DE202011110117U1 - Concentrating evacuated photovoltaic glazing module - Google Patents

Abstract

A photovoltaic glazing module comprising: first and second transparent thin plates sandwiched with an evacuated cavity; an array of support posts extending between the first and second transparent thin plates; the second thin plate having a first surface facing the evacuated cavity and a second surface shaped to define a lenticular array containing an array of lenses, each lens including a prism having a cut tip has; an array of photovoltaic cells adjacent or opposing the second thin plate, wherein at least one photovoltaic cell is positioned opposite each of the cut-off tips of the lenses; wherein the lenticular array is adapted to concentrate the incident solar radiation on the photovoltaic cells; and a third thin plate, wherein the photovoltaic cells are embedded between the third thin plate and the second thin plate.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to concentrating evacuated photovoltaic glazing modules designed to provide significant thermal insulation and daylight optical control for a building while at the same time generating electricity through solar energy to reduce and supplement the performance requirements of the building that is incorporated herein Combination significantly improve the carbon footprint of the building in question.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Modern (commercial and residential) buildings have large glazed areas for improved aesthetics, comfort and well-being of their residents. However, glazing (as compared to conventional walls) has poor insulation properties which cause large amounts of heat to be transferred from the building interior to the exterior and vice versa. In periods of cool weather, heat escapes through the glazing from the interior of the building to the outside environment, while in periods of warm weather heat transfer is reversed. In buildings with large glazing areas, the escaping or incoming heat amounts are significant. In order to achieve thermal comfort in both cool and warm weather, space heating or cooling is necessary. This is provided by electricity, gas or oil powered systems, resulting in high energy costs and a poor carbon footprint for the building. Large glazed areas also allow direct sunlight to enter the interior of the building. It must be passive and active measures, such. As blinds or automatic shutter mechanisms are used to protect the inhabitants of the building from significant glare. In order to reduce energy costs and carbon dioxide emissions from the buildings, it is important that heat transfer through the glazing be minimized and carbon dioxide-free renewable energy sources, such as renewable energy sources. As the sun, used to meet the energy needs. The glazing may also play a more active role in the daylight optical control of the building interior, thus avoiding the associated shadowing costs and improving residents' living conditions.

There are some commercial forms of semipermeable photovoltaic (PV) modules available. The modules are usually made of thin-film cells, monocrystalline cells or transparent PV cells that are 'sandwiched' between two layers of glass, allowing visible light to pass through the spaces between the cells while using the ultraviolet light To generate energy. Some PV windows use two glass plates made of clear or tinted glass, with the PV modules sticking to the front of the glass's inner glass panel and some PV window modules equipped with colored shading systems. A patented PV window module includes a parallel array of strips of PV cells inserted into slots formed in the transparent module, the strips being encased within the slots with a clear potting material. A transparent PV glass window system, manufactured by Rainbow Solar Inc. (RSi), is made from a multilayer PV and thermal insulation technology with an electricity generating capacity of 80-250W. Swedish developed semipermeable SOLO ROOF WINDOW uses crystalline silicon cells laminated on 4 mm glass.

PV double glazing products used as building façade components generate electricity, thereby reducing building energy costs and improving the carbon footprint. However, they are expensive due to the high PV material cost, provide only average thermal insulation for the building, and are heavy and bulky.

The high PV material costs mean that the price per unit of electricity produced is expensive compared to the electricity generated by fossil fuels. The thermal insulation in conventional double-glazed units is achieved by an air gap between the two glass plates. This improves insulation compared to single glazed units. However, the air present in the gap allows heat transfer by conduction and convection to occur between the inner and outer glass plates, causing significant heat loss and significant heat gain in cool and warm weather in buildings with large glazed areas. Significant amounts of electricity generated by fossil fuels and / or significant amounts of oil are required to meet the need for space heating and cooling, with the carbon dioxide balance of the building being poor. Conventional double glazing units are also heavy and bulky due to the thickness of the glass plates and the substantial gap between them required to achieve good insulation.

It is therefore desirable to provide an improved glazing module.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

According to the present invention, there is provided a photovoltaic glazing module comprising first and second transparent thin plates sandwiched with an evacuated cavity; an array of support posts extending between the pair of thin plates; an array of photovoltaic cells adjacent or opposite the second thin plate; and means for concentrating solar radiation on the photovoltaic cells.

Preferably, the concentration means contain a plurality of lenses.

Preferably, the concentration means includes a lenticular array adapted to concentrate the incident solar radiation onto the photovoltaic cells.

Preferably, the second thin plate, which is adjacent or opposite the array of photovoltaic cells, defines the plurality of lenses.

Preferably, the glazing module includes a third thin plate, wherein the photovoltaic cells are embedded between the third thin plate and the second thin plate.

Preferably, the third thin plate is transparent.

Preferably, the transparent thin plates contain glass.

Preferably, the second thin plate includes a first surface facing the evacuated cavity and a second surface shaped to define the lenticular array.

Preferably, the second surface defines an array of lenses, each of which is positioned opposite at least one photovoltaic cell.

Preferably, each lens includes a prism having a truncated tip positioned opposite at least one photovoltaic cell.

Preferably, the photovoltaic cells are attached to the second thin plate with transparent adhesive.

Preferably, the glazing module includes a vacuum-tight seal provided over the edges of the first and second thin plates.

Preferably, the support posts include stainless steel, ceramic and / or glass.

Preferably, the glazing module includes a low emissivity coating provided on one or both surfaces defining the evacuated cavity.

Preferably, the glazing module includes an antireflection coating provided on at least a portion of the second thin plate.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Various embodiments of the present invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

1 illustrates a side sectional view of a glazing module according to an embodiment of the present invention;

2 the glazing module after 1 illustrated when mounted in a position in the shell of a building; and

3 a schematic representation of the glazing module after the 1 and 2 illustrating incident solar radiation.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Referring now to the attached drawings, a photovoltaic glazing module (PV glazing module), generally referred to as a 10 , which is intended to take the place of conventional glazing modules in both residential and commercial real estate, especially in commercial properties that have significant amounts of glazing, e.g. B. facade walls or the like, wherein the module 10 Improves the thermal performance of the building while generating electricity from solar energy and providing visual daylight control.

The glazing module 10 contains a first and a second transparent thin plate 12 . 14 , preferably in the form of glass panes, between which an evacuated cavity 16 is defined. The first and the second thin plate 12 . 14 are by an arrangement of support posts 18 between the first and the second thin plate 12 . 14 are, as will be described in detail below, supported, not to the extent of Pressure difference between the cavity 16 and the outer environment collapse against each other.

The first thin plate 12 contains a first surface 20 facing the exterior, and a second surface 22 pointing to the cavity 16 is turned. The second thin plate 14 contains a first surface 24 that the cavity 16 facing, and a second surface 26 that from the cavity 16 turned away. The second surface 26 is shaped to the concentration means in the form of an array of lenses 28 to define their configuration and operation is described in detail below. Between these lenses 28 and a third thin plate 30 , preferably in the form of glass, is an arrangement of photovoltaic cells (PV cells) 32 Furthermore, their configuration and operation will be described in detail below.

Around the perimeter of the glazing module 10 is a vacuum-tight seal 34 between the first and second thin plates 12 . 14 provided in addition to providing structural integrity for the module 10 the vacuum or a partial vacuum within the cavity 16 maintain. The seal 34 preferably contains an indium or indium alloy plate as known in the art. A secondary seal 37 , preferably in the form of a resin, is around the circumference of the first and second thin plates 12 and 14 and the first and second thin plates 12 and 14 applied overlapping to protect the vacuum seal 34 of the cavity 16 create and give additional structural integrity. The three thin plates 12 . 14 . 30 are around their perimeter with an overlapping metal or plastic housing 38 locked in. Through the housing 38 goes on opposite sides of the glazing module 10 a pair of electrical contacts 36 through, between which the PV cells 32 are switched and over which the through the PV cells 32 generated electricity can be extracted.

Now in particular on the 2 and 3 With reference to FIG 2 can be seen that in use in a possible arrangement, the glazing module 10 may be mounted in a conventional manner within the wall W of a building to form a part of the building envelope. However, as mentioned above, it is also anticipated that multiple glazing modules 10 can be used to form a façade wall, a glazed part of the roof or any other suitable glazing arrangement. Once it is in position, the first thin plate is 12 facing the exterior of the building, while the third thin panel 30 facing the interior of the building. As a result, solar radiation initially falls on the first thin plate during use 12 one before going through the cavity 16 passes, then onto the second thin plate 14 invades before going through the third thin plate 30 goes out into the building. The path of the glazing module 10 incident solar radiation is in 3 shown schematically. It can also be seen that while the solar radiation is subjected to a small degree of diffraction when passing through the first thin plate 12 and again through the cavity 16 that passes on the second surface 26 trained lenses 28 when passing through the second thin plate 14 serve the majority of solar radiation on the respective PV cells 32 to focus or concentrate directly behind the arrangement of the lenses 28 are located. The concentration of solar radiation on the PV cells 32 thus increases the electrical power that otherwise passes through the cells 32 an equivalent area could be generated. The solar radiation, not on the PV cells 32 is concentrated, goes through the third thin plate 30 to provide illumination to the interior of the building. The construction of the arrangement of the lenses 28 can be tailor made to allow only sunlight from a given direction to enter the building.

In the illustrated embodiment, each of the lenses is 28 in the form of a truncated prism, thus defining a flattened tip on which one or more of the PV cells 32 are positioned. Each of the lenses 28 preferably extends continuously over the full width of the glazing module 10 , The lenses 28 are thus provided in the form of a lenticular arrangement. It is of course clear that the lenses 28 may have any other suitable form, for. Parabolic, as opposed to prismatic, once the functionality described above of concentrating the incident solar radiation on the PV cells 32 is maintained.

The third thin plate 30 , which is not essential to the operation of the invention, provides a protective back reinforcement that damages the PV cells 32 prevents, in addition, the PV cells 32 between the third thin plate 30 and the second surface 26 the second thin plate 14 embedded and therefore secured. The third thin plate can be translucent to allow only diffused light to enter the building.

The glazing module 10 thus provides significantly improved performance over conventional double glazed modules for a number of reasons. The evacuated cavity 16 Provides maximum thermal insulation which prevents heat loss from inside the building or heat gain for the interior of the building, depending on whether the building requires heating or cooling. The arrangement of the support posts 18 prevents the pair of thin plates 12 . 14 collapsing against each other by creating a support between them. The support posts 18 are preferably formed of stainless steel but may be made of any other suitable material. The width of the cavity 16 is typically 0.15 mm to 0.2 mm, although this distance can of course be changed as needed. The support posts 18 They also have a relatively small cross-sectional area, giving them the transparency of the glazing module 10 do not significantly affect. The production of an evacuated double-glazed module containing the support posts 18 is a known technique, and it is therefore not considered necessary to provide any further technical details about it. However, the heat transfer by radiation through the evacuated cavity 16 can reduce one or both of the surfaces 22 . 24 be provided with a low emissivity coating (low e). To reduce the reflection losses, similarly the surfaces 20 . 24 coated with an antireflection coating. The PV cells 32 are preferably on the second surface 26 the second thin plate 14 attached using a transparent adhesive to maximize the solar radiation incident thereon. The PV cells 32 are electrically connected, wherein the current generated thereby by the electrical contacts 36 is extracted by the surrounding housing 36 run outwards.

The glazing module 10 thus addresses the disadvantages of conventional double-glazed photovoltaic units. The evacuated cavity 16 minimizes heat transfer by convection and conduction between the first and second thin plates 12 . 14 which provides maximum thermal insulation up to seven times higher than conventional double glazing units. Concentrating the incident solar radiation means that using a fraction of the photovoltaic material used in conventional photovoltaic glazing, large amounts of electricity can be generated. Because in the cavity 16 a minimum amount of evacuated space is required is the evacuated glazing section of the module 10 less voluminous and lighter than conventional double glazing units. In addition, the construction of the second thin plate 14 and in particular the arrangement of the lenses 28 be chosen to control the lighting that reaches the interior of the building. The lenses 28 can z. B. be designed to during the times when natural lighting is needed, such. As in the morning or afternoon hours to direct a portion of the incident solar radiation to the ceiling of the building.

The lenses 28 They can also be designed to produce a seasonal effect, with less in the winter months and less light in the summer months. Consequently, the glazing module offers 10 The present invention provides significant energy savings by reducing the heating and cooling load of buildings while also allowing effective daylight control. The combination of the concentrating photovoltaic and the evacuated glazing system allows for improved thermal comfort, very low heat loss, better sound insulation and a reduction in peak energy demand, thereby improving the cost-effectiveness of photovoltaics as a building-integrated system.

The invention is not limited to the embodiment described herein, but may be changed or modified without departing from the scope of the present invention.

Claims (8)

Photovoltaic glazing module containing: a first and a second transparent thin plate between which an evacuated cavity is located; an array of support posts extending between the first and second transparent thin plates; the second thin plate having a first surface facing the evacuated cavity and a second surface shaped to define a lenticular array containing an array of lenses, each lens including a prism having a cut tip has; an array of photovoltaic cells adjacent or opposing the second thin plate, wherein at least one photovoltaic cell is positioned opposite each of the cut-off tips of the lenses; wherein the lenticular array is adapted to concentrate the incident solar radiation on the photovoltaic cells; and a third thin plate, wherein the photovoltaic cells are embedded between the third thin plate and the second thin plate. A photovoltaic glazing module according to claim 1, wherein the third thin plate is transparent. A photovoltaic glazing module according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the transparent thin plates contain glass. A photovoltaic glazing module according to claim 1, 2 or 3, wherein the photovoltaic cells are attached to the second thin plate with transparent adhesive. A photovoltaic glazing module according to any preceding claim, wherein the glazing module includes a vacuum-tight seal provided over the edges of the first and second thin plates. A photovoltaic glazing module according to any preceding claim, wherein the support posts comprise stainless steel, ceramic and / or glass. A photovoltaic glazing module according to any preceding claim, wherein the glazing module includes a low emissivity coating provided on one or both surfaces defining the evacuated cavity. A photovoltaic glazing module according to any preceding claim, wherein the glazing module includes an anti-reflection coating provided on at least a portion of the second thin plate.

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