AU2013100028B4

AU2013100028B4 - Hybrid energy production PV solar panel

Info

Publication number: AU2013100028B4
Application number: AU2013100028A
Authority: AU
Inventors: Sami Habbouchi; Saad D. Odeh
Original assignee: Odeh Saad D Dr
Current assignee: Odeh Saad D Dr
Priority date: 2012-11-19
Filing date: 2013-01-15
Publication date: 2013-09-05
Anticipated expiration: 2021-01-15
Also published as: WO2014075127A1; AU2013100028A4

Abstract

An apparatus that generates electricity and heat from solar energy using PV panel integrated heat pipe system (PVIHP) is disclosed. The apparatus consists of a PV solar panel 1, an array of heat pipes 9 and a header pipe 7. The heat pipe 9 is attached to the PV panel back surface 1 by an aluminium sheet 15 and aluminium beams 11 to extract the accumulated solar energy from the PV panel 1. The header 7 allows water to pass throw it and collect the heat from the heat pipe heads 10. The power output from this apparatus is collected from the PV panel leads 12 and 13. The apparatus is used in power and heat system by connecting set of hybrid energy production PV solar panel in series by connecting the power leads 12 and 13 and the pipe fittings 19. This apparatus configuration increases energy conversion efficiency of the conventional PV panel and reduces it's internal heat accumulation that causes degradation in panel efficiency.

Description

-1 HYBRID ENERGY PRODUCTION PV SOLAR PANEL Field of the Invention [001] The present invention relates a hybrid solar panel energy apparatus including a solar panel and a heat pipe assembly. The invention also relates to method of fitting a solar panel with a heat pipe assembly so as to provide the hybrid solar panel energy apparatus. Background of the Invention [002] Solar energy is presently used to generate a variety of different types of energy such as: heat in the form of hot water or air, and electricity. The conventional method of heat generation from solar energy is a solar collector which collects heat from solar radiation by a solar collector panel. Water within the solar collector is typically heated and the heated water is stored in a hot water tank. The conventional method of electricity generation from solar energy is the photovoltaic (PV) panel which comprises of many PV cells of semi-conductor material connected in series and produce DC current when they exposed to solar radiation. [003] Cooling of a PV panel has been found to improve the efficiency of the conventional PV panels. One cooling technology includes extracting heat from the PV panel using circulating water in tubes network attached to PV panel back side. Other cooling technologies operate by extracting the heat of PV panel by using refrigerant gas tubes to act as evaporator of the refrigeration cycle. These technologies are mainly used in large scale units such as the building integrated PV system where the PV panel and cooling tubes are installed separately. Such an application of PV in buildings can be used for the production of electricity and space heating. [004] Cooling of the PV panel may also be accomplished by using air flow on the upper or lower side of the PV panel surfaces. For example, a glass cover with air gap may be installed to a PV- building facade to allow for cooling by air flow on the upper surface of the PV module. Some commercial PV modules used in a hybrid thermal system of a building have also demonstrated that PV cooling can increase the electrical and total efficiency of the system.

-2 [005] Patent number W01995002793 discloses a hybrid solar collector. The disclosed collector comprises of an absorber and PV cells arranged in a specially designed metal housing. The absorber extracts heat from the metal housing where in PV cells produce the power when exposed to solar irradiation. [006] Patent number W02008037016 discloses solar energy harvesting apparatus which consists of the thermal absorber transfers heat via a fluid connector to a circulated-fluid system, and a photovoltaic element mounted on the absorber and connected to an electrical harness by electrical connectors. The apparatus has complementary edge mating profiles engaging with a standard-tiled roof structure to replace some of the standard roof tiles. [007] A disadvantage with these known systems and methods of manufacture is that each system requires a fully custom designed solar panel and/or heat system. Accordingly, the known systems cannot be easily modified for use with or fitted with existing equipment used the solar industry. This results in the known systems and methods being impractical and/or uneconomical. [008] The invention disclosed herein seeks to overcome at least one of the above-mentioned disadvantages or at least provide a useful alternative. [009] The reference in this specification to any known matter or any prior publication is not, and should be taken to be, an acknowledgment or admission or suggestion that the known matter or prior art publication forms part of the common general knowledge in the field to which this specification relates. Summary of the Invention [0010] In accordance with a first aspect there is provided, an apparatus including a solar panel and a heat pipe assembly, the solar panel including a panel frame which supports a photovoltaic cell panel and the heat pipe assembly including a header and a plurality of heat pipes, wherein each of the plurality of heat pipes includes a head and a pipe extending from the head, and the header is adapted to receive the head of each of the plurality of heat pipes.

-3 [0011] The header is located on an outer side of an end of the panel frame and the end of the panel frame includes a plurality of holes, each of the plurality holes being arranged to allow passage of a respective one of the plurality of heat pipes between the header and an inner side of the end of the panel frame so as to extend at least partially along an underside of the photovoltaic cell panel. [0012] In another aspect, the photovoltaic cell panel includes a plurality of photovoltaic cells being arranged in cell columns, and wherein the plurality holes in the end of the panel frame are arranged such that each of the plurality holes aligns substantially with a centre of each of the cell columns thereby allowing each of the plurality of heat pipes to be aligned with substantially the centre of each of the cell columns. [0013] In another aspect, the panel frame includes opposing sides which each include mounting holes and the heat pipe assembly include mounting beams which are each arranged to extend between and couple with the respective mounting holes so as to support the heat pipes substantially in contact with the underside of the photovoltaic cell panel. [0014] In accordance with yet another aspect there is provided, a method for fitting a solar panel with a heat pipe assembly to form a hybrid solar energy apparatus, the solar panel including a panel frame which supports a photovoltaic cell panel and the heat pipe assembly including a plurality of heat pipes which are received by a header, wherein the method may include one or more of the following steps of: Forming a plurality holes in an end of the panel frame, each of the holes being arranged to at least partially receive a respective one of the plurality of heat pipes; Fitting the heat pipe apparatus to the panel frame by at least partially inserting each of the plurality of heat pipes into a respective one of the plurality holes such that the header is located on an outer side of the end of the panel frame and the heat pipes extend from an inner side of the end of the panel frame so as to proceed at least partially along an underside of the photovoltaic cell panel; and Coupling beams to mounting holes provided on opposing sides of the panel frame, the beams being arranged to extend between and couple with the respective mounting holes so as to support the plurality of heat pipes substantially in contact with the underside of the photovoltaic cell panel.

-4 [0015] In still further aspects, the invention discloses a hybrid solar apparatus including a PV panel which is integrated in a heat pipe system (PVIHP) to generate electricity and heat from solar energy. The array of heat pipes are configured to attached to the back side of the PV panel to extract the accumulated solar heat energy. The heat pipe array may be connected to a universal header at the top of the panel. The header allows water to pass through the header so as to collect the heat from the heat pipe heads. This arrangement allows one source of energy input, solar energy, to the system will generate two products, heat and electricity. This configuration also increases energy conversion efficiency of the PV panel by cooling the PV panel. More specifically, the heat pipes remove heat from the PV panel which reduces the internal heat accumulation within the PV panel that may cause degradation in panel efficiency. Brief Description of the Drawings [0016] The invention is described, by way of non-limiting example only, by reference to the accompanying figures, in which; [0017] Figure 1 is a perspective view illustrating an underside of a PV panel; [0018] Figure 2 is a plan form view illustrating a heat pipe assembly including heat pipes and a header; [0019] Figure 3 is an underside view illustrating the heat pipe assembly fitted to the PV panel so as to form a hybrid energy production apparatus; [0020] Figure 4 is a front side view of the hybrid energy production apparatus; [0021] Figure 5 is a front side view illustrating two of the hybrid energy apparatuses connected in series. [0022] Figure 6 is a photograph of a prototype apparatus in which an end of a panel frame has holes drilled therein for the passage of the heat pipes; [0023] Figure 7 is another photograph of a prototype apparatus showing the configuration of the connection between the heat pipes and header; [0024] Figure 8 is another photograph of a prototype apparatus showing the configuration of the underside of the PV panel with aluminium sheet covering the heat tubes; -5 [0025] Figure 9 is another photograph of a prototype apparatus showing three beams spaning between opposing sides of the panel frame so as to secure the heat tubes and the aluminium sheet against the underside of the PV panel; and [0026] Figure 10 is another photograph of a prototype apparatus showing the configuration of the completely assembled hybrid solar panel apparatus. Detailed Description [0027] Referring to Figures 1 to 3, there is shown a hybrid energy production PV (photovoltaic) solar panel apparatus 50 including a PV panel 52 and a heat pipe assembly 54. The hybrid energy solar panel apparatus 50 is shown assembled in Figure 3 and includes a two major parts: the PV panel 52 shown in Figure 1, and the heat pipe assembly 54 shown in Figure 2. [0028] Referring to Figure 1, the solar PV panel 52 includes a panel frame 5 which supports a photovoltaic (PV) cell panel 64. The panel frame 5 is rectangular in shape having opposing ends 56, 58 and opposing sides 60, 62. In use, end 56 is raised relative to end 58 and as such end 56 may be considered as a top end and end 58 may be considered as a bottom or lowered end. [0029] The panel frame 5 includes a set or plurality of holes 3 located at one of the opposing ends 56 of the panel frame 5. The holes 3 pass through the end 56 and allow the heat pipe assembly 54 to be fitted with the PV panel 52. The number of holes 3 of the frame 5 depends on the number of heat pipes 9 as shown in Figure 2. The PV panel 52 also includes a series of holes 2 located on the opposing sides 60, 62 which are used to mount the heat pipe assembly 54 to the solar panel 52 as is further detailed below. [0030] Referring to Figure 2, the heat pipe assembly 54 includes a plurality of heat pipes 9 and a header pipe 7 which is adapted to receive each of the plurality of heat pipes 9 so as to allow heat transfer between the heat pipes 9 and a fluid carried by the header 7. Each of the heat pipes 9 is a sealed unit and includes an enlarged head 10 and a thin elongate pipe 66 which extends from the enlarged head 10. Each of the heat pipes 9 contain a fluid, more specifically an evaporative fluid such as ethanol, which is heated to vapour in the thin elongate pipe 66. The vapour then travels to the head 10 which is typically elevated relative to the thin elongate pipe 66. The fluid in the header pipe 7 then cools the head 10 which condenses the vapour and transfers the heat from the heat pipes 9 into the fluid carried by the header pipe 7.

-6 [003 1] The header pipe 7 includes header interfaces 8 which are each adapted to receive and fit with the heads 10 of each of the heat pipes 9. The header 7 also includes insulation 6 which is wrapped around the header pipe 7. [0032] Each heat pipe 9 may be combined with the header pipe 7 by fitting the head 10 inside the header pipe interface 8. All pipes in this assembly may be made from copper. It is noted that the heat pipe assembly 52 is similar to that currently used in evacuated tube solar collector manufacturing process. [0033] Referring now to Figure 3, the complete hybrid energy production PV solar panel assembly or apparatus 50 is shown. In the apparatus 50, the header 7 is located on an outer side of the top end 56 of the panel frame 5. The plurality of holes 3 of the top end 56 of the panel frame 5 are arranged to allow the passage of a respective one of the plurality of heat pipes 9 between an inside of the end 56 of the panel frame to an outer side of the end of the panel frame 5 so as to fit with the header 7. This allows the PV panel 52 to be fitted with and support the heat pipe assembly 54. [0034] More specifically, the heat pipe assembly 54 includes an aluminium sheet cover 15 and three mounting aluminium beams 11 which are each arranged to extend or span between the opposing sides 60, 62 of the panel frame 5 and couple with the respective mounting holes 2 so as to support the heat pipes 9 substantially in contact with the underside of the photovoltaic cell panel 64. The aluminium sheet cover 15 is secured between the beams 11 and heat pipes 9 to allow surface contact between the heat pipes 9 and a back surface or underside 1 of the PV panel. The beams 11 are fixed to PV frame 5 using the mounting holes 2 which may be existing or standard mounting holes provides on the panel frame 5. [0035] The header 7 includes a header casing 14 and the casing 14 is attached to the top end 56 of the PV panel 52 by aluminium brackets 16. The PV solar panel 52 includes a junction box 4 and power leads 12 and 13 to communicate electrical power from the cell panel 64. The junction box 4 and the power leads 12, 13 are existing solar panel technologies and are not described in further detail here. [0036] Referring to Figure 4, a front side of the hybrid energy production PV solar panel apparatus 50 is illustrated showing the PV cell panel 64 supported by the panel frame 5. The PV cell panel 64 includes an array of PV cells 7 arranged in cell rows, between opposing sides 62, 64, and cell columns arranged between the opposing ends 56, 58. In this example, -7 the number of heat pipes 9 are governed by the number of PV cells 17 in each row of the PV front surface 18. For example, in this example there are six columns and as such there are six heat pipes 9 and six holes 3 in the end 56 of the panel frame 5. The position of the heat pipes 9 may be arranged or designed to pass through the centre of the PV cell 17 to provide thermal heat balance in the PV panel and produce uniform voltage from the PV cells. Accordingly, each of the 6 heat pipes 9 is substantially aligned with the centre of each of the cells 18 in each of the columns 17. [0037] The generated electrical power is collected from the existing leads 12 (negative charge) and 13 (positive charge). The heat pipes 9 collect accumulative heat from the PV cell panel 64 surfaces and the heat is transferred or delivered to the header pipe 7 which is surrounded by the insulation 6 and header casing 14 illustrated in figure 4. The heat production from the hybrid energy production PV solar panel apparatus 50 occurs when flow of water is allowed to flow in the header pipe 7 and become in contact with the header pipe interfaces 8 to exchange the heat with heat pipe heads 10. [0038] In practical application, a set of the hybrid energy production PV solar panel apparatuses 50 may be used to generate the required power and heat load. Figure 5 illustrates a standard method of connecting a first panel apparatus 50a to a second panel apparatus 50b in series. The series of hybrid solar panel apparatuses 50a, 50b may be connected by the negative lead 12 of first panel 50a is connected to the positive lead 13 of the second panel 50b to form a power connection 20. For the heat pipe assembly 54, the header pipe 7a of the first panel 50a is connected to the header pipe 7b of the second panel 50b by using pipe fittings 19. The inlet and exist terminals of each header pipe are fitted with /4 inch brass fittings. Water enters at inlet terminal given the numeral 21 passes through the headers of panel one and panel two then exists at higher temperature from outlet terminal 22. Manufacturing Method [0039] The hybrid energy production PV solar panel apparatus 50 is designed in a way that can be formed in an existing PV panel 52 production process by some additions and alterations to the manufacturing process. The process of alteration and addition of new components to a PV panel is given below with reference to Figure 6 to 10.

-8 [0040] PV panel frame preparation 52 : drill holes 3 (as shown in Figure 5) at the top side 56 of PV frame 5, the number of holes 3 drilled at the PV frame is equal to number of PV cells in each row 17. The hole may be formed or drilled at locations which align with the centre line of each PV cell row 17. [0041] Heat pipe system assembly 54 preparation: the manufacturing process of this assembly is adopted from evacuated tube solar collector manufacturing process. The heat tube 9 lengths are taken equal to the substantially the length of the PV panel 52. The header tube 7 length is taken equal to the PV panel 52 width. The header tube is insulated to reduce heat loss from water, as shown in Figure 7. Number of header tubes interfaces 8 is equal to number of heat pipes 9. Inlet and exit header pipe fittings size % inch is used to connect group of panels in series. [0042] Integration process: position or fit heat pipes 9 through the holes 3 at the PV panel frame 5; attach the header brackets 16 to the PV frame 5. Cover the heat pipes 9 with the aluminium sheet 15, as shown in Figure 8. Mount the aluminium bars 11 on the aluminium sheet 15 and screw them to the PV frame using the existing holes 2 in the frame 5, as shown in Figure 9. The hybrid solar panel apparatus 50 is now completed, as shown in Figure 10. [0043] In view of the above, it may be appreciated that the invention disclosed herein addresses the requirement of providing an apparatus and method that can integrate heat pipe technology with the conventional PV panel technology to form one apparatus of with two types of energy production: heat and power. The apparatus and method seeks to provide compatibility with existing designs of PV panels. The configuration of the apparatus, with heat pipes drawing energy from the panel, will also provide cooling to the PV cells and improve the electrical output of the PV cells. [0044] It has also been recognised that to become economically viable, the apparatus and/or method technique should be applicable and adjustable to most types of PV panels currently available in the market by simple alteration and addition of the heat pipe assembly components. The new panel may use the standard mounting, plumbing and electrical fittings.

-9 [0045] Advantageously, the hybrid energy apparatus disclosed herein is replaces two devices, a solar water hot collector, and PV panel. The hybrid apparatus panels may also be connected in series to increase both the hot water quantity and the PV system output voltage. [0046] Further advantages of the invention include the hybrid energy apparatus being formed by using an existing PV panel design and adding or fitting the heat pipe assembly to the PV panel during the manufacturing process. The increase in the overall panel efficiency due to electricity and heat generation compensates the cost of alteration required in the PV panel manufacturing process. Applying the PVIHP to a certain facility that requires power and heat contributes to energy conservation and green-house gases reduction. [0047] While specific examples of the invention have been described, it will be understood that the invention extends to alternative combinations of the features disclosed or evident from the disclosure provided herein. [0048] Many and various modifications will be apparent to those skilled in the art without departing from the scope of the invention disclosed or evident from the disclosure provided herein.

Claims

1. An apparatus including a solar panel and a heat pipe assembly, the solar panel including a panel frame which supports a photovoltaic cell panel and the heat pipe assembly including a header and a plurality of heat pipes, wherein each of the plurality of heat pipes include a head and a pipe extending from the head, and the header is adapted to receive the head of each of the plurality of heat pipes, and wherein the header is located on an outer side of an end of the panel frame and the end of the panel frame includes a plurality of holes, each of the plurality holes being arranged to allow passage of a respective one of the plurality of heat pipes between the header and an inner side of the end of the panel frame so as to extend at least partially along an underside of the photovoltaic cell panel.

2. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the photovoltaic cell panel includes a plurality of photovoltaic cells being arranged in cell columns, and wherein the plurality holes in the end of the panel frame are arranged such that each of the plurality holes aligns substantially with a centre of each of the cell columns thereby allowing each of the plurality of heat pipes to be aligned with substantially the centre of each of the cell columns.

3. The apparatus according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the panel frame includes opposing sides which each include mounting holes and the heat pipe assembly includes mounting beams which are each arranged to extend between and couple with the respective mounting holes so as to support the plurality of heat pipes substantially in contact with the underside of the photovoltaic cell panel.

4. A method for fitting a solar panel with a heat pipe assembly to form a hybrid solar energy apparatus, the solar panel including a panel frame which supports a photovoltaic cell panel and the heat pipe assembly including a plurality of heat pipes which are received by a header, wherein the method includes the steps of: Forming a plurality holes in an end of the panel frame, each of the holes being arranged to at least partially receive a respective one of the plurality of heat pipes; -11 Fitting the heat pipe apparatus to the panel frame by at least partially inserting each of the plurality of heat pipes into a respective one of the plurality holes such that the header is located on an outer side of the end of the panel frame and the heat pipes extend from an inner side of the end of the panel frame so as to proceed at least partially along an underside of the photovoltaic cell panel; and Coupling beams to mounting holes provided on opposing sides of the panel frame, the beams being arranged to extend between and couple with the respective mounting holes so as to support the plurality of heat pipes substantially in contact with the underside of the photovoltaic cell panel.