Method of supporting a solar energy collection unit

Abstract

A method (92) of supporting a solar energy collection unit (22, 54, 76) of a solar energy system (20, 52, 78) calls for redistributing (96) earth at a worksite (26) to form an elevated earthen structure (24) having a sun facing surface (28), compacting (102) the earthen structure (24), and arranging (106) the solar energy collection unit (22, 54, 76) upon the sun facing surface (28) of the earthen structure (24). The earthen structure (24) may include internal strengthening material (32) detached from the energy collection unit (22, 54, 76) and the earthen structure (24) may be encased in a binder material (34) for additional stability. Channels (48, 50) may be provided proximate the earthen structure (24) for fluid supply and release functions.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to the field of solar energy systems. More specifically, the present invention relates to a stable structure for supporting a solar energy collection unit of a solar energy system.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Due to the finite supply of fossil energy sources, the global environmental damage caused by fossil fuels, increasing energy demand, and economic forces, society is becoming compelled to diversify energy resources, utilize existing fossil fuels more effectively, and reduce pollutants. An alternative energy resource, solar power, is already in widespread use where other supplies of power are absent such as in remote locations and in space. Solar power generally describes a number of methods of harnessing energy from the light of the sun.

Solar power technologies can be classified as either direct or indirect. Direct solar power involves only one transformation into a usable form. Direct solar power utilizes solar energy collection units such as photovoltaic cells for creating electricity, solar thermal collectors for creating heat energy, solar sails for imparting motion, fiber optic cables for conducting sunlight into building interiors to create supplemental lighting, and so forth.

Indirect solar power involves more than one transformation to reach a usable form. An exemplary type of power generation that employs indirect solar power is the use of photosynthesis to convert solar energy to chemical energy which can later be burned as fuel. The concept of using photosynthesis to convert solar energy to chemical energy has been expanded into using algae to convert carbon dioxide from waste emissions to useful, high-value biomass products. This methodology is generally referred to as carbon dioxide bio-regeneration. Early ventures entailed pumping emission gases through the base of a pond and growing algae on the surface. Unfortunately, the algae was difficult to harvest and the energy required to “churn” the pond to ensure full algal exposure to sunlight was expensive. More recent efforts have been directed toward enclosed bioreactor systems that function as solar energy collection units, with the object being to increase algae production in a cost-effective manner. Such innovations in bioreactor systems involve streamlining the harvesting of algae, limiting the energy required to operate the system, automating necessary controls (e.g. flow controllers and gas uptake), minimizing the physical space requirements, and so forth. Such innovations have increased the economic viability of utilizing indirect solar power for carbon dioxide regeneration.

Although solar collection efficiency has increased and the costs for the various solar energy collection units, such as photovoltaic cells, thermal collectors, fiber optic elements, algal bioreactors, and the like is decreasing through technological innovation, the cost effectiveness of the host support structures is not correspondingly decreasing.

Such host support structures must secure the solar energy collection units in order to withstand climatic stresses such as, wind, rain, sand storms, floods, snow, and the like. The host support structures must also secure the solar energy collection units in order to withstand geologic stresses including earthquakes, erosion, and the like.

In order to withstand the various climatic and geologic stresses, prior art support structures for solar energy collection units require a heavy structural steel pedestal or framework, typically embedded in a large concrete base or foundation. Typical installations have become sufficiently large so that cranes are required to move and install the structural steel, cement is trucked in to support the steel framework, and multiple visits to the site by multiple workers are required to complete the installation. Unfortunately, the construction of such a large structure is quite expensive, is difficult to install in remote locations, and is expensive to maintain.

Consequently, a major obstacle to a more widespread exploitation of both direct and indirect solar power technologies has been the development of stable, yet cost-effective, host structures for supporting solar energy collection units in alignment with incident rays of the sun.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Accordingly, it is an advantage of the present invention that a method of supporting a solar energy collection unit of a solar energy system is provided.

Another advantage of the present invention is that a method of supporting a solar energy collection unit is provided that allows the use of local materials to support the solar energy collection unit.

Yet another advantage of the present invention is that a method of supporting a solar energy collection unit is provided that is readily customizable, stable under stress conditions, cost effective to build and maintain, and has a minimal long term impact on the local environment.

The above and other advantages of the present invention are carried out in one form by a method of supporting a solar energy collection unit of a solar energy system. The method calls for redistributing earth at a worksite to form an elevated earthen structure having a sun facing surface, compacting the earthen structure, and arranging the solar energy collection unit upon the sun facing surface of the earthen structure.

The above and other advantages of the present invention are carried out in another form by a method of supporting a photosynthetic bioreactor of a solar energy system. The method calls for redistributing earth at a worksite to form an elevated earthen structure having a sun facing surface, orienting the sun facing surface at an angular elevation from horizontal of greater than ten degrees and less than ninety degrees, and compacting the earthen structure. The method further calls for excavating a channel proximate the earthen structure and arranging the photosynthetic bioreactor upon the sun facing surface of the earthen structure. A supply fluid is directed through the channel and a fluid inlet of the photosynthetic bioreactor is supplied with the supply fluid from the channel.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

A more complete understanding of the present invention may be derived by referring to the detailed description and claims when considered in connection with the Figures, wherein like reference numbers refer to similar items throughout the Figures, and:

FIG. 1 shows a block diagram of an exemplary perspective view of a solar energy system having a plurality of solar energy collection units supported by elevated earthen structures at a worksite;

FIG. 2 shows a side view of one of the elevated earthen structures having internal strengthening material and encased in a binder material;

FIG. 3 shows a side view of one of the exemplary elevated earthen structures oriented to provide shade for a portion of the solar energy system;

FIG. 4 shows a side view of one of the exemplary elevated earthen structures including a fluid supply channel and a fluid release channel for a photosynthetic bioreactor solar energy system;

FIG. 5 shows a perspective view of one of the earthen structures supporting a plurality of tubular photosynthetic bioreactors;

FIG. 6 shows a partial sectional view of one of the earthen structures and one of the tubular photosynthetic bioreactors at section lines 6-6 of FIG. 5;

FIG. 7 shows a partial side view of a plurality of earthen structures formed at a worksite on non-flat terrain;

FIG. 8 shows a partial side view of horizontally arranged solar energy collection units supported by a plurality of earthen structures formed at a worksite on non-flat terrain;

FIG. 9 shows a partial front view of the tubular solar energy collection units and earthen structures of FIG. 8;

FIG. 10 shows a flowchart of an installation process for supporting a solar energy collection unit in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention; and

FIG. 11 shows a block diagram of a top view of a portion of an exemplary solar energy system configured in accordance with the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

The present invention relates to methods of supporting a solar energy collection unit of a solar energy system. The solar energy system encompasses a variety of direct and indirect solar power technologies. Similarly, the solar energy collection unit encompasses a variety of existing and emerging apparatuses such as a photovoltaic cell, a thermal collector, a fiber optic collector, an enclosed photosynthetic bioreactor, and the like. In certain embodiments, the disclosed methods of supporting a solar energy collection unit provided herein can be utilized as part of an integrated photosynthetic bioreactor solar energy system that at least partially converts certain pollutant compounds, such as carbon dioxide, contained within combustion gases to biomass.

The term “photosynthetic bioreactor” used herein refers to an apparatus containing, or configured to contain, a liquid medium carrying at least one species of photosynthetic organism and having at least one surface of which is transparent to light of a wavelength capable of driving photosynthesis. The terms “photosynthetic organism” or “biomass,” used herein includes those organisms capable of photosynthetic growth, such as plant cells and micro-organisms (including algae and euglena). The term “biofuel” used herein includes any fuel that derives from biomass produced in the photosynthetic bioreactor.

FIG. 1 shows a block diagram of an exemplary perspective view of a solar energy system 20 having a plurality of solar energy collection units 22 supported by elevated earthen structures 24 at a worksite 26. Solar energy collection units 22 are arranged on a sun facing surface 28 of earthen structures 24. Sun facing surface 28 is that side of earthen structure 24 that is exposed to a sufficient duration of sunlight for solar energy collection. Sun facing surface 28 has a surface area at least as great as the surface area of the one or more solar energy collection units 22, so that earthen structures 24 fully support units 22. The present invention involves methodology for supporting solar energy collection units 22 by utilizing earthen structures 24 in lieu of a heavy structural steel pedestal or framework embedded in a large concrete base or foundation.

Solar energy collection units 22 in this exemplary illustration may be photovoltaic cells, thermal collectors, and the like. Consequently, solar energy system 20 may include other supporting equipment, for example, wiring, charge controllers, batteries, inverters, and the like, not shown herein for simplicity of illustration. In addition, only three earthen structures 24 are shown for simplicity of illustration. It should be understood that the quantity of earthen structures can be readily scaled to accommodate a quantity of solar energy collection units 22 that form system 20.

Earthen structures 24 are formed utilizing the local material at worksite 26, such as sand, soil, rock, mud, and various densities of earthen blends. Such an arrangement can be built utilizing conventional earth-moving equipment, such as graders, shovels, excavators, and the like to redistribute the local material to host solar energy collection units 22. In addition, since local material is simply redistributed to support solar energy collection units 22, a great array of designs for plowing and/or excavating worksite 26 are envisioned that capitalize on the geography of worksite 26, and accommodate large scale solar energy systems. That is, alignment and realignment of solar energy collection units 22 can be accomplished by simply reshaping host earthen structures 24 and repositioning solar energy collection units 22 upon them.

Since earthen structures 24 are constructed utilizing local materials, earthen structures 24 can be installed in a variety of locations. Preferably, worksite 26 is non-arable, thereby saving arable land for agriculture, while effectively utilizing heretofore unused land. Earthen structures 24 may host low profile indigenous plant life to further stabilize earthen structures 24 and to create a more natural, aesthetically pleasing appearance. Consequently, earthen structures 24 of solar energy system 20 may be more readily accepted by the general public.

The use of local earthen materials in building earthen structures 24 provides for more efficient, time effective installation, thus decreasing setup costs. Moreover, earthen structures 24 can be repaired with materials in direct proximity to the installation, lowering maintenance costs and accelerating time to operation. Furthermore, the use of local earthen materials allows decommissioning of the installation with minimal environmental impact because the local materials can be returned to their natural position.

FIG. 2 shows a side view of elevated earthen structure 24 having internal strengthening material 32 and encased in a binder material 34. Strengthening material 32 may be non-earthen material, such as wood, plastic, metal, or composites. Binder material 34 may be formed from mud, clay, adobe, or some other sun-dried or sun-dryable locally available material.

Evaluation of worksite 26 may reveal that the earthen support structures for solar energy collection units 22 may require additional strengtheners for assuring overall structural integrity. Non-earthen strengthening material 32 may optionally be incorporated into earthen structure 24 to provide this additional strength to earthen structure 24. In a preferred embodiment, non-earthen strengthening material 32 is detached from solar energy collection unit 22. This allows ready reconfiguration and/or replacement of units 22 without having to access material 32 by partially or totally destroying earthen structure 24. Non-earthen strengthening material 32 in a triangular configuration is presented for simplicity. Those skilled in the art will recognize that strengthening material 32 can be any of a great variety of sizes, shapes, and densities.

Further evaluation of worksite 26 may reveal that the earthen structures may be subject to erosion from dust storms, rains, flooding, and the like. Earthen structure 24 may optionally be encased in binder material 34 to assure surface integrity and robustness in the face of erosive action of wind or water.

It should be noted that sun facing surface 28 of earthen structure 24, and the other earthen structures constructed in accordance with the present invention, is oriented at an elevation angle 36 from horizontal of greater than ten degrees and less than ninety degrees. The degree of elevation angle 36 is determined to suit the particular sun exposure requirements of solar energy collection units 22 so as to optimize the energy output of units 22.

FIG. 3 shows a side view of exemplary elevated earthen structure 24 oriented to provide shade for a portion of solar energy system 20, such as electronic equipment 40. Electronic equipment 40 may encompass elements, such as wiring, charge controllers, batteries, inverters, and the like, for solar energy system 20. As shown, electronic equipment 40 is positioned on the side of earthen structure 24 away from sun facing surface 28. Consequently, earthen structure 24 is generally shaded by a shadow 42 cast by earthen structure 24. Proper positioning of electronic equipment 40 in shadow 42 protects equipment 40 from the degrading effects of prolonged sun exposure and relieves heat stress on equipment 40. Alternatively, a separate earthen shade structure (not shown) may be formed through the redistribution of local materials.

It should be further noted that earthen structure 24 provides a thermal management service to solar energy system 20 (FIG. 1). Earthen structure 24 has large mass and can absorb and sink excess heat loads off the elements of solar energy system 20 that have susceptibility to high heat stress. Thus, use of earthen structure 24 to assist the thermal management of system 20 provides a passive, high reliability, and cost efficient method to relieve cumulative and peaking heat loads on solar energy collection units 22 and electronics that are used in solar energy system 20.

Heat may be dumped directly to earthen structure 24 by burying a tab 44 or heat pipe mechanism from the bezel or frame of solar energy collection units 22 into earthen structure 24. When solar energy collection units 22 are thermal collectors, working fluids that are intentionally heated in units 22 can be optionally routed via enclosed piping through the surface of earthen structure 24 (not shown). Consequently, the working fluids are insulated by earthen structure 24 preserving the energy efficiency of the overall system during cooler portions of the day or night.

FIG. 4 shows a side view of exemplary elevated earthen structure 24 including a fluid supply channel 48 and a fluid release channel 50 for a photosynthetic bioreactor solar energy system 52. System 52 includes solar energy collection units in the form of enclosed photosynthetic bioreactors 54, of which one is visible, and earthen structure 24 supports photosynthetic bioreactors 54.

In general, photosynthetic bioreactors 54 contain a liquid medium carrying a photosynthetic organism, for example, algae, and have a transparent surface 56 for driving photosynthesis. The algae in photosynthetic bioreactor solar energy system 52 absorb carbon dioxide from a source, in the presence of solar energy, through the production of cell mass. The source of carbon dioxide may be combustion gas, i.e., flue gas, produced by fossil fuel users, such as coal, oil, and gas plants. The algal biomass can be harvested from photosynthetic bioreactors 54 for creating biofuel, pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, and so forth. Those skilled in the art of algal biotechnology will recognize that some algal cultures can also be used in photosynthetic bioreactors 54 for biological removal of nitrogen compounds found in flue gases.

A particular configuration of photosynthetic bioreactors 54 is not a limitation of the present invention. Rather, photosynthetic bioreactors 54 can be any of a variety of conventional and emerging photosynthetic bioreactor configurations, including “bubble columns” or “air lift reactors,” that are supportable by earthen structure 24. The liquid medium contained in photosynthetic bioreactors 54 is typically water. However, the water need not be potable, but may be sea water, brackish water, or other non-potable locally obtained water containing sufficient nutrients to facilitate viability and growth of algae contained within the liquid medium.

In a preferred embodiment, the methodology of the present invention entails providing fluid supply channel 48 and/or fluid release channel 50 by excavating earth at worksite 26 proximate earthen structure 24. A supply fluid, i.e., water, represented by an arrow 58, is directed through fluid supply channel 48, and is supplied to a fluid inlet 60 of each of photosynthetic bioreactors 54. A release fluid, represented by an arrow 62, is supplied to fluid release channel 50 from a fluid outlet 64 of each of photosynthetic bioreactors 54, and is directed through fluid release channel 50. Release fluid 62 contains water and a concentrated amount of biomass. This biomass can be harvested at the location of fluid outlet 64, or alternatively, at a centralized algal collector (not shown) in fluid communication with fluid release channel 50.

Fluid channels 48 and 50 provide a system for channeling fluid to and from photosynthetic bioreactors 54, thus saving on expenses associated with piping and pipe installation. Of course, those skilled in the art will recognize that fluid channels 48 and 50 can be excavated with a slope that further facilitates fluid flow in the desired direction. In addition, since fluid channels 48 and 50 may be open, water flow from rain and snow can be collected in fluid channels 48 and 50 for use within photosynthetic bioreactors 54. The water flow collected in fluid channels 48 and 50 may also support co-located plant growth 66 at worksite 26 or patching of a worn structure with mud or adobe.

In an alternative embodiment, fluid supply channel 48 and fluid release channel 50 may be provided in the form of enclosed tubular members, i.e., pipes, that can be buried or can lie above ground. The enclosed tubular members may be in various cross-sectional shapes, such as circular, rectangular, oval, crescent, and so forth, in accordance with the particular configuration of the solar energy system. The enclosed tubular members may be transparent or transparent for specific light wavelength to optimize growth of algal biomass.

In an exemplary embodiment, photosynthetic bioreactor solar energy system 52 may be a large scale operation at worksite 26 covering at least one hundred acres. Substantially an entirety of worksite 36 may then be utilized to form a plurality of elevated earthen structures 24 for supporting a plurality of photosynthetic bioreactors 54, or other such solar energy collection units. Efficient algae production in concert with cost effective installation and maintenance of earthen support structures 24 facilitate the economical production of large quantities of biomass while advantageously reducing pollutant materials in combustion gases.

Referring to FIGS. 5-6, FIG. 5 shows a perspective view of earthen structure 24 supporting a plurality of tubular photosynthetic bioreactors 54, and FIG. 6 shows a partial sectional view of earthen structure 24 and one of tubular photosynthetic bioreactors 54 at section lines 6-6 of FIG. 6. Tubular photosynthetic bioreactors 54 are arranged on earthen structure such that a longitudinal axis 67 of each of bioreactors 54 is aligned with the slope of elevated sun facing surface 28 of earthen structure 24.

The methodology of the present invention entails conforming sun facing surface 28 of earthen structure 24 to a shape of the solar energy collection unit, in this case tubular photosynthetic bioreactors 54. This is especially evident in FIG. 6 in which a trough 68 has been excavated to accommodate one of photosynthetic bioreactors 54. The conformed earthen structure 24 with troughs 68 retains tubular photosynthetic bioreactors 54 in place thereby creating stable retention of bioreactors 54 and optimizing their exposure to sunlight, and facilitating thermal management of the liquid medium circulating in bioreactors 54. Photosynthetic bioreactors 54 are illustrated herein as being generally circular in cross-section for simplicity of illustration. However, it should be understood that photosynthetic bioreactors 54 may be in other cross-sectional shapes, such as rectangular, oval, crescent, and so forth, in accordance with the particular configuration of the solar energy system.

FIG. 7 shows a partial side view of a plurality of earthen structures 24 formed at worksite 26 on non-flat terrain 72. In particular, non-flat terrain 72 is excavated to create terraces 74, and earthen structures 24 are formed on terraces 74. Solar energy collection units 22 of solar energy system 20 are subsequently arranged on each of earthen structures 24. The use of earthen structures 24 readily permits the use of non-flat terrain 72 for solar energy system 22. Terraces 74 made of local, earthen material may be built, e.g. plowed or excavated, in a manner that allows solar energy collection units 22 to be hosted on hills, valley sides, or in gullies. This technique may allow the use of a greater number of solar energy collection units 22 on a smaller footprint than on flat terrain, again increasing economic efficiency of solar energy system 20.

Referring to FIGS. 8 and 9, FIG. 8 shows a partial side view of horizontally arranged solar energy collection units 76 of a solar energy system 78. Solar energy collection units 76 are supported by a plurality of earthen structures 24 formed at worksite 26 on non-flat terrain 72. FIG. 9 shows a partial front view of horizontally arranged tubular solar energy collection units 76 and earthen structures 24. As explained in connection with FIG. 7, non-flat terrain 72 is excavated to create terraces 74, and earthen structures 24 are formed on terraces 74 in a manner that allows solar energy collection units 76 to be hosted on hills, valley sides, or in gullies thereby allowing the use of a greater number of solar energy collection units 22 on a smaller footprint than on flat terrain.

In this exemplary configuration, each of horizontally arranged solar energy collection units 76 on each of terraces 74 is interconnected via a feeder tube 80, and adjacent terraces 74 are sloped in opposing directions. A supply fluid, such as water, represented by an arrow 82, is supplied to a fluid inlet 84 of a first, or highest, one of solar energy collection units 76 via, for example, fluid supply channel 48 (FIG. 4). Supply fluid 82 flows downwardly through successive solar energy collection units 76 and feeder tubes 80 under the influence of gravity. A release fluid, represented by an arrow 86, is eventually released at a fluid outlet 88 from a last, or lowest, one of solar energy collection units 76 to, for example, fluid release channel 50 (FIG. 4).

Solar energy system 78 having horizontally arranged solar energy collection units 76 may be a heat gather or may alternatively be a photosynthetic bioreactor. When solar energy system 78 is configured as a heat gatherer, supply fluid 82 is heated as it flows through solar energy collection units 76, and hot release fluid 86 is released at a fluid outlet 88. When solar energy system 78 is configured as a photosynthetic bioreactor, release fluid 86 can contain water and a concentrated amount of biomass. This biomass can be harvested at the location of fluid outlet 88, or alternatively, at a centralized algal collector (not shown) in fluid communication with fluid outlet 88.

As most clearly seen in FIG. 8, each of earthen structures 24 may be configured to include a trough 90 or a generally parabolic surface. Each trough 90 cradles one of solar energy collection units 76 for retention and stability of units 76. In addition, troughs 90 can function to concentrate solar energy toward solar energy collection units 76. To enhance this concentration of solar energy, each trough 90 may be lined with a mirrored surface using, for example, polished aluminum.

Solar energy collection units 76 are shown as being generally circular in cross-section for simplicity of illustration. However, it should be understood that solar energy collection units 76 may be in various other cross-sectional shapes, such as rectangular, oval, crescent, and so forth, in accordance with the particular configuration of solar energy system 78.

FIG. 10 shows a flowchart of an installation process 92 for supporting a solar energy collection unit in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention. In light of the various custom configurations described in connection with FIGS. 1-9, FIG. 10 generalizes tasks performed to develop worksite 26 to support solar energy collection units 22 and/or solar energy collection units in the form of photosynthetic bioreactors 54 and horizontally arranged solar energy collection units 76 on earthen structures 24.

It should be observed that installation process 92 includes some task boxes formed from solid lines and other task boxes formed from dashed lines. The task boxes formed from solid lines represent those tasks required for any earthen structure configuration, whereas the task boxes formed from dashed lines represent optional tasks that are dependent upon worksite geography and the particular solar energy system configuration.

Process 92 begins with a task 94. Task 94 is an initial step in which requirements of the particular solar energy system are defined and the earthen structure configuration is determined. The particular configuration for earthen structures 24 depends in large part upon local geography, size and quantity of the solar energy collection units, desired elevation angle for the units, and whether fluid supply and release channels are required.

Once certain configuration decisions have been made, installation process 92 proceeds to a task 96 at which graders, shovels, excavators, and the like are employed to redistribute earth at worksite 26 (FIG. 1) to form the particular elevated earthen structure.

Optional tasks 98 and 100 may be performed in connection with task 80. At task 98, internal strengthening material 32 (FIG. 2) may be incorporated into earthen structure 24. At task 100, fluid supply channel 48 (FIG. 4) and/or fluid release channel 50 (FIG. 4) may be provided through excavation at worksite 26 or by installing enclosed members, i.e., piping.

Next, a task 102 is performed regardless of the particular configuration of earthen structure 24. At task 102, the redistributed earth used to form earthen structure 24 is compacted to form a stable structure.

Following task 102, an optional task 104 may be performed. At task 104, the surface and surrounding area of the recently compacted earthen structure 24 may be stabilized. For example, earthen structure 24 may be encased with binder material 34 (FIG. 2) and/or plant life may be installed around earthen structure 24 for vegetation control. Following either of tasks 102 or 104, a task 106 is performed.

At task 106, solar energy collection units 22 (FIG. 1), photosynthesis bioreactors 54 (FIG. 4), or horizontally arranged solar energy collection units 76 (FIG. 8) are arranged upon sun facing surface 28 of earthen structures 24. That is, the solar energy collection units are laid upon earthen structures 24 without the encumbrance and associated installation complexity and cost of structural steel supports and concrete foundations.

An optional task 108 is performed if fluid medium is utilized in connection with the particular solar energy system configuration, such as photosynthesis bioreactor solar energy system 52 (FIG. 4) or solar energy system 78 (FIG. 8). At task 108, when a fluid medium is utilized, fluid supply and release systems are configured. Configuration entails, for example, providing supply fluid 58 (FIG. 4), adjusting fluid valves, and/or activating any intervening fluid pumps.

In addition to optional task 108, or in lieu of optional task 108, an optional task 110 is performed. At optional task 110, electronic equipment 40 (FIG. 3) may be configured. Configuration entails, for example, positioning electronic equipment 40 in shadow 42 (FIG. 3) of earthen structures 24 and making the necessary connections to solar energy collection units 22. Installation process 92 ends following task 110.

FIG. 11 shows a block diagram of a top view of a portion of an exemplary solar energy system configured in accordance with the present invention. More specifically, the exemplary solar energy system is photosynthetic bioreactor solar energy system 52 in which photosynthetic bioreactors 54 are arranged on earthen structures 24. FIG. 11 is presented to illustrate a channel structure, either open or enclosed piping, that may be efficiently implemented to provide supply fluid 58 via fluid supply channel 48 to each of a plurality of photosynthetic bioreactors 54, and to remove release fluid 62 via fluid release channel 50 from each of photosynthetic bioreactors 54.

Photosynthetic bioreactor solar energy system 52 optionally includes a primary valve 112 that enables recirculation of release fluid 62 into fluid supply channel 48. In such a situation, biomass in release fluid 62 may be harvested so that release fluid 62 can be reused, thereby conserving the working fluid. System 52 may further optionally include secondary valves 114 for controlling a flow of supply fluid 58 into individual photosynthetic bioreactors 54, so that individual bioreactors 54 can be taken offline for maintenance, replacement, and so forth.

Each of photosynthetic bioreactors 54 further includes a combustion gas inlet 116 in which combustion gas, represented by dashed arrows 118, is received into bioreactors 54. Combustion gas 118 bubbles up from the bottom of photosynthetic bioreactors 54 and supply fluid 58 flows downwardly in an opposing direction from combustion gas 118. Carbon dioxide, and/or other pollutant materials, in combustion gas 118 is converted to organic material in photosynthetic reactions occurring in bioreactors 54. Combustion gas 118 is subsequently released from photosynthetic bioreactors 54 through a gas outlet 120, with ideally a significant reduction in pollutant materials.

In summary, the present invention teaches of a method of supporting a solar energy collection unit of a solar energy system. The method entails the redistribution of local earthen materials to form an earthen structure upon which the solar energy collection unit is arranged. The methodology of excavating and redistributing local materials yields earthen support structures that are highly customizable, are cost effective to build and maintain, and have a minimal long term impact on the local environment. Moreover, the methodology of the present invention yields a stable support structure for solar energy collection units with the associated installation complexity and cost of conventional structural steel supports and concrete foundations. The incorporation of internal strengthening materials into the earthen structures and/or the encasement of the earthen structures in binder material enhance surface integrity and overall stability under stress conditions. In addition, the earthen structures can provide thermal management services to the solar energy systems, and channels can be readily provided at the worksite for supply and release channeling of a fluid medium used by the solar energy system.

Although the preferred embodiments of the invention have been illustrated and described in detail, it will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications may be made therein without departing from the spirit of the invention or from the scope of the appended claims.

Claims

1. A method of supporting a solar energy collection unit of a solar energy system comprising:

redistributing earth at a worksite to form an elevated earthen structure having a sun facing surface;

compacting said earthen structure; and

arranging said solar energy collection unit upon said sun facing surface of said earthen structure.

2. A method as claimed in claim 1 further comprising forming said sun facing surface to have a first surface area at least as great as a second surface area of said solar energy collection unit.

3. A method as claimed in claim 1 further comprising conforming said sun facing surface of said earthen structure to a shape of said solar energy collection unit.

4. A method as claimed in claim 1 further comprising aligning said earthen structure to provide shade for a portion of said solar energy system.

5. A method as claimed in claim 1 further comprising utilizing said earthen structure for thermal management of said solar energy collection unit.

6. A method as claimed in claim 1 further comprising orienting said sun facing surface at an elevation angle from horizontal of greater than ten degrees and less than ninety degrees.

7. A method as claimed in claim 1 wherein said solar energy collection unit comprises enclosed members, and said arranging operation comprises aligning a longitudinal axis each of said enclosed members with a slope of said sun facing surface.

8. A method as claimed in claim 1 wherein said worksite includes non-flat terrain, said energy collection unit is one of a plurality of energy collection units of said solar energy system, and said redistributing operation comprises:

excavating said non-flat terrain to create terraces; and

forming a plurality of earthen structures on said terraces for arranging said plurality of energy collection units thereupon.

9. A method as claimed in claim 1 further comprising encasing said earthen structure in a binder material.

10. A method as claimed in claim 9 wherein said binder material comprises adobe.

11. A method as claimed in claim 1 further comprising incorporating a non-earthen strengthening material internal to said earthen structure.

12. A method as claimed in claim 11 wherein said non-earthen strengthening material is detached from said solar energy collection unit.

13. A method as claimed in claim 1 further comprising:

providing a channel proximate said earthen structure;

directing a fluid through said channel; and

supplying a fluid inlet of said solar energy collection unit with said fluid from said channel.

14. A method as claimed in claim 13 wherein said providing operation comprises excavating said earth to form said channel as an open channel.

15. A method as claimed in claim 13 wherein said channel is an enclosed member, and said providing operation comprises installing said enclosed member proximate said earthen structure.

16. A method as claimed in claim 1 further comprising:

providing a channel proximate said earthen structure;

supplying said channel with a fluid from a fluid outlet of said solar energy collection unit; and

directing said fluid through said channel.

17. A method as claimed in claim 16 wherein said providing operation comprises excavating said earth to form said channel as an open channel.

18. A method as claimed in claim 16 wherein said channel is an enclosed member, and said providing operation comprises installing said enclosed member proximate said earthen structure.

19. A method as claimed in claim 1 wherein said solar energy collection unit is a photosynthetic bioreactor, said earthen structure supporting said photosynthetic bioreactor.

20. A method as claimed in claim 19 wherein said solar energy system includes a plurality of photosynthetic bioreactors, and said redistributing operation comprises excavating said earth at said worksite to form a plurality of elevated earthen structures for supporting said plurality of photosynthetic bioreactors.

21. A method as claimed in claim 1 wherein said worksite is at least one hundred acres, and said method comprises utilizing substantially an entirety of said at least one hundred acres to form a plurality of elevated earthen structures for supporting a plurality of solar energy collection units.

22. A method of supporting a solar energy collection unit of a solar energy system comprising:

redistributing earth at a worksite to form an elevated earthen structure having a sun facing surface;

forming said sun facing surface to have a first surface area at least as great as a second surface area of said solar energy collection unit;

orienting said sun facing surface at an elevation angle from horizontal of greater than ten degrees and less than ninety degrees;

compacting said earthen structure; and

arranging said solar energy collection unit upon said sun facing surface of said earthen structure.

23. A method as claimed in claim 22 further comprising aligning said earthen structure to provide shade for a portion of said solar energy system.

24. A method as claimed in claim 22 wherein said worksite includes non-flat terrain, said energy collection unit is one of a plurality of energy collection units of said solar energy system, and said redistributing operation comprises:

excavating said non-flat terrain to create terraces; and

forming a plurality of earthen structures on said terraces for arranging said plurality of energy collection units thereupon.

25. A method as claimed in claim 22 further comprising encasing said earthen structure in a binder material.

26. A method as claimed in claim 22 further comprising incorporating a non-earthen strengthening material internal to said earthen structure, said non-earthen strengthening material being detached from said solar energy collection unit.

27. A method of supporting a photosynthetic bioreactor of a solar energy system comprising:

redistributing earth at a worksite to form an elevated earthen structure having a sun facing surface;

orienting said sun facing surface at an elevation angle from horizontal of greater than ten degrees and less than ninety degrees;

compacting said earthen structure;

providing a channel proximate said earthen structure;

arranging said photosynthetic bioreactor upon said sun facing surface of said earthen structure;

directing a supply fluid through said channel; and

supplying a fluid inlet of said photosynthetic bioreactor with said supply fluid from said channel.

28. A method as claimed in claim 27 further comprising forming said sun facing surface to have a first surface area at least as great as a second surface area of said photosynthetic bioreactor.

29. A method as claimed in claim 27 wherein said photosynthetic bioreactor comprises enclosed members, and said arranging operation comprises aligning a longitudinal axis of each of said enclosed members with a slope of said sun facing surface.

30. A method as claimed in claim 27 wherein said channel is a first channel, and said method further comprises:

providing a second channel proximate said earthen structure;

supplying said second channel with a release fluid from a fluid outlet of said photosynthetic bioreactor; and

directing said release fluid through said second channel.

31. A method as claimed in claim 27 wherein said solar energy system includes a plurality of photosynthetic bioreactors, and said redistributing operation comprises excavating said worksite to form a plurality of elevated earthen structures for supporting said plurality of photosynthetic bioreactors.