JP2011108703A - Photovoltaic power generator - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To overcome the problem with a photovoltaic power generator, wherein the efficiency of power generation drops when the altitude of sunlight is low in the morning or evening because the sunlight impinges on the power generation surface from oblique direction, and a structure of directing the panel itself to the sun results in a large-scale photovoltaic power generator. <P>SOLUTION: A rectangular power generation means capable of generating power on both sides is arranged so that it can be rotary driven on one axis thereof. When a plurality of power generation means are driven by a rotating mechanism, sunlight impinges on the power generation surface from a direction substantially perpendicular thereto even if the altitude of sunlight is low, and high efficiency of power generation can be maintained as a whole. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2011,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a solar power generation device that generates power by receiving sunlight.

Conventionally, various developments have been made on solar power generation devices that generate power by receiving sunlight.
In solar power generation, it is also known that power generation efficiency varies greatly depending on the angle of sunlight irradiated on the panel. For this reason, various developments have been made on techniques for causing the photovoltaic power generation panel to follow the movement of the sun.

  For example, Patent Document 1 proposes a tracking solar power generation apparatus that tracks the sun array by pushing and pulling the entire solar cell array (panel) toward the sun.

JP 2007-258357 A

  On the other hand, in order to improve the output of the solar power generation device, it is necessary to enlarge the panel itself. Therefore, in order to track a large panel toward the sun, the tracking device itself is also increased in size, and energy consumption for that purpose is also increased.

  The present invention has been made in order to solve the above-described problem, and it is possible to improve the power generation efficiency of a solar panel with a simple configuration, and to cope with an increase in the size of the panel. An object is to provide a power generator.

  In order to solve the above-mentioned problem, the invention according to claim 1 is a photovoltaic power generation apparatus, wherein a plurality of power generation means formed in a rectangular shape and an axis parallel to a long side of the power generation means are center axes. A base portion that rotatably supports the power generation means, a rotation mechanism that rotates the plurality of power generation means rotatably supported by the base portion, and a driving force applied to the rotation mechanism. Driving means for providing power, and the power generation means is configured to be capable of generating power regardless of which main surface of the power generation means is irradiated with sunlight. Accordingly, the rotating mechanism is driven to rotate the power generation means about the shaft.

  According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the solar power generation device according to the first aspect, the shaft for rotating the power generation means is disposed substantially along the north-south direction.

  According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the solar power generation device according to the first or second aspect, the power generation means includes a power generation base formed in a rectangular shape and both main surfaces of the power generation base. And a plurality of unit power generation means.

  The solar power generation device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein a plurality of the power generation means are disposed on a light transmissive power generation base material formed in a rectangular shape and on or inside the power generation base material, And a unit power generation means capable of generating power on both main surfaces.

  According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in the solar power generation device according to any one of the first to fourth aspects, the rotating mechanism is connected to the motor that generates a rotational driving force and is rotated by being connected to the motor. A short shaft member that is driven, and a long shaft member that is connected to the short shaft member and the plurality of power generation means and transmits rotational driving of the short shaft member to the power generation means.

  According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, in the solar power generation device according to any one of the first to fourth aspects, the rotating mechanism includes a motor that generates a rotational driving force, and a rotation that is coupled to the motor. A first gear to be driven; a rack that converts rotational drive of the first gear into linear motion; and a second gear that converts linear motion of the rack into rotational motion. The power generation means is rotated by transmitting motion to the power generation means.

  In the present invention, the power generation means can be directed to the direction of sunlight by a simple mechanism, and the power generation efficiency can be improved.

  In particular, according to the second aspect of the present invention, the main surface of the power generation means can be directed to the direction of the sun during the day only by rotation by one axis.

  In particular, according to the third and fourth aspects of the invention, it is possible to generate power regardless of whether the direction of the sun is irradiated from the west or east direction.

  In particular, according to the inventions of claims 5 and 6, it is possible to change the directions of the plurality of power generation means all at once by a simple mechanism.

It is a figure which shows the outline of the solar power generation device 1 which concerns on 1st Embodiment. It is a top view of the electric power generation surface S of the solar power generation device 1 which concerns on 1st Embodiment. It is a perspective view which shows the drive part of the solar power generation device 1 which concerns on 1st Embodiment. It is a side view which shows a part of solar power generation device 1 which concerns on 1st Embodiment. It is a schematic diagram which shows the control part of the solar power generation device 1 which concerns on 1st Embodiment. It is a side view which shows operation | movement of the solar power generation device 1 which concerns on 1st Embodiment. It is a side view which shows operation | movement of the solar power generation device 1 which concerns on 1st Embodiment. It is a side view which shows operation | movement of the solar power generation device 1 which concerns on 1st Embodiment. It is a side view which shows operation | movement of the solar power generation device 1 which concerns on 1st Embodiment. It is a side view which shows the position of the sub panel 20 of the substrate processing apparatus 1 which concerns on 1st Embodiment. It is a side view which shows the substrate processing apparatus 101 which concerns on 2nd Embodiment.

  The solar power generation device 1 according to the embodiment of the present invention is a device that is disposed on a flat land or a roof of a house where sunlight is irradiated, and generates power with sunlight. Below, the structure in which the solar power generation device 1 is inclined with respect to a horizontal plane by a predetermined mount will be described as an example.

  FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an outline of a photovoltaic power generation apparatus 1 according to the first embodiment of the present invention. In the solar power generation device 1, the base material 10 is supported by the gantry 60. The base material 10 includes a power generation surface S that performs solar power generation on its main surface. The gantry 60 is a pedestal for inclining the power generation surface S of the base material 10 with respect to the horizontal plane at a predetermined angle α, and is formed using an aluminum frame or the like. Further, the gantry 60 is arranged so that the power generation surface S of the base material 10 faces in the south direction as a whole.

  Here, the predetermined angle α may be strictly adjusted according to the latitude or the like of the area where the photovoltaic power generation apparatus 1 is installed, but 20 ° so as to be orthogonal to the average altitude of the sun throughout the year. What is necessary is just to set to about ~ 30 degree. Moreover, the structure which can adjust angle (alpha) according to a season may be sufficient.

  FIG. 2 is a plan view of the solar power generation device viewed from a direction perpendicular to the power generation surface S. In the figure, the upward direction on the paper surface is described as the Y direction, and the vertical direction on the paper surface (the direction perpendicular to the power generation surface S) is described as the Z direction. The following other drawings will be described using the same coordinate system.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the power generation surface S is formed on the main surface of the base 10 in the + Z direction. Specifically, the power generation surface S has a rectangular shape having a long side in the Y direction (hereinafter referred to as sub-panel 20), and a plurality of power generation means S are arranged in parallel in the X direction with a predetermined interval. The power generation surface S is formed as a whole. Further, since the −Y direction in FIG. 2 is the south direction in FIG. 1, the long sides of each sub-panel 20 are all arranged in the north-south direction.

  The −Y direction end of the sub-panel 20 is connected to the link mechanism 30. The link mechanism 30 is connected to the drive mechanism 40 at the −X direction end.

  FIG. 3 is an enlarged perspective view of a dotted line portion A in FIG. The sub-panel 20 includes a power generation base material 21 having a rectangular shape having a long side in the Y direction, and rectangular unit power generation means (hereinafter referred to as a unit panel 22).

  One end of the long side of the power generation base material 21 is fixed to the hinge 11. The hinge 11 is connected to the base material 10 so that the power generation base material 21 can be rotated. Therefore, the sub-panel 20 as a whole can be rotated on the major surface in the Z direction of the base material 10 with the long side as an axis. In addition, as the power generation base material 21, it is possible to appropriately select a material such as resin, metal, glass and the like in consideration of strength, weight, and the like.

  The unit panel 21 uses various types of photovoltaic power generation elements such as single crystal silicon photovoltaic power generation elements, polycrystalline silicon photovoltaic power generation elements, dye-sensitized photovoltaic power generation elements, and thin film photovoltaic power generation elements. Can do. In this embodiment, the sub-panel 20 is configured by using a polycrystalline silicon solar power generation element and molding the power generation base 21 with a resin.

  The link mechanism 30 includes a long shaft member 31 and a short shaft member 32, and one end of the short shaft member 32 is connected to the drive mechanism 40.

  The long shaft member 31 is lightweight, and aluminum or the like is used in order to prevent deterioration due to ultraviolet rays or the like. The long shaft member 31 is connected to the shaft 311 through a bearing mechanism (not shown). The shaft 311 is arranged at the same pitch as the sub-panel 20 and is connected to the power generation base 21 on the Y direction side. Therefore, by driving the long shaft member 31 in the X direction, the sub-panel 20 rotates about the hinge 11 as an axis.

  As with the long shaft member 31, aluminum or the like is used for the short shaft member 32. One end side (+ Z direction end) of the short shaft member 32 is connected to the long shaft member 31 via a shaft 321. In addition, a bearing mechanism (not shown) is provided between the shaft 321 and the long shaft member 31 and is rotatably connected.

  The other end side (−Z direction end) of the short shaft member 32 is connected to the drive mechanism 40 via the shaft 322. The drive mechanism 40 includes a motor and a gear box inside, and applies a rotational driving force to the short shaft member 32. Specifically, the drive mechanism 40 includes an AC servo motor, and transmits the rotational driving force to the short shaft member 32 after being decelerated by the gear box. The aforementioned AC servo motor is connected to a rotary encoder (not shown), and the final rotation angle of the short shaft member 32 can be calculated by detecting the rotation angle of the AC servo motor.

  The drive mechanism 40 is electrically wired to the control unit 90 and receives a command from the control unit 90 to give a predetermined amount of rotation to the short shaft member 32. Further, it also serves to hold the short shaft member 32 at the instructed rotation angle.

  FIG. 4 is a side view of the enlarged portion of FIG. 3 as viewed from the −Y direction. For convenience of explanation, the long shaft member 31 of the link mechanism 3 is drawn in phantom lines. As shown in FIG. 4, the unit panels 22 are arranged on the main surfaces on both sides of the power generation base material 21. For convenience, the unit panel arranged in the + X direction of the power generation base material 21 is referred to as the front surface unit panel 22a, and the unit panel arranged in the −X direction is referred to as the back surface unit panel 22b. When the arrangement direction is not specified, the unit panel 22 is collectively described.

  Although not shown, the unit panels 22 arranged on both main surfaces are electrically wired and generate a current for each sub-panel 20. The current generated from each sub-panel 20 is supplied to the rectifier circuit 60 via the wiring path 50.

  Next, the control unit 90 will be described. FIG. 5 is a diagram schematically illustrating the configuration of the control unit 90. The control unit 90 includes a calculation unit 91, an interface (I / F) unit 92, a timer 93, and an input unit 94, and each is configured to be electrically wired to the calculation unit 91. The calculation unit 91 uses a general CPU (Central Processing Unit) or the like, but may be configured by an electronic circuit or the like formed on a substrate.

  The calculation unit 91 obtains the latitude and longitude at the point where the photovoltaic power generation apparatus 1 is installed, which is input from the input unit 94, and the current time information output from the timer 93. And based on those information, the angle suitable when the sub panel 20 of the solar power generation device 1 produces electric power at the present time is calculated. Then, the rotation angle given to the drive mechanism 40 is calculated, and the drive mechanism 40 is controlled via the I / F unit 92.

  When considering the power generation efficiency of the photovoltaic power generation element, the efficiency is best when sunlight enters the element vertically. However, the efficiency has little influence even if the incident angle changes by about 10 °. Therefore, the control unit 90 controls the angle of the sub-panel 20 of the solar power generation device 1 every time the current time output from the timer 93 elapses for one hour.

  The timing for performing the control may be a predetermined time interval instead of 1 hour, or may be controlled in real time.

  Next, operation | movement description of the solar power generation device 1 which concerns on the 1st Embodiment of this invention is performed. FIGS. 6-9 is a figure which shows operation | movement of the sub panel 20 in the solar power generation device 1 which concerns on the 1st Embodiment of this invention. FIG. 6 shows a state in which sunlight L is radiating from the right hand side of the paper, that is, a view around 10:00 am radiating from the southeast direction. Actually, the sunlight L is also inclined in the depth direction (Y direction) of the drawing.

  When the signal indicating 10:00 am output from the timer 93 is input, the calculation unit 91 calculates the rotation angle to be given to the drive unit 40. In this example, calculation is performed so that the sub-panel 20 is oriented at an angle of about 45 ° with respect to the base material 10, and a rotation drive signal for that purpose is transmitted to the drive unit 40 via the I / F unit 92. The drive unit 40 rotates the short shaft member 32 by rotating the motor in response to a signal from the calculation unit 91. Then, the sub panel 20 is oriented at 45 ° and held via the link mechanism 30.

  As a result, sunlight L is irradiated from a substantially vertical direction to the unit panel 22a on the + X side on the sub-panel 20. By orienting the unit panel 22a in this way, the unit panel 22a can generate power in the normal state with the highest efficiency.

  Further, when time elapses from the state of FIG. 6 and the position of the sun changes to 11:00 am (state of FIG. 7), the control unit 90 drives the drive unit 40 so as to follow the direction of sunlight L. And the angle of the sub-panel 20 is changed in the −X direction. Therefore, even if the angle of sunlight L changes, sunlight L is irradiated to the unit panel 22a on the + X side on the sub-panel 20 from a substantially vertical direction.

  Next, the solar power generation device 1 in a state in which more time has elapsed from the state of FIG. 7 will be shown using FIG. When it is around 1 pm, the sunlight L exceeds the vertical direction (Z direction) as shown in FIG.

  In that case, the control unit 90 drives the drive unit 40 in the reverse direction, and drives the link mechanism in the + X direction. Therefore, the sub panel 20 is inclined to the + X side as a whole, and the unit panel 22b arranged on the sub panel 20 is oriented so as to be substantially perpendicular to the sunlight L. Therefore, the unit panel 22b can generate power in the normal state with the highest efficiency instead of the unit panel 22a.

  Further, when time elapses from the state of FIG. 8 and the position of the sun changes to the state of FIG. 9, the control unit 90 drives the drive unit 40 to follow the direction of sunlight L, and Change the angle in the -X direction. Therefore, even if the angle of the sunlight L changes, the sunlight L is irradiated from the substantially vertical direction to the unit panel 22b on the + X side on the sub-panel 20.

  In addition, as shown with the dashed-two dotted line of FIG. 10, in the time (specifically from 9:00 am from sunrise, from 15:00 to sunset) when the position of the sun becomes close to the photovoltaic power generator 1 in parallel. As described above, when the sub-panel 20 is oriented at an angle close to perpendicular to the sunlight L, the shadow of the sub-panel 20 is applied to the adjacent sub-panel 20, and the power generation efficiency is lowered as a whole.

  Therefore, when it is time for the shadow of the sub-panel 20 to affect, the control unit 90 controls the angle of the sub-panel 20 and orients the sub-panel 20 so that the sunlight L is irradiated to the sub-panel 20 from an oblique direction. By controlling in this way, even if the maximum efficiency cannot be exhibited, it is possible to generate power more efficiently than the conventional solar power generation device in which the sub-panel 20 is arranged in a direction parallel to the base material 10. Become.

  Next, the solar power generation device 101 according to the second embodiment of the present invention will be described. FIG. 11 is a diagram showing an outline of a photovoltaic power generation apparatus 101 according to the second embodiment of the present invention. In addition, regarding the same structure, the code | symbol similar to the above-mentioned 1st Embodiment is attached | subjected, and description is abbreviate | omitted.

  In the solar power generation device 101, a plurality of sub-panels 20 are disposed on a base material 110. A gear 131 is disposed at the end of the sub-panel 20 in the −Y direction, and the sub-panel 20 is attached to the base 110 so as to be rotatable about the axis of the gear 131.

  In addition, a long-axis rack 133 is disposed in the X direction below each gear 131. The top surface of the rack 133 is provided with teeth formed so as to mesh with the gear 131. The rack 133 is supported by the base material 110 so as to slide in the X-axis direction.

  In the −X direction of the rack 133, a drive gear 132 that is also formed so as to mesh with the rack 133 is disposed. The driving gear 132 is connected to the shaft of the driving unit 40 described above, and transmits the driving force of the driving unit 40 to the rack 133. As described above, when the drive unit 40 is rotationally driven, the sub-panel 20 is rotationally driven on the substrate 110 by the rack and pinion via the drive gear 132, the rack 133, and the gear 131.

  The rotation driving of the sub panel 20 may be configured by combining a link mechanism, a rack and pinion, etc. in addition to the above-described embodiment. Further, the drive unit 40 may use not only a rotational drive but also a drive mechanism (for example, an air cylinder) that moves the rack 133 in a straight line.

  Moreover, although the sub panel 20 was formed by arrange | positioning the various unit panels 21 on both the main surfaces of the electric power generation base material 21, it is not restricted above. For example, it is possible to use a double-sided light-receiving solar power generation element that can generate power regardless of which of the main surfaces is irradiated with sunlight. The sub-panel 20 may be formed by a method of molding the double-sided light-receiving solar power generation element with a transparent resin, a method of sandwiching between two glass plates, or the like.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1, 101 ... Solar power generation device 10 ... Base material 11 ... Hinge 20 ... Sub panel 21 ... Power generation base material 22 ... Unit panel 30 ... Link mechanism 31 ... Long Shaft member 32 ... Short shaft member 40 ... Drive mechanism 90 ... Control unit 131 ... Gear 132 ... Drive gear 133 ... Rack L ... Sunlight S ... Power generation surface

Claims (6)

A solar power generator,
A plurality of power generation means formed in a rectangular shape;
A base portion that pivotally supports the power generation means with an axis parallel to the long side of the power generation means as a central axis;
A rotation mechanism for rotating the plurality of power generation means rotatably supported by the base material portion;
Driving means for applying a driving force to the rotating mechanism,
The power generation means is formed so as to be capable of generating power regardless of which main surface of the power generation means is irradiated with sunlight.
The driving means drives the rotating mechanism to rotate the power generating means about the axis according to the angle of sunlight irradiation. In the solar power generation device according to claim 1,
A shaft for rotating the power generation means is disposed substantially along the north-south direction. In the solar power generation device according to claim 1 or 2,
The power generation means includes a power generation substrate formed in a rectangular shape,
And a plurality of unit power generation means arranged on both main surfaces of the power generation substrate. In the solar power generation device according to claim 1 or 2,
The power generation means includes a light-transmitting power generation base formed in a rectangular shape,
A plurality of unit power generation means arranged on the surface or inside of the power generation base material and capable of generating power on both main surfaces thereof. In the solar power generation device according to any one of claims 1 to 4,
The rotation mechanism includes a motor that generates a rotational driving force;
A short shaft member connected to the motor and driven to rotate;
A solar power generation apparatus comprising: a long shaft member coupled to the short shaft member and the plurality of power generation means, and transmitting rotational driving of the short shaft member to the power generation means. In the solar power generation device according to any one of claims 1 to 4,
The rotation mechanism includes a motor that generates a rotational driving force;
A first gear coupled to the motor and driven to rotate;
A rack that converts the rotational drive of the first gear into a linear motion;
A second gear that converts the linear movement of the rack into a rotational movement, and
The solar power generation device, wherein the power generation means is rotated by transmitting the rotational movement of the second gear to the power generation means.

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