AT12793U1 - PHOTOVOLTAIC MODULE AND USE THEREOF - Google Patents

Abstract

In a photovoltaic module (40), which comprises a plurality of solar cells (41) which are respectively coupled in particular on a rear side with an electrically conductive or conductive and structured layer for deriving the electrical energy generated in the solar cells (41, 47) in which at least one transparent carrier layer is provided on the surface of the solar cells (41, 47) remote from the electrically conductive layer and a cover layer is provided on the electrically conductive layer, wherein the electrically conductive and structured layer can be contacted with connections of a connection housing, in that a partial region of the photovoltaic module (40) which concerns at least one solar cell (47) has a reduced transmission capability compared with the remaining partial region (s) of the photovoltaic module and in that this at least one solar cell (47) has a bypass diode known per se is coupled and / or m it is in particular connected in parallel with at least one adjacent solar cell, whereby a photovoltaic module (40) can be made available, which can either be adapted to surrounding building parts by a corresponding coloring or can be used by printing, for example, as an advertising medium, at the same time providing protection for the Subareas of reduced transmission capability associated solar cells (47) with the least possible impairment or reduction of the overall performance of the photovoltaic module (40) can be achieved.

Description

Austrian Patent Office AT 12 793 U1 2012-11-15

Description: The present invention relates to a photovoltaic module which comprises a plurality of solar cells, which are each coupled, in particular on a rear side, to an electrically conductive or conductive and structured layer for dissipating the electrical energy generated in the solar cells at least one transparent carrier layer is provided on the surface of the solar cells facing away from the electrically conductive layer, and a cover layer is provided on the electrically conductive layer, wherein the electrically conductive and structured layer can be contacted with terminals of a connection housing. The present invention further relates to a use of such a photovoltaic module.

Such a so-called back-contacted photovoltaic module consists of a plurality of solar cells, wherein the solar cells are coupled or coupled at a rear side with an electrically conductive or conductive and structured layer for deriving the electrical energy generated in the solar cell. In addition, on the surface facing away from the electrically conductive layer surface of the solar cell and thus to the light or. Radiation source directed at least one transparent carrier layer and provided on the electrically conductive layer, a cover layer.

In such a photovoltaic module is usually taken to avoid one, if necessary, only partially shading thereof as far as possible to obtain a correspondingly good energy yield and also to avoid local overheating of individual solar cells in such shadowing. However, it is known that such photovoltaic modules, which may optionally have comparatively large dimensions, may result in impairment of, for example, remaining portions of a building, such as a roof surface thereof, on which, for example, a plurality of such photovoltaic modules are mounted. Due to their nature, such solar cells, which are accommodated in photovoltaic modules, usually have a dark, in particular dark blue color, which may have a disturbing influence, for example, on a roof surface. In addition, such large-area photovoltaic modules may represent unused areas or partial areas on a building or the like, which could otherwise be used for advertising or the like. It is thus an application of such photovoltaic modules, where appropriate, restrictions imposed, for example, for aesthetic or other reasons, which precludes an increasingly desired energy production by such photovoltaic modules.

The present invention therefore aims to avoid or at least reduce the above-mentioned problems or disadvantages of the known prior art and to provide a photovoltaic module with which an adaptation, for example, to surrounding portions of a building, to which is to arrange such a photovoltaic module or mount, succeeds in a simple and reliable manner. In addition, the present invention aims to provide a photovoltaic module which can provide further or additional fields of use thereof besides a desired energy production.

To solve these objects, a photovoltaic module of the type mentioned is essentially characterized in that a part of the photovoltaic module at least one solar cell relative to the (the) remaining portions) of the photovoltaic module has reduced transmission capability and that these at least one Solar cell is coupled to a per se known bypass diode and / or in particular connected in parallel with at least one adjacent solar cell. By the invention proposed training, in the photovoltaic module to provide at least a portion corresponding to at least one recorded in the photovoltaic module solar cell and a reduced transmission capability has 1/12 Austrian Patent Office AT 12 793 U1 2012-11-15, according to the invention, for example in adaptation to surrounding elements or in particular building parts to which the photovoltaic module is to be arranged or mounted, an adaptation be made, for example, in aesthetic terms. The above-mentioned problem of preventing heating of a portion of such a photovoltaic module, which is partially shaded, for example, as corresponds to a reduced transmissivity, is inventively countered by the fact that this solar cell arranged in this subregion or reduced transmissivity solar cell known per se Associated with the bypass diode and / or an interconnection with an adjacent solar cell is made in order to prevent such a local overheating of the solar cell associated with the portion with reduced transmissivity. In addition to an adaptation, for example, to surrounding building parts or elements, the photovoltaic module can be used at least partially as an advertising surface in the photovoltaic module according to the invention by providing at least a portion of reduced transmissivity, for example by printing. By printing arise on the photovoltaic module subregions of different and especially reduced transmissivity. By appropriately providing or associating a bypass diode in each case and / or a corresponding connection to adjacent solar cells, not only a local overheating of individual solar cells of the photovoltaic module is avoided, but it is a correspondingly high even in the presence of partial areas with reduced or reduced transmissivity Total energy production through the photovoltaic module possible. It is thus possible with the photovoltaic module according to the invention, not only to provide a desired good or optimized energy production available, but at the same time, for example, an adaptation to adjacent building parts on which the photovoltaic module is mounted or arranged, or additional purposes of such a photovoltaic Module, such as for receiving advertising on at least parts of such a photovoltaic module to provide.

In particular, to achieve desired aesthetic effects or, for example, for the attachment or training of advertising on portions of such a photovoltaic module is proposed according to a preferred embodiment, that a portion of the transparent support layer of the photovoltaic module has the reduced transmissivity. In this way, the structure of the photovoltaic module remains unchanged using solar cells contacted on its rear sides, and the desired effect of, for example, changing the color of at least partial regions of the photovoltaic module is achieved by changing the transmissivity of partial regions of the transparent carrier layer.

In this context, it is proposed according to a further preferred embodiment that the subregion is formed with reduced transmissivity by printing the transparent support layer with a paint or the like. Such printing of the transparent support layer can be carried out by simple and known methods, whereby the proportion of a reduction in the transmission capability can be kept correspondingly low by using appropriate paints or coatings in order to achieve the desired by printing additional effect, the effect of a independent of the desired provision of energy through the photovoltaic module desired to affect or reduce as much as possible.

To achieve the lowest possible degree of reduced transmission capability is also proposed that the paint is applied in a grid pattern, as corresponds to a further preferred embodiment of the photovoltaic module according to the invention. Applying a varnish or coating in a raster pattern allows the surface to be sufficiently large and undisturbed by a print between the individual dye or ink dots or elements, as viewed when viewing such a partially printed photovoltaic module from a greater distance is no longer resolvable by the human eye and is essentially perceived as a uniform, colored surface, which differs correspondingly from the color of the solar cells of such a photovoltaic module ,

In order to protect such paints or varnishes, which are used for printing the photovoltaic module, in particular the carrier layer thereof, from environmental influences and in particular for maintaining color effects over long periods of intense sunlight irradiation is proposed according to a further preferred embodiment that the transparent carrier layer is covered by a non-visible light, in particular UV light, absorbing film or cover layer, at least in the subregion of reduced transmissivity. Such a film or cover layer does not affect the transmissivity of the photovoltaic module and thus the extent of energy production, while such an absorbent film or cover layer, however, a protection, especially weathering, at least for a printed area or a printed portion of a photovoltaic module for Provides.

As mentioned above, is important or essential that caused for example by printing reduced transmission capability of the photovoltaic module in the range of at least one solar cell by a corresponding protection of the solar cell from overheating either by a known bypass diode or a corresponding interconnection is taken into account. In this context, to achieve a correspondingly high energy yield even in the presence of partial regions of reduced transmissivity according to a further preferred embodiment of the photovoltaic module according to the invention, it is proposed that the at least one solar cell assigned to the partial region of reduced transmissivity be connected to a solar cell in a column-wise serial connection of a plurality of solar cells an adjacent column is connected in parallel. In this way, in the case of back-contacted solar cells or photovoltaic modules, it is not only possible to prevent overheating or damage to a solar cell assigned to a subarea with reduced transmissivity by suitably switching or contacting and wiring adjacent or adjacent solar cells, but the energy yield can be achieved taking into account such known subregions of reduced transmissivity accordingly optimize. In this context, it is proposed according to a further preferred embodiment that a plurality of solar cells of each adjacent columns is connected in parallel with each other.

As mentioned above, portions corresponding to reduced transmission capability of a photovoltaic module can be used, for example, for advertising purposes, since such photovoltaic modules may have large dimensions, which otherwise could not be used for such advertising purposes. In order to allow use of a photovoltaic module according to the invention for advertising purposes by providing a corresponding printing the same use of the photovoltaic module in the dark, it is proposed according to a further preferred embodiment that a frame or support is provided for receiving the photovoltaic module, wherein in or on the frame or support at least one illumination device is received or integrated. In this way, the photovoltaic module can be used both as an advertising surface and for energy during times of irradiation with light or sunlight, while the photovoltaic module additionally in times of lack of sunlight and especially in the dark by the proposed lighting device in the support or frame of the photovoltaic Module can be used as illuminated advertising space.

To achieve a corresponding lighting effect with the least possible use of energy is proposed that a plurality of lighting devices, in particular halogen lamps, LEDs or the like. In or on the frame or support is added, as corresponds to a further preferred embodiment of the photovoltaic module according to the invention , In order to provide a power supply, in particular for a lighting of the photovoltaic module essentially independent of a power supply, for example via a public power grid, it is proposed according to a further preferred embodiment that the photovoltaic module Energy buffer or memory is assigned. In order to provide a photovoltaic module which is used, for example, as an advertising surface, essentially energy-self-sufficient, it is proposed according to a further preferred embodiment that the at least one illumination device of the frame is coupled or coupleable to the energy store.

For a simple and reliable control of a lighting device of such a photovoltaic module is also provided that the at least one lighting device is coupled to the energy storage via a controllable or controllable switching device, as corresponds to a further preferred embodiment of the photovoltaic module according to the invention ,

To achieve additional, in particular optical or aesthetic effects photovoltaic module according to the invention according to a further preferred embodiment is further developed in that the photovoltaic module deviates from a substantially flat or flat arrangement of the solar cells outer shape, for example in the form of a cylinder , Cuboid or polygon.

As already mentioned above, such a photovoltaic module according to the invention can be used or used as an advertising medium.

In particular, when providing an energy buffer or memory is inventively preferred to use the photovoltaic module according to the invention or a preferred embodiment thereof as an independent of a power supply via a particular public power supply network advertising medium or use.

The invention will be explained in more detail with reference to embodiments of the photovoltaic module according to the invention schematically illustrated in the accompanying drawings. FIG. 1 shows schematically a section through a partial area of a photovoltaic module according to the invention for explaining the structure thereof; FIG. Fig. 2 is a schematic representation of a serial interconnection of a plurality of

Solar cells in a photovoltaic module, wherein a portion of reduced transmissivity is not provided; Fig. 3 is a view similar to Fig. 2, wherein a corresponding solar cell

Subregion has a reduced transmissivity; FIG. 4 shows a representation similar to FIG. 3, wherein the solar cell of the subregion of reduced transmissivity is connected in parallel with an adjacent solar cell in the photovoltaic module according to the invention; FIG. 5 shows a representation similar to FIG. 4, in which a plurality of solar cells, which are assigned at least partially to subregions of reduced transmissivity, are connected in parallel to one another; 6 shows a schematic representation of a photovoltaic module which according to the circuit arrangement of FIG. 5 again has a plurality of partial regions of reduced transmissivity, in particular in a central region, wherein in addition the photovoltaic module is assigned an energy store and a lighting device; and [0025] FIG. 7 shows a schematic illustration of a photovoltaic module according to the invention, in particular in the form of a cuboid, which can be used or used as an advertising medium, in particular as an advertising medium that is self-sufficient by a power supply. FIG. 1 shows a section of a photovoltaic module 1 in a section, this photovoltaic module consisting of a large number of solar cells, as can be seen more clearly from the following figures will be. Such a solar cell 2 is shown in Fig. 1, wherein the solar cell 2 is embedded in a layer 3 of a plastic material, which consists for example of ethylene vinyl acetate. In addition, the solar cell 2 in the direction of a schematically indicated by 4 irradiation a transparent carrier or. Protective layer 5 upstream, which consists for example of a glass.

To derive the electrical energy generated in the solar cell 2, this is coupled via contacts 6 with an electrically conductive or conductive and structured layer 7, wherein on the side facing away from the transparent carrier or cover layer 5 side of the photovoltaic module 1 a Covering film or cover layer 8 is provided.

The electrically conductive or conductive and structured layer 7 is associated with, for example, a bypass diode 9 to overheat or damage the solar cell 2 in a caused for example by a cloud uneven irradiation of the entire photovoltaic module 1 and thus a partial Shading of the same in the solar cell 2 to avoid.

In addition, it is indicated in Fig. 1, that at the facing to the solar cell 2 inner surface of the transparent support layer 5, a coating or a pressure 10 is provided from a thin dye or lacquer layer to, as described in detail below will be discussed, for example, an advertisement on the photovoltaic module 1 apply.

For a protection of such pressure or such a label 10 in particular against weathering in a long-lasting use and a correspondingly long-lasting irradiation by the jets 4 is also on the exterior facing surface of the transparent support layer 5 is a non-visible light , in particular UV light, absorbing film or cover layer 11 is provided or arranged.

In Fig. 2 and 3 schematically a serial circuit of a turn denoted by 1 photovoltaic module is indicated, it being assumed in the embodiment of FIG. 2 that none of the solar cells 2, each indicated by an electrical circuit symbol are subject to shading.

In contrast, it is provided in the embodiment according to FIG. 3 that a solar cell marked 20 in a partial region of reduced transmissivity is arranged, such a reduced transmission capability being caused by the provision of an additional coating or a pressure, as shown in FIG 1 is indicated by the coating 10.

While in the embodiment of FIG. 3 optionally a protection of the solar cell 20, which is assigned to the subregion reduced transmission capability, for example, by an immediately associated bypass diode can be achieved, which is indicated in Fig. 1 with 9, is in the Embodiment according to FIG. 4 of the photovoltaic module 1 provided that a solar cell 21 is connected in parallel with the solar cell 20 corresponding to a portion of reduced transmissivity of the photovoltaic module, wherein the solar cell 21 was associated with an adjacent column of the plurality of series-connected solar cells 2, as is indicated by a corresponding gap 21 'in the diagram of FIG. 4.

The effect of such inventively provided or proposed parallel interconnection of individual solar cells 20 and 21, which at least partially subregions of a photovoltaic module 1 reduced transmittance are assigned, can be the following calculation of the power of the in Figs. 2, 3 and 4 recognize the photovoltaic modules shown. The calculation is carried out in a slightly idealized manner without consideration of resistances or embedding losses of the individual elements or solar cells. Furthermore, it is assumed that UoC (zene) = 0.6 V and lsc (Zeiie) = 8 A, where Uoc is the no-load voltage of a cell or solar cell and Isc is a short-circuit current of a short-circuit current Cell designates.

For the arrangement or embodiment according to FIG. 1, P (modulus) = 60 * UOC (cell) * ISC (cell)

P (Modui) = 60 * 0.6V * 8A

P (modulus) = 288.0 W.

In contrast, with an assumed shadowing of 50% of the solar cell 20, it is also true that only 50% of Isc are passed on from this cell: P (modulus) = 60 * UOC (cell) * ISC (cell)

P (Modui) = 60 * 0.6V * 4A

P (modulus) = 144.0 W.

The remaining power is dissipated in this solar cell 20 and there is thermal energy, the thermal response corresponds to Ohm's law. Here, the resulting heat is dependent on the cell resistance and it is: P = R * I2.

An arrangement according to FIG. 2 thus not only leads to a corresponding reduction in the overall performance of the photovoltaic module 1, but also to damage due to overheating of the affected or partially switched off solar cell 20. Damage to this solar cell 20 could be caused by providing a bypass -Diode be prevented, but the total energy yield would be reduced accordingly unchanged.

In contrast, in the case of an interconnection according to FIG. 4, P (modulus) = ÜOC (cell) * ISC (cell) Since two cells were connected in parallel, the current adds, but the voltage remains constant remains. This results in the following calculation:

P (Modui) = 59 * 0.6V * 8A

P (Modui) = 283.2 W

It is thus not only possible to prevent heating and potential damage to the solar cell 20, but also results in a corresponding performance advantage over the embodiment or arrangement according to FIG. 3, it being apparent that essentially an overall performance can be achieved. which is only reduced by the power corresponding to a solar cell compared to the total power of a photovoltaic module without any shading, as indicated in Fig. 2.

Similarly, for an arrangement according to FIG. 5, in which a multiplicity of solar cells 32 arranged in a partial area 30 of the photovoltaic module 1 are provided, which are assigned to this partial area 30 of reduced transmissivity, appropriate protection of such solar cells 32 can be achieved Achieve each indicated at 31 parallel interconnection of a plurality of solar cells. The total power achievable by the partial shading of the solar cells corresponding to the subregion 30 of reduced transmissivity drops only slightly compared to the total power of a photovoltaic module 1 according to FIG. 2 (without shading) according to the following calculation: P (modulus) " ÜOC (cell) ISC (cell)

P (Modui) = 56 * 0.6V * 8A

P (module) - 268, 8 W.

It is thus apparent from the above explanations or calculations relating to FIGS. 2 to 5 that due to the parallel interconnection of adjacent solar cells, which in each case subregions of reduced transmissivity are assigned to the photovoltaic module 1, not only a protection of such solar cells, which are associated with areas of reduced transmissibility, can be provided against overheating or damage, but also only small losses of the overall performance of the photovoltaic module can be achieved.

In Fig. 6, a photovoltaic module 40 is schematically indicated, which consists of a plurality of solar cells 41, which are interconnected according to the circuit diagram of Fig. 5. It can be seen that individual solar cells 47 are assigned to a subrange of reduced transmissivity in the middle subregion by printing.

Moreover, in the embodiment according to FIG. 6, it can be seen that the electrical energy generated by the photovoltaic module 40 is supplied to a battery or an energy store or buffer 43 via a charge regulator indicated schematically at 42. About this battery or the energy storage 43 via a control or control device 44 is a feed of schematically indicated by 45 lighting elements, which may be formed, for example, halogen lamps LED's or the like. Thus, with correspondingly low energy consumption, integration of the photovoltaic module 40 into a frame 46, which is only partially schematically indicated in FIG. 6, can achieve illumination of the latter in darkness to achieve an advertising effect through the inscription in the central area. It is thus possible to provide a self-sufficient photovoltaic module 40, which is independent of a public power supply network in particular, and which can be used, for example, as an advertising medium even in the dark.

Instead of the photovoltaic module shown in Fig. 6, which provides a substantially planar or flat arrangement of the plurality of solar cells 41 in a frame member, a modified embodiment of a photovoltaic module 50 is shown in Fig. 7, again a plurality of solar cells 51 are respectively provided on side surfaces 52 of a cuboid support element 53. In this case, in Fig. 7 in addition a holding or supporting element 54 is indicated, in particular, to achieve special advertising effects, the substantially cuboid photovoltaic module 50 is rotatably disposed about an axis 56, for example according to the arrow 55.

Provision of an unspecified in Fig. 7 lettering or advertising is again, similar to the previous embodiments, by a corresponding, in particular parallel interconnection of adjacent or individual solar cells 51 a protection of the same with the least possible reduction in the total power of the photovoltaic Module 50. Furthermore, such a photovoltaic module 50, which is shown in Fig. 7, by providing or receiving an energy storage or a battery similar to the embodiment of Fig. 6 in turn as autonomous from a power supply or a power supply network advertising medium ,

Instead of the cuboidal structure of the photovoltaic module 50 shown in Fig. 7, a different design or external shape of the photovoltaic module 50 may of course be provided according to the requirements, for example in the form of a cylinder or a box, in particular a regular polygon or the like.

In addition, for example, different from and / or in addition to the arrangement shown in FIG. 6 advertising at least in some areas of the photovoltaic module on this, for example, to adapt to surrounding building parts, a corresponding area, optionally different colors having color of photovoltaic module be provided to cover the usually dark, especially dark blue color of the individual solar cells. 7/12

Claims (15)

Austrian Patent Office AT 12 793 Ul 2012-11-15 Claims 1. Photovoltaic module, which comprises a plurality of solar cells, each coupled in particular at a rear side with an electrically conductive or conductive and structured layer for deriving the electrical energy generated in the solar cells in which at least one transparent carrier layer is provided on the surface of the solar cells remote from the electrically conductive layer and a cover layer is provided on the electrically conductive layer, wherein the electrically conductive and structured layer can be contacted with terminals of a connection housing, characterized in that at least one Solar cell (20, 32, 47) concerned portion (30) of the photovoltaic module (1, 40, 50) compared to the (the) remaining portions) of the photovoltaic module (1, 40, 50) has reduced transmission capability and that these at least one solar cell (2, 20, 32, 47) is coupled to a per se known bypass diode (9) and / or in particular connected in parallel with at least one adjacent solar cell. 2. Photovoltaic module according to claim 1, characterized in that a partial region of the transparent carrier layer (5) of the photovoltaic module (1) has the reduced transmissivity. 3. Photovoltaic module according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the subregion with reduced transmissivity by printing (10) of the transparent carrier layer (5) with a lacquer or the like. Is formed. 4. Photovoltaic module according to claim 3, characterized in that the paint (10) is applied in a grid pattern. 5. Photovoltaic module according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the transparent carrier layer (5) is covered at least in the subregion of reduced transmissivity by a non-visible light, in particular UV light, absorbing film or cover layer (11). 6. Photovoltaic module according to claim 1, characterized in that the at least one solar cell (20, 32, 47) assigned to the partial region of reduced transmissivity is connected to a solar cell (21, 32, 47) in a column-wise serial connection of a plurality of solar cells ) is connected in parallel to an adjacent column. 7. Photovoltaic module according to claim 6, characterized in that a plurality of solar cells (32, 47) in each case adjacent columns is interconnected in parallel. 8. Photovoltaic module according to one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that a frame or support for receiving the photovoltaic module (40) is provided, wherein in or on the frame or support (46) at least one illumination device (45). recorded or integrated. 9. Photovoltaic module according to claim 8, characterized in that a plurality of lighting devices (45), in particular halogen lamps, LEDs or the like. In or on the frame or support (46) is accommodated. 10. Photovoltaic module according to one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that the photovoltaic module (40) is associated with an energy buffer or memory (43). 11. Photovoltaic module according to claim 8, 9 or 10, characterized in that the at least one illumination device (45) of the frame (46) coupled to the energy store (43) or can be coupled. 12. Photovoltaic module according to claim 11, characterized in that the at least one illumination device (45) is coupled to the energy store (43) via a controllable or controllable switching device (44). 8/12 Austrian Patent Office AT12 793U1 2012-11-15 13. Photovoltaic module according to one of claims 1 to 12, characterized in that the photovoltaic module (50) has a deviating from a substantially flat or flat arrangement of the solar cells outer shape, for example in the form of a cylinder, cuboid or polygon. 14. Use of a photovoltaic module according to one of claims 1 to 13 as an advertising medium. 15. Use of a photovoltaic module according to one of claims 1 to 13 as from a power supply via a particular public power grid independent advertising medium. For this 3 sheets drawings 9/12