JP7567951B2 - Solar Panel Rental System - Google Patents

Description

This disclosure relates to a solar panel rental system.

Patent document 1 discloses technology related to a solar panel rental system.

JP 2012-248642 A

The inventors are considering a solar panel rental system that rents solar panels that can be attached to vehicles and allows users to use the electricity generated by the solar panels. Patent Document 1 does not disclose anything about renting solar panels that can be attached to vehicles.

The present disclosure has been made in consideration of these circumstances, and provides a solar panel rental system that rents solar panels that can be attached to vehicles, allowing users to more effectively utilize the electricity generated by the solar panel.

A solar panel rental system according to one embodiment of the present disclosure includes:
A solar panel rental system for renting solar panels, comprising:
A management unit that manages the power generated by the solar panel;
a display unit that displays information regarding power generation by the solar panel,
The management unit
predicting the amount of power generated by the solar panel mounted on the vehicle based on a sunshine forecast;
displaying on the display unit the use of the electric power generated by the solar panel mounted on the vehicle together with the predicted electric power amount;
The uses displayed on the display unit include charging the battery of the vehicle and supplying power to a power grid, and are selectable by the user.

In a solar panel rental system according to one aspect of the present disclosure, the amount of power generated by the solar panel mounted on the vehicle is predicted based on a sunshine forecast, and the predicted amount of power as well as the intended use of the power generated by the solar panel mounted on the vehicle are displayed on the display unit. Here, the intended use displayed on the display unit includes charging the battery of the vehicle and supplying power to the power grid, and is selectable by the user. This allows the user to effectively use the power generated by the rented solar panel.

The management unit may propose, as the use, either charging the battery or supplying power to the power grid based on a remaining charge of the battery, and cause the display unit to display the proposal.
Furthermore, the management unit may suggest charging the battery as the use when the remaining charge of the battery is equal to or less than a first reference value, and may suggest supplying power to the power grid as the use when the remaining charge of the battery is equal to or greater than a second reference value that is equal to or greater than the first reference value.
This configuration allows the user to appropriately select how to use the electricity generated by the rented solar panel.

The management unit may suggest a mounting position for the solar panel on the vehicle based on the sunshine forecast and the parking direction of the vehicle. This configuration can improve the efficiency of power generation by the solar panel.

The management unit may provide the user of the vehicle with a greater incentive the more power the vehicle supplies to the power grid. This configuration can promote power generation by the rental solar panels.

This disclosure makes it possible to provide a solar panel rental system that rents solar panels that can be attached to vehicles, allowing users to more effectively utilize the electricity generated by the solar panel.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a solar panel mounted on a vehicle. 1 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a solar cell panel 10 spread out in the xy plane. FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a solar panel rental system according to a first embodiment. 2 is a side view showing a schematic view of a charging/discharging device CD1 receiving power from a vehicle 1 equipped with a solar cell panel 10. FIG.

Specific embodiments to which the present disclosure is applied will be described in detail below with reference to the drawings. However, the present disclosure is not limited to the following embodiments. In addition, the following descriptions and drawings have been simplified as appropriate for clarity of explanation.

(First embodiment)
<Configuration of solar panel mounted on vehicle>
First, the configuration of a solar cell panel rented in the solar cell panel rental system according to the first embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 1. Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a solar cell panel mounted on a vehicle. The solar cell panel 10 rented in the solar cell panel rental system according to this embodiment is a solar cell panel that can be mounted on a vehicle.

Naturally, the right-handed xyz Cartesian coordinate system shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2 described later is for the convenience of explaining the positional relationship of the components. In the example of FIG. 1, the positive x-axis direction indicates the front direction of the vehicle (i.e., the x-axis direction is the vehicle front-rear direction), the y-axis direction is the vehicle width direction, and the positive z-axis direction is the vertical upward direction (i.e., the z-axis direction is the vehicle height direction).

As shown in FIG. 1, the solar cell panel 10 is mounted on the surface of the vehicle. As an example, the solar cell panel 10 shown in FIG. 1 is mounted on the front windshield FW of the vehicle 1. The solar cell panel 10 shown in FIG. 1 is lightweight and can be stored compactly by rolling it up like a roll screen. Also, as shown in FIG. 1, by mounting it on the front windshield FW, it can also function as a sunshade. That is, for example, when parked, the solar cell panel 10 mounted on the front windshield FW of the vehicle 1 is exposed to sunlight to generate power, while blocking sunlight to suppress a rise in temperature inside the vehicle 1.

The configuration of the solar cell panel 10 shown in FIG. 1 is merely an example and is not limiting in any way. For example, the solar cell panel 10 may be attached to the upper surface of the vehicle body, such as the roof, hood, or rear window of the vehicle 1. The solar cell panel 10 may also be attached to the side of the vehicle body, such as the door or door window. Furthermore, multiple solar cell panels 10 may be attached to the surface of the vehicle 1.

Although not shown, the power generated by the solar panel 10 is charged to batteries such as a main battery for driving and a sub-battery for auxiliary equipment. The voltage of the main battery is, for example, 200V, and the power charged to the main battery is supplied, for example, to a driving motor. On the other hand, the voltage of the sub-battery is, for example, 12V, and the power charged to the sub-battery is supplied to auxiliary equipment such as headlights, turn signals, air conditioner, car navigation, audio, and various control units.

Vehicle 1 may be any vehicle as long as it can be fitted with solar panel 10 and has a battery capable of charging the electricity generated by solar panel 10. In other words, vehicle 1 is not limited to electric vehicles, hybrid vehicles, fuel cell vehicles, and the like that can be driven by electricity, but may also be an engine vehicle that can be driven by an engine.

The solar panel 10 shown in FIG. 1 includes multiple solar cells 11 arranged in parallel in the vehicle width direction (y-axis direction) and the vehicle front-rear direction (x-axis direction). In the example shown in FIG. 1, the multiple solar cells 11 are arranged in a matrix.

2 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the solar cell panel 10 spread out on the xy plane. As shown in FIG. 2, the solar cell panel 10 includes a solar cell 11, a sealing layer 12, a cover glass 13, and a back sheet 14.
It should be noted that the cross-sectional configuration of the solar cell panel 10 shown in FIG. 2 is merely an example and is in no way limiting.

The material of the solar cell 11 is a silicon-based material (e.g., a crystalline silicon-based material). The solar cell 11 is, for example, a flat member having a rectangular shape when viewed in the xy plane. The upper surface (the main surface on the negative z-axis side) of the solar cell 11 is a light-receiving surface, and the lower surface (the main surface on the positive z-axis side) is an electrode surface. An electrode (not shown) is formed on the lower surface.

The multiple solar battery cells 11 are arranged side by side in the y-axis and x-axis directions.
As shown in FIG. 2 , the plurality of solar cells 11 are sealed within a sealing layer 12 .
In FIG. 2, wiring connected to electrodes formed on the solar cell 11 is omitted.

The sealing layer 12 is a resin layer that covers and protects the solar cell 11. The sealing layer 12 is made of, for example, ethylene vinyl acetate (EVA) resin. EVA resin is suitable for the sealing layer 12 in terms of transparency, flexibility, adhesiveness, etc.

As shown in FIG. 2 , the sealing layer 12 is sandwiched between a cover glass 13 and a back sheet 14 .
The material constituting the sealing layer 12 is not limited to EVA resin, but may be polyolefin resin, ionomer resin, or the like.

The cover glass 13 is a glass plate that covers the upper surface of the sealing layer 12 and protects the solar cell 11. The cover glass 13 is transparent. The higher the transmittance of the cover glass 13, the higher the power generation efficiency of the solar cell 11, which is preferable.

The back sheet 14 covers the lower surface of the sealing layer 12 and protects the solar cell 11. The back sheet 14 is made of a resin such as, but not limited to, polyethylene terephthalate (PET) resin.

<Solar panel rental system configuration>
Next, the solar panel rental system according to this embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 3. Fig. 3 is a block diagram showing a solar panel rental system according to the first embodiment. As shown in Fig. 3, the solar panel rental system according to this embodiment includes a management unit 100 and a display unit 200.

The management unit 100 is a computer that manages the power generated by the solar panel 10. The management unit 100 is, for example, a server such as a cloud server, and is provided separately from the display unit 200.
As shown in FIG. 3 , the management unit 100 includes a power generation prediction unit 101 , a usage management unit 102 , a mounting position suggestion unit 103 , and an incentive determination unit 104 .

Although not shown, the management unit 100 includes a calculation unit such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit) and a storage unit such as a RAM (Random Access Memory) or a ROM (Read Only Memory) in which various programs and data are stored. In other words, the management unit 100 has the functions of a computer and executes various processes based on the various programs and the like.

Therefore, in terms of hardware, each of the functional blocks of the management unit 100 shown in FIG. 3, the power generation prediction unit 101, the usage management unit 102, the mounting position proposal unit 103, and the incentive determination unit 104, can be configured with the above-mentioned CPU, memory unit, and other circuits. In terms of software, each functional block can be realized by a program stored in the memory unit. In other words, each functional block can be realized in various forms by hardware, software, or a combination of both.

The power generation prediction unit 101 obtains a sunshine forecast (e.g., a weather forecast) for the rental period of the solar panel 10. The power generation prediction unit 101 then predicts the amount of power to be generated by the solar panel 10 mounted on the vehicle 1 based on the obtained sunshine forecast. The power generation prediction unit 101 transmits the predicted amount of power (predicted power amount) to the display unit 200 and causes it to be displayed.

The usage management unit 102 manages the usage of the power generated by the solar panel 10 attached to the vehicle 1. When the power generation prediction unit 101 transmits the predicted amount of power to the display unit 200, the usage management unit 102 transmits the usage to the display unit 200 and displays it. That is, the management unit 100 transmits the usage together with the predicted amount of power to the display unit 200 and displays it. The usages displayed on the display unit 200 include charging the battery of the vehicle 1 and supplying power to the power grid, and the user can select either one.

The usage management unit 102 also suggests either charging the battery or supplying power to the power grid as a usage based on the remaining charge of the battery of the vehicle 1, and has the display unit 200 display the suggestion. For example, as shown in FIG. 3, the usage management unit 102 obtains the remaining charge of the battery from the vehicle 1. The remaining charge of the battery is, for example, SOC (States Of Charge). Therefore, the user can appropriately select the usage of the power generated by the rented solar panel 10.

More specifically, when the remaining charge of the battery is equal to or less than a first reference value (e.g., SOC is equal to or less than 20%), the usage management unit 102 proposes charging the battery as the usage. On the other hand, when the remaining charge of the battery is equal to or more than a second reference value (e.g., SOC is equal to or more than 80%), the usage management unit 102 proposes supplying power to the power grid as the usage. Here, the second reference value is equal to or more than the first reference value. That is, the second reference value may be equal to the first reference value.
The purpose management unit 102 may propose a combination of charging the battery and supplying power to the power grid as a purpose based on the above-mentioned predicted power amount in addition to the remaining charge of the battery.

The mounting position suggestion unit 103 suggests a mounting position for the solar panel 10 on the vehicle 1 based on a sunshine forecast and the parking direction of the vehicle 1, and displays the suggestion on the display unit 200. As shown in FIG. 3, the mounting position suggestion unit 103 acquires the parking direction of the vehicle 1 from the vehicle 1. The parking direction of the vehicle 1 is information indicating the direction in which the vehicle 1 is parked, and is information based on navigation data, for example.

The mounting position suggestion unit 103 suggests, for example, a position on the vehicle 1 where the most sunlight is irradiated during the rental period as a mounting position for the solar panel 10 based on a sunshine forecast, i.e., the position of the sun, and the parking direction of the vehicle 1. By mounting the solar panel 10 at the mounting position suggested by the mounting position suggestion unit 103, the power generation efficiency of the solar panel 10 can be improved.

Here, the charge/discharge device CD1 shown in FIG. 3 will be described.
Charging/discharging device CD1 is connected to the power system and can charge vehicle 1. On the other hand, charging/discharging device CD1 can receive electric power generated by a solar panel 10 of vehicle 1 from vehicle 1. In other words, charging/discharging device CD1 is a power receiving device and can supply the electric power received from vehicle 1 to the power system.
The charging/discharging device CD1 is installed, for example, in a facility (parking lot or charging station) that rents out the solar cell panel 10.

FIG. 4 is a side view that illustrates a state in which charging/discharging device CD1 receives power from vehicle 1 equipped with solar cell panel 10. As shown in FIG.
As shown in FIG. 4 , a connector CN provided at an end of a cable CB extended from charging/discharging device CD1 is connected to a port PT of vehicle 1, and charging/discharging device CD1 receives power from vehicle 1.

When the battery of the vehicle 1 is fully charged, the battery cannot be charged any further, and the power generated by the solar panel 10 goes to waste. In such a case, the charging/discharging device CD1 receives power from the vehicle 1, so that the power generated by the solar panel 10 can be used effectively without being wasted.

The incentive determination unit 104 provides an incentive to the user of the vehicle 1 based on the amount of power received by the charging/discharging device CD1 from the vehicle 1 equipped with the solar panel 10 (i.e., the amount of power supplied to the power grid). This configuration can promote power generation by the rented solar panel 10.

Specifically, the incentive determination unit 104 gives the user of the vehicle 1 more incentives (e.g., points, coupons, discounts, cashbacks, etc. related to the rental of the solar panel 10) as the amount of received power (i.e., the amount of power supplied to the power grid) of the charging/discharging device CD1 increases. In the example shown in FIG. 3, the incentive determination unit 104 transmits the determined incentive to the display unit 200 and causes it to be displayed.

As shown in FIG. 3, the display unit 200 displays various information (predicted power amount, power usage and its proposal, installation position, and incentives) related to power generation by the solar panel 10 transmitted from the management unit 100 to the user. The display unit 200 is, for example, a display unit of a user terminal. The user terminal is, for example, a mobile communication terminal such as a smartphone or a tablet terminal, or a PC (Personal Computer), etc.

As described above, in the solar panel rental system according to this embodiment, the amount of power generated by the solar panel 10 mounted on the vehicle 1 is predicted based on a sunshine forecast, and the predicted amount of power is displayed on the display unit 200 along with the intended use of the power generated by the solar panel 10 mounted on the vehicle 1. The intended use displayed on the display unit 200 includes charging the battery of the vehicle 1 and supplying power to the power grid, and can be selected by the user. This allows the user to effectively use the power generated by the rented solar panel. As a result, power generation by the solar panel mounted on the vehicle can be promoted, and carbon dioxide emissions can be reduced.

The present disclosure is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and can be modified as appropriate without departing from the spirit and scope of the present disclosure.
Furthermore, the present disclosure contributes to carbon neutrality, decarbonization, and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) with regard to the use of solar panels.

Reference Signs List 1 Vehicle 10 Solar cell panel 11 Solar cell cell 12 Sealing layer 13 Cover glass 14 Back sheet 100 Management unit 101 Power generation prediction unit 102 Use management unit 103 Mounting position suggestion unit 104 Incentive determination unit 200 Display unit CB Cable CD1 Charging/discharging device CN Connector FW Front window PT Port

Claims (5)

A solar panel rental system for renting solar panels, comprising:
A management unit that manages the power generated by the solar panel;
a display unit that displays information regarding power generation by the solar panel,
The management unit
predicting the amount of power generated by the solar panel mounted on the vehicle based on a sunshine forecast;
displaying on the display unit the use of the electric power generated by the solar panel mounted on the vehicle together with the predicted electric power amount;
The uses displayed on the display unit include charging a battery of the vehicle and supplying power to a power grid, and are selectable by a user.
Solar panel rental system. the management unit proposes, as the use, either charging the battery or supplying power to the power grid based on the remaining charge of the battery, and causes the display unit to display the proposal.
The solar panel rental system according to claim 1 . The management unit
When the remaining charge of the battery is equal to or less than a first reference value, suggesting charging the battery as the use;
When the remaining charge of the battery is equal to or greater than a second reference value that is equal to or greater than the first reference value, a proposal to supply power to the power grid is made as the use.
The solar panel rental system according to claim 2 . The management unit proposes a mounting position of the solar panel on the vehicle based on the sunshine forecast and a parking direction of the vehicle.
The solar panel rental system according to any one of claims 1 to 3. The management unit is configured to provide a larger incentive to the user of the vehicle as the amount of power supplied to the power grid increases.
The solar panel rental system according to any one of claims 1 to 3.

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