Smart Solar-Panel Umbrella toward High-Efficient Hybrid Solar and Rain Energy Harvesting

Solar photovoltaic power generation technology is the top priority of the global energy development strategy. Although the photoelectric conversion efficiency of crystalline silicon solar cells is as high as 33.7%, the power generation efficiency is relatively low or even unable to generate power normally under low-light environments such as rainy weather and a cloudy day. Herein, a smart solar panel umbrella system with an auto open and close function is realized by integrating a polysilicon solar cell module and an interdigitated electrode structure triboelectric nanogenerator (IDE-TENG) toward hybrid solar and rain energy harvesting. The output performances of the IDE-TENG are systematically investigated and optimized by regulating the dielectric thickness, inclination angle of IDE-TENG, and various drip types. On this basis, combined with the solar module, the function of auto open and close for the smart solar panel system is realized by a 32-bit microcontroller and a raindrop sensor, which can be automatically switched as the weather changes and maintain high power conversion efficiency of 19.61% of the solar cell. This smart solar panel umbrella system can be used as a self-powered supply for all-weather landscape lighting to save the utilization of fossil energy and contribute in the realization of carbon neutrality.

Automated summary

The smart solar panel umbrella system combines a polysilicon solar cell module and an interdigitated electrode structure triboelectric nanogenerator (IDE-TENG) to realize the function of auto open and close. It can harvest rain energy and generate power in low-light conditions. The system achieves high power conversion efficiency of 19.61% and automatically switches as the weather changes.