The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Jul. 23, 2024
Filed:
Sep. 13, 2021
Purdue Research Foundation, West Lafayette, IN (US);
Rakesh Agrawal, West Lafayette, IN (US);
Muhammad Alam, West Lafayette, IN (US);
Mitchell Tuinstra, West Lafayette, IN (US);
Purdue Research Foundation, West Lafayette, IN (US);
Abstract
A method and apparatus for generating solar power in agricultural fields while minimally impacting crop growth and farming efforts, including positioning an elongated solar panel above crops, wherein the elongated solar panel runs generally parallel to longitudinal lines and wherein the elongated solar panel has at least one solar transducing face and an endless edge surrounding and perpendicular to the at least one solar transducing face, automatically pivoting the elongated solar panel such that the at least one solar transducing face is oriented parallel to incident solar rays during predetermined times when plant growth requires incident sunlight, automatically pivoting the elongated solar panel such that the at least one solar transducing face is oriented parallel to the vertical during rain, automatically pivoting the elongated solar panel out of the way of heavy farm equipment, and automatically pivoting the elongated solar panel such that the at least one solar transducing face is oriented perpendicular to incident solar rays at predetermined times when plant growth does not require direct sunlight. The elongated solar panel is positioned sufficiently above crops to give clearance to heavy farm equipment passing therebelow and/or adjacent panels are spaced sufficiently apart such that heavy farm equipment may pass therebetween.