GB2401427A - Temperature control unit for photo-voltaic solar panel - Google Patents
Temperature control unit for photo-voltaic solar panel Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- GB2401427A GB2401427A GB0310503A GB0310503A GB2401427A GB 2401427 A GB2401427 A GB 2401427A GB 0310503 A GB0310503 A GB 0310503A GB 0310503 A GB0310503 A GB 0310503A GB 2401427 A GB2401427 A GB 2401427A
- Authority
- GB
- United Kingdom
- Prior art keywords
- solar panel
- phase change
- control unit
- blocks
- temperature
- 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.)
- Withdrawn
Links
- 239000012782 phase change material Substances 0.000 claims abstract description 29
- 238000000034 method Methods 0.000 claims description 8
- 239000004020 conductor Substances 0.000 claims description 4
- RYGMFSIKBFXOCR-UHFFFAOYSA-N Copper Chemical compound [Cu] RYGMFSIKBFXOCR-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 abstract description 10
- 239000010949 copper Substances 0.000 abstract description 10
- 229910052802 copper Inorganic materials 0.000 abstract description 10
- 230000004927 fusion Effects 0.000 abstract description 5
- 230000007704 transition Effects 0.000 abstract description 4
- 239000007787 solid Substances 0.000 abstract description 3
- 239000007788 liquid Substances 0.000 abstract description 2
- 239000004411 aluminium Substances 0.000 description 6
- XAGFODPZIPBFFR-UHFFFAOYSA-N aluminium Chemical compound [Al] XAGFODPZIPBFFR-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 6
- 229910052782 aluminium Inorganic materials 0.000 description 6
- 239000000463 material Substances 0.000 description 3
- 230000005855 radiation Effects 0.000 description 2
- 238000010521 absorption reaction Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000006243 chemical reaction Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000001816 cooling Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000007423 decrease Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000010586 diagram Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000000694 effects Effects 0.000 description 1
- 230000005611 electricity Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000005338 heat storage Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000007246 mechanism Effects 0.000 description 1
- 230000008569 process Effects 0.000 description 1
- 230000004044 response Effects 0.000 description 1
- 229910052710 silicon Inorganic materials 0.000 description 1
- 239000010703 silicon Substances 0.000 description 1
- 230000008646 thermal stress Effects 0.000 description 1
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
- H01L31/04—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
- H01L31/052—Cooling means directly associated or integrated with the PV cell, e.g. integrated Peltier elements for active cooling or heat sinks directly associated with the PV cells
-
- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F24—HEATING; RANGES; VENTILATING
- F24S—SOLAR HEAT COLLECTORS; SOLAR HEAT SYSTEMS
- F24S60/00—Arrangements for storing heat collected by solar heat collectors
- F24S60/10—Arrangements for storing heat collected by solar heat collectors using latent heat
-
- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F28—HEAT EXCHANGE IN GENERAL
- F28D—HEAT-EXCHANGE APPARATUS, NOT PROVIDED FOR IN ANOTHER SUBCLASS, IN WHICH THE HEAT-EXCHANGE MEDIA DO NOT COME INTO DIRECT CONTACT
- F28D20/00—Heat storage plants or apparatus in general; Regenerative heat-exchange apparatus not covered by groups F28D17/00 or F28D19/00
- F28D20/02—Heat storage plants or apparatus in general; Regenerative heat-exchange apparatus not covered by groups F28D17/00 or F28D19/00 using latent heat
-
- 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
-
- 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
-
- 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
- Y02E60/00—Enabling technologies; Technologies with a potential or indirect contribution to GHG emissions mitigation
- Y02E60/14—Thermal energy storage
-
- 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
- Y02E70/00—Other energy conversion or management systems reducing GHG emissions
- Y02E70/30—Systems combining energy storage with energy generation of non-fossil origin
Landscapes
- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
- Thermal Sciences (AREA)
- General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
- Sustainable Energy (AREA)
- Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
- Combustion & Propulsion (AREA)
- Sustainable Development (AREA)
- Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
- Condensed Matter Physics & Semiconductors (AREA)
- Electromagnetism (AREA)
- General Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
- Computer Hardware Design (AREA)
- Microelectronics & Electronic Packaging (AREA)
- Power Engineering (AREA)
- Photovoltaic Devices (AREA)
Abstract
A temperature control unit is provided in thermal contact with a solar panel 10. The temperature control unit includes a mass of phase change material 13 that acts as a heat store, heat transfer means 12 and a cover 14. The heat transfer means such as a copper sheet 12 may comprise a metallic sheet which is castellated in section. The phase change material 13 may comprise a plurality of blocks, which may be located on both sides of the metallic sheet, one of the sets of blocks being positioned adjacent to the solar panel 10. In use, the temperature control unit limits the temperature of the photo-voltaic solar panel during daytime heat highs and nighttime heat lows, thus increasing the efficiency of the solar panel When a temperature of 50 0 C is reached in the apparatus, the phase change blocks 13 melt, the temperature of 50 0 C is maintained throughout the day as the blocks 13 undergo fusion in a solid/liquid transition.
Description
240 1 427
SOLAR PANELS
Field of the Invention
This invention relates to solar panels.
Photo-voltaic solar panels have a reduced output efficiency at elevated temperatures. In particular, it has been found that solar panels at present in use lose approximately 1% output efficiency for each 1 C. rise in cell temperature above 40 C. If solar panels are being used at high altitudes or in desert conditions, they can be subject to substantial day/night variations in temperature, which also reduce the overall efficiencies of the solar panels.
It is accordingly an object of the present invention to provide an improved form of solar panel.
A more specific object of the present invention is the provision of an improved form of photo-voltaic solar panel that includes means for limiting the temperature rise that is obtained during a day and/or for reducing the wide range of temperatures endured by such panels during day/night cycles.
SummarY of the Invention
According to a first aspect of the present invention there is provided the combination of a solar panel and a temperature control unit in thermal contact with the solar panel, the temperature control unit including a mass of phase change material that acts, in use, as a heat store, heat transfer means and a cover.
According to a second aspect of the present invention there is provided a method of limiting the temperature to which a solar panel is raised, the method comprising mounting a temperature control unit in thermal contact with the solar panel, the temperature control unit including:- a) a mass of phase change material that acts, in use, as a heat store, b) heat transfer means and c) a cover.
The heat transfer means preferably comprises a sheet of a metallic conductor that is of castellated form in section and the mass of phase change material preferably comprises a plurality of blocks, some of which are on the side of the conductive sheet adjacent the solar panel, whilst the other blocks are on the side of the conductive sheet remote from the solar panel.
The temperature control unit will be of such size as to fit the solar panel and preferably includes no moving parts.
Brief Description of the Drawings
Figure 1 is a schematic sectional view of a photo-voltaic solar panel and the associated structure, Figure 2 shows part of the associated structure, Figure 3 is a rear view of the panel prior to fitment of an aluminium cover sheet, and Figure 4 is a block diagram of an electrical analogue to the solar panel system.
Description of the Preferred Embodiment
The arrangement shown in Figure 1 includes a solar panel containing a plurality of photo-voltaic modules 11, a copper sheet 12 that is of castellated form in cross-section, a plurality of blocks 13 of a phase change material, and an aluminium cover sheet 14. As can be seen from the drawings, some of the blocks 13 of the phase change material are disposed between the copper sheet 12 and the solar panel 10, whilst the other blocks 13 of the phase change material are disposed between the copper sheet 12 and the aluminium cover sheet 14. The solar panel 10 is of rectangular form in plan view, as are the copper sheet 12 and the aluminium cover sheet 14. The blocks 13 completely fill the spaces between the copper sheet 12 and, on one side, the solar panel 10 and, on the other side, the aluminium cover sheet 14. The blocks 13 of phase change material form a heat store that is in thermally conductive relationship with the solar panel 10.
The solar panel 10 is normally orientated so that it faces towards the south in the northern hemisphere, or towards the north in the southern hemisphere. The panel 10 may be positioned so that it is at a predetermined angle to the horizontal in dependence on the latitude of the location at which it is being used and/or it may be mounted on a tracking mechanism so that it faces the sun.
While facing the sun, the silicon of the solar panel 10 is excited so as to produce electricity by conversion of the solar energy that it receives. At the same time, the temperature of the panel 10 is increased in response to the solar radiation that it receives. As the temperature of the panel 10 increases, the electrical output efficiency decreases at a rate approximately equal to 1% for every 1 rise in temperature above 40 C. As the temperature of the panel 10 increases, heat is transferred directly to some of the blocks 13 of phase change material as a result of their contact with the panel 10 and via the conductive copper sheet 12 to the other blocks 13 of phase change material. The conductive copper sheet 12 also serves to ensure a substantially constant temperature through the mass of phase change material. Initially, the temperature of the blocks 13 is increased and the amount of heat that is stored depends on the specific heat of the phase change material. The temperature of the phase change material will increase until the temperature of fusion of the material is reached. A specific phase change material that can be used is that sold under the designation RT50, for which the fusion temperature is 50 C. This temperature, e.g. 50 C. is then maintained throughout the day as the phase change material undergoes fusion in a solid/liquid transition. During the night, the solar panel 10 cools down and the heat from the phase change material is transferred back to the solar panel 10 and is then lost to the environment. The phase change material thus returns to its solid condition in readiness for the next day. The heat transfer process is such that the rate of cooling of the panel 10 is reduced, thereby reducing the thermal stress to which the panel 10 is subjected.
The actual temperature of operation of the solar panel 10 is controlled by appropriate selection of the phase change material.
Other materials that can be used in place of the specific material referred to above include those sold under the trade designations "Thermsorb 122" and "Rubiterm PAP 50".
The heat transfer system including the conductive copper sheet 12 provides the heat flow required to guarantee that the heat from the solar panel 10 is transferred efficiently to the blocks 13 of phase change material. The combination of the phase change material and the heat transfer system controls the heat loss and, therefore, the actual temperature of the solar panel 10 during the night. The overall effect is thus to limit the high and low temperatures to which the solar panel 10 is subjected during its normal day/night cycle.
The duration of the daily heat storage capability of the system as a whole is only limited by the mass of the phase change material. In practice, the additional mass of the blocks 13 of phase change material, the copper conductor sheet 12 and the aluminium cover 14 will be 20% or less of the original mass of the solar panel 10.
Figure 4 illustrates the mode of operation of the system described above as an electrical analogue. The thermal control unit absorbs heat from the solar radiation heat source and sink S1, comprising the solar panel 10 and its support structure during the day, i.e. a high temperature transition, and then dissipates it to the support structure and the environment during the night, i.e. a low temperature transition. Heat absorption is via the specific heat (C1) and the latent heat of fusion (C2) of the phase change material.
The choice of the specific phase change material determines the daytime temperature of the solar panel 10.
Claims (8)
- Claims: 1. The combination of a solar panel and a temperature control unitin thermal contact with the solar panel, the temperature control unit including a mass of phase change material that acts, in use, as a heat store, heat transfer means and a cover.
- 2. The combination claimed in Claim 1, in which the heat transfer means preferably comprises a sheet of a metallic conductor that is of castellated form in section.
- 3. The combination claimed in Claim 2, in which the mass of phase change material comprises a plurality of blocks, some of which are on the side of the conductive sheet adjacent the solar panel, whilst the other blocks are on the side of the conductive sheet remote from the solar panel.
- 4. The combination of a solar panel and a temperature control unit in thermal contact with the solar panel substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.
- 5. A method of limiting the temperature to which a solar panel is raised, the method comprising mounting a temperature control unit in thermal contact with the solar panel, the temperature control unit including: a) a mass of phase change material that acts, in use, as a heat store, d) heat transfer means and e) a cover.
- 6. A method as claimed in Claim 5, in which the heat transfer means comprises a sheet of a metallic conductor that is of castellated form in section.
- 7. A method as claimed in Claim 6, in which the mass of phase change material comprises a plurality of blocks, some of which are on the side of the conductive sheet adjacent the solar panel, whilst the other blocks are on the side of the conductive sheet remote from the solar panel.
- 8. A method of limiting the temperature to which a solar panel is raised, substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.
Priority Applications (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| GB0310503A GB2401427A (en) | 2003-05-08 | 2003-05-08 | Temperature control unit for photo-voltaic solar panel |
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| GB0310503A GB2401427A (en) | 2003-05-08 | 2003-05-08 | Temperature control unit for photo-voltaic solar panel |
Publications (2)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| GB0310503D0 GB0310503D0 (en) | 2003-06-11 |
| GB2401427A true GB2401427A (en) | 2004-11-10 |
Family
ID=9957613
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| GB0310503A Withdrawn GB2401427A (en) | 2003-05-08 | 2003-05-08 | Temperature control unit for photo-voltaic solar panel |
Country Status (1)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| GB (1) | GB2401427A (en) |
Cited By (7)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| FR2893766A1 (en) * | 2005-11-23 | 2007-05-25 | Pascal Henri Pierre Fayet | Photovoltaic generator for use on e.g. ground, has radiative cooling panel, cases, radiator having convection cooling fins, and latent heat composite thermal capacitor, where panel, faces of cases and radiator permit to evacuate heat |
| EP2239388A1 (en) * | 2009-03-30 | 2010-10-13 | Kalzip GmbH | Building component based on a phase change material |
| DE102009022670A1 (en) * | 2009-05-26 | 2010-12-02 | Siemens Aktiengesellschaft | Device for cooling solar cell, has heat reservoir which comprises material for storing heat, where material for storage of heat stays in direct or indirect thermal contact with solar cell |
| GB2474544A (en) * | 2009-10-15 | 2011-04-20 | Michael Trevor Berry | Latent heat storage panel |
| WO2010136381A3 (en) * | 2009-05-26 | 2011-10-13 | Siemens Aktiengesellschaft | Device and method for cooling solar cells by means of a flowing cooling medium |
| CN103644655A (en) * | 2013-11-04 | 2014-03-19 | 李洪伟 | Solar light condensation and storage flat plate collector |
| EP2430665A4 (en) * | 2009-05-14 | 2015-08-05 | Madico Inc | Heat dissipating protective sheets and encapsulant for photovoltaic modules |
Citations (3)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US4389533A (en) * | 1981-03-09 | 1983-06-21 | Ames Douglas A | Photovoltaic device for producing electrical and heat energy |
| WO1992015119A1 (en) * | 1991-02-25 | 1992-09-03 | United Solar Technologies, Inc. | Solar energy system |
| US5505788A (en) * | 1994-06-29 | 1996-04-09 | Dinwoodie; Thomas L. | Thermally regulated photovoltaic roofing assembly |
-
2003
- 2003-05-08 GB GB0310503A patent/GB2401427A/en not_active Withdrawn
Patent Citations (3)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US4389533A (en) * | 1981-03-09 | 1983-06-21 | Ames Douglas A | Photovoltaic device for producing electrical and heat energy |
| WO1992015119A1 (en) * | 1991-02-25 | 1992-09-03 | United Solar Technologies, Inc. | Solar energy system |
| US5505788A (en) * | 1994-06-29 | 1996-04-09 | Dinwoodie; Thomas L. | Thermally regulated photovoltaic roofing assembly |
Cited By (9)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| FR2893766A1 (en) * | 2005-11-23 | 2007-05-25 | Pascal Henri Pierre Fayet | Photovoltaic generator for use on e.g. ground, has radiative cooling panel, cases, radiator having convection cooling fins, and latent heat composite thermal capacitor, where panel, faces of cases and radiator permit to evacuate heat |
| EP2239388A1 (en) * | 2009-03-30 | 2010-10-13 | Kalzip GmbH | Building component based on a phase change material |
| EP2430665A4 (en) * | 2009-05-14 | 2015-08-05 | Madico Inc | Heat dissipating protective sheets and encapsulant for photovoltaic modules |
| DE102009022670A1 (en) * | 2009-05-26 | 2010-12-02 | Siemens Aktiengesellschaft | Device for cooling solar cell, has heat reservoir which comprises material for storing heat, where material for storage of heat stays in direct or indirect thermal contact with solar cell |
| WO2010136381A3 (en) * | 2009-05-26 | 2011-10-13 | Siemens Aktiengesellschaft | Device and method for cooling solar cells by means of a flowing cooling medium |
| GB2474544A (en) * | 2009-10-15 | 2011-04-20 | Michael Trevor Berry | Latent heat storage panel |
| GB2474578A (en) * | 2009-10-15 | 2011-04-20 | Michael Trevor Berry | Latent heat storage material formulations |
| CN103644655A (en) * | 2013-11-04 | 2014-03-19 | 李洪伟 | Solar light condensation and storage flat plate collector |
| CN103644655B (en) * | 2013-11-04 | 2015-09-09 | 李洪伟 | Salar light-gathering stores flat plate collector |
Also Published As
| Publication number | Publication date |
|---|---|
| GB0310503D0 (en) | 2003-06-11 |
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Legal Events
| Date | Code | Title | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| WAP | Application withdrawn, taken to be withdrawn or refused ** after publication under section 16(1) |