GB2620731A

GB2620731A - A photovoltaic device and a solar power system comprising the same

Info

Publication number: GB2620731A
Application number: GB2210175.2A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Kale Prakash
Original assignee: Advercharge Ltd
Current assignee: Advercharge Ltd
Priority date: 2022-07-11
Filing date: 2022-07-11
Publication date: 2024-01-24
Also published as: GB202210175D0

Abstract

A photovoltaic device, which comprises a curved body 2 and a curved photovoltaic (PV) panel 3 that substantially conforms to a curved profile of the curved body. The body is a cylinder or half-cylinder (fig 1) with a PV panel extending around 25-50% of the circumference. Preferably the PV element cylinder is hollow and has internal radial stiffening means 4,5 to support the cylinder surface and to act to hold a support cable 6 along the axial centre of each element. Multiple elements (10) may be fixed to a single cable (103) in a series chain (figure 4) and multiple chains hung side to side to form an array. The gaps between the cylinders allow wind to pass. The array may cover a car-park (101, figure 3) as a canopy held my support pillars (102).

Description

A photovoltaic device and a solar power system comprising the same The present disclosure relates to a photovoltaic device. In particular, it relates to a photovoltaic device that comprises a curved body and a curved photovoltaic panel. It further relates to a solar power system comprising one or more of the devices.

For a number of years there has been a push to move the world away from its reliance on fossil fuels. An increased use of renewable energy sources is a key feature of virtually any strategy in this regard. Among the key sources of renewable energy is solar energy. Recent developments in photovoltaic (PV) conversion techniques have made the production of electricity using photovoltaics ever more economically viable. However, conventional solar farms, which comprise large numbers of photovoltaic panels, have required the use of large areas of land, which areas are then unavailable for any other use. A scarcity of land has accordingly held back the use of photovoltaics for energy production.

The present invention arose in a bid to provide an improved photovoltaic device, in particular to such a photovoltaic device that may be installed in such a manner as to leave an area of installation usable for other purposes.

Representative features are set out in the following clauses, which stand 25 alone or may be combined, in any combination, with one or more features disclosed in the text and/or drawings of the specification.

According to the present invention in a first aspect, there is provided a photovoltaic device comprising a curved body and a curved photovoltaic panel that substantially conforms to a curved profile of the curved body.

The curved body may be substantially semi-cylindrical. Most preferably the curved body is substantially cylindrical. With a substantially cylindrical body the photovoltaic device has particularly good aerodynamic stability.

The curved profile is preferably substantially circular, i.e. has a constant curvature.

The photovoltaic panel preferably covers between 25 and 50% of a circumference on which the curved surface lies, and more preferably covers between 25 and 35% of the circumference. It may, however, cover more than 50% of the circumference. It could, for example, cover up to 55%, up to 60%, up to 65%, up to 70%, up to 75%, or up to 80%.

The curved body is preferably substantially hollow.

The curved body may be provided with one or more stiffeners. When a plurality of stiffeners are provided they may be spaced from one another along a length of the curved body. Each of the stiffeners may comprise one or more radially extending members for supporting an inner surface of the curved body. Each of the stiffeners may comprise a cable support, which comprises an opening for receiving a cable. The cable support may be connected to the one or more radially extending members, when provided. The opening is preferably provided on a longitudinally extending central axis of the curved body.

According to the present invention in a further aspect, there is provided a photovoltaic system comprising a plurality of the photovoltaic devices as defined above.

The system preferably comprises a support structure for supporting the photovoltaic devices above a mounting surface of the support structure. Each of the plurality of photovoltaic devices may be supported by a cable. Preferably, a plurality of the photovoltaic devices is supported by a common cable. In such case, the plurality of photovoltaic cables may be spaced from one another along the length of the common cable.

Non-limiting embodiments of the invention will now be discussed with reference to the following drawings: Figure1 shows an end view of a photovoltaic device according to a first embodiment, which comprises a substantially semi-cylindrical body; Figure 2 shows an end view of a photovoltaic device according to a second embodiment, which comprises a substantially cylindrical body; Figure 3 shows an end view of a photovoltaic device according to the second embodiment, which comprises one or more stiffeners, wherein one of the stiffeners is visible; Figure 4 shows a side view of an exemplary solar power system comprising a plurality of the photovoltaic devices in accordance with the second embodiment; and Figure 5 shows a perspective view of an alternative exemplary solar power system comprising a plurality of the photovoltaic devices in accordance with the second embodiment.

In broadest terms, there is provided a photovoltaic device 1, 10 comprising a curved body 2 and a curved photovoltaic panel 3 that substantially conforms to a curved profile of the curved body 2.

Figure 1 shows a first embodiment in which the curved body 2 is substantially semi-cylindrical and Figure 2 shows a second embodiment in which the curved body 2 is substantially cylindrical. In both arrangements, the curved body extends along a longitudinal axis, which extends into the page as viewed. In other words, the curved bodies are elongate. The curved photovoltaic panel preferably extends for substantially the entire length of the curved body, regardless of its specific form.

Figure 3 shows a modification of the second embodiment in which one or more stiffeners 4 are provided. It should be noted that one or more stiffeners may be introduced into arrangements according to the first embodiment also, or into alternative arrangements. The stiffener is described further below.

Regardless of the form of the curved body, it is preferably substantially hollow, as shown in Figures 1 to 3. In alternative arrangements it could be solid. When hollow, it may contain free space or may be substantially filled, such as, for example, with a lightweight cellular material.

The curved profile is preferably substantially circular, as shown. It may be s otherwise formed. It could, for example be substantially oval.

The photovoltaic panel preferably covers between 25 and 50% of a circumference on which the curved surface lies. The photovoltaic panel may cover between 25 and 35% of the circumference, or between 28 and 33% of the circumference. Put differently, the panel may have a shape covering an angle of between 90 and 180 degrees, between 90 and 126 degrees, or between 100 and 120 degrees, respectively.

It should be noted that, whilst generally less preferable, the photovoltaic panel 15 could cover more than 50% of the circumference, and could, for example, cover up to 55%, up to 60%, up to 65%, up to 70%, up to 75%, or up to 80% of the circumference on which the curved surface lies.

When the curved body 2 is hollow, it may be provided with one or more stiffeners 4. When a plurality of stiffeners 4 are provided, they may be spaced from one another along a length of the curved body. The one or more stiffeners may be integrally formed with the curved body 2 or may be separately formed from the body 2 and attached thereto. In one possible arrangement, the curved body may be extruded with a stiffener of any desired form integrally formed therewith. It is preferable that each of the stiffeners 4 comprises one or more radially extending members 5 for supporting an inner surface of the curved body. The radially extending members may comprise ribs or spokes, as depicted in Figure 3. They may otherwise be of substantially solid form and could be disk-like or semi disk-like in form. Regardless of specific form, it is preferable that each of the stiffeners 4 comprises a cable support 6, which comprises an opening for receiving a cable. The cable support 6 is preferably connected to the one or more radially extending members 5. The one or more radially extending members may extend out radially from the cable support 6, as exemplarily shown in Figure 3.

The opening of each cable support 6 is preferably provided on a longitudinally extending central axis of the curved body 2.

The active surface, formed by the photovoltaic panel with a curved shape can be formed using a flexible thin film panel, a rigid thin film panel specially formed in the required curved shape, or can be printed on the upper part of the circumference of the curved body. The curved body may be formed, for example, from PVC, steel, a metal alloy or any other suitable material.

With reference to Figures 4 and 5 exemplary photovoltaic systems are shown, each of which comprises a plurality of the photovoltaic devices, which may take any configuration under the discussion above. The arrangements are considered in respect of the cylindrical photovoltaic devices 10 but are not limited thereto.

Each of the depicted systems comprises a support structure 100 for supporting the photovoltaic devices above a mounting surface 101 of the support structure.

In Figure 4 a pair of substantially vertical supports 102 is visible, which may comprise poles, or otherwise. Extending between the supports 102 is a cable 103.

The cable supports a plurality of the photovoltaic devices 10. As can be seen a plurality of the photovoltaic devices 10 is supported by a common cable 103. The plurality of photovoltaic devices are spaced from one another along the length of the common cable 103.

In alternative arrangements, there may be a single photovoltaic device supported by each cable. Numerous additional alternatives will be readily appreciated by those skilled in the art.

With reference to Figure 5, there is shown an exemplary photovoltaic system, which forms a canopy/shade over a carpark.

As will be appreciated from these arrangements, numerous alternative arrangements will be possible within the scope of the present disclosure.

As has been described, the present disclosure provides curved panels with a photovoltaic surface, which may make a shape up to a full perfect half cylinder surface facing the sun.

By way of example only, a thin film panel with a length of lm and a width of 1m, which is curved it on its width to form a semi cylindrical shape of a diameter of 0.64 meters, to cover a full half circumference, will provide a photovoltaic surface covering only 64% of the ground surface needed by an equivalent flat panel.

This increase of active surface offered to diffused sun light allows better use of the ground space covered. Moreover, thanks to the decrease of photovoltaic costs and available use of the reduced land area required, this solution become economically viable.

The production of electricity with curved thin film panels allows for use of diffuse irradiance but also means that a partial shade on the panel does not affect the voltage of the panel. This contrasts with the use of polycrystalline panels that would result in a dramatic decrease in voltage with partial shade. For this reason, the use of thin film panels is preferable.

As noted, the preferred cylindrical shape guarantees the aerodynamic stability of the photovoltaic energy production system in all weather conditions as its wind resistance is identical in all directions.

The installation of the photovoltaic devices over the ground, such as by the preferred arrangement using a cable through the axis of the curved body to support the photovoltaic device up above the ground, allows the land below to be freed up for any preferred use.

When the curved bodies are hollow, there is an advantage that electrical connection devices and wires can be installed inside the curved bodies.

Exemplary photovoltaic systems may comprise a plurality of rows of the photovoltaic devices, which may be arranged substantially parallel to one another, or otherwise, to form a full large photovoltaic farm suspended up over the ground, leaving the ground free for other uses.

By way of further non-limiting example, a photovoltaic farm could be arranged over a river.

Using a typical thin film panel with a length of 5.5m and a width of 40cm, weighing 7.7kg and rated at 140 W with a coverage of 60% of a half upper cylinder, with a diameter of substantially 40cm, and a PVC tube of 3mm thickness the weight for a 5.5 m long photovoltaic device is around 39kg. Accordingly, for 140W there is a weight to power generation ration of 0.27kg/VV.

If the river width is 240m, each cable spanning the river will support 43 of the photovoltaic devices for a total weight of around 1600 Kg for an installed capacity of 5.8 Kw.

Assuming the installation of 2 cables per meter of river flank, only 800m alongside the river will be required to provide a 10 MW photovoltaic farm.

This non-limiting example illustrates how a photovoltaic farm using this invention can be easily set up with a low weight installation and a low cost.

Arrangements according to the principles of the invention exhibit major advantages compared to prior art photovoltaic farms, including but not limited to: 1. The handling of the panels/curved bodies will be very easy due to their low weight.

2. The installation of the photovoltaic energy production system will be much less time consuming with the preferred cable mounting arrangement.

3. New areas are open for photovoltaic installations, such as: rocky, inclined or non-consolidated pieces of land, mountainous areas or quarries, lakes, ponds, or flooded areas, swaps, canals, polluted zones.

4. Partly shaded land below the photovoltaic energy production system can enable adapted agricultural activities which require shade.

Avoiding of "land-use conflict".

to 6 In urban areas, benefits include: (i) financial, as using ground for several purposes is an obvious economic advantage, (ii) aesthetic, with the possibility to create new beautiful and highly creative complexes/structures incorporating the photovoltaic devices, and (Hi) bringing new functionalities, such as daylight shading, for decreasing car sunlight exposure or otherwise 7 For buildings, solar installations are possible without requiring the roof or existing building structure to support any additional weight charge. For example, a support structure can be constructed outside/outside/surrounding the building, such as with poles around the building for supporting the photovoltaic devices, as discussed above. The roof surface can thus be covered with a photovoltaic energy production system without adding any weight on the roof.

8 In case of a snowfall, the snow will not stay long on the cylinder which will allow more time of production.

When used in this specification and claims, the terms "comprises" and "comprising" and variations thereof mean that the specified features, steps or integers are included. The terms are not to be interpreted to exclude the presence of other features, steps or components.

The features disclosed in the foregoing description, or the following claims, or the accompanying drawings, expressed in their specific forms or in terms of a means for performing the disclosed function, or a method or process for attaining the disclosed result, as appropriate, may, separately, or in any combination of such features, be utilised for realising the invention in diverse forms thereof.

Although certain example embodiments of the invention have been described, S the scope of the appended claims is not intended to be limited solely to these embodiments. The claims are to be construed literally, purposively, and/or to encompass equivalents.

Claims

Claims 1. A photovoltaic device, which comprises a curved body and a curved photovoltaic panel that substantially conforms to a curved profile of the curved body.
2. A photovoltaic device as claimed in Claim 1, wherein the curved body is substantially semi-cylindrical.
3. A photovoltaic device as claimed in Claim 1, wherein the curved body is substantially cylindrical.
4. A photovoltaic device as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the curved body is substantially hollow.
5. A photovoltaic device as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the curved profile is substantially circular.
6. A photovoltaic device as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the photovoltaic panel covers between 25 and 50% of a circumference on which the zo curved surface lies.
7. A photovoltaic device as claimed in Claim 6, wherein the curved photovoltaic panel covers between 25 and 35% of the circumference.
8. A photovoltaic device as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the curved body is provided with a plurality of stiffeners, which are spaced from one another along a length of the curved body.
9. A photovoltaic device, wherein each of the stiffeners comprises one or more radially extending members for supporting an inner surface of the curved body.
10. A photovoltaic device as claimed in Claim 8 or 9, wherein each of the stiffeners comprises a cable support, which comprises an opening for receiving a cable.
11. A photovoltaic device as claimed in Claim 10, when dependent on Claim 9, wherein the cable support is connected to the one or more radially extending members.
12. A photovoltaic device as claimed in Claim 10 or 11, wherein the opening is provided on a longitudinally extending central axis of the curved body.
13. A photovoltaic system comprising a plurality of the photovoltaic devices as claimed in any preceding claim.
14. A photovoltaic system as claimed in Claim 13, wherein the system comprises a support structure for supporting the photovoltaic devices above a mounting surface of the support structure.
15. A photovoltaic system as claimed in Claim 13 or 14, wherein each of the plurality of photovoltaic devices is supported by a cable extending along its longitudinal axis.
16. A photovoltaic system as claimed in Claim 15, wherein a plurality of the photovoltaic devices is supported by a common cable.
17. A photovoltaic system as claimed in Claim 16, wherein the plurality of photovoltaic devices are spaced from one another along the length of the common 25 cable.