GB2299401A - A solar panel - Google Patents

A solar panel Download PDF

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Publication number
GB2299401A
GB2299401A GB9506548A GB9506548A GB2299401A GB 2299401 A GB2299401 A GB 2299401A GB 9506548 A GB9506548 A GB 9506548A GB 9506548 A GB9506548 A GB 9506548A GB 2299401 A GB2299401 A GB 2299401A
Authority
GB
United Kingdom
Prior art keywords
solar panel
heat exchanger
cover
panel according
curved
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.)
Granted
Application number
GB9506548A
Other versions
GB2299401B (en
GB9506548D0 (en
Inventor
Francis John Smith
Anthony William Robert Stock
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.)
TRANSOLAR Ltd
Original Assignee
TRANSOLAR Ltd
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 TRANSOLAR Ltd filed Critical TRANSOLAR Ltd
Priority to GB9506548A priority Critical patent/GB2299401B/en
Publication of GB9506548D0 publication Critical patent/GB9506548D0/en
Publication of GB2299401A publication Critical patent/GB2299401A/en
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of GB2299401B publication Critical patent/GB2299401B/en
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical
Expired - Fee Related legal-status Critical Current

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Classifications

    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F24—HEATING; RANGES; VENTILATING
    • F24S—SOLAR HEAT COLLECTORS; SOLAR HEAT SYSTEMS
    • F24S80/00—Details, accessories or component parts of solar heat collectors not provided for in groups F24S10/00-F24S70/00
    • F24S80/50—Elements for transmitting incoming solar rays and preventing outgoing heat radiation; Transparent coverings
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F24—HEATING; RANGES; VENTILATING
    • F24S—SOLAR HEAT COLLECTORS; SOLAR HEAT SYSTEMS
    • F24S10/00—Solar heat collectors using working fluids
    • 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
    • Y02E10/40—Solar thermal energy, e.g. solar towers
    • Y02E10/44—Heat exchange systems

Abstract

A solar panel (2) comprising a heat exchanger (4) and a cover (6), the cover (6) being for reducing heat loss from the solar panel (2) due to wind passing over the solar panel (2), the cover (6) being made of a transparent or translucent material for facilitating the passage of solar energy through the cover (6) and to the heat exchanger (4), and the cover (6) being such that it does not have a frame whereby shadows over the solar panel (2) that would be created by a frame and that would result in a loss of collected solar energy are avoided. Preferably the solar panel is a curved solar panel.

Description

A SOLAR PANEL This invention relates to a solar panel.
Solar panels are well known for use in heating water, for example for central heating and washing purposes. The solar panels have the potential to provide a low cost alternative to using oil, coal or natural gas as a source of fuel for heating purposes.
The known solar panels suffer from the disadvantage that they are inefficient. It is an aim of the present invention to reduce the problem.
Accordingly, in one non-limiting embodiment of the present invention there is provided a solar panel comprising a heat exchanger and a cover, the cover being for use in reducing heat loss from the solar panel due to wind passing over the solar panel, the cover being made of a transparent or translucent material for facilitating the passage of solar energy through the cover and to the heat exchanger, and the cover being such that it does not have a frame whereby shadows over the solar panel that would be created by a frame and that would result in a loss of collected solar energy are avoided.
The construction of the solar panel without a frame substantially increases the amount of solar energy that is able to be collected by the solar panel. The use of a frame would create substantial shadows over the solar panel, thereby substantially reducing the area of the solar panel available for receiving maximum solar energy.
For normal usage such for example as providing hot water for central heating and water for domestic use, the heat exchanger will usually contain water. Other liquids may however be employed if desired. The solar panel may be made with less components than many known solar panels due to the fact that a frame is not required, and thus the solar panel may be cheaper to manufacture and sell than many known solar panels.
Preferably, the solar panel is a curved solar panel. Also preferably, the curved solar panel has a curved surface which is a section through a true cylinder. If desired the solar panel may be a flat solar panel but a curved solar panel is preferred since a curved solar panel is able to receive the sun's rays for a longer period each day than a flat solar panel.
The curved solar panel is also better able to collect diffused solar energy, for example from clouds and the ground. The curved solar panel may also create a laminar air flow over the solar panel which helps to reduce heat loss. Also, the curved solar panel may give a streamlined appearance which is more pleasing to the eye than a flat solar panel.
Preferably, the cover is a one piece cover. If desired however, the cover may be made in several pieces. The cover is preferably in the form of a dome.
Where the solar panel is a curved solar panel, then the heat exchanger will normally be a curved heat exchanger. The curved heat exchanger is preferably a curved heat exchanger which is in two parts which are separated from each other. The two parts will normally be of equal size so that the separation will be a centrally positioned separation in the heat exchanger.
The formation of the curved heat exchanger in the two parts helps to stop the transfer of heat from one side of the curved solar panel exposed to the sun's rays, for example in the early morning or the late evening, to the other side of the solar panel which is not exposed to the sun's rays. This avoidance or reduction of the heat transfer from one side of the curved solar panel to another side is able substantially to increase the operating efficiency of the solar panel.
Where the solar panel is a flat solar panel, then the heat exchanger will normally be a flat one piece heat exchanger.
Preferably, the solar panel is such that the heat exchanger is a turbulent flow heat exchanger. The turbulent flow in the heat exchanger, for example a curved heat exchanger or a flat heat exchanger, may be created by providing obstacles in the heat exchanger which interrupt the flow of liquid, for example water, through the heat exchanger.
Preferably, the cover is made of fibre glass. The fibre glass enables the cover easily to be made without a frame. As indicated above, the absence of a frame means that shadow normally created by the frame and received on the heat exchanger can be avoided. The avoidance of shadows on the heat exchanger from a frame can increase the efficiency of the solar panel up to three per cent on the side of the solar panel facing the sun. The fibre glass is also preferred because it is stronger and cheaper than glass. Generally, the material from which the cover is made should be such that it is able to withstand possible damage during transit and installation, and also damage due to hailstones and the like during use. A presently preferred fibre glass is polymethyl methacrylate G.R.P.
The polymethyl methacrylate G.R.P. gives a good transmission of solar energy through the cover to the heat exchanger.
The cover may have a matt surface. The matt or etched surface may have the effect of substantially reducing reflectivity. The matt surface may give an increase in transmission of solar energy through the cover of up to six per cent.
Preferably, the heat exchanger is made of copper since copper has a high thermal conductivity. The heat exchanger may also be made of aluminium. In instances where a high thermal conductivity is not required, for example in tropical countries where there is plenty of sun, then the heat exchanger may be made of steel if cost considerations are more important than achieving a high thermal conductivity. The heat exchanger will usually comprise a plurality of pipes or other channels through which water or another liquid flows and is heated.
The solar panel may include a base. The base will usually be a flat base. The base is preferably made of the same material as the cover so that the base is preferably made of fibre glass.
The cover may include insulating material. The insulating material is preferably a foam insulating material. The foam insulating material will usually be a plastics foam insulating material such for example as polyurethane. The insulating material may have a curved upper surface and a flat lower surface so that the insulating material may be in the form of a section of a cylinder.
Embodiments of the invention will now be described solely by way of example and with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 is an exploded section through a solar panel; Figure 2 shows the rays of the sun striking the solar panel shown in Figure 1 as compared with the rays of the sun striking a similar sized but flat solar panel; and Figure 3 is similar to Figure 2 but shows the rays of the sun extending horizontally rather than at an angle as shown in Figure 2.
Referring to Figure 1, there is shown a solar panel 2 comprising a heat exchanger 4 and a cover 6. The cover 6 is for use in reducing heat loss from the solar panel 2 due to wind passing over the solar panel 2. The cover 6 is made of a translucent material for facilitating the passage of solar energy through the cover 6 and to the heat exchanger 4. As can be seen from Figure 1, the cover is such that it does not have a frame, whereby shadows over the solar panel and in particular on the heat exchanger 4 that would be created by a frame and that would result in a loss of collected solar energy, are avoided.
The solar panel 2 is a curved solar panel. More specifically, the heat exchanger 4 is a curved heat exchanger 4 and the cover 6 has a curved outer surface 8. The cover 6 is a one piece cover, but the heat exchanger 4 is in two parts 10, 12 as shown. The two parts 10, 12 are of the same size and shape and they are separated from each other by a gap 14. The gap 14 is effective to stop heat loss from one part 10, 12 of the heat exchanger 4 to the other part in cases where one part 10, 12 is receiving the sun's rays, for example in the early morning or late evening, and the other part of the heat exchanger 4 is not receiving the sun's rays.
The heat exchanger 4 is a turbulent flow heat exchanger 4. The heat exchanger 4 has obstacles (not shown) provided in the flow path of water flowing through channels 16 in the heat exchanger 4. The heat exchanger 4 is made of copper.
The cover 6 is made of polymethyl methacrylate G.R.P. The cover 6 has a matt surface for reducing reflectivity and thereby increasing solar energy transmissivity through the cover 6.
The solar panel 2 includes a base 18. The base 18 is made from the same material as the cover 6. Thus the base 18 is made of polymethyl methacrylate fibre glass.
The cover 6 has a flat peripheral portion 20 which enables the cover 6 to be secured to the flat base 18, this being effected by means of double sided bonded tape 22, or mastic. The base 18 can then be fixed to a roof, for example by drilling and fixing through the base 18 and roof tiles, or alternatively by taking out a section of roof tiles and fixing the solar panel in position with lead flashing.
The solar panel 2 is provided with plastics foam insulation 24 as shown. Also shown in Figure 1 in broken lines are pipes 26 for leading water to and away from the heat exchanger 4. The channels 16 in the heat exchanger 4 are relatively thin for allowing a good heat transfer to the water in the channels 16. The channels 16 may be approximately lmm thick.
Referring now to Figure 2, there is shown the solar panel 2 of Figure 1 and also a flat solar panel 28. The flat solar panel 28 is also without a frame and the flat solar panel 28 is also in accordance with the present invention. Figure 2 illustrates however how a curved solar panel 2 is able to achieve more rays from the sun than the flat solar panel 28. In Figure 2 the rays of the sun are indicated as rays 30 and it will be seen that there is a wider ray path 32 able to strike the solar panel 2 than is able to strike the solar panel 28.
Figure 2 also illustrates schematically a shadow 34 that would be obtained if the solar panel 28 had a frame around its periphery. The shadow 34 would be cast on the heat exchanger (not shown) in the solar panel 28 and loss of heating efficiency would result.
Figure 3 is similar to Figure 2 except that the sun's rays 30 are horizontal instead of being at an angle shown in Figure 2.
It is to be appreciated that the embodiments of the invention described above with reference to the accompanying drawings have been given by way of example only and that modifications may be effected. Thus, for example, the heat exchanger surface exposed to the sun may be coated with a black nickel selective surface.
Preferably, the air space between the outer cover and the heat exchanger is not less than 12mm. If desired, the outer cover may be vacuum formed from a thermoplastics material.

Claims (19)

1. A solar panel comprising a heat exchanger and a cover, the cover being for use in reducing heat loss from the solar panel due to wind passing over the solar panel, the cover being made of a transparent or translucent material for facilitating the passage of solar energy through the cover and to the heat exchanger, and the cover being such that it does not have a frame whereby shadows over the solar panel that would be created by a frame and that would result in a loss of collected solar energy are avoided.
2. A solar panel according to claim 1 in which the solar panel is a curved solar panel.
3. A solar panel according to claim 2 in which the curved solar panel has a curved surface which is a section through a true cylinder.
4. A solar panel according to claim 1 in which the solar panel is a flat solar panel.
5. A solar panel according to any one of the preceding claims in which the cover is a one piece cover.
6. A solar panel according to any one of the preceding claims in which the heat exchanger is a curved heat exchanger.
7. A solar panel according to claim 6 in which the curved heat exchanger is in two parts which are separated from each other.
8. A solar panel according to any one of claims 1 - 6 in which the heat exchanger is a flat one piece heat exchanger.
9. A solar panel according to any one of the preceding claims in which the heat exchanger is a turbulent flow heat exchanger.
10. A solar panel according to any one of the preceding claims in which the cover is made of fibre glass.
11. A solar panel according to claim 10 in which the fibre glass is polymethyl methacrylate G.R.P.
12. A solar panel according to any one of the preceding claims in which the cover has a matt surface.
13. A solar panel according to any one of the preceding claims in which the heat exchanger is made of copper.
14. A solar panel according to any one of the preceding claims and including a base.
15. A solar panel according to claim 14 in which the base is a flat base.
16. A solar panel according to claim 14 or claim 15 in which the base is made of glass fibre.
17. A solar panel according to any one of the preceding claims and including insulating material.
18. A solar panel according to claim 17 in which the insulating material is a foam insulating material.
19. A solar panel substantially as herein described with reference to the accompanying drawings.
GB9506548A 1995-03-30 1995-03-30 A solar panel Expired - Fee Related GB2299401B (en)

Priority Applications (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
GB9506548A GB2299401B (en) 1995-03-30 1995-03-30 A solar panel

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
GB9506548A GB2299401B (en) 1995-03-30 1995-03-30 A solar panel

Publications (3)

Publication Number Publication Date
GB9506548D0 GB9506548D0 (en) 1995-05-17
GB2299401A true GB2299401A (en) 1996-10-02
GB2299401B GB2299401B (en) 1999-07-21

Family

ID=10772180

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
GB9506548A Expired - Fee Related GB2299401B (en) 1995-03-30 1995-03-30 A solar panel

Country Status (1)

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GB (1) GB2299401B (en)

Citations (7)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
GB905760A (en) * 1960-02-15 1962-09-12 Du Pont Improvements in or relating to apparatus for utilizing radiant energy
GB1577720A (en) * 1976-04-09 1980-10-29 Stevens G A Air structure
US4233958A (en) * 1977-07-07 1980-11-18 Heden Carl Goeran Climate-controlled building construction
US4236507A (en) * 1977-10-17 1980-12-02 Vincent Ogden W Dome solar air heater
US4409965A (en) * 1981-12-10 1983-10-18 Sun Wise, Inc. Solar energy conversion apparatus
GB2210447A (en) * 1987-09-28 1989-06-07 Mori Kei A container for accommodating a solar-ray collecting device
US5323763A (en) * 1991-01-22 1994-06-28 Colux Gesellschaft Fur Licht- U. Leichtbau Mbh Absorber body with flow paths for water or a flowable heat carrier and process for the production thereof

Family Cites Families (6)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US4321419A (en) * 1978-02-08 1982-03-23 Hanafin Maurice C Solar panel cover assembly
US4192292A (en) * 1978-03-27 1980-03-11 Root Edward J Solar heating system
US4289113A (en) * 1979-07-27 1981-09-15 Whittemore Peter G Evacuated flat-plate solar collectors
US4436085A (en) * 1982-08-24 1984-03-13 Acme Solar Works, Inc. Solar collector assembly and frame
NL8500886A (en) * 1985-03-26 1986-10-16 Tebodin Advies En Constructieb SOLAR COLLECTOR DEVICE.
GB2295452B (en) * 1994-11-26 1998-06-10 Jonathan Maxwell Boardman Evacuated solar collector

Patent Citations (7)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
GB905760A (en) * 1960-02-15 1962-09-12 Du Pont Improvements in or relating to apparatus for utilizing radiant energy
GB1577720A (en) * 1976-04-09 1980-10-29 Stevens G A Air structure
US4233958A (en) * 1977-07-07 1980-11-18 Heden Carl Goeran Climate-controlled building construction
US4236507A (en) * 1977-10-17 1980-12-02 Vincent Ogden W Dome solar air heater
US4409965A (en) * 1981-12-10 1983-10-18 Sun Wise, Inc. Solar energy conversion apparatus
GB2210447A (en) * 1987-09-28 1989-06-07 Mori Kei A container for accommodating a solar-ray collecting device
US5323763A (en) * 1991-01-22 1994-06-28 Colux Gesellschaft Fur Licht- U. Leichtbau Mbh Absorber body with flow paths for water or a flowable heat carrier and process for the production thereof

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
GB2299401B (en) 1999-07-21
GB9506548D0 (en) 1995-05-17

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Date Code Title Description
PCNP Patent ceased through non-payment of renewal fee

Effective date: 20060330