access points to the plants and/or growing bed.
According to an aspect of the presently disclosed subject matter, the agro-photovoltaic module 100, or any part thereof, is mobile by hand, at least when empty. For example, the agro-photovoltaic module 100 can be moved by a user without additional assistance such as a forklift. Accordingly, the user may place the agro-photovoltaic module 100 in its designated location, which may be out in an open field or on top of a roof. Accordingly, when empty, or when placed at a windy location it may be advised to secure the agro-photovoltaic to the ground, e.g. by stakes, wedges and/or ropes, to prevent it from unintentional movement, at least until it may be filled with the growing bed or water or sheltered from the wind. In other embodiments, e.g. when the agro-photovoltaic module 100 as a whole may weigh over 100 kg, the module may not be mobile by hand.
According to an aspect of the presently disclosed subject matter, the agro-photovoltaic module 100 or any part thereof can be mobile, even when full of water and/or growing bed, e.g. by a forklift, a tractor or any other agricultural or industrial machinery. For example, water tank 110 comprises grooves 119 disposed at its bottom section (illustrated best in
It should be noted that, when each unit, i.e. growing tray 120 and/or water tank 110, is manufactured separately, the growing tray 120 can be configured for stackable nesting into like growing trays, such as growing tray 320 illustrated in
In this example,
Air hole 429 is configured at an upper portion of the water tank 410 thereby enabling air to enter or exit the water tank 410, as detailed with respect to air hole 129.
Reference is now made to
In this embodiment, bottom unit 640 is configured to pivot with respect to the floating arrangement 650 for example along a horizontal reference plane of module 600, e.g. by hand or a motor. Pivoting bottom unit 640 can help increase the effective lighting that reaches the growing tray 620 and/or photovoltaic cell 630 which in turn can increase the power generated by it. For example, since photovoltaic cell is detachably attachable to bottom unit 640, e.g. by rods, 632, pivoting bottom unit 640 pivots in turn photovoltaic cell 630, which enables the growing tray 620 and the photovoltaic cell 630 to “follow the sun”. This “following the sun” ability may be done manually or by a motor, e.g. according to a predetermined optimization program, such as a computer program/algorithm or other predefined algorithm, configured to optimize the production of energy and/or agricultural growth.
When water enter basin 655, they help to reduce the friction between the bottom unit 640 and floating arrangement 650, which in turn also reduce the power required to pivot bottom unit 640 with respect to the floating arrangement 650. Reducing the power required for pivoting, e.g. by a motor, results in less power required to operate the agro-photovoltaic module 600, enabling more of the produced power to be available for external use e.g., an external power grid, a battery, an end user any combination thereof or any other electrical energy transporting, consuming or storing device.
Since bottom unit 640 nests within basin 655 and they are two separate elements, bottom unit 640 is also pivotable with respect to the like modules or like bottom units attached to module 600, e.g., via floating arrangement 650, e.g., when forming a floating system which comprises multiple modules 600. It should be noted that the agro-photovoltaic module 600 can also be used on a “hard” surface such as ground or rooftops. Thereby, when being part of a system, each photovoltaic cell 630 and growing tray 620 can be pivoted individually, with respect to the rest of the bottom units in the system. In other embodiments bottom unit 640 or water tank 610 may not be pivoted with respect to the floating arrangement 650, e.g. when the water tank 610 and the floating arrangement 650 are formed as one unit.
In this example, the agro-photovoltaic module 600 comprises a pivoting element 634, which enables photovoltaic cell 630 to be pivoted at an angle with respect to bottom unit 640, i.e. along the vertical plain of the agro-photovoltaic module 600. Pivoting element 634, enables further adjustment of the photovoltaic cell 630, e.g. to better “follow the sun” as detailed hereinabove and/or to increase and/or decrease the shelter provided to the plants growing in growing tray 620 by photovoltaic cell 630.
In some embodiments, e.g. when the water tank 610 is formed along with floating arrangement 650, bottom unit 640 may not pivot with respect to floating arrangement 650. When growing tray 620 and accordingly photovoltaic cell 630 can not pivot with respect to the floating arrangement 650 there may not be any additional adjustments of the photovoltaic cell 630, such as “following the sun” function detailed hereinabove.
Although in this embodiment growing tray 620 is illustrated as having individual growing units similar to growing units 421 and/or 221 it may also be similar to growing tray 120, all the detailed hereinabove embodiments may comprise an air hole 629 is disposed at an upper portion of the water tank 610 thereby enabling air to enter or exit the water tank 610, as detailed with respect to air hole 129.
Although not illustrated, in some embodiments, e.g. when used for hydroponic growth, the agro-photovoltaic module 600 may not comprise a water tank at all. Accordingly, bottom surface 652 can therefore be designed to support growing tray 620 so that it will not sink in the water, e.g. by providing at least one resting point 651, configured to support the growing tray's bottom surface. In this embodiment, the plants growing in the growing tray 620 can receive there water directly from the water reservoir, e.g. by having their roots submerged or at least touch the water within the water reservoir.
In some embodiments agro-photovoltaic modules 100 of system 700 may not contain growing tray 120 but solely photovoltaic cell 130 and water tank 110. For example, to collect rainwater that would be collected in water tanks 110, which will be used to water the trees in the plantation. It should be noted that the agro-photovoltaic modules of system 700 can be connected to each other and/or to an external water collecting tank (not illustrated), e.g. via water port 116. When system 700 is connected to the external water tank, the water stored water in each agro-photovoltaic module can be collected, e.g. via a pump, to the external water tank. Additionally, when system 700 is connected to the external water tank, water stored within the external water tank can be distributed to each agro-photovoltaic module in system 700 when needed.
Thereby, using systems 700, 800 or like systems enables to utilize any unused space, whether it is out in the open, within a plantation or on top of a roof, and may have additional benefits to the area at which they are disposed at. It should be noted that the agro-photovoltaic modules of system 700, 800 may be positioned at a verily of locations, such as: landfills, contaminated fields, municipal areas, roadsides, young plantations and like areas which have not been used for agricultural purposes for temporary and/or permanent reasons.
It should be noted that any one of the particular examples described hereinabove with respect to the agro-photovoltaic modules (100, 400 and/or 600) parts thereof and/or systems 700 and 800 can be implemented, mutandis mutatis, in any one of the other modules, parts thereof or systems which may comprise at least two agro-photovoltaic modules, even if not specifically addressed and/or disclosed hereinabove. For example, a system, such as system 700 and/or 800 may comprise different agro-photovoltaic modules. Some modules may comprise a battery for storing the collected energy, whereas other modules may not compose a photovoltaic cell. Some modules in the system may be used for aquaponic growth while others may be used for agricultural growth by using a growing bed and/or hydroponic growth.
Reference is now being made to
The term “about” should be interpreted as a deviation of ±20% of the nominal value. For example, if the value is about 10, thus it should be understood to be in the range of 8-12.
The photovoltaic cell 930 can be two-sided, namely that the production of photovoltaic energy is performed from two sides of the photovoltaic unit. Thus, reflections of light from the reflective material of the perforated cover 962 can be received in the bottom side of the photovoltaic cell to produce photovoltaic energy.
| Number | Date | Country | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| 277321 | Sep 2020 | IL | national |
| Filing Document | Filing Date | Country | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| PCT/IL2021/051105 | 9/12/2021 | WO |
