JP2009277817A - Solar cell device and solar cell system - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To improve photoelectric conversion efficiency of a solar cell per identical solar light projection area. <P>SOLUTION: An outside housing 2 in a sealed box shape covers a periphery of a plurality of solar cell panels 6. A reflecting mirror 5 is formed inside the outside housing 2. A lens array 8 of a plurality of lenses 8a is provided over the outside housing 2. Holes 12 are formed in the top of the outside housing 2 to allow light beams converged by the respective convex lenses 8a to enter the outside housing 2. A diameter direction of each of the plurality of convex lenses 8a and a surface direction of each solar cell panel 6 forms a right angle or acute angle. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2010,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a solar cell device and a solar cell system.

  2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, solar cells have attracted attention from the viewpoints of people who consider the environment and alternative uses of conventional means for acquiring electrical energy. However, despite the enormous manufacturing costs and running costs of the solar cell itself, it is difficult to say that a power generation effect commensurate with this cost is obtained. And when the structure of the solar cell is simple with respect to these factors, the manufacturing cost is low, but the photoelectric conversion efficiency remains low, while the photoelectric conversion efficiency is improved with respect to these factors. In the case where various facilities are provided in a solar cell, the high manufacturing cost is one of the reasons why the solar cell is not yet widely used.

  Therefore, in recent years, in order to improve the power generation efficiency of solar cells, a condensing device using lenses and mirrors has been used to reduce the influence of daily time zones and seasonal fluctuations to increase the light collection efficiency and improve the power generation efficiency. A concentrating solar cell to be designed has been studied.

For example, in the technique disclosed in Patent Document 1, a light reflecting layer having a linear slit is provided between a condensing reflection element that condenses sunlight and a solar cell to collect sunlight and irradiate the solar cell. In addition, the reflected light that is not incident on the solar cell is reflected again by the light reflecting layer, so that the light is multiply reflected between the condensing reflection element and the solar cell, thereby improving the photoelectric conversion efficiency of the solar cell. I am trying to let you.
JP 2004-111453 A

  However, conventionally, no means has been proposed for improving the photoelectric conversion efficiency per the same projected area of sunlight in a solar cell having a low photoelectric conversion efficiency.

  The objective of this invention is enabling it to improve the photoelectric conversion efficiency per the same projected area of sunlight in a solar cell.

  (1) The present invention provides a plurality of solar cell panels, a covering member covering the periphery of the plurality of solar cell panels, a reflecting member provided on the solar cell panel side of the covering member, A plurality of convex lenses provided on the covering member and arranged in a line; and a plurality of holes that are formed on the covering member and allow light collected by the convex lenses to enter the solar cell panel side. A solar cell device in which the radial direction of the plurality of convex lenses and the surface direction of each solar cell panel form a right angle or an acute angle.

  (2) In this case, the convex lens may be a spherical lens, and the hole may be a round hole that matches a light beam condensed by the spherical lens.

  (3) In this case, the convex lens may be an aspheric lens, and the hole may be a round hole that matches a light beam condensed by the aspheric lens.

  (4) Further, the hole is narrowest on the reflecting surface side and gradually widens toward the convex lens, and the convex lens is aligned with the position where the focal point is the narrowest of the hole, You may do it.

  (5) Another aspect of the present invention provides the solar cell device according to any one of (1) to (4), a sensor that detects the position of the sun, a moving mechanism that varies the orientation of the solar cell device, And a control means for controlling the solar cell device so that the sunlight transmitted through the convex lens is transmitted through the hole based on detection of a sensor.

  According to the invention of (1), since the radial direction of the plurality of convex lenses forms a right angle or acute angle with the direction of each surface of the plurality of solar cell panels, the light collected by the convex lens and passed through the hole The optical axis is parallel or acute with each surface direction of a plurality of solar cell panels, and the area of the solar cell panel per the same projected area of sunlight as compared with the case where the optical axis of light is perpendicularly incident on the solar cell panel Can be high. And the light that has passed through the hole repeats multiple reflections between the reflective member provided on the solar cell panel side of the covering member and the solar cell panel, and contributes efficiently to photoelectric conversion in the solar cell panel. The photoelectric conversion efficiency per the same projected area of light can be improved.

  (2) According to the invention of (3), the convex lens is a spherical lens or an aspheric lens, and the hole through which the light collected by the spherical lens or the aspheric lens passes is condensed by the spherical lens or the aspheric lens Because it is a round hole that matches the luminous flux of light, the size of the hole through which the light collected by the spherical lens or aspheric lens passes is minimized, and the light leaking from the hole of the covering member is minimized, Photoelectric conversion efficiency can be further improved.

  According to the invention of (4), since the hole is narrowest on the reflection surface side, and the spherical lens is aligned with the position where the focal point is the narrowest of the hole, the light collected by the spherical lens is It is possible to further improve the photoelectric conversion efficiency by further reducing the size of the passing hole and further suppressing light leaking from the hole of the covering member.

  According to the invention of (5), since sunlight can enter the porous layer through the hole regardless of the season or time zone, solar power generation with high photoelectric conversion efficiency can be achieved regardless of the season or time zone. It can be carried out.

  Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described. FIG. 1 is a longitudinal sectional view of the solar cell device of the present embodiment, and FIG. 2 is a longitudinal sectional view of the solar cell device. The solar cell device 1 includes a sealed box-shaped outer casing 2. The inside of the outer casing 2 is partitioned into a plurality of spaces by a plate-like partition member 3, and in each space partitioned by the partition member 3, a plurality of plate-like supports are provided from the bottom surface inside the outer casing 2. The member 4 stands up. The support members 4 are arranged at equal intervals in each space.

  A reflection mirror 5 serving as a reflection member is provided on the inner peripheral surface of the outer casing 2 as a whole. Solar cell panels 6 are respectively provided on both surfaces (or only one surface) of the support member 4. Thereby, the inside of the outer housing 2 is partitioned into a plurality of spaces 7 surrounded by the reflection mirror 5 and the solar cell panel 6. Conductive electrodes 11 for taking out electric power from the solar cell panel 6 are provided at the base end portion and the side edge portion of the support member 4.

  In the upper part of the central part of each space 7, a hole 12 is formed in the outer casing 2. On the outer housing 2, a lens array 8 composed of a plurality of convex lenses 8a is provided. FIG. 3 is a plan view of the lens array 8. The optical axis of the light L that is perpendicularly incident on each convex lens 8a is aligned with the position of each hole 12, and the light L that is perpendicularly incident on each convex lens 8a is condensed by the convex lens 8a. And enters the space 7 in the outer casing 2. Each lens 8 a has a one-to-one correspondence with each space 7, and the light L collected by each lens 8 a enters each individual space 7.

  The radial direction of each lens 8a and the surface direction of each solar cell panel 6 form a right angle or an acute angle, and preferably a substantially right angle. Therefore, the optical axis direction of the light L incident perpendicularly to each lens 8a and condensed and the surface direction of each solar cell panel 6 are parallel or have an acute angle, and are preferably substantially parallel.

  FIG. 4 is a longitudinal sectional view showing the arrangement of the convex lenses 8 a and the holes 12. The hole 12 of the outer housing 2 is a round hole that matches the light beam L when the light beam L having a substantially circular cross section passes through the convex lens 8a that is a spherical lens or an aspherical lens. .

  The hole 12 has the narrowest portion 12a on the reflecting surface 5a side of the reflecting mirror 5 and gradually becomes wider toward the convex lens 8a. The convex lens 8a is aligned with the position of the reflecting surface 5a where the focal point of the hole 12 is the narrowest.

  FIG. 5 is a longitudinal sectional view of the solar cell panel 6. This solar cell panel 6 is an example of a dye-sensitized solar cell panel, and includes a substrate 22, a substrate 23, a transparent electrode 24, a transparent electrode 25, an electrolyte layer 26, and a porous layer 27. That is, the solar cell panel 6 includes a substrate 22 and a substrate 23 that are made of transparent glass, plastic, or the like and face each other. A transparent electrode 24 formed by Pt vapor deposition or the like is provided inside the substrate 22, and a transparent electrode (counter electrode) 25 also formed by Pt vapor deposition or the like is provided inside the substrate 23. An electrolyte layer 26 is provided between the transparent electrode 24 and the transparent electrode 25. The electrolyte layer 26 is an electrolytic solution in which, for example, boron is dissolved.

  A porous layer 7 is formed between the electrolyte layer 6 and the transparent electrode 4. The porous layer 7 is, for example, a titanium oxide layer, and contains a dye that absorbs light and excites, such as a ruthenium complex. Photoelectric conversion is performed in the porous layer 7.

  The solar cell panel 6 is not limited to a dye-sensitized solar cell panel, and may be a Si-based solar cell.

  According to the solar cell device 1 described above, the radial direction of the plurality of convex lenses 8a forms a right angle or an acute angle with the direction of each surface of the plurality of solar cell panels 6, so that the light is condensed by the convex lens 8a. The optical axis of the light that has passed through 12 is parallel or acute with each surface direction of the plurality of solar cell panels 6, and sunlight is the same as compared with the case where the optical axis of the light is perpendicularly incident on the solar cell panel 6. The area of the solar cell panel per projected area can be increased. And the outer housing | casing 2 has covered the circumference | surroundings of the several solar cell panel 6, is condensed with the convex lens 8a, and the light which passed the hole 12 is formed in the inner surface of the outer housing | casing 2, or the surface of the partition member 3. Since the multiple reflection is repeated between the reflecting surface 5a of the reflecting mirror 5 and the solar cell panel 6 and contributes efficiently to the photoelectric conversion in the solar cell panel 6, the photoelectric conversion efficiency per the same projected area of sunlight is increased. Can be improved.

  Further, the convex lens 8a is a spherical lens, and the hole 12 through which the light collected by the convex lens 8a passes is a round hole that matches the light beam collected by the convex lens 8a. The size of the passing hole 12 is minimized, light leaking from the hole 12 of the outer housing 2 is minimized, and the photoelectric conversion efficiency can be further improved.

  Further, since the hole 12 is narrowest on the reflecting surface 5a side of the reflecting mirror 5, and the convex lens 8a is in the position where the focal point is the narrowest of the hole 12, the light condensed by the convex lens 8a passes therethrough. The size of the hole 12 to be reduced can be further reduced, and light leaking from the hole 12 of the outer housing 2 can be further suppressed, so that the photoelectric conversion efficiency can be further improved.

  Next, the solar cell system 101 using the solar cell device 1 will be described. 6 is a perspective view of the solar cell device 1 portion of the solar cell system 101 as viewed from above, FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the solar cell device 1 portion as viewed from below, and FIG. 8 is a front view of the solar cell system 101. 9 and 9 are right side views of the same.

  As shown in FIG. 6, the above-described solar cell device 1 is fixed on the support plate 111 with the surface on the microlens array 8 side facing up. One end portions of the two shafts 113 are fixed to both side portions of the bottom surface 112 of the support plate 111, and drive gears 114 are respectively attached to intermediate portions of the two shafts 113. The other end portions of the two shafts 113 are rotatably supported by two shaft support portions 116 provided on the pedestal portion 115. Also, two sets of drive shaft restraints 117 are provided on the pedestal portion 115, and each set of the drive shaft restraints 117 has a drive motor 118 and both forward and reverse directions by the drive motor 118. And a rotatable drive shaft 119 is supported. The teeth of each drive shaft 119 and the teeth of each drive gear 114 are engaged with each other. When each drive shaft 119 is rotated by two drive motors 118, each drive gear 114 is rotated, and the support plate is centered on the shaft 113. As a result, the solar cell device 1 rotates and the direction of the solar cell device 1 changes. In FIG. 6, the illustration of the set of drive shaft restraints 117 is omitted for convenience.

  One end portions of the two shafts 122 are fixed to both side portions of the bottom surface 121 of the pedestal portion 115, and drive gears 123 are respectively attached to intermediate portions of the two shafts 122. The other end portions of the two shafts 122 are rotatably supported by two shaft support portions 125 provided on the pedestal portion 124. Further, two sets of drive shaft restraints 126 are provided on the pedestal portion 124, and each set of the drive shaft restraints 126 is driven in both forward and reverse directions by the drive motor 278 and the drive motor 127. A rotatable drive shaft 128 is supported. The teeth of each drive shaft 128 and the teeth of each drive gear 123 mesh with each other. When each drive shaft 128 is rotated by the two drive motors 127, each drive gear 123 rotates, and the support plate is centered on the shaft 122. As a result, the solar cell device 1 rotates and the direction of the solar cell device 1 changes.

  The axial direction of the shaft 113 and the axial direction of the shaft 122 intersect each other at right angles, and the direction in which the solar cell device 1 rotates around the shaft 113 and the direction in which the solar cell device 1 rotates around the shaft 122 are Different. Thus, since the solar cell device 1 can be rotated by two axes (two degrees of freedom), the solar cell device 1 can be tilted in any direction around 360 ° around the solar cell device 1.

  Further, on the support plate 111, a columnar position detecting condensing lens 42 constituted by a transparent cylindrical tube filled with a transparent liquid such as a resin, a glass column or water is provided. A position detection sensor 43 is arranged on the circumference in the vicinity of the focal point of the position detection condenser lens 42.

  FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a configuration example of the position detection condenser lens 42 and the position detection sensor 43. In FIG. 10A, a cylinder having a refractive index of about 1.5 is used as the position detection condensing lens 42. In this case, since the focal point of the position detection condensing lens 42 coincides with its circumferential surface, the position detection sensor 43 is attached around the position detection condensing lens 42. The sunlight L that has entered the position detection condenser lens 42 is condensed on the position detection sensor 43 on the circumference of the position detection condenser lens 42, whereby the position of the sun can be detected.

  On the other hand, FIG. 10B shows an example in which a position detecting condenser lens 42 having a refractive index of about 1.3 to 1.4 is used. This can be achieved, for example, by filling a glass cylinder with water. Since the refractive index of water is 1.338, the focus of the position detecting condensing lens 42 in this case is outside the circumferential surface of itself. Therefore, a transparent cylindrical tube 44 made of a material such as glass is arranged outside the position detection condenser lens 42 so that its circumference coincides with the focal point of the position detection condenser lens 42, and the position detection is performed here. The sensor 43 is pasted. Also in this case, the sunlight L that has entered the position detection condensing lens 42 is condensed on the position detection sensor 43, and thereby the position of the sun can be detected.

  FIG. 11 is a plan view showing an arrangement example of the position detection condensing lens 42, and the position detection sensor 43 is omitted. In FIG. 11, two position detection condensing lenses 42 are prepared and placed so that their axes are orthogonal to each other. These are arranged so that, for example, the axis of one position detecting condenser lens 42 is oriented in the north-south direction and the other is placed in the east-west direction. Thereby, the movement of the day of the sun can be detected by the position detecting condensing lens 42 whose axis is directed in the north-south direction, and the seasonal change of the sun height is detected by the position detecting condensing lens 42 whose axis is directed in the east-west direction. Can be detected. The positions of these suns are detected as information on the angle at which the sunlight L is collected on the position detection sensor 43, and are output as angle signals from the position detection sensor 43.

  FIG. 12 is a block diagram of electrical connection of the solar cell system 101. The control unit 41 includes a microcomputer and centrally controls each unit of the solar cell system 101. The control unit 41 receives an angle signal indicating the position where the sunlight L is collected from the position detection sensor 43 and determines the incident direction and the incident angle of the sunlight L. Then, according to the determination, the two drive motors 118 and the two drive motors 127 are driven to control the orientation of the solar cell device 1.

  FIG. 13 shows a state in which the support plate 111 is inclined by such control, FIG. 14 shows a state in which the pedestal portion 115 is inclined, and FIG. 15 shows a state in which both the support plate 111 and the pedestal portion 115 are inclined. Indicates. By performing such control, the solar cell system 101 performs control so that the sunlight L is always incident on the solar cell device 1 vertically, so that the light is condensed by the convex lens 8a regardless of the season or time zone. Since the generated sunlight L can enter the porous layer 7 through the holes 12, it is possible to perform photovoltaic power generation with high photoelectric conversion efficiency regardless of the season or time zone.

  As the sun tracking drive mechanism, a graticule or an equator used in a telescope may be used.

It is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of the solar cell apparatus which is one Embodiment of this invention. FIG. It is a top view of a lens array. It is a longitudinal cross-sectional view which shows arrangement | positioning of a convex lens and a hole. It is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of a solar cell panel. It is the perspective view which looked at the solar cell apparatus part of the solar cell system from the top. It is the perspective view which looked at the solar cell apparatus part from the bottom. It is a front view of a solar cell system. It is the same right view. It is explanatory drawing which shows the structural example of the condensing lens for position detection, and a position detection sensor. It is a top view which shows the example of arrangement | positioning of the condensing lens for position detection. It is a block diagram of the electrical connection of a solar cell system. It is a front view which shows the state which inclined the support plate with the solar cell system. It is a front view which shows the state which inclined the base part in the solar cell system. It is a front view which shows the state which inclined both the support plate and the base part in the solar cell system.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Solar cell apparatus 2 Outer housing | casing 3 Partition member 4 Support member 5 Reflection mirror 6 Solar cell panel 7 Space 11 Conductive electrode 12 Hole 32 Rotation drive motor 36 Rotation drive motor 41 Control part 42 Position detection condensing lens 43 Position Detection sensor 101 Solar cell system

Claims (5)

A plurality of solar panels;
A covering member covering the periphery of the plurality of solar cell panels;
A reflective member provided on the solar cell panel side of the covering member;
A plurality of convex lenses provided on the covering member and arranged;
A plurality of holes through which the light that is formed on the covering member and collected by the convex lenses is incident on the solar cell panel side;
With
The radial direction of the plurality of convex lenses and the surface direction of each solar cell panel form a right angle or an acute angle,
Solar cell device. The convex lens is a spherical lens;
The hole is a round hole that matches the light beam collected by the spherical lens.
The solar cell device according to claim 1. The convex lens is an aspheric lens,
The hole is a round hole that matches the light flux collected by the aspheric lens.
The solar cell device according to claim 1. The hole is narrowest on the reflective surface side and gradually widens toward the convex lens,
The convex lens is aligned with the position where the focal point is the narrowest of the hole,
The solar cell apparatus as described in any one of Claims 1-3. The solar cell device according to any one of claims 1 to 4,
A sensor for detecting the position of the sun;
A moving mechanism for changing the orientation of the solar cell device;
Control means for controlling the sunlight transmitted through the convex lens by the moving mechanism so that the sunlight transmitted through the convex lens is transmitted through the hole based on the detection of the sensor;
A solar cell system.

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