Photovoltaic Panel Array and Method of Use
A method for “double cropping”, with photovoltaic panel arrays mounted on and operating from specialized photovoltaic solar array support structures that are supported above agricultural fields at heights that allow the passage of large mechanized farm equipment to pass beneath. The method of operation is optimized for sun sharing operation in that the solar array support structure and the solar panel array thereon is designed, spaced and computer positioned so as to optimize both the generation of electricity and the agricultural efficiency of the underlying land.
1 . A method of producing solar power while allowing sufficient sunlight to pass by and/or through motorized tiltable solar panel arrays to crops growing beneath the solar arrays, comprising the steps of:
1. Installing an array of tiltable solar panels over a crop field, on a structure having a platform raised a minimum of eight feet above the ground;
2. Installing an algorithm in a computer, said algorithm computing solar panel positions for said solar panels at specific times for optimizing power production and crop growth;
3. Installing at least one sunlight intensity meter below an axis of rotation of said solar panels that provides sunlight intensity data signals to said computer;
4. Installing at least one localized wind strength meter that provides wind strength data signals to said computer;
5. Operatively connecting said computer to an internet with a site providing local predicted weather data and local sidereal tracking solar position data for that local; and
6. Performing a crop specific algorithmic calculation by said computer considering said sunlight intensity data signals, said wind strength data signals, said predicted weather data and said sidereal tracking solar position data to determine a horizontal tilt position for a period of time for said solar panels to optimize power production and crop growth.
7. Tilting said solar panels as determined by said algorithmic calculation.
2 . The method of producing solar power of claim 1 comprising the further steps before step 7:
1. Connecting said solar panels to at least one motor that tilts said solar panels to a position at a time as determined by said algorithmic calculation;
2. Operably connecting said computer to said at least one motor, where said computer provides said crop specific algorithmic calculation to said at least one motor,
3. Tilting said solar panels with said at least one motor.
3 . The method of producing solar power of claim 2 wherein said solar panels are selected from the group of solar panels consisting of solar panels that are partially transparent, solar panels that are translucent or solar panels that are slotted.
4 . The method of producing solar power of claim 1 wherein said crop specific algorithmic calculation utilizes crop specific data selected from the group of crop specific data consisting of the plant species and time of the crop species specific growing season.
5 . A method of producing solar power while allowing sufficient sunlight to pass by and/or through tiltable solar panel arrays to crops beneath, comprising the steps of:
1. Installing a tiltable solar panel array over a crop field, on a structure having a platform raised a minimum of eight feet above the ground; said solar panels selected from the group of solar panels consisting of solar panels that are partially transparent, solar panels that are translucent or solar panels that are slotted;
2. Determining an optimizing balance of sunlight intensity on said solar panel array and said on said crops beneath said solar panel array to produce solar power and crop growth;
3. Tilting said tiltable solar panel array to a horizontal position of a determined angle and for a determined period of time to adjust and maintain the sunlight intensity on said solar panel array and said on said crops to meet said optimizing balance of said sunlight intensity on said solar panel array and said on said crops beneath said solar panel array to produce solar power and crop growth.
6 . The method of producing solar power of claim 5 wherein said determining an optimizing balance of sunlight intensity on said solar panel array and on said crops beneath is based on an algorithm considering local environmental data and crop specific data.
7 . The method of producing solar power of claim 6 wherein said local environmental data is selected from the group consisting of local wind strength, local sunlight intensity below said solar panel array, sidereal tracking solar position data and localized predicted weather data.
8 . The method of producing solar power of claim 7 wherein said crop specific data is selected from the group consisting of plant species and time of the crop species specific growing season.
9 . A method of producing solar power while allowing sufficient sunlight to pass to crops beneath, comprising the steps of:
1. Installing a tiltable solar panel array on a tiltable support structure over a crop field, said tiltable support structure having a platform that moves laterally when raised above the ground;
2. Determining an optimizing balance of sunlight intensity on said solar panel array and on said crops beneath said solar panel array to produce solar power and crop growth;
3. Tilting said tiltable solar panel array to a horizontal position of a determined angle and for a determined period of time to adjust and maintain the sunlight intensity on said solar panel array and on said crops while tilting said support structure to change the lateral position of the platform to meet said optimizing balance of said sunlight intensity on said solar panel array and on said crops beneath said solar panel array to produce solar power and crop growth.
10 . The method of producing solar power while allowing sufficient sunlight to pass to crops beneath of claim 9 wherein said solar panels are selected from the group of solar panels consisting of solar panels that are partially transparent, solar panels that are translucent or solar panels that are slotted.