EP4186102A1 - Photovoltaic panel - Google Patents

Photovoltaic panel

Info

Publication number
EP4186102A1
EP4186102A1 EP21746728.1A EP21746728A EP4186102A1 EP 4186102 A1 EP4186102 A1 EP 4186102A1 EP 21746728 A EP21746728 A EP 21746728A EP 4186102 A1 EP4186102 A1 EP 4186102A1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
enamel layer
cover element
photovoltaic panel
interlayer
tempered glass
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Pending
Application number
EP21746728.1A
Other languages
German (de)
French (fr)
Inventor
Marcus Neander
Benoit Rufino
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Saint Gobain Glass France SAS
Compagnie de Saint Gobain SA
Original Assignee
Saint Gobain Glass France SAS
Compagnie de Saint Gobain SA
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Saint Gobain Glass France SAS, Compagnie de Saint Gobain SA filed Critical Saint Gobain Glass France SAS
Publication of EP4186102A1 publication Critical patent/EP4186102A1/en
Pending legal-status Critical Current

Links

Classifications

    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01L—SEMICONDUCTOR DEVICES NOT COVERED BY CLASS H10
    • H01L31/00—Semiconductor devices sensitive to infrared radiation, light, electromagnetic radiation of shorter wavelength or corpuscular radiation and specially adapted either for the conversion of the energy of such radiation into electrical energy or for the control of electrical energy by such radiation; Processes or apparatus specially adapted for the manufacture or treatment thereof or of parts thereof; Details thereof
    • H01L31/02—Details
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B32—LAYERED PRODUCTS
    • B32B—LAYERED PRODUCTS, i.e. PRODUCTS BUILT-UP OF STRATA OF FLAT OR NON-FLAT, e.g. CELLULAR OR HONEYCOMB, FORM
    • B32B17/00—Layered products essentially comprising sheet glass, or glass, slag, or like fibres
    • B32B17/06—Layered products essentially comprising sheet glass, or glass, slag, or like fibres comprising glass as the main or only constituent of a layer, next to another layer of a specific material
    • B32B17/10—Layered products essentially comprising sheet glass, or glass, slag, or like fibres comprising glass as the main or only constituent of a layer, next to another layer of a specific material of synthetic resin
    • B32B17/10005—Layered products essentially comprising sheet glass, or glass, slag, or like fibres comprising glass as the main or only constituent of a layer, next to another layer of a specific material of synthetic resin laminated safety glass or glazing
    • B32B17/10009—Layered products essentially comprising sheet glass, or glass, slag, or like fibres comprising glass as the main or only constituent of a layer, next to another layer of a specific material of synthetic resin laminated safety glass or glazing characterized by the number, the constitution or treatment of glass sheets
    • B32B17/10018—Layered products essentially comprising sheet glass, or glass, slag, or like fibres comprising glass as the main or only constituent of a layer, next to another layer of a specific material of synthetic resin laminated safety glass or glazing characterized by the number, the constitution or treatment of glass sheets comprising only one glass sheet
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B32—LAYERED PRODUCTS
    • B32B—LAYERED PRODUCTS, i.e. PRODUCTS BUILT-UP OF STRATA OF FLAT OR NON-FLAT, e.g. CELLULAR OR HONEYCOMB, FORM
    • B32B17/00—Layered products essentially comprising sheet glass, or glass, slag, or like fibres
    • B32B17/06—Layered products essentially comprising sheet glass, or glass, slag, or like fibres comprising glass as the main or only constituent of a layer, next to another layer of a specific material
    • B32B17/10—Layered products essentially comprising sheet glass, or glass, slag, or like fibres comprising glass as the main or only constituent of a layer, next to another layer of a specific material of synthetic resin
    • B32B17/10005—Layered products essentially comprising sheet glass, or glass, slag, or like fibres comprising glass as the main or only constituent of a layer, next to another layer of a specific material of synthetic resin laminated safety glass or glazing
    • B32B17/10009—Layered products essentially comprising sheet glass, or glass, slag, or like fibres comprising glass as the main or only constituent of a layer, next to another layer of a specific material of synthetic resin laminated safety glass or glazing characterized by the number, the constitution or treatment of glass sheets
    • B32B17/10036—Layered products essentially comprising sheet glass, or glass, slag, or like fibres comprising glass as the main or only constituent of a layer, next to another layer of a specific material of synthetic resin laminated safety glass or glazing characterized by the number, the constitution or treatment of glass sheets comprising two outer glass sheets
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B32—LAYERED PRODUCTS
    • B32B—LAYERED PRODUCTS, i.e. PRODUCTS BUILT-UP OF STRATA OF FLAT OR NON-FLAT, e.g. CELLULAR OR HONEYCOMB, FORM
    • B32B17/00—Layered products essentially comprising sheet glass, or glass, slag, or like fibres
    • B32B17/06—Layered products essentially comprising sheet glass, or glass, slag, or like fibres comprising glass as the main or only constituent of a layer, next to another layer of a specific material
    • B32B17/10—Layered products essentially comprising sheet glass, or glass, slag, or like fibres comprising glass as the main or only constituent of a layer, next to another layer of a specific material of synthetic resin
    • B32B17/10005—Layered products essentially comprising sheet glass, or glass, slag, or like fibres comprising glass as the main or only constituent of a layer, next to another layer of a specific material of synthetic resin laminated safety glass or glazing
    • B32B17/10009—Layered products essentially comprising sheet glass, or glass, slag, or like fibres comprising glass as the main or only constituent of a layer, next to another layer of a specific material of synthetic resin laminated safety glass or glazing characterized by the number, the constitution or treatment of glass sheets
    • B32B17/10082—Properties of the bulk of a glass sheet
    • B32B17/10091—Properties of the bulk of a glass sheet thermally hardened
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B32—LAYERED PRODUCTS
    • B32B—LAYERED PRODUCTS, i.e. PRODUCTS BUILT-UP OF STRATA OF FLAT OR NON-FLAT, e.g. CELLULAR OR HONEYCOMB, FORM
    • B32B17/00—Layered products essentially comprising sheet glass, or glass, slag, or like fibres
    • B32B17/06—Layered products essentially comprising sheet glass, or glass, slag, or like fibres comprising glass as the main or only constituent of a layer, next to another layer of a specific material
    • B32B17/10—Layered products essentially comprising sheet glass, or glass, slag, or like fibres comprising glass as the main or only constituent of a layer, next to another layer of a specific material of synthetic resin
    • B32B17/10005—Layered products essentially comprising sheet glass, or glass, slag, or like fibres comprising glass as the main or only constituent of a layer, next to another layer of a specific material of synthetic resin laminated safety glass or glazing
    • B32B17/10009—Layered products essentially comprising sheet glass, or glass, slag, or like fibres comprising glass as the main or only constituent of a layer, next to another layer of a specific material of synthetic resin laminated safety glass or glazing characterized by the number, the constitution or treatment of glass sheets
    • B32B17/10082—Properties of the bulk of a glass sheet
    • B32B17/10119—Properties of the bulk of a glass sheet having a composition deviating from the basic composition of soda-lime glass, e.g. borosilicate
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B32—LAYERED PRODUCTS
    • B32B—LAYERED PRODUCTS, i.e. PRODUCTS BUILT-UP OF STRATA OF FLAT OR NON-FLAT, e.g. CELLULAR OR HONEYCOMB, FORM
    • B32B17/00—Layered products essentially comprising sheet glass, or glass, slag, or like fibres
    • B32B17/06—Layered products essentially comprising sheet glass, or glass, slag, or like fibres comprising glass as the main or only constituent of a layer, next to another layer of a specific material
    • B32B17/10—Layered products essentially comprising sheet glass, or glass, slag, or like fibres comprising glass as the main or only constituent of a layer, next to another layer of a specific material of synthetic resin
    • B32B17/10005—Layered products essentially comprising sheet glass, or glass, slag, or like fibres comprising glass as the main or only constituent of a layer, next to another layer of a specific material of synthetic resin laminated safety glass or glazing
    • B32B17/10009—Layered products essentially comprising sheet glass, or glass, slag, or like fibres comprising glass as the main or only constituent of a layer, next to another layer of a specific material of synthetic resin laminated safety glass or glazing characterized by the number, the constitution or treatment of glass sheets
    • B32B17/10128—Treatment of at least one glass sheet
    • B32B17/10146—Face treatment, e.g. etching, grinding or sand blasting
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B32—LAYERED PRODUCTS
    • B32B—LAYERED PRODUCTS, i.e. PRODUCTS BUILT-UP OF STRATA OF FLAT OR NON-FLAT, e.g. CELLULAR OR HONEYCOMB, FORM
    • B32B17/00—Layered products essentially comprising sheet glass, or glass, slag, or like fibres
    • B32B17/06—Layered products essentially comprising sheet glass, or glass, slag, or like fibres comprising glass as the main or only constituent of a layer, next to another layer of a specific material
    • B32B17/10—Layered products essentially comprising sheet glass, or glass, slag, or like fibres comprising glass as the main or only constituent of a layer, next to another layer of a specific material of synthetic resin
    • B32B17/10005—Layered products essentially comprising sheet glass, or glass, slag, or like fibres comprising glass as the main or only constituent of a layer, next to another layer of a specific material of synthetic resin laminated safety glass or glazing
    • B32B17/10165—Functional features of the laminated safety glass or glazing
    • B32B17/10174—Coatings of a metallic or dielectric material on a constituent layer of glass or polymer
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B32—LAYERED PRODUCTS
    • B32B—LAYERED PRODUCTS, i.e. PRODUCTS BUILT-UP OF STRATA OF FLAT OR NON-FLAT, e.g. CELLULAR OR HONEYCOMB, FORM
    • B32B17/00—Layered products essentially comprising sheet glass, or glass, slag, or like fibres
    • B32B17/06—Layered products essentially comprising sheet glass, or glass, slag, or like fibres comprising glass as the main or only constituent of a layer, next to another layer of a specific material
    • B32B17/10—Layered products essentially comprising sheet glass, or glass, slag, or like fibres comprising glass as the main or only constituent of a layer, next to another layer of a specific material of synthetic resin
    • B32B17/10005—Layered products essentially comprising sheet glass, or glass, slag, or like fibres comprising glass as the main or only constituent of a layer, next to another layer of a specific material of synthetic resin laminated safety glass or glazing
    • B32B17/10165—Functional features of the laminated safety glass or glazing
    • B32B17/10174—Coatings of a metallic or dielectric material on a constituent layer of glass or polymer
    • B32B17/10183—Coatings of a metallic or dielectric material on a constituent layer of glass or polymer being not continuous, e.g. in edge regions
    • B32B17/10192—Coatings of a metallic or dielectric material on a constituent layer of glass or polymer being not continuous, e.g. in edge regions patterned in the form of columns or grids
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B32—LAYERED PRODUCTS
    • B32B—LAYERED PRODUCTS, i.e. PRODUCTS BUILT-UP OF STRATA OF FLAT OR NON-FLAT, e.g. CELLULAR OR HONEYCOMB, FORM
    • B32B17/00—Layered products essentially comprising sheet glass, or glass, slag, or like fibres
    • B32B17/06—Layered products essentially comprising sheet glass, or glass, slag, or like fibres comprising glass as the main or only constituent of a layer, next to another layer of a specific material
    • B32B17/10—Layered products essentially comprising sheet glass, or glass, slag, or like fibres comprising glass as the main or only constituent of a layer, next to another layer of a specific material of synthetic resin
    • B32B17/10005—Layered products essentially comprising sheet glass, or glass, slag, or like fibres comprising glass as the main or only constituent of a layer, next to another layer of a specific material of synthetic resin laminated safety glass or glazing
    • B32B17/10165—Functional features of the laminated safety glass or glazing
    • B32B17/10247—Laminated safety glass or glazing containing decorations or patterns for aesthetic reasons
    • B32B17/10256—Laminated safety glass or glazing containing decorations or patterns for aesthetic reasons created by printing techniques
    • B32B17/10266—Laminated safety glass or glazing containing decorations or patterns for aesthetic reasons created by printing techniques on glass pane
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B32—LAYERED PRODUCTS
    • B32B—LAYERED PRODUCTS, i.e. PRODUCTS BUILT-UP OF STRATA OF FLAT OR NON-FLAT, e.g. CELLULAR OR HONEYCOMB, FORM
    • B32B17/00—Layered products essentially comprising sheet glass, or glass, slag, or like fibres
    • B32B17/06—Layered products essentially comprising sheet glass, or glass, slag, or like fibres comprising glass as the main or only constituent of a layer, next to another layer of a specific material
    • B32B17/10—Layered products essentially comprising sheet glass, or glass, slag, or like fibres comprising glass as the main or only constituent of a layer, next to another layer of a specific material of synthetic resin
    • B32B17/10005—Layered products essentially comprising sheet glass, or glass, slag, or like fibres comprising glass as the main or only constituent of a layer, next to another layer of a specific material of synthetic resin laminated safety glass or glazing
    • B32B17/10165—Functional features of the laminated safety glass or glazing
    • B32B17/10339—Specific parts of the laminated safety glass or glazing being colored or tinted
    • B32B17/10348—Specific parts of the laminated safety glass or glazing being colored or tinted comprising an obscuration band
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B32—LAYERED PRODUCTS
    • B32B—LAYERED PRODUCTS, i.e. PRODUCTS BUILT-UP OF STRATA OF FLAT OR NON-FLAT, e.g. CELLULAR OR HONEYCOMB, FORM
    • B32B17/00—Layered products essentially comprising sheet glass, or glass, slag, or like fibres
    • B32B17/06—Layered products essentially comprising sheet glass, or glass, slag, or like fibres comprising glass as the main or only constituent of a layer, next to another layer of a specific material
    • B32B17/10—Layered products essentially comprising sheet glass, or glass, slag, or like fibres comprising glass as the main or only constituent of a layer, next to another layer of a specific material of synthetic resin
    • B32B17/10005—Layered products essentially comprising sheet glass, or glass, slag, or like fibres comprising glass as the main or only constituent of a layer, next to another layer of a specific material of synthetic resin laminated safety glass or glazing
    • B32B17/1055—Layered products essentially comprising sheet glass, or glass, slag, or like fibres comprising glass as the main or only constituent of a layer, next to another layer of a specific material of synthetic resin laminated safety glass or glazing characterized by the resin layer, i.e. interlayer
    • B32B17/10788—Layered products essentially comprising sheet glass, or glass, slag, or like fibres comprising glass as the main or only constituent of a layer, next to another layer of a specific material of synthetic resin laminated safety glass or glazing characterized by the resin layer, i.e. interlayer containing ethylene vinylacetate
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B32—LAYERED PRODUCTS
    • B32B—LAYERED PRODUCTS, i.e. PRODUCTS BUILT-UP OF STRATA OF FLAT OR NON-FLAT, e.g. CELLULAR OR HONEYCOMB, FORM
    • B32B17/00—Layered products essentially comprising sheet glass, or glass, slag, or like fibres
    • B32B17/06—Layered products essentially comprising sheet glass, or glass, slag, or like fibres comprising glass as the main or only constituent of a layer, next to another layer of a specific material
    • B32B17/10—Layered products essentially comprising sheet glass, or glass, slag, or like fibres comprising glass as the main or only constituent of a layer, next to another layer of a specific material of synthetic resin
    • B32B17/10005—Layered products essentially comprising sheet glass, or glass, slag, or like fibres comprising glass as the main or only constituent of a layer, next to another layer of a specific material of synthetic resin laminated safety glass or glazing
    • B32B17/10807—Making laminated safety glass or glazing; Apparatus therefor
    • B32B17/10899—Making laminated safety glass or glazing; Apparatus therefor by introducing interlayers of synthetic resin
    • B32B17/10935—Making laminated safety glass or glazing; Apparatus therefor by introducing interlayers of synthetic resin as a preformed layer, e.g. formed by extrusion
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B32—LAYERED PRODUCTS
    • B32B—LAYERED PRODUCTS, i.e. PRODUCTS BUILT-UP OF STRATA OF FLAT OR NON-FLAT, e.g. CELLULAR OR HONEYCOMB, FORM
    • B32B27/00—Layered products comprising a layer of synthetic resin
    • B32B27/30—Layered products comprising a layer of synthetic resin comprising vinyl (co)polymers; comprising acrylic (co)polymers
    • B32B27/302—Layered products comprising a layer of synthetic resin comprising vinyl (co)polymers; comprising acrylic (co)polymers comprising aromatic vinyl (co)polymers, e.g. styrenic (co)polymers
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B32—LAYERED PRODUCTS
    • B32B—LAYERED PRODUCTS, i.e. PRODUCTS BUILT-UP OF STRATA OF FLAT OR NON-FLAT, e.g. CELLULAR OR HONEYCOMB, FORM
    • B32B27/00—Layered products comprising a layer of synthetic resin
    • B32B27/30—Layered products comprising a layer of synthetic resin comprising vinyl (co)polymers; comprising acrylic (co)polymers
    • B32B27/304—Layered products comprising a layer of synthetic resin comprising vinyl (co)polymers; comprising acrylic (co)polymers comprising vinyl halide (co)polymers, e.g. PVC, PVDC, PVF, PVDF
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
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    • B32B27/00—Layered products comprising a layer of synthetic resin
    • B32B27/30—Layered products comprising a layer of synthetic resin comprising vinyl (co)polymers; comprising acrylic (co)polymers
    • B32B27/308—Layered products comprising a layer of synthetic resin comprising vinyl (co)polymers; comprising acrylic (co)polymers comprising acrylic (co)polymers
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
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    • B32B27/00—Layered products comprising a layer of synthetic resin
    • B32B27/32—Layered products comprising a layer of synthetic resin comprising polyolefins
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
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    • B32B27/00—Layered products comprising a layer of synthetic resin
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    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
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    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
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    • B32B27/36—Layered products comprising a layer of synthetic resin comprising polyesters
    • B32B27/365—Layered products comprising a layer of synthetic resin comprising polyesters comprising polycarbonates
    • C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
    • C09—DYES; PAINTS; POLISHES; NATURAL RESINS; ADHESIVES; COMPOSITIONS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; APPLICATIONS OF MATERIALS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • C09C—TREATMENT OF INORGANIC MATERIALS, OTHER THAN FIBROUS FILLERS, TO ENHANCE THEIR PIGMENTING OR FILLING PROPERTIES ; PREPARATION OF CARBON BLACK  ; PREPARATION OF INORGANIC MATERIALS WHICH ARE NO SINGLE CHEMICAL COMPOUNDS AND WHICH ARE MAINLY USED AS PIGMENTS OR FILLERS
    • C09C1/00—Treatment of specific inorganic materials other than fibrous fillers; Preparation of carbon black
    • C09C1/0009—Pigments for ceramics
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01L—SEMICONDUCTOR DEVICES NOT COVERED BY CLASS H10
    • H01L31/00—Semiconductor devices sensitive to infrared radiation, light, electromagnetic radiation of shorter wavelength or corpuscular radiation and specially adapted either for the conversion of the energy of such radiation into electrical energy or for the control of electrical energy by such radiation; Processes or apparatus specially adapted for the manufacture or treatment thereof or of parts thereof; Details thereof
    • H01L31/04—Semiconductor devices sensitive to infrared radiation, light, electromagnetic radiation of shorter wavelength or corpuscular radiation and specially adapted either for the conversion of the energy of such radiation into electrical energy or for the control of electrical energy by such radiation; Processes or apparatus specially adapted for the manufacture or treatment thereof or of parts thereof; Details thereof adapted as photovoltaic [PV] conversion devices
    • H01L31/042—PV modules or arrays of single PV cells
    • H01L31/048—Encapsulation of modules
    • H01L31/0481—Encapsulation of modules characterised by the composition of the encapsulation material
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01L—SEMICONDUCTOR DEVICES NOT COVERED BY CLASS H10
    • H01L31/00—Semiconductor devices sensitive to infrared radiation, light, electromagnetic radiation of shorter wavelength or corpuscular radiation and specially adapted either for the conversion of the energy of such radiation into electrical energy or for the control of electrical energy by such radiation; Processes or apparatus specially adapted for the manufacture or treatment thereof or of parts thereof; Details thereof
    • H01L31/04—Semiconductor devices sensitive to infrared radiation, light, electromagnetic radiation of shorter wavelength or corpuscular radiation and specially adapted either for the conversion of the energy of such radiation into electrical energy or for the control of electrical energy by such radiation; Processes or apparatus specially adapted for the manufacture or treatment thereof or of parts thereof; Details thereof adapted as photovoltaic [PV] conversion devices
    • H01L31/042—PV modules or arrays of single PV cells
    • H01L31/048—Encapsulation of modules
    • H01L31/0488—Double glass encapsulation, e.g. photovoltaic cells arranged between front and rear glass sheets
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    • B32B2250/00—Layers arrangement
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    • B32B2457/12—Photovoltaic modules
    • Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
    • Y02—TECHNOLOGIES OR APPLICATIONS FOR MITIGATION OR ADAPTATION AGAINST CLIMATE CHANGE
    • Y02B—CLIMATE CHANGE MITIGATION TECHNOLOGIES RELATED TO BUILDINGS, e.g. HOUSING, HOUSE APPLIANCES OR RELATED END-USER APPLICATIONS
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    • Y02B10/10—Photovoltaic [PV]
    • Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
    • Y02—TECHNOLOGIES OR APPLICATIONS FOR MITIGATION OR ADAPTATION AGAINST CLIMATE CHANGE
    • Y02E—REDUCTION OF GREENHOUSE GAS [GHG] EMISSIONS, RELATED TO ENERGY GENERATION, TRANSMISSION OR DISTRIBUTION
    • Y02E10/00—Energy generation through renewable energy sources
    • Y02E10/50—Photovoltaic [PV] energy

Definitions

  • the invention relates to a photovoltaic panel, a method for producing a photovoltaic panel and its use.
  • One of the most widely known green energy technology is that of photovoltaic panels.
  • One of its limitations is that in order to obtain significant amounts of energy one needs to assure a large surface to be covered by the panels, about 10m 2 /1kW. This is particularly hard to do in cities, where high-rise dominates family homes, leaving only small roof surface areas for installation of the photovoltaic panels with respect to buildings size. This is why it is advantageous to increase the surface by installing solar panels also as a part of building facades.
  • BIPV Building-integrated photovoltaics
  • the advantage of building-integrated photovoltaics over more common non-integrated systems is that the initial cost can be offset by reducing the amount spent on building materials and labor that would normally be used to construct the part of the building that the BIPV modules replace.
  • Photovoltaic cells can be incorporated into buildings by using silicon- crystalline photovoltaic cells which are the most efficient and most durable ones.
  • the aesthetics of such panels can be drastically changed by modifying the cover element, usually done in glass. This is also technically the simplest way as one can use any existing photovoltaic cell and laminate it between two glass plates, the upper one having desired aesthetics.
  • WO 2012/129706 A1 a colored photovoltaic module comprising a photovoltaic cell and an appearance modifying system that interacts with at least a portion of the incident light on the photovoltaic cell to cause a modified visual appearance to an observer without significant reduction of the efficiency of the photovoltaic cell is described.
  • WO 2018/025249 A1 discloses a photovoltaic panel comprising an assembly comprising an array of photovoltaic cells interposed and laminated between two layers of encapsulating material, a glass sheet associated to the front surface, intended to be exposed, of said assembly, a sheet of an electrically insulating material associated with the back surface of said assembly, and characterized in that said glass sheet comprises at least one decoration which is obtained by at least one process carried out directly on the surface of the glass sheet and/or within the thickness of said glass sheet.
  • US 2019/0068109 A1 describes a photovoltaic roof shingle comprising a shingle cover layer made of a glass; a shingle base layer made of a glass disposed underneath the shingle cover layer, wherein opposing surfaces of the shingle cover layer and the shingle base layer define a cavity within which a photovoltaic module is disposed, wherein a decorative thin film layer may be formed on the top surface of the shingle cover layer.
  • US 2019/0280138 A1 discloses a solar cell panel comprising a solar cell, a sealing member for sealing the solar cell, a first cover member disposed on the sealing member at one side of the solar cell, and a second cover member disposed on the sealing member at another side of the solar cell, wherein the first cover member includes a base member and a colored portion having a light transmittance lower than a light transmittance of the base member, the first cover member constituting a colored area, and wherein the colored portion includes at least two layers each formed of an oxide ceramic composition and having different colors or different light transmittances.
  • a solar cell panel comprising a solar cell, a sealing member for sealing the solar cell, a first cover member positioned at a first surface of the solar cell on a first side of the sealing member; and a second cover member positioned at a second surface of the solar cell on a second side of the sealing member
  • the first cover member comprises a base member and a colored portion having a lower light transmittance than the base member and partially formed on the base member to form a colored region
  • the second cover member comprises a cover portion having a lower brightness than the colored portion of the first cover member and positioned at an inactive region of the solar cell panel where the solar cell is not positioned.
  • WO 2019/122079 A1 discloses solar cells or solar cell modules comprising a layer on or in the front radiation-receiving side of the solar cell comprising effect pigments consisting of a transparent or semi-transparent flake-form substrate coated with one or more layers of transparent or semi- transparent materials and optionally with a post coating.
  • EP 3 361 514 A1 discloses a front pane for a photovoltaic module wherein the front pane comprises a transparent body with a front side and a rear side, wherein the transparent body has recesses separated by protrusions in its front side and the recesses are at least partially filled with a colorant. The protrusions are uncoated and extend above the colorant.
  • One possibility to modify the cover element in order to improve the appearance of a photovoltaic panel is to print a certain image or geometrical pattern on the glass cover. This can be done by using ceramic ink or enamel and different printing techniques such as screen printing, inkjet or other. The advantages of this technique are the low cost of design and production. However, the typical thickness of the printed layer or pattern is 15 pm to 50 pm, which makes the absorption of ink important. The absorption of the ceramic ink of the enamel can lead to locally increased temperature in the photovoltaic panel, which reduces the efficiency of the photovoltaic cell. Since a decorative print is usually done in the form of dot or line pattern to increase transmission, a gradient of temperatures can be produced which is also harmful for the photovoltaic cell.
  • US 2019/0088808 A1 discloses a cover glass for a photovoltaic module, wherein the cover glass comprises at least one colored area, wherein a print opacity of the colored area is selected such that a desired relative efficiency is achieved and hot-spots are prevented.
  • US 2013/0061542 A1 discloses a photovoltaic window assembly comprising a photovoltaic element, a solar control coating, and a space, wherein, viewed from the outside, the solar control coating is located behind the photovoltaic cell. With the solar control coating the radiation energy, a component of the indirect gain from the photovoltaic window assembly to the building's interior, is reduced under summer conditions.
  • JP 5648906 B2 discloses an infrared reflective coating material applied to a light receiving panel of a solar cell module, and a solar cell module or a solar cell array having the infrared reflective coating material applied to the light receiving panel, wherein the infrared reflective coating material contains a pearl pigment whose reflected light is red-purple, red, orange, yellow, and green yellow, and a non-volatile organic compound as a binder of the pearl pigment.
  • the absorption of the ceramic ink of the enamel can lead to locally increased temperature in the photovoltaic panel, which reduces the efficiency of the photovoltaic cell, and when the decorative print is done in the form of dot or line pattern to increase transmission, a gradient of temperatures can be produced which is also harmful for the photovoltaic cell.
  • the object of the present invention is to provide a photovoltaic panel wherein appearance is improved and locally increased temperatures in the photovoltaic panel are prevented.
  • the invention relates to a photovoltaic panel at least comprising a substrate, a first interlayer, a photovoltaic cell, a second interlayer, a tempered glass cover element with an inner surface and an outer surface and an enamel layer comprising one or more ceramic pigments.
  • the substrate and the tempered glass cover element are bonded to each other by means of the first interlayer and the second interlayer, the photovoltaic cell is located between the first interlayer and the second interlayer, and the enamel layer covers at least partially the inner surface or the outer surface of the tempered glass cover element.
  • the enamel layer comprises ceramic pigments that reflect near infrared (NIR) radiation or infrared (IR) radiation.
  • NIR near infrared
  • IR infrared
  • essentially all ceramic pigments contained in the enamel layer are ceramic pigments that reflect NIR radiation or IR radiation.
  • Particularly preferably 100 % of the ceramic pigments contained in the enamel layer are ceramic pigments that reflect NIR radiation or IR radiation.
  • the enamel layer comprises ceramic pigments that reflect NIR radiation.
  • tempered glass cover element should be understood in the context of the invention as thermally tempered glass cover element and not as chemically tempered glass cover element.
  • the outer surface of the tempered glass cover element faces the outside and the inner surface of the tempered glass cover element is opposite to the outer surface.
  • Thermally tempered glass cover elements have a region near the surfaces in compression and an interior region in tension. Thermally tempered glass cover elements should have surface compressive stresses of at least about 25 MPa, 50 MPa, or greater than 70 MPa.
  • the compressive stress is measured by surface stress meter (FSM) using commercially available instruments such as the FSM-6000, manufactured by Orihara Industrial Co., Ltd. (Japan). Surface stress measurements rely upon the accurate measurement of the stress optical coefficient (SOC), which is related to the birefringence of the glass. SOC in turn is measured according to Procedure C (Glass Disc Method) described in ASTM standard C770-16, entitled “Standard Test Method for Measurement of Glass Stress- Optical Coefficient,” the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety.
  • SOC stress optical coefficient
  • the tempered glass cover element is a thermally treated glass cover element having a surface compressive stress of at least 70 MPa.
  • the enamel layer covers at least partially the inner surface of the tempered glass cover element.
  • This arrangement is particularly advantageous because the enamel layer is not exposed to the outside and thus not exposed to external such as wind pressure, hail, snow load, and so on. Moreover, scratches in enamel layer can be prevented, when the enamel layer is arranged on the inner surface of the tempered glass cover element.
  • This embodiment is also more robust and/or durable with regard to aging and more easy to clean.
  • the enamel layer covers at least partially the outer surface of the tempered glass cover element. This arrangement is advantageous with regard to the reflection of near infrared (NIR) radiation or infrared (IR) radiation.
  • NIR near infrared
  • IR infrared
  • the enamel layer fully covers the inner surface of the tempered glass cover element. In another embodiment the enamel layer fully covers the outer surface of the tempered glass cover element.
  • the appearance of optically disturbing effects due to interaction with the structure of the photovoltaic cell can be reduced and so-called Moire effects can be prevented.
  • An enamel layer which fully covers the inner surface or the outer surface of the tempered glass cover element can be used independently from the structure of the photovoltaic cell, gives a more uniform appearance even on closer observation and/or better hides the interconnectors of the photovoltaic cells.
  • the enamel layer only partially covers the inner surface of the tempered glass cover element. In another embodiment the enamel layer partially covers the outer surface of the tempered glass cover element.
  • the enamel layer is shaped as a pattern, preferably as a pattern of at least a plurality of dots or a plurality of stripe shapes.
  • the enamel layer can be shaped as any kind of pattern.
  • a plurality of dots or a plurality of stripe shapes are preferred because these kind of patterns largely improve the aesthetic of the photovoltaic panel according to the invention.
  • the photovoltaic cell can be a so-called thin-film solar cell or a crystalline silicon photovoltaic cell.
  • the photovoltaic cell is a crystalline silicon (mono crystalline c-Si or multi crystalline mc-Si) photovoltaic cell.
  • Crystalline silicon photovoltaic cells have a better efficiency and durability compared to thin-film solar cells.
  • crystalline silicon photovoltaic cells are more sensitive to temperature effects.
  • the photovoltaic panel according to the invention can comprise one or a plurality of photovoltaic cells.
  • the photovoltaic panel comprises a plurality of photovoltaic cells
  • these cells are spaced apart from each other and can be electrically connected parallel, in series, or series-parallel by interconnectors.
  • a plurality of photovoltaic cells can be connected in series to form a photovoltaic cell string exceeding alone one direction.
  • Different structures and shapes for connecting the photovoltaic cells may be applied to the interconnectors.
  • a ribbon or a wire may be applied for example.
  • the particles of ceramic pigments In order to effectively reflect the infrared radiation, the particles of ceramic pigments must not be too small. Their diameter is advantageously of the same order of magnitude as the wavelength of the infrared radiation reflected.
  • the NIR-reflective ceramic pigments and the IR-reflective ceramic pigments used in the present invention are therefore advantageously formed of particles having a mean diameter of between 500 nm and 10 pm, preferably between 600 nm and 5.0 pm, in particular between 700 nm and 3 pm.
  • the ceramic pigments used in the present invention are of dark color, preferably of a color close to black.
  • the hue of a colorant or pigment is conventionally defined in the CIE L*a*b* color space which is defined by three quantities (L*, a* and b*) of which the first L* denotes the lightness.
  • the value of L* ranges from 0 for black to 100 for white.
  • the lightness L* of the ceramic pigments that are used in the present invention is preferably less than 20, more preferably less than 10.
  • the lightness L* is between 1 and 20, in particular between 4 and 10.
  • Ceramic pigments that reflect near-infrared radiation (NIR radiation) and/or infrared radiation (IR radiation) that can be used in the present invention, are disclosed in US 2019/0152845 A1 and US 2017/0240459 A1.
  • NIR radiation near-infrared radiation
  • IR radiation infrared radiation
  • Ceramic pigments iron chromites (Cl Pigment Brown 35 and Cl Pigment Brown 29) and iron-nickel chromites (Cl Pigment Black 30) are particularly preferred.
  • WO 2017/068368 A1 also discloses inorganic pigments that reflect infrared radiation.
  • the ceramic pigments that reflect near infrared (NIR) radiation and/or infrared (IR) radiation reflect greater than 40 % of light at a wavelength of greater than 1000 nm.
  • the substrate is preferably a rigid panel and preferably contains glass, particularly preferably flat glass, float glass, quartz glass, borosilicate glass, or soda lime glass or plastics, preferably polyethylene, polypropylene, polycarbonate, polymethyl methacrylate, polystyrene, polyamide, polyester, polyvinyl chloride, and/or mixtures thereof.
  • the substrate contains flat glass, float glass, quartz glass, borosilicate glass, or soda lime glass. It has the function of electrically insulating, protecting and shielding the photovoltaic cells from external agents such as rain or moisture for example.
  • the tempered glass cover element is preferably made of float glass or borosilicate glass.
  • the tempered glass cover element contains in particular low-iron soda-lime glass with high permeability to sunlight.
  • the tempered glass cover element is a plane glass sheet, i.e. a glass sheet with plane surfaces and thus a non-textured glass sheet.
  • the tempered glass cover element is a tempered textured glass sheet, i.e. a glass sheet with at least one textured surface.
  • a textured surface is a surface comprising elevations and depressions.
  • the tempered textured glass sheet can comprise either one textured surface or two textured surfaces. Textured transparent panels having a high light transmission are described in US 2005/0039788 A1 for example.
  • the inner surface of the tempered glass cover element is a textured inner surface comprising elevations and depressions and the outer surface is a plane surface.
  • the enamel layer covers at least partially the textured inner surface or the plane outer surface.
  • the outer surface of the tempered glass cover element is a textured outer surface comprising elevations and depressions and the inner surface of the tempered glass cover element is a plane surface.
  • the enamel layer covers at least partially the textured outer surface or the plane inner surface.
  • the inner surface of the tempered glass cover element is a textured inner surface comprising elevations and depressions and the outer surface of the tempered glass cover element is a textured outer surface comprising elevations and depressions.
  • the enamel layer covers at least partially the textured inner surface or the textured outer surface.
  • the elevations and depressions can for example be of punctual or of elongate shape.
  • the thickness of the enamel layer is between 5 pm (micrometer) and 100 pm, preferably between 15 pm and 50 pm, more preferably between 25 pm and 50 pm.
  • the thickness of the enamel layer is greater than the depth of the depressions.
  • the enamel does not only at least cover the depressions but also at least partially covers the elevations.
  • An enamel layer whose thickness is greater than the depth of the depressions therefore ensures that the desired pattern of the enamel layer is not influenced by the texture of the surface which is at least partially covered by the enamel layer.
  • the enamel layer is preferably a dark-colored enamel layer, particularly preferably a black enamel layer containing at least 10 % in mass of pure black ceramic pigments.
  • the enamel layer preferably consists of a vitreous binder and ceramic pigments.
  • a vitreous binder In order to be able to prepare enamel coating, it is advantageous to manage the volume fraction of ceramic pigments in the enamel as much as possible. Below a certain limit, pigment properties brought to material will be insufficient in terms of Lightness and Reflection range values achievement.
  • the total ceramic pigment content of the enamel layer should generally not exceed about 40% by weight.
  • the total content of ceramic pigments in the enamel layer is between 20% and 40% by weight, preferably between 30% and 39% by weight and in particular between 35% and 38% by weight, relative to the total weight of the enamel layer.
  • the vitreous binder which preferably constitutes at least 60% by weight of the enamel layer, provides the bond between the pigment particles and the adhesion of the enamel layer to the glass pane. Without such vitreous binder, ceramic pigment will not have adhesion to glass pane.
  • the binder is generally obtained by melting a glass frit having a softening point at least 50 °C below the temperature to which the glass sheet is heated before thermal tempering.
  • the softening point of the vitreous binder is preferably less than 590 °C.
  • the tempered glass cover sheet and substrate preferably have thicknesses from 1.5 mm to 10 mm.
  • the area of the pane can be for example 100 cm 2 up to 18 m 2 , preferably 0.5 m 2 to 3 m 2 .
  • the first interlayer and the second interlayer contain independently from each other a thermoplastic polymer, preferably ethylene vinyl acetate (EVA), polyvinyl butyral (PVB), polyurethane (PU), polyethylene (PE), and/or polyethylene terephthalate (PET). Ethylene vinyl acetate (EVA) is particularly preferred.
  • EVA ethylene vinyl acetate
  • PVB polyvinyl butyral
  • PU polyurethane
  • PE polyethylene
  • PET polyethylene terephthalate
  • Each interlayer preferably has a thickness from 0.2 mm to 1.14 mm, particularly preferably from 0.38 mm to 0.76 mm.
  • the first and the second interlayer can be made from the same or different materials.
  • the first and/or the second interlayer can also be a multilayer film.
  • the photovoltaic cell is preferably a layer system comprising at least one photovoltaically active absorber layer between a front electrode layer and a back electrode layer.
  • the front electrode layer is arranged on the side of the absorber layer facing the tempered glass cover element.
  • the back electrode layer is arranged on the side of the absorber layer facing the substrate.
  • the photovoltaically active absorber layer preferably comprises at least one p-type semiconductor layer.
  • the p-type semiconductor layer contains preferably crystalline silicon.
  • the photovoltaically active absorber layer preferably has a layer thickness from 180 pm to 350 pm, particularly preferably from 180 pm to 250 pm, for example 200 pm.
  • the back electrode layer can contain, for example, at least one metal, preferably molybdenum, titanium, tungsten, nickel, titanium, chromium, and/or tantalum.
  • the back electrode layer preferably has a layer thickness from 300 nm to 600 nm.
  • the front electrode layer is transparent in the spectral range in which the absorber layer is sensitive.
  • the front electrode layer can contain, for example, an n-type semiconductor, preferably aluminum-doped zinc oxide or indium tin oxide.
  • the front electrode layer preferably has a layer thickness from 500 nm to 2 pm.
  • the electrode layers can also contain silver, gold, copper, nickel, chromium, tungsten, tin oxide, silicon dioxide, silicon nitride, and/or combinations as well as mixtures thereof.
  • the electrode layers can also include a layer stack of different individual layers. Such a layer stack can contain, for example, a diffusion barrier layer made, for example, of silicon nitride, to prevent diffusion of ions into the photovoltaically active absorber layer.
  • the photovoltaic layer system can, of course, include other individual layers known to the person skilled in the art, for example, a buffer layer to adjust the electronic properties between the absorber layer and an electrode layer.
  • the invention also relates to a method for manufacturing a photovoltaic panel according to the invention, wherein the method comprises at least the following steps:
  • step (e) laminating the stack obtained in step (d).
  • the pigmented glass paste is applied in step (b) by screen printing or inkjet printing techniques.
  • the pigmented glass paste applied in step (b) is a mixture of ceramic pigments and finely ground glass particles, called a frit, typically suspended in a vehicle or carrier composition that aids in the uniform application of the pigment and frit to the inner surface or the outer surface of the glass sheet.
  • the pigmented glass paste After its application to inner surface or the outer surface of the glass sheet the pigmented glass paste is fused together and to the glass sheet by a tempering process that typically involves temperatures from about 600° C. to 700° C., such as from 630° C. to 660° C. During the tempering process, the vehicle or carrier vaporizes or burns off to leave behind the solid components of the pigmented glass paste.
  • the pigmented glass paste comprises a vehicle or carrier that is used to suspend the ceramic pigment and the finely ground glass particles, called a frit, so that they may be applied evenly and uniformly to the substrate surface prior to firing. In addition to adequately suspending the particulates, the vehicle must burn off completely or be otherwise removed upon firing.
  • the vehicle or carrier may be included in the pigmented glass paste in an amount of about 10% to 40% by weight, or about 15% to 35% by weight, or about 20% to 30% by weight.
  • the vehicle is an organic solvent such as 2,2,4-trimethyl pentanediol monoisobutyrate; alpha-terpineol; beta terpineol; gamma terpineol; tridecyl alcohol; diethylene glycol ethyl ether, diethylene glycol butyl ether; pine oils, vegetable oils, mineral oils, low molecular weight petroleum fractions, tridecyl alcohols, synthetic or natural resins (e.g., cellulosic resins or acrylate resins), PM (propylene glycol mono methyl ether), DPM (dipropylene glycol mono methyl ether), TPM (tripropylene glycol mono methyl ether), PnB (propylene glycol mono n-butyl ether), DPnB (dipropylene glycol mono butyl ether), TPNB (tripropylene glycol mono n-butyl ether), PnP (propylene glycol
  • the enamel layer is applied in step (b) in form of a pattern, preferably a pattern of at least a plurality of dots or a plurality of stripe shapes.
  • the methods familiar to the person skilled in the art with and without prior production of a pre-laminate can be used.
  • autoclave methods can be performed at an elevated pressure of roughly 10 bar to 15 bar and in temperatures from 130° C. to 145° C. over roughly 2 hours.
  • Vacuum bag or vacuum ring methods known per se operate, for example, at roughly 200 mbar and 130° C. to 145° C.
  • the tempered glass cover element and the substrate can be pressed with the interlayers and the photovoltaic cell in a calender between at least one pair of rollers to form a photovoltaic panel according to the invention.
  • Systems of this type are known for production of a laminated glazings and normally have at least one heating tunnel upstream from a pressing unit.
  • the temperature during the pressing procedure is, for example, from 40° C. to 150° C. Combinations of calendering and autoclaving methods have proved particularly valuable in practice.
  • vacuum laminators are used for producing the photovoltaic panels according to the invention. These consist of one or a plurality of a heatable and evacuable chambers in which the tempered glass cover element and substrate can be laminated within, for example, roughly 60 minutes at reduced pressures from 0.01 mbar to 800 mbar and temperatures from 80° C. to 170° C.
  • the preferred embodiments of the photovoltaic panel according to the invention described above also apply accordingly to the method for manufacturing a photovoltaic panel according to the invention.
  • the invention also relates to the use of a photovoltaic panel according to the invention as a roof panel or a building integrated photovoltaics (BIPV).
  • a photovoltaic panel according to the invention as a roof panel or a building integrated photovoltaics (BIPV).
  • Fig. 1 a cross-section of an embodiment of a photovoltaic panel according to the invention
  • Fig. 2 a cross-section of another embodiment of a photovoltaic panel according to the invention
  • Fig. 3 a perspective view of an embodiment of a photovoltaic panel according to the invention.
  • Fig. 4 a plan view of an embodiment of a photovoltaic panel according to the invention
  • Fig. 5 a cross-sectional view of along the section line X-X' through the photovoltaic panel of Fig. 4,
  • Fig. 6 a cross-sectional view through an embodiment of a photovoltaic panel according to the invention
  • Fig. 7 a plan view of another embodiment of a photovoltaic panel according to the invention
  • Fig. 8 a plan view of another embodiment of a photovoltaic panel according to the invention
  • Fig. 9 a flowchart of an embodiment of the method according to the invention
  • Fig. 10 the reflection spectrum of the UV-visible-IR radiation of enamel of different thicknesses containing a black IR reflective pigment
  • Fig. 11 the reflection spectrum of the UV-visible-IR radiation of enamel of different thicknesses containing a standard black pigment.
  • Fig. 1 depicts a cross-section of an embodiment of a photovoltaic panel 1 according to the invention.
  • the photovoltaic panel 1 comprises a substrate 2, a first interlayer 3, a photovoltaic cell 5, a second interlayer 6, a tempered glass cover element 7 and an enamel layer 8.
  • the substrate 2 and the tempered glass cover element 7 are bonded to each other by means of the first interlayer 3 and the second interlayer 6.
  • the photovoltaic cell 5 is located between the first interlayer 3 and the second interlayer 6.
  • the tempered glass cover element 7 has an inner surface 7a facing the second interlayer 6 and an outer surface 7b opposite to the inner surface 7a and facing the outside.
  • Fig. 1 depicts a cross-section of an embodiment of a photovoltaic panel 1 according to the invention.
  • the photovoltaic panel 1 comprises a substrate 2, a first interlayer 3, a photovoltaic cell 5, a second interlayer 6, a tempered glass cover element 7 and an enamel layer 8.
  • the enamel layer 8 fully covers the inner surface 7a of the tempered glass cover element 7.
  • the photovoltaic cell 5 is for example a mono crystalline photovoltaic cell with a thickness of 200 pm.
  • the first interlayer 3 and the second interlayer contain 6 ethylene vinyl acetate (EVA) and have a thickness of 0.38 mm each.
  • the substrate 2 and the tempered glass cover element 7 are made of float glass and have a thickness of 3.2 mm each.
  • the enamel layer 8 comprises ceramic pigments and has a humid printed thickness of 30 pm.
  • the ceramic pigments are iron chromites of black color that reflect near-infrared radiation.
  • Fig. 2 depicts a cross-section of another embodiment of a photovoltaic panel 1 according to the invention.
  • the embodiment depicted in Fig. 2 differs from the embodiment depicted in Fig. 1 only in that the enamel layer 8 fully covers the outer surface 7b of the tempered glass cover element 7.
  • Fig. 3 depicts a perspective view of an embodiment of a photovoltaic panel 1 according to the invention.
  • the embodiment depicted in Fig. 3 differs from the embodiment depicted in Fig. 1 only in that in the embodiment shown in Fig. 3, a plurality of photovoltaic cells 5 are spaced apart from each other and are electrically connected by interconnectors 9 and 10 to form an array 4 of photovoltaic cells 5.
  • This array 4 of photovoltaic cells 5 is located between the first interlayer 3 and the second interlayer 6.
  • Any of various structures and shapes for connecting the photovoltaic cells 5, such as a ribbon and a wire, may be applied to the interconnectors 9 and 10.
  • Embodiments are not limited to a number, a structure, a shape, and the like of the interconnectors 9 and 10.
  • Fig. 4 depicts a plan view of an embodiment of a photovoltaic panel 1 according to the invention
  • Fig. 5 depicts a cross-sectional view of along the section line X-X' through the photovoltaic panel of Fig. 4.
  • the embodiment depicted in Fig. 4 and Fig. 5 differs from the embodiment depicted in Fig. 1 only in that the enamel layer 8 is formed in the shape of stripes.
  • Fig. 6 depicts a cross-sectional view through another embodiment of a photovoltaic panel 1 according to the invention.
  • the embodiment shown in Fig. 6 differs from the embodiment shown in Fig. 5 only in that the enamel layer 8 partially covers the outer surface 7b of the tempered glass cover sheet 7 and a plurality of photovoltaic cells 5 interconnected by interconnectors 9 is located between the first interlayer 3 and the second interlayer 6.
  • Fig. 7 a plan view of another embodiment of a photovoltaic panel 1 according to the invention is depicted.
  • the enamel layer 8 covers the inner surface 7a or the outer surface 7b of the tempered glass cover sheet 7 in the form of a dotted pattern.
  • Fig. 8 depicts a plan view of another embodiment of a photovoltaic panel 1 according to the invention.
  • the embodiment shown in Fig. 8 differs from the embodiment shown in Fig. 7 only in that the pattern of the enamel layer 8 differs. In principle any kind of pattern is possible for the enamel layer.
  • Fig. 9 depicts a flowchart of an embodiment of a method according to the invention for producing a photovoltaic panel 1.
  • a substrate 2 a first interlayer 3, photovoltaic cell 5, a second interlayer 6 and a glass sheet with an inner surface and an outer surface is provided.
  • a pigmented glass paste comprising a glass frit and one or more ceramic pigments is applied at least partially on the inner surface or on the outer surface of the glass sheet, wherein the ceramic pigments are ceramic pigments, that reflect near infrared (NIR) radiation and/or infrared (IR) radiation.
  • NIR near infrared
  • IR infrared
  • a third step III the glass sheet with the pigmented glass paste is tempered to form a tempered glass cover element 7 with an enamel layer 8 on its inner surface 7a or its outer surface 7b.
  • the materials are stacked in the following order: substrate 2, first interlayer 3, photovoltaic cell 5, second interlayer 6, tempered glass cover element 7 with the enamel layer 8 on its inner surface 7a or its outer surface 7b.
  • the stack obtained in step IV is laminated to form the photovoltaic panel 1 according to the invention.
  • Fig. 10 depicts the reflection spectrum of the UV-visible-IR radiation of ceramic frit free enamels of different thicknesses containing a black NIR reflective pigment
  • Fig. 11 depicts the reflection spectrum of the UV-visible-IR radiation of ceramic frit free enamels of different thicknesses containing a standard black pigment. Parameters and printing conditions applied for all tested enamels are summarized in Table 1 :
  • Table 1 The reflectance measurements were conducted with a spectrometer LAMBDA 900.
  • the enamel with the black pigment DV154140 remains low reflective ( ⁇ 3-4%), whatever the thickness deposited.
  • reflection is around 10% and progressively increases until 15% at 780nm, whatever the thickness deposited.

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Abstract

The invention relates to a photovoltaic panel (1) at least comprising a substrate (2), a first interlayer (3), a photovoltaic cell (5), a second interlayer (6), a tempered glass cover element (7) with an inner surface (7a) and an outer surface (7b), and an enamel layer (8) comprising one or more ceramic pigments, wherein the substrate (2) and the tempered glass cover element (7) are bonded to each other by means of the first interlayer (3) and the second interlayer (6), the photovoltaic cell (5) is located between the first interlayer (3) and the second interlayer (6) and the enamel layer (8) covers at least partially the inner surface (7a) or the outer surface (7b) of the tempered glass cover element (7), and wherein the ceramic pigments are ceramic pigments, that reflect near infrared (NIR) radiation and/or infrared (IR) radiation.

Description

Photovoltaic panel
The invention relates to a photovoltaic panel, a method for producing a photovoltaic panel and its use.
The necessity to reduce energy consumption and negative ecological impact of buildings is the main challenge of construction industry today. Buildings are responsible for 40% of energy consumption today in the United States for example. Accelerated increase of urban population threatens to increase this problem.
One of the most widely known green energy technology is that of photovoltaic panels. One of its limitations is that in order to obtain significant amounts of energy one needs to assure a large surface to be covered by the panels, about 10m2/1kW. This is particularly hard to do in cities, where high-rise dominates family homes, leaving only small roof surface areas for installation of the photovoltaic panels with respect to buildings size. This is why it is advantageous to increase the surface by installing solar panels also as a part of building facades. However, an obstacle arises here - the aesthetics of photovoltaic cells. Typically determined by dark blue color of crystal silicon and bright stripes of electrical contacts, photovoltaic panels are not considered very beautiful and appropriate for an extensive use as part of building facades.
Building-integrated photovoltaics (BIPV) are photovoltaic materials that are used to replace conventional building materials in parts of the building envelope such as the roof, skylights, or facades. They are increasingly being incorporated into the construction of buildings as a principal or ancillary source of electrical power. The advantage of building-integrated photovoltaics over more common non-integrated systems is that the initial cost can be offset by reducing the amount spent on building materials and labor that would normally be used to construct the part of the building that the BIPV modules replace. These advantages make BIPV one of the fastest growing segments of the photovoltaic industry.
Of major interest for the solar energy business are new techniques and approaches to make photovoltaic cells with appealing colors and to increase efficiencies.
Photovoltaic cells can be incorporated into buildings by using silicon- crystalline photovoltaic cells which are the most efficient and most durable ones. The aesthetics of such panels can be drastically changed by modifying the cover element, usually done in glass. This is also technically the simplest way as one can use any existing photovoltaic cell and laminate it between two glass plates, the upper one having desired aesthetics.
There are several applications related to how to modify the cover element in order to improve the appearance of a photovoltaic panel.
In WO 2012/129706 A1 a colored photovoltaic module comprising a photovoltaic cell and an appearance modifying system that interacts with at least a portion of the incident light on the photovoltaic cell to cause a modified visual appearance to an observer without significant reduction of the efficiency of the photovoltaic cell is described.
WO 2018/025249 A1 discloses a photovoltaic panel comprising an assembly comprising an array of photovoltaic cells interposed and laminated between two layers of encapsulating material, a glass sheet associated to the front surface, intended to be exposed, of said assembly, a sheet of an electrically insulating material associated with the back surface of said assembly, and characterized in that said glass sheet comprises at least one decoration which is obtained by at least one process carried out directly on the surface of the glass sheet and/or within the thickness of said glass sheet.
US 2019/0068109 A1 describes a photovoltaic roof shingle comprising a shingle cover layer made of a glass; a shingle base layer made of a glass disposed underneath the shingle cover layer, wherein opposing surfaces of the shingle cover layer and the shingle base layer define a cavity within which a photovoltaic module is disposed, wherein a decorative thin film layer may be formed on the top surface of the shingle cover layer.
US 2019/0280138 A1 discloses a solar cell panel comprising a solar cell, a sealing member for sealing the solar cell, a first cover member disposed on the sealing member at one side of the solar cell, and a second cover member disposed on the sealing member at another side of the solar cell, wherein the first cover member includes a base member and a colored portion having a light transmittance lower than a light transmittance of the base member, the first cover member constituting a colored area, and wherein the colored portion includes at least two layers each formed of an oxide ceramic composition and having different colors or different light transmittances. In EP 3 460 996 A1 a solar cell panel comprising a solar cell, a sealing member for sealing the solar cell, a first cover member positioned at a first surface of the solar cell on a first side of the sealing member; and a second cover member positioned at a second surface of the solar cell on a second side of the sealing member is described, wherein the first cover member comprises a base member and a colored portion having a lower light transmittance than the base member and partially formed on the base member to form a colored region, and wherein the second cover member comprises a cover portion having a lower brightness than the colored portion of the first cover member and positioned at an inactive region of the solar cell panel where the solar cell is not positioned.
WO 2019/122079 A1 discloses solar cells or solar cell modules comprising a layer on or in the front radiation-receiving side of the solar cell comprising effect pigments consisting of a transparent or semi-transparent flake-form substrate coated with one or more layers of transparent or semi- transparent materials and optionally with a post coating.
EP 3 361 514 A1 discloses a front pane for a photovoltaic module wherein the front pane comprises a transparent body with a front side and a rear side, wherein the transparent body has recesses separated by protrusions in its front side and the recesses are at least partially filled with a colorant. The protrusions are uncoated and extend above the colorant.
One possibility to modify the cover element in order to improve the appearance of a photovoltaic panel is to print a certain image or geometrical pattern on the glass cover. This can be done by using ceramic ink or enamel and different printing techniques such as screen printing, inkjet or other. The advantages of this technique are the low cost of design and production. However, the typical thickness of the printed layer or pattern is 15 pm to 50 pm, which makes the absorption of ink important. The absorption of the ceramic ink of the enamel can lead to locally increased temperature in the photovoltaic panel, which reduces the efficiency of the photovoltaic cell. Since a decorative print is usually done in the form of dot or line pattern to increase transmission, a gradient of temperatures can be produced which is also harmful for the photovoltaic cell.
US 2019/0088808 A1 discloses a cover glass for a photovoltaic module, wherein the cover glass comprises at least one colored area, wherein a print opacity of the colored area is selected such that a desired relative efficiency is achieved and hot-spots are prevented. US 2013/0061542 A1 discloses a photovoltaic window assembly comprising a photovoltaic element, a solar control coating, and a space, wherein, viewed from the outside, the solar control coating is located behind the photovoltaic cell. With the solar control coating the radiation energy, a component of the indirect gain from the photovoltaic window assembly to the building's interior, is reduced under summer conditions.
JP 5648906 B2 discloses an infrared reflective coating material applied to a light receiving panel of a solar cell module, and a solar cell module or a solar cell array having the infrared reflective coating material applied to the light receiving panel, wherein the infrared reflective coating material contains a pearl pigment whose reflected light is red-purple, red, orange, yellow, and green yellow, and a non-volatile organic compound as a binder of the pearl pigment.
As written above the absorption of the ceramic ink of the enamel can lead to locally increased temperature in the photovoltaic panel, which reduces the efficiency of the photovoltaic cell, and when the decorative print is done in the form of dot or line pattern to increase transmission, a gradient of temperatures can be produced which is also harmful for the photovoltaic cell.
The object of the present invention is to provide a photovoltaic panel wherein appearance is improved and locally increased temperatures in the photovoltaic panel are prevented.
The object of the present invention is accomplished according to the invention by a photovoltaic panel according to the independent claim 1. Preferred embodiments emerge from the subclaims.
The invention relates to a photovoltaic panel at least comprising a substrate, a first interlayer, a photovoltaic cell, a second interlayer, a tempered glass cover element with an inner surface and an outer surface and an enamel layer comprising one or more ceramic pigments.
In the photovoltaic panel according to the invention the substrate and the tempered glass cover element are bonded to each other by means of the first interlayer and the second interlayer, the photovoltaic cell is located between the first interlayer and the second interlayer, and the enamel layer covers at least partially the inner surface or the outer surface of the tempered glass cover element. The enamel layer comprises ceramic pigments that reflect near infrared (NIR) radiation or infrared (IR) radiation. According to the invention essentially all ceramic pigments contained in the enamel layer are ceramic pigments that reflect NIR radiation or IR radiation. Particularly preferably 100 % of the ceramic pigments contained in the enamel layer are ceramic pigments that reflect NIR radiation or IR radiation. Preferably the enamel layer comprises ceramic pigments that reflect NIR radiation.
The term “tempered glass cover element” should be understood in the context of the invention as thermally tempered glass cover element and not as chemically tempered glass cover element.
The outer surface of the tempered glass cover element faces the outside and the inner surface of the tempered glass cover element is opposite to the outer surface.
Thermally tempered glass cover elements have a region near the surfaces in compression and an interior region in tension. Thermally tempered glass cover elements should have surface compressive stresses of at least about 25 MPa, 50 MPa, or greater than 70 MPa. The compressive stress (including surface compressive stress) is measured by surface stress meter (FSM) using commercially available instruments such as the FSM-6000, manufactured by Orihara Industrial Co., Ltd. (Japan). Surface stress measurements rely upon the accurate measurement of the stress optical coefficient (SOC), which is related to the birefringence of the glass. SOC in turn is measured according to Procedure C (Glass Disc Method) described in ASTM standard C770-16, entitled "Standard Test Method for Measurement of Glass Stress- Optical Coefficient," the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety.
Preferably the tempered glass cover element is a thermally treated glass cover element having a surface compressive stress of at least 70 MPa.
In a preferred embodiment the enamel layer covers at least partially the inner surface of the tempered glass cover element. This arrangement is particularly advantageous because the enamel layer is not exposed to the outside and thus not exposed to external such as wind pressure, hail, snow load, and so on. Moreover, scratches in enamel layer can be prevented, when the enamel layer is arranged on the inner surface of the tempered glass cover element. This embodiment is also more robust and/or durable with regard to aging and more easy to clean.
In another embodiment the enamel layer covers at least partially the outer surface of the tempered glass cover element. This arrangement is advantageous with regard to the reflection of near infrared (NIR) radiation or infrared (IR) radiation.
In one embodiment the enamel layer fully covers the inner surface of the tempered glass cover element. In another embodiment the enamel layer fully covers the outer surface of the tempered glass cover element.
In the embodiments in which the enamel layer fully covers the inner surface or the outer surface of the tempered glass cover element the appearance of optically disturbing effects due to interaction with the structure of the photovoltaic cell can be reduced and so-called Moire effects can be prevented.
An enamel layer which fully covers the inner surface or the outer surface of the tempered glass cover element can be used independently from the structure of the photovoltaic cell, gives a more uniform appearance even on closer observation and/or better hides the interconnectors of the photovoltaic cells.
It is also possible, that the enamel layer only partially covers the inner surface of the tempered glass cover element. In another embodiment the enamel layer partially covers the outer surface of the tempered glass cover element.
In a preferred embodiment the enamel layer is shaped as a pattern, preferably as a pattern of at least a plurality of dots or a plurality of stripe shapes. In general, the enamel layer can be shaped as any kind of pattern. A plurality of dots or a plurality of stripe shapes are preferred because these kind of patterns largely improve the aesthetic of the photovoltaic panel according to the invention.
The photovoltaic cell can be a so-called thin-film solar cell or a crystalline silicon photovoltaic cell. Preferably the photovoltaic cell is a crystalline silicon (mono crystalline c-Si or multi crystalline mc-Si) photovoltaic cell. Crystalline silicon photovoltaic cells have a better efficiency and durability compared to thin-film solar cells. Moreover, crystalline silicon photovoltaic cells are more sensitive to temperature effects.
The photovoltaic panel according to the invention can comprise one or a plurality of photovoltaic cells. In case the photovoltaic panel comprises a plurality of photovoltaic cells, these cells are spaced apart from each other and can be electrically connected parallel, in series, or series-parallel by interconnectors. For example, a plurality of photovoltaic cells can be connected in series to form a photovoltaic cell string exceeding alone one direction. Different structures and shapes for connecting the photovoltaic cells may be applied to the interconnectors. A ribbon or a wire may be applied for example.
In order to effectively reflect the infrared radiation, the particles of ceramic pigments must not be too small. Their diameter is advantageously of the same order of magnitude as the wavelength of the infrared radiation reflected.
The NIR-reflective ceramic pigments and the IR-reflective ceramic pigments used in the present invention are therefore advantageously formed of particles having a mean diameter of between 500 nm and 10 pm, preferably between 600 nm and 5.0 pm, in particular between 700 nm and 3 pm.
The ceramic pigments used in the present invention are of dark color, preferably of a color close to black.
The hue of a colorant or pigment is conventionally defined in the CIE L*a*b* color space which is defined by three quantities (L*, a* and b*) of which the first L* denotes the lightness. The value of L* ranges from 0 for black to 100 for white. The lightness L* of the ceramic pigments that are used in the present invention, in particular the lightness L* of the NIR-reflective ceramic pigments and the IR-reflective ceramic pigments used in the present invention, is preferably less than 20, more preferably less than 10. Preferably the lightness L* is between 1 and 20, in particular between 4 and 10.
Examples of dark-colored ceramic pigments that reflect near-infrared radiation (NIR radiation) and/or infrared radiation (IR radiation) that can be used in the present invention, are disclosed in US 2019/0152845 A1 and US 2017/0240459 A1. Among these ceramic pigments, iron chromites (Cl Pigment Brown 35 and Cl Pigment Brown 29) and iron-nickel chromites (Cl Pigment Black 30) are particularly preferred.
WO 2017/068368 A1 also discloses inorganic pigments that reflect infrared radiation.
In a preferred embodiment of the invention the ceramic pigments that reflect near infrared (NIR) radiation and/or infrared (IR) radiation, reflect greater than 40 % of light at a wavelength of greater than 1000 nm.
The substrate is preferably a rigid panel and preferably contains glass, particularly preferably flat glass, float glass, quartz glass, borosilicate glass, or soda lime glass or plastics, preferably polyethylene, polypropylene, polycarbonate, polymethyl methacrylate, polystyrene, polyamide, polyester, polyvinyl chloride, and/or mixtures thereof. Particularly preferably the substrate contains flat glass, float glass, quartz glass, borosilicate glass, or soda lime glass. It has the function of electrically insulating, protecting and shielding the photovoltaic cells from external agents such as rain or moisture for example.
The tempered glass cover element is preferably made of float glass or borosilicate glass. The tempered glass cover element contains in particular low-iron soda-lime glass with high permeability to sunlight.
In one embodiment the tempered glass cover element is a plane glass sheet, i.e. a glass sheet with plane surfaces and thus a non-textured glass sheet.
In one embodiment the tempered glass cover element is a tempered textured glass sheet, i.e. a glass sheet with at least one textured surface. A textured surface is a surface comprising elevations and depressions. The tempered textured glass sheet can comprise either one textured surface or two textured surfaces. Textured transparent panels having a high light transmission are described in US 2005/0039788 A1 for example.
In one embodiment of the invention the inner surface of the tempered glass cover element is a textured inner surface comprising elevations and depressions and the outer surface is a plane surface. The enamel layer covers at least partially the textured inner surface or the plane outer surface. In another embodiment of the invention the outer surface of the tempered glass cover element is a textured outer surface comprising elevations and depressions and the inner surface of the tempered glass cover element is a plane surface. The enamel layer covers at least partially the textured outer surface or the plane inner surface.
In another embodiment of the invention the inner surface of the tempered glass cover element is a textured inner surface comprising elevations and depressions and the outer surface of the tempered glass cover element is a textured outer surface comprising elevations and depressions. The enamel layer covers at least partially the textured inner surface or the textured outer surface.
The elevations and depressions can for example be of punctual or of elongate shape.
In a preferred embodiment of the invention the thickness of the enamel layer is between 5 pm (micrometer) and 100 pm, preferably between 15 pm and 50 pm, more preferably between 25 pm and 50 pm.
In embodiments in which the inner surface of the tempered glass cover element is a textured inner surface comprising elevations and depressions and/or the outer surface of the tempered glass cover element is a textured outer surface comprising elevations and depressions and in which the enamel layer covers at least partially the textured inner surface or the textured outer surface, the thickness of the enamel layer is greater than the depth of the depressions. Thus, the enamel does not only at least cover the depressions but also at least partially covers the elevations. An enamel layer whose thickness is greater than the depth of the depressions therefore ensures that the desired pattern of the enamel layer is not influenced by the texture of the surface which is at least partially covered by the enamel layer.
The enamel layer is preferably a dark-colored enamel layer, particularly preferably a black enamel layer containing at least 10 % in mass of pure black ceramic pigments.
The enamel layer preferably consists of a vitreous binder and ceramic pigments. In order to be able to prepare enamel coating, it is advantageous to manage the volume fraction of ceramic pigments in the enamel as much as possible. Below a certain limit, pigment properties brought to material will be insufficient in terms of Lightness and Reflection range values achievement.
Beyond a certain limit, an increase in the pigment content results in insufficient cohesion and mechanical embrittlement of the enamel layer.
For those reasons, the total ceramic pigment content of the enamel layer should generally not exceed about 40% by weight.
In a preferred embodiment, the total content of ceramic pigments in the enamel layer is between 20% and 40% by weight, preferably between 30% and 39% by weight and in particular between 35% and 38% by weight, relative to the total weight of the enamel layer.
The vitreous binder, which preferably constitutes at least 60% by weight of the enamel layer, provides the bond between the pigment particles and the adhesion of the enamel layer to the glass pane. Without such vitreous binder, ceramic pigment will not have adhesion to glass pane. The binder is generally obtained by melting a glass frit having a softening point at least 50 °C below the temperature to which the glass sheet is heated before thermal tempering. The softening point of the vitreous binder is preferably less than 590 °C.
The tempered glass cover sheet and substrate preferably have thicknesses from 1.5 mm to 10 mm. The area of the pane can be for example 100 cm2 up to 18 m2, preferably 0.5 m2 to 3 m2.
The first interlayer and the second interlayer contain independently from each other a thermoplastic polymer, preferably ethylene vinyl acetate (EVA), polyvinyl butyral (PVB), polyurethane (PU), polyethylene (PE), and/or polyethylene terephthalate (PET). Ethylene vinyl acetate (EVA) is particularly preferred. Each interlayer preferably has a thickness from 0.2 mm to 1.14 mm, particularly preferably from 0.38 mm to 0.76 mm. The first and the second interlayer can be made from the same or different materials. The first and/or the second interlayer can also be a multilayer film.
The photovoltaic cell is preferably a layer system comprising at least one photovoltaically active absorber layer between a front electrode layer and a back electrode layer. The front electrode layer is arranged on the side of the absorber layer facing the tempered glass cover element. The back electrode layer is arranged on the side of the absorber layer facing the substrate.
The photovoltaically active absorber layer preferably comprises at least one p-type semiconductor layer. The p-type semiconductor layer contains preferably crystalline silicon.
The photovoltaically active absorber layer preferably has a layer thickness from 180 pm to 350 pm, particularly preferably from 180 pm to 250 pm, for example 200 pm.
The back electrode layer can contain, for example, at least one metal, preferably molybdenum, titanium, tungsten, nickel, titanium, chromium, and/or tantalum. The back electrode layer preferably has a layer thickness from 300 nm to 600 nm.
The front electrode layer is transparent in the spectral range in which the absorber layer is sensitive. The front electrode layer can contain, for example, an n-type semiconductor, preferably aluminum-doped zinc oxide or indium tin oxide. The front electrode layer preferably has a layer thickness from 500 nm to 2 pm.
The electrode layers can also contain silver, gold, copper, nickel, chromium, tungsten, tin oxide, silicon dioxide, silicon nitride, and/or combinations as well as mixtures thereof. The electrode layers can also include a layer stack of different individual layers. Such a layer stack can contain, for example, a diffusion barrier layer made, for example, of silicon nitride, to prevent diffusion of ions into the photovoltaically active absorber layer.
The photovoltaic layer system can, of course, include other individual layers known to the person skilled in the art, for example, a buffer layer to adjust the electronic properties between the absorber layer and an electrode layer.
The invention also relates to a method for manufacturing a photovoltaic panel according to the invention, wherein the method comprises at least the following steps:
(a) providing a substrate, a first interlayer, photovoltaic cell, a second interlayer and a glass sheet with an inner surface and an outer surface;
(b) applying, at least partially, on the inner surface or on the outer surface of the glass sheet a pigmented glass paste comprising a glass frit and one or more ceramic pigments wherein the ceramic pigments are ceramic pigments, that reflect near infrared (NIR) radiation and/or infrared (IR) radiation, and;
(c) tempering the glass sheet with the pigmented glass paste to form a tempered glass cover element with an enamel layer on its inner surface or on its outer surface;
(d) stacking in the following order the substrate, the first interlayer, the photovoltaic cell, the second interlayer and the tempered glass cover element with the enamel layer on its inner surface or its outer surface;
(e) laminating the stack obtained in step (d).
In a preferred embodiment of the method according to the invention, the pigmented glass paste is applied in step (b) by screen printing or inkjet printing techniques.
In one or more embodiments of this disclosure, the pigmented glass paste applied in step (b) is a mixture of ceramic pigments and finely ground glass particles, called a frit, typically suspended in a vehicle or carrier composition that aids in the uniform application of the pigment and frit to the inner surface or the outer surface of the glass sheet.
After its application to inner surface or the outer surface of the glass sheet the pigmented glass paste is fused together and to the glass sheet by a tempering process that typically involves temperatures from about 600° C. to 700° C., such as from 630° C. to 660° C. During the tempering process, the vehicle or carrier vaporizes or burns off to leave behind the solid components of the pigmented glass paste.
In one or more embodiments, the pigmented glass paste comprises a vehicle or carrier that is used to suspend the ceramic pigment and the finely ground glass particles, called a frit, so that they may be applied evenly and uniformly to the substrate surface prior to firing. In addition to adequately suspending the particulates, the vehicle must burn off completely or be otherwise removed upon firing. In one or more embodiments, the vehicle or carrier may be included in the pigmented glass paste in an amount of about 10% to 40% by weight, or about 15% to 35% by weight, or about 20% to 30% by weight.
In one or more embodiments, the vehicle is an organic solvent such as 2,2,4-trimethyl pentanediol monoisobutyrate; alpha-terpineol; beta terpineol; gamma terpineol; tridecyl alcohol; diethylene glycol ethyl ether, diethylene glycol butyl ether; pine oils, vegetable oils, mineral oils, low molecular weight petroleum fractions, tridecyl alcohols, synthetic or natural resins (e.g., cellulosic resins or acrylate resins), PM (propylene glycol mono methyl ether), DPM (dipropylene glycol mono methyl ether), TPM (tripropylene glycol mono methyl ether), PnB (propylene glycol mono n-butyl ether), DPnB (dipropylene glycol mono butyl ether), TPNB (tripropylene glycol mono n-butyl ether), PnP (propylene glycol mono propyl ether), DPnP (dipropylene glycol mono propyl ether), TPNB-H (propylene glycol butyl ether), PMA (propylene glycol mono methyl ether acetate), Dowanol DB (Diethylene glycol mono butyl ether, available from (Dow Chemical Company, USA)) or other ethylene or propylene glycol ethers. In some embodiments, the vehicle may also be a mixture of two or more different organic solvents.
In a preferred embodiment the enamel layer is applied in step (b) in form of a pattern, preferably a pattern of at least a plurality of dots or a plurality of stripe shapes.
For the bonding of substrate, the first interlayer, the photovoltaic cell, the second interlayer and the tempered glass cover element with the enamel layer on its inner surface or its outer surface in the lamination in step (e), the methods familiar to the person skilled in the art with and without prior production of a pre-laminate can be used. For example, so-called "autoclave methods" can be performed at an elevated pressure of roughly 10 bar to 15 bar and in temperatures from 130° C. to 145° C. over roughly 2 hours. Vacuum bag or vacuum ring methods known per se operate, for example, at roughly 200 mbar and 130° C. to 145° C.
Preferably, the tempered glass cover element and the substrate can be pressed with the interlayers and the photovoltaic cell in a calender between at least one pair of rollers to form a photovoltaic panel according to the invention. Systems of this type are known for production of a laminated glazings and normally have at least one heating tunnel upstream from a pressing unit. The temperature during the pressing procedure is, for example, from 40° C. to 150° C. Combinations of calendering and autoclaving methods have proved particularly valuable in practice.
Alternatively, vacuum laminators are used for producing the photovoltaic panels according to the invention. These consist of one or a plurality of a heatable and evacuable chambers in which the tempered glass cover element and substrate can be laminated within, for example, roughly 60 minutes at reduced pressures from 0.01 mbar to 800 mbar and temperatures from 80° C. to 170° C. The preferred embodiments of the photovoltaic panel according to the invention described above also apply accordingly to the method for manufacturing a photovoltaic panel according to the invention.
The invention also relates to the use of a photovoltaic panel according to the invention as a roof panel or a building integrated photovoltaics (BIPV).
The invention is now explained in detail using exemplary embodiments and referring to the accompanying figures. The figures in no way restrict the invention. In a simplified, not to scale representation, they depict:
Fig. 1 a cross-section of an embodiment of a photovoltaic panel according to the invention, Fig. 2 a cross-section of another embodiment of a photovoltaic panel according to the invention,
Fig. 3 a perspective view of an embodiment of a photovoltaic panel according to the invention;
Fig. 4 a plan view of an embodiment of a photovoltaic panel according to the invention,
Fig. 5 a cross-sectional view of along the section line X-X' through the photovoltaic panel of Fig. 4,
Fig. 6 a cross-sectional view through an embodiment of a photovoltaic panel according to the invention,
Fig. 7 a plan view of another embodiment of a photovoltaic panel according to the invention, Fig. 8 a plan view of another embodiment of a photovoltaic panel according to the invention, Fig. 9 a flowchart of an embodiment of the method according to the invention,
Fig. 10 the reflection spectrum of the UV-visible-IR radiation of enamel of different thicknesses containing a black IR reflective pigment,
Fig. 11 the reflection spectrum of the UV-visible-IR radiation of enamel of different thicknesses containing a standard black pigment.
Fig. 1 depicts a cross-section of an embodiment of a photovoltaic panel 1 according to the invention. In the embodiment depicted in Fig. 1 the photovoltaic panel 1 comprises a substrate 2, a first interlayer 3, a photovoltaic cell 5, a second interlayer 6, a tempered glass cover element 7 and an enamel layer 8. The substrate 2 and the tempered glass cover element 7 are bonded to each other by means of the first interlayer 3 and the second interlayer 6. The photovoltaic cell 5 is located between the first interlayer 3 and the second interlayer 6. The tempered glass cover element 7 has an inner surface 7a facing the second interlayer 6 and an outer surface 7b opposite to the inner surface 7a and facing the outside. In the embodiment depicted in Fig. 1 the enamel layer 8 fully covers the inner surface 7a of the tempered glass cover element 7. The photovoltaic cell 5 is for example a mono crystalline photovoltaic cell with a thickness of 200 pm. The first interlayer 3 and the second interlayer contain 6 ethylene vinyl acetate (EVA) and have a thickness of 0.38 mm each. The substrate 2 and the tempered glass cover element 7 are made of float glass and have a thickness of 3.2 mm each. The enamel layer 8 comprises ceramic pigments and has a humid printed thickness of 30 pm. The ceramic pigments are iron chromites of black color that reflect near-infrared radiation.
Fig. 2 depicts a cross-section of another embodiment of a photovoltaic panel 1 according to the invention. The embodiment depicted in Fig. 2 differs from the embodiment depicted in Fig. 1 only in that the enamel layer 8 fully covers the outer surface 7b of the tempered glass cover element 7.
Fig. 3 depicts a perspective view of an embodiment of a photovoltaic panel 1 according to the invention. The embodiment depicted in Fig. 3 differs from the embodiment depicted in Fig. 1 only in that in the embodiment shown in Fig. 3, a plurality of photovoltaic cells 5 are spaced apart from each other and are electrically connected by interconnectors 9 and 10 to form an array 4 of photovoltaic cells 5. This array 4 of photovoltaic cells 5 is located between the first interlayer 3 and the second interlayer 6. Any of various structures and shapes for connecting the photovoltaic cells 5, such as a ribbon and a wire, may be applied to the interconnectors 9 and 10. Embodiments are not limited to a number, a structure, a shape, and the like of the interconnectors 9 and 10.
Fig. 4 depicts a plan view of an embodiment of a photovoltaic panel 1 according to the invention, and Fig. 5 depicts a cross-sectional view of along the section line X-X' through the photovoltaic panel of Fig. 4.
The embodiment depicted in Fig. 4 and Fig. 5 differs from the embodiment depicted in Fig. 1 only in that the enamel layer 8 is formed in the shape of stripes.
Fig. 6 depicts a cross-sectional view through another embodiment of a photovoltaic panel 1 according to the invention. The embodiment shown in Fig. 6 differs from the embodiment shown in Fig. 5 only in that the enamel layer 8 partially covers the outer surface 7b of the tempered glass cover sheet 7 and a plurality of photovoltaic cells 5 interconnected by interconnectors 9 is located between the first interlayer 3 and the second interlayer 6.
In Fig. 7 a plan view of another embodiment of a photovoltaic panel 1 according to the invention is depicted. In the embodiment shown in Fig. 7 the enamel layer 8 covers the inner surface 7a or the outer surface 7b of the tempered glass cover sheet 7 in the form of a dotted pattern.
Fig. 8 depicts a plan view of another embodiment of a photovoltaic panel 1 according to the invention. The embodiment shown in Fig. 8 differs from the embodiment shown in Fig. 7 only in that the pattern of the enamel layer 8 differs. In principle any kind of pattern is possible for the enamel layer.
Fig. 9 depicts a flowchart of an embodiment of a method according to the invention for producing a photovoltaic panel 1. In a first step I a substrate 2, a first interlayer 3, photovoltaic cell 5, a second interlayer 6 and a glass sheet with an inner surface and an outer surface is provided. In a second step II a pigmented glass paste comprising a glass frit and one or more ceramic pigments is applied at least partially on the inner surface or on the outer surface of the glass sheet, wherein the ceramic pigments are ceramic pigments, that reflect near infrared (NIR) radiation and/or infrared (IR) radiation. In a third step III the glass sheet with the pigmented glass paste is tempered to form a tempered glass cover element 7 with an enamel layer 8 on its inner surface 7a or its outer surface 7b. In a fourth step IV the materials are stacked in the following order: substrate 2, first interlayer 3, photovoltaic cell 5, second interlayer 6, tempered glass cover element 7 with the enamel layer 8 on its inner surface 7a or its outer surface 7b. In a fifth step V the stack obtained in step IV is laminated to form the photovoltaic panel 1 according to the invention.
Fig. 10 depicts the reflection spectrum of the UV-visible-IR radiation of ceramic frit free enamels of different thicknesses containing a black NIR reflective pigment and Fig. 11 depicts the reflection spectrum of the UV-visible-IR radiation of ceramic frit free enamels of different thicknesses containing a standard black pigment. Parameters and printing conditions applied for all tested enamels are summarized in Table 1 :
Table 1 The reflectance measurements were conducted with a spectrometer LAMBDA 900.
As can be seen in Fig. 10 and Fig. 11 , in the UV domain, for the two enamel references, light reflection is low, between 0 and 15% for all thicknesses.
In the visible domain (380-780nm), the enamel with the black pigment DV154140 remains low reflective (~3-4%), whatever the thickness deposited. For the enamel with the NIR reflective black pigment VV36-175-3, reflection is around 10% and progressively increases until 15% at 780nm, whatever the thickness deposited.
In the near IR domain reflection of the enamel with the black pigment DV154140 remains stable (between 4 and 7%) and for the enamel with the NIR reflective black pigment VV36- 175-3, there is a strong increase in light reflection up to 1200nm (65% 12pm thickness and
85% for 31 pm thickness). Then, light reflection decreases gradually for all thicknesses but less rapidly for 31pm thickness sample. References:
1 photovoltaic panel
2 substrate 3 first interlayer
4 array
5 photovoltaic cell
6 second interlayer
7 tempered glass cover element 7a inner surface of tempered glass cover element
7b outer surface of tempered glass cover element
8 enamel layer
9 interconnector
10 interconnector

Claims

Claims
1. A photovoltaic panel (1) at least comprising:
- a substrate (2);
- a first interlayer (3);
- a photovoltaic cell (5);
- a second interlayer (6);
- a tempered glass cover element (7) with an inner surface (7a) and an outer surface (7b); and
- an enamel layer (8) comprising one or more ceramic pigments; wherein the substrate (2) and the tempered glass cover element (7) are bonded to each other by means of the first interlayer (3) and the second interlayer (6), the photovoltaic cell (5) is located between the first interlayer (3) and the second interlayer (6) and the enamel layer (8) covers at least partially the inner surface (7a) or the outer surface (7b) of the tempered glass cover element (7); and wherein the ceramic pigments are ceramic pigments, that reflect near infrared (NIR) radiation and/or infrared (IR) radiation.
2. A photovoltaic panel (1) according to claim 1, wherein the enamel layer (8) fully covers the inner surface (7a) or the outer surface (7b) of the tempered glass cover element (7).
3. A photovoltaic panel (1) according to claim 1, wherein the enamel layer (8) partially covers the inner surface (7a) of the tempered glass cover element (7).
4. A photovoltaic panel (1) according to claim 1, wherein the enamel layer (8) partially covers the outer surface (7b) of the tempered glass cover element (7).
5. A photovoltaic panel (1 ) according to claim 3 or 4, wherein the enamel layer (8) is shaped as a pattern, in particular as a pattern of at least a plurality of dots or a plurality of stripe shapes.
6. A photovoltaic panel (1) according to one of claims 1 through 5, wherein the photovoltaic cell (5) is a crystalline silicon photovoltaic cell.
7. A photovoltaic panel (1) according to one of claims 1 through 6, wherein the ceramic pigments have a lightness L* of less than 20, preferably with a lightness L* between 10 and 4 and/or the ceramic pigments reflect greater than 40 % of light at a wavelength of greater than 1000 nm.
8. A photovoltaic panel (1) according to one of claims 1 through 7, wherein the thickness of the enamel layer (8) is between 5 pm (micrometer) and 100 pm, preferably between 15 pm and 50 pm, more preferably between 25 pm and 50 pm.
9. A photovoltaic panel (1) according to one of claims 1 through 8, wherein the tempered glass cover element (7) is a plane glass sheet.
10. A photovoltaic panel (1) according to one of claims 1 through 8, wherein the inner surface (7a) of the tempered glass cover element (7) is a textured inner surface comprising elevations and depressions and/or the outer surface (7b) of the tempered glass cover element (7) is a textured outer surface comprising elevations and depressions.
11. A photovoltaic panel (1) according to claim 10, wherein the enamel layer (8) covers at least partially the textured inner surface or the textured outer surface of the tempered glass cover element (7) and wherein the thickness of the enamel layer (8) is greater than the depth of the depressions and the enamel layer (8) covers at least partially the elevations and depressions.
12. A photovoltaic panel (1) according to one of claims 1 through 11 , wherein the ceramic pigments are selected from the group comprising iron chromites and iron-nickel chromites.
13. A photovoltaic panel (1) according to one of claims 1 through 12, wherein the enamel layer (8) is a dark-colored enamel layer, preferably a black enamel layer containing at least 10 % in mass of pure black ceramic pigments.
14. A method for manufacturing a photovoltaic panel (1) according to one of claims 1 through 13 wherein the method comprises at least the following steps:
(a) providing a substrate (2), a first interlayer (3), a photovoltaic cell (5), a second interlayer (6) and a glass sheet with an inner surface and an outer surface;
(b) applying, at least partially, on the inner surface or on the outer surface of the glass sheet a pigmented glass paste comprising a glass frit and one or more ceramic pigments wherein the ceramic pigments are ceramic pigments, that reflect near infrared (NIR) radiation and/or infrared (IR) radiation, and;
(c) tempering the glass sheet with the pigmented glass paste to form a tempered glass cover element (7) with an enamel layer (8) on its inner surface (7a) or on its outer surface (7b);
(d) stacking in the following order the substrate (2), the first interlayer (3), the photovoltaic cell (5), the second interlayer (6) and the tempered glass cover element (7) with the enamel layer (8) on its inner surface (7a) or its outer surface (7b);
(e) laminating the stack obtained in step (d).
15. Use of a photovoltaic panel (1) according to one of claims 1 through 13 as a roof panel or a building integrated photovoltaics (BIPV).
EP21746728.1A 2020-07-22 2021-07-20 Photovoltaic panel Pending EP4186102A1 (en)

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PCT/EP2021/070257 WO2022018078A1 (en) 2020-07-22 2021-07-20 Photovoltaic panel

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