JP2013157427A - Photovoltaic device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To inhibit the generation efficiency deterioration caused by temperature rise and resulting from the deterioration of ultraviolet light, which is a disadvantage caused when a cylindrical film object is used as a photovoltaic module for reducing the weight and relaxing restrictions on the light incident direction.SOLUTION: A photovoltaic module 1 having a cylindrical film form is formed by integrating multiple photovoltaic elements with a cylindrical film substrate. When the cylindrical film photovoltaic module 1 is covered by a transparent outer tube 2 from the outer side thereof, the cylindrical film photovoltaic module 1 is supported on the transparent outer tube 2 using module supports 4 with a space 3 formed between an inner peripheral surface of the transparent outer tube 2 and an outer peripheral surface of the cylindrical film photovoltaic module 1. Further, a photovoltaic device includes a lead wire 5 for extracting power generated by the cylindrical film photovoltaic module 1 to the exterior of the transparent outer tube 2.

Description

  The present invention relates to a photovoltaic device that generates light by absorbing light and converting the energy of the absorbed light into electrical energy. Specifically, the present invention is based on low-cost and high-durability technology, and restricts the light incident direction. The present invention relates to a technique for improving power generation efficiency while relaxing the problem. In the present specification, light is not limited to visible light, but widely means electromagnetic waves having an arbitrary wavelength.

  Unlike a normal flat panel photovoltaic module, a film cylindrical photovoltaic module in which multiple photovoltaic elements (Photovoltaic Cells) are integrated on a film-like cylindrical substrate is a roll-to-roll method. It is possible to produce. Since a film-like photovoltaic module can be produced into a long continuous sheet, and the sheet can be cut into a certain length and then formed into a cylindrical shape, it can be said that it is preferable in terms of productivity and manufacturing cost. . Other advantages are that it is extremely light weight and that the light incident direction for effective power generation is greatly relaxed and light can be absorbed from a wide range, thus improving power generation efficiency. There are things you can hope for. In particular, when the incident light is sunlight, there is an advantage that the power generation efficiency does not change much even if the sun moves. Alternatively, there is no need to track the moving sun, and there is an advantage that facilities are simplified. Moreover, not only direct light from sunlight and other light sources but also reflected light and scattered light can be taken in and used for power generation. However, on the other hand, although it is a common problem for all photovoltaic modules, the semiconductor, which is the heart of the photovoltaic module, is vulnerable to heat. If the temperature rises rapidly, the efficiency of power generation is reduced. In addition, there is a concern that the photovoltaic module is generally deteriorated when exposed to outside air, moisture, or ultraviolet rays (UV), and durability problems such as reduction in power generation efficiency are concerned.

  Therefore, there is a concept of covering the outer peripheral portion of the photovoltaic module with a transparent outer tube. When the prior art is seen, there exists patent documents 2-8 as what a photovoltaic module is cylindrical, but it is not a film form. Patent Documents 1, 2, 4 to 6 are examples in which the outer peripheral surface of a tubular photovoltaic module is brought into close contact with the inner peripheral surface of the transparent outer tube. In the case of Patent Document 3, there is no transparent outer tube. As a prior art in which the photovoltaic module is cylindrical and film-shaped, there is Patent Document 1. However, the tubular photovoltaic module is in close contact with the transparent outer tube, and the tubular photovoltaic module does not extend all around. Patent Documents 7 and 8 are examples in which the transparent outer tube and the photovoltaic module are not in close contact but have a space, but the photovoltaic module is not in the form of a film.

JP 2003-347574 A JP 2006-80396 A JP 2007-250858 A JP 2009-530852 A JP 2009-537985 A JP 2010-526439 A JP 2010-541205 A JP 2010-541206 A

  In order to reduce the cost of the photovoltaic device, it is desirable to reduce the number of parts as much as possible and to produce the photovoltaic device by a manufacturing method having excellent productivity such as a roll-to-roll method. However, cost reduction often leads to a decrease in power generation efficiency and durability. Photovoltaic devices produced by a roll-to-roll method and formed into a film cylinder can be expected to improve power generation efficiency and durability while reducing costs.

  In the case where the tubular photovoltaic module is not in the form of a film (Patent Documents 2 to 8), the above problem is not present in the first place or the problem is small.

  In the case where the cylindrical photovoltaic module is in the form of a film and a transparent cylindrical container is disposed on the outer periphery thereof (Patent Document 1), the transparent cylindrical container is used as a film cylindrical photovoltaic module. It is formed in close contact, and because the heat conduction from the transparent cylindrical container is large, the photovoltaic module rises in temperature, and the power generation efficiency tends to decrease, and it does not solve the above problems .

  The present invention was created in view of such circumstances, and is low in cost and highly durable on the premise that a film cylindrical photovoltaic module is used for weight reduction and light input direction constraint relaxation. An object of the present invention is to provide a photovoltaic module, which is intended to suppress a decrease in power generation efficiency due to temperature rise and deterioration due to outside air, moisture, ultraviolet rays (UV), and the like.

  In order to solve the above problems, the present invention takes the following measures.

  The photovoltaic device according to the present invention includes, as its constituent elements, a film cylindrical photovoltaic module, a transparent outer tube that covers the film cylindrical photovoltaic module from the outside, an inner peripheral surface of the transparent outer tube, and a film cylinder. A space secured between the outer peripheral surface of the tubular photovoltaic module, a module support for supporting the tubular photovoltaic module on the transparent outer tube in a state in which this space is secured, and the tubular photovoltaic module And a lead wire for taking out the generated power to the outside of the transparent outer tube.

  The above-mentioned film cylindrical photovoltaic module has a cylindrical configuration in which a plurality of photovoltaic elements are integrated on a film substrate. The photovoltaic device absorbs light and generates power by converting the energy of the absorbed light into electric energy by photoelectric conversion, as in the case of so-called solar cells, and is not particularly limited in type or form. . The light is not limited to visible light, but broadly means electromagnetic waves of any wavelength. The light to be used is basically sunlight, but is not limited to only sunlight, and may be light from a wide range of arbitrary light sources. For example, light from a fluorescent lamp, an incandescent lamp, an LED lamp, or other lighting devices may be used. As a photovoltaic device, what is called a thin film solar cell, especially a flexible solar cell are preferable. As an example of a flexible solar cell, a CIGS (copper-indium-gallium-selenium) solar cell and a dye-sensitized solar cell (DSC) are preferable. In particular, when a flexible solar cell is manufactured by a roll-to-roll method, a film-like photovoltaic module can be formed into a long continuous sheet, and the sheet is cut into a predetermined length and then formed into a cylindrical shape. Therefore, it can be said that it is preferable from the viewpoint of improving productivity.

  In addition, although the word “battery” is used for solar cells, it is not treated here as “having a function of accumulating electric charges”, but “having a function of generating electricity” as a general interpretation. It will be treated as "thing".

  As for the “tubular” of the photovoltaic module in the form of a film, it is continuously developed around a certain axis over substantially the entire circumference (completely the entire circumference or almost completely the entire circumference), and the cross-sectional shape is arbitrary two. Dimensional regular or irregular closed shape (refers to substantially the whole circumference, which differs from Patent Document 1 and cylindrical shape, which differs from Patent Documents 2 to 8) . The closed cross-sectional shape (inner peripheral surface or outer peripheral surface) is arbitrary. The “cylindrical shape” is a solid developed with an inner peripheral surface and an outer peripheral surface around a certain axis. The ratio of the distance from the center to the inner peripheral surface with respect to the distance from the center to the outer peripheral surface is smaller than 1 and close to 1. “Film cylindrical” means that the ratio is sufficiently close to 1, and the thickness dimension from the inner peripheral surface to the outer peripheral surface is sufficiently small (in this respect, Patent Documents 2 to 8 Is different). However, the term “film-like” generally refers to a film having flexibility (flexibility), but does not necessarily have flexibility. It may have some elasticity and rigidity. This is because even if it is a sheet and has flexibility, if it is formed into a cylinder, elasticity and rigidity may occur. From the viewpoint of improving productivity, it is preferable that a long sheet-like photovoltaic module manufactured by a roll-to-roll method is cut into a certain size and then formed into a cylindrical shape. Furthermore, if the manufacturing method is devised, the film made in the form of a sheet is not formed into a cylindrical shape, but is formed on a substrate (cylindrical substrate) that is manufactured from the beginning to form a photovoltaic power generation. An element may be configured.

  The reason for covering the outer periphery of the film cylindrical photovoltaic module with the transparent outer tube is to protect the influence of the external environment on the film cylindrical photovoltaic module of the transparent outer tube with the transparent outer tube. With regard to protection performance, it is possible to suppress chemical and physical reactions (bonding) with moisture, various active molecules (oxygen molecules, water molecules), ions, pollutants, etc. in the outside air and to ensure waterproofness. .

  Moreover, covering with a transparent outer tube is also effective as a measure against ultraviolet rays in a film cylindrical photovoltaic module. The UV light directly hits the transparent outer tube, and this transparent outer tube absorbs the powerful energy of the UV light and alleviates the impact on the film cylindrical photovoltaic module. Compared with the case of hitting the photovoltaic power generation module, light deterioration of the film-shaped photovoltaic power generation module is suppressed, which is also effective in suppressing reduction in power generation efficiency.

  The transparent outer tube is usually composed of a glass tube, but it is not limited to a glass tube. It is made of plastic (engineering plastic) as long as it is transparent and has excellent heat resistance, ultraviolet resistance and strength. There may be.

  The shape of the transparent outer tube may be any shape as long as a film cylindrical photovoltaic module can be accommodated therein.

  With respect to covering the outer periphery of a film-shaped photovoltaic module with a transparent outer tube, the present invention is not limited to simply protecting the film-shaped photovoltaic module from the external environment with a transparent outer tube. In order to prevent heat conduction from the tube to the film cylindrical photovoltaic module, an appropriate space is secured between the inner peripheral surface of the transparent outer tube and the outer peripheral surface of the photovoltaic module. This is one of the points of the present invention. In the case of the prior art, they are in close contact, and do not secure a space. Or even if space is considered, the photovoltaic module is neither a film nor a cylinder. The space generally has a cylindrical shape (annular shape).

  To store a film-shaped photovoltaic module in a transparent outer tube with a space for preventing heat conduction between it and the transparent outer tube, the film-shaped photovoltaic module is placed in the transparent outer tube. A module support is required to support this. This point is also a point of the present invention. Even if it is assumed in the prior art that a space is secured between the transparent outer tube and the photovoltaic module, the photovoltaic module is not cylindrical and film-like, and the premise is different.

  This module support has a contact area with the transparent outer tube and a film cylindrical shape so that heat conduction from the transparent outer tube that tends to be high temperature to receive light directly to the film cylindrical photovoltaic module is suppressed as much as possible. It is preferable that the contact area with the photovoltaic module is as small as possible. When the module support is placed between the outer periphery of the film-shaped photovoltaic module and the inner periphery of the transparent outer tube, it is necessary to place the module support at multiple locations in the virtual tube axis direction of the transparent outer tube. It can be said that it is preferable from the property. However, as long as it can be supported at one place, the module support may be arranged at one place. When placing the module support in the space between the transparent outer tube and the photovoltaic module in the form of a film, it is a combination of small pieces of support members that are divided into multiple locations in the circumferential direction. It can be said that it is desirable from the viewpoint of suppressing heat conduction. Needless to say, the module support is preferably made of a heat insulating material having low thermal conductivity. In the case of a module support having a very low thermal conductivity, it may have a continuous form in the circumferential direction.

  The place where the module support is disposed is not necessarily a space between the transparent outer tube and the film-shaped photovoltaic power generation module. Module supports may be arranged at both ends of the transparent outer tube in the virtual tube axis direction.

  In the present invention, as described above, the film-shaped photovoltaic module uses a film-shaped photovoltaic module, while enjoying the advantages of securing light weight and relaxing restrictions on the light incident direction. The outer periphery is covered with a transparent outer tube, a space is secured between the outer peripheral surface of the film cylindrical photovoltaic module and the inner peripheral surface of the transparent outer tube, and the module for securing the space Together with the support, the film-shaped photovoltaic module is protected from the external environment such as moisture contained in the outside air, various active molecules (oxygen molecules, water molecules), ions, and pollutants (with a transparent outer tube) And by reliably suppressing heat conduction from the transparent outer tube to the film-shaped photovoltaic module (by cooperation of space and module support) As Le, it is possible to achieve a significant improvement in the power generation efficiency.

  It can be said that the shape of the transparent outer tube is preferably similar to that of the photovoltaic module having a film cylindrical shape, but it does not necessarily have to be similar or not at all. In short, as long as the film-shaped photovoltaic module is protected from the outside environment such as outside air by covering the outer periphery of the film-shaped photovoltaic module with a transparent outer tube, in principle, any form may be used. It can be said that the transparent outer tube is preferably as transparent as possible so as to capture as much light as possible. However, it does not necessarily need to be colorless and transparent, and may be colored and transparent, such as amber.

  While the film-shaped photovoltaic power generation module is covered and protected by a transparent outer tube, it is necessary to take out the electric power generated by the photovoltaic module outside the transparent outer tube. Therefore, the lead wires drawn from the front electrode (upper electrode) and the back electrode (lower electrode) that sandwich the power generation layer of the film-shaped photovoltaic module from both sides are passed from the inside to the outside with respect to the transparent outer tube. There is a line. The lead wire includes an anode-side lead wire and a cathode-side lead wire, and these two lead wires may be connected to either side of the transparent outer tube in the tube axis direction or one of them. You may summarize.

  In summary, the configuration of the photovoltaic device according to the present invention includes a film-shaped photovoltaic module in which a plurality of photovoltaic elements are integrated on a film-shaped cylindrical substrate, and the film-shaped photovoltaic module. A transparent outer tube covering the outside from the outside, a space secured between the inner peripheral surface of the transparent outer tube and the outer peripheral surface of the film-shaped photovoltaic power generation module, and the transparent outer tube in a state of securing the space A module support for supporting the film-shaped photovoltaic module, and a lead wire for taking out the electric power generated by the film-shaped photovoltaic module to the outside of the transparent outer tube.

  The effect | action by the said structure of this invention is as follows. In order to compensate for the disadvantages (decrease in power generation efficiency due to temperature rise and low durability) caused by a film cylindrical photovoltaic module produced with a small number of parts and an inexpensive manufacturing cost, in the present invention, The photovoltaic module is supported by a module support so that the photovoltaic module is covered with a transparent outer tube and a space is provided between the photovoltaic module and the transparent outer tube.

  Since the film cylindrical photovoltaic module is covered with the transparent outer tube, the member directly hit by the incident light can be replaced with the film cylindrical photovoltaic module to form a transparent outer tube. Even if the temperature of the transparent outer tube is increased by direct incident light, the transparent outer tube itself is not a power generation function member, so that the power generation efficiency is not lowered. The transparent outer tube and the film-shaped photovoltaic module are separated by a space, and the module support that supports the film-shaped photovoltaic module on the transparent outer tube is local. Even if the temperature rises due to light, the heat conduction from the transparent outer tube to the film-shaped photovoltaic power generation module is sufficiently suppressed. Since the temperature rise of the film-shaped photovoltaic power generation module with small heat conduction to the film-shaped photovoltaic module is suppressed, it is possible to suppress a decrease in power generation efficiency. In addition, since it is not a film tubular photovoltaic module that directly hits ultraviolet rays, it is not a film tubular photovoltaic module. Therefore, compared with the case where ultraviolet rays directly strike a film tubular photovoltaic module, Photodegradation is suppressed, and this is also effective in suppressing reduction in power generation efficiency.

  Considering the above configuration at a more specific level, the following configuration can be given as a preferred embodiment.

  It is preferable that the transparent outer tube is sealed with respect to the outside air with its inner space being evacuated or sealed against the outside air with its inner space being highly decompressed. In the latter case, it is preferable that an inert gas such as nitrogen, helium or argon is further sealed in the transparent outer tube. In a vacuum state or a highly reduced pressure state, heat conduction from the transparent outer tube to the film-shaped photovoltaic module is sufficiently suppressed. If an inert gas is enclosed, chemical degradation of the photovoltaic module in the form of a film is suppressed, and a long life is expected.

  The transparent outer tube may be made of an engineering plastic (engineering plastic) used for industrial applications such as mechanical parts and structural materials, other than glass tubes. Transparent engineering plastics include polycarbonate (PC), polyarylate (PAR), polysulfone (PSU), polyethersulfone (PESU), and polyetherimide (PEI).

  Or, for the transparent outer tube, it is a new type of flexible transparent film, which is a clay containing smectite, vermiculite, swellable mica, etc. You may comprise a lithium exchanged clay film with heat resistance.

  In addition to the cylindrical shape, the film cylindrical photovoltaic module has an oval, regular polygon (regular dodecagon, regular dodecagon, regular octagon, regular hexagon, regular square, etc.), regular triangle, There are a rhombus, a parallelogram, a rounded quadrangle, a semicircular, a semi-elliptical, a semi-regular polygon, a half-rounded quadrilateral, or an unequal side polygon / triangle.

  In addition, the relative positional relationship between the film-shaped photovoltaic power generation module and the transparent outer tube is preferably arranged coaxially, but it is not necessary to be limited to this, and it is arranged non-coaxially. It doesn't matter.

  Regarding the power generation method of the photovoltaic device, other than CIGS (copper-indium-gallium-selenium) type and dye-sensitized type, amorphous type, microcrystalline silicon type, CIS (copper-indium-selenium) type, CdTe ( There are a cadmium telluride type, a HIT (Heterojunction with Intrinsic thin layer) type (including a double-sided incident type), an organic thin film type, a quantum dot type, a compound thin film type, a spherical type, and a tandem type.

  The module support is preferably heat insulating.

  As a structure for supporting the lead wire on the transparent outer tube, a structure in which a stem is integrally formed on the transparent outer tube and the lead wire is held on the stem is preferable. In this case, the transparent outer tube and the stem may be made of the same glass material, and both may be melted and integrated together.

In the inner space of the transparent outer tube where the film-shaped photovoltaic module is located, there is a getter for absorbing and capturing the impurity particles such as active molecules (oxygen molecules, water molecules) and ions remaining or generated. It is preferable to make it inherent. Due to the activation of the getter, the gas such as H ₂ O, O ₂ , H ₂ , N ₂ , CO, etc. remaining after evacuation of the transparent outer tube or generated during use is adsorbed and removed. It is possible to suppress the deterioration of the photovoltaic module due to the reaction with the impurity particles and to prolong its life. The type of getter does not matter whether it is an evaporation type or an emergency evaporation type. As a material of the getter, there is an alloy mainly composed of zirconium, titanium or the like. Specifically, there are a Zr—Al alloy, a Zr—Fe alloy, a Zr—Ni alloy, a Zr—Nb—Fe alloy, a Zr—Ti—Fe alloy, a Zr—V—Fe alloy, and the like.

  According to the present invention, the photovoltaic module is formed into a film cylinder so that the outer periphery of the film cylinder photovoltaic module is surrounded by a transparent outer tube through a space with a module support while ensuring lightness and relaxing restrictions on the light incident direction. Protects the film cylindrical photovoltaic module from the external environment such as moisture, active molecules (oxygen molecules, water molecules), ions, and pollutants, and from the transparent outer tube to the film cylindrical photovoltaic module By reliably suppressing the heat conduction, it is possible to achieve a significant improvement in power generation efficiency as a whole.

Schematic front sectional view showing a configuration of a photovoltaic device in an embodiment of the present invention Development view of a film-like substrate in an embodiment of the present invention (part 1) The perspective view of the cylindrical photovoltaic module in embodiment of this invention (the 1) Development view of the film-like substrate in the embodiment of the present invention (part 2) Development view of the film-like substrate in the embodiment of the present invention (part 3) The perspective view of the cylindrical photovoltaic module in embodiment of this invention (the 2) Development view of the film-like substrate in the embodiment of the present invention (Part 4) Side surface sectional drawing of the photovoltaic device in embodiment of this invention Schematic front sectional view showing the configuration of the photovoltaic unit in the embodiment of the present invention Schematic top view showing a configuration of a photovoltaic panel in an embodiment of the present invention Schematic side sectional view showing a configuration of a photovoltaic panel in an embodiment of the present invention Schematic bottom view showing the configuration of a fluorescent lamp in an embodiment of the present invention

  Hereinafter, embodiments of a photovoltaic device according to the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

  FIG. 1 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing the configuration of a photovoltaic device A according to an embodiment of the present invention. In FIG. 1, 1 is a film cylindrical photovoltaic module, 2 is a transparent outer tube (glass tube) that covers the film cylindrical photovoltaic module 1 from the outside, and 3 is an inner peripheral surface of the transparent outer tube 2 and a film cylinder. Space secured between the outer peripheral surface of the photovoltaic module 1 in the form of a module, 4 is a module support for supporting the photovoltaic module 1 in the form of a film on the transparent outer tube 2 while securing the space 3, and 5 is a tubular film This is a lead wire for taking out the power generated by the photovoltaic module 1 to the outside of the transparent outer tube 2. Further, 2a is a stem formed integrally with the transparent outer tube 2 in order to support the lead wire 5 on the transparent outer tube 2, and 6 is a getter having a trace gas adsorption property. The parallel chain lines mean that the whole part is long and cannot be expressed on the paper surface, so that the middle part is omitted (the same applies to FIGS. 3, 6, and 9). Regarding the dimensional relationship of the transparent outer tube 2, the diameter is about 5 mm to 10 cm, and the length is about 10 cm to 20 m.

  As described above, the power generation mode of the film-shaped photovoltaic power generation module 1 is arbitrary such as CIGS (copper-indium-gallium-selenium) type and dye-sensitized type, and has an integrated structure and a wiring structure according to each mode. However, generally, a plurality of photovoltaic elements 1b integrated on a film-like substrate 1a shown in FIG. 2 is formed into a cylindrical shape as shown in FIG. Note that the broken lines in FIG. 2 mean that some of the repeated patterns are omitted (the same applies to FIGS. 4, 5, 7, and 11).

  FIG. 2 shows an example in which a plurality of photovoltaic elements 1b are integrated on a film-like substrate 1a, and a very long one is produced by a roll-to-roll method. It becomes a flat film-like thing shown in. Further, the cylindrical photovoltaic module 1 shown in FIG. 3 is formed into a cylindrical shape. When a plurality of photovoltaic elements 1b are aligned in the axial direction and connected in parallel to each other, a photovoltaic element array 1B is formed. The photovoltaic element arrays 1B are arranged in parallel in the circumferential direction and are adjacent in the circumferential direction. The columns 1B and 1B are connected to each other via a serial connection line 1c. A lead terminal 1e is formed on the edge of the film-like substrate 1a on one side in the axial direction of the high potential side connection line 1d in the series-parallel connection circuit of these photovoltaic elements 1b. A lead terminal 1g is formed on the edge of the film-like substrate 1a on the other side in the axial direction of the low potential side connection line 1f in the connection circuit, and the lead wires 5 and 5 are connected to the lead terminals 1e and 1g. In FIG. 3, the illustration of the individual photovoltaic elements 1b is omitted. The means for fixing the film-like photovoltaic module in a cylindrical shape is arbitrary. In addition to end-to-end joining, end-to-end joint joining, protrusion / hole fitting structure, affixing to the outer peripheral surface of a separately prepared cylindrical substrate It may be attached.

  As shown in FIG. 4, the high potential side lead terminal 1e may be arranged on the same side as the low potential side lead terminal 1g on the film-like substrate 1a. In this case, the lead wire 5 on the high potential side is drawn out from the same stem 2a as the lead wire 5 on the low potential side.

  The photovoltaic element array 1B may be configured as shown in FIG. 5 instead of the types shown in FIGS. In FIG. 5, in the photovoltaic element array 1 </ b> B, adjacent photovoltaic elements 1 b and 1 b have a series connection structure in which the positive electrode is connected to the negative electrode. The photovoltaic element rows 1B and 1B adjacent in the circumferential direction are connected in parallel by C-shaped lead terminals 1h and 1k as shown in FIG. The lead wires 5 and 5 are connected to protrusions at the ends of the C-shaped ring-shaped lead terminals 1h and 1k.

  In FIG. 5, the low potential side lead terminal 1h and the high potential side lead terminal 1k are arranged on both sides of the film-like substrate 1a, but instead of this, as shown in FIG. 7, the film-like substrate 1a. The low potential side lead terminal 1h and the high potential side lead terminal 1n may be arranged together on one side. In this case, a line 1m connecting both sides and a lead terminal 1n are added.

  Returning to FIG. 1, the description will be continued. In order to install the film-shaped photovoltaic module 1 with respect to the transparent outer tube 2, the gap between the outer peripheral surface of the photovoltaic module 1 and the inner circumferential surface of the transparent outer tube 2. The interior is designed to secure space 3. Here, the space 3 is secured by interposing the module support 4 between the outer peripheral surface of the photovoltaic module 1 and the inner peripheral surface of the transparent outer tube 2 at a plurality of locations in the axial direction. In this case, as shown in FIG. 8, it is preferable to use a combination of support members 4a having excellent heat insulation in the form of small pieces that are divided into a plurality in the circumferential direction. In FIG. 8, the number of support members 4a is four, but may be three, five, or the like. In FIG. 1, the number of module supports 4 is two at both ends in the axial direction, but the number is adjusted according to the length of the film-shaped photovoltaic module 1.

  The module support 4 coaxially supports the film-shaped photovoltaic power generation module 1 with respect to the transparent outer tube 2 and secures an annular cylindrical space 3 therebetween. Then, the space 3 is evacuated to a highly decompressed state.

  Since the outer periphery of the film cylindrical photovoltaic module 1 is covered with the transparent outer tube 2, the film cylindrical photovoltaic module 1 is exposed to the external environment such as moisture, active molecules (oxygen molecules, water molecules), ions, and pollutants. Since the film-shaped photovoltaic power generation module 1 can be protected from the external environment without being directly exposed, the power generation efficiency can be kept high.

  In addition, the transparent outer tube 2 tends to be high temperature because it receives light directly, but there is a space 3 in a highly decompressed state, and the module support 4 existing in the space 3 is adiabatic and has a plurality of circumferential directions. Because of the combination of the separated small support members 4a, heat conduction from the transparent outer tube 2 to the film-shaped photovoltaic module 1 is suppressed. Even if the photovoltaic module 1 is a thin film cylinder and is easy to raise the temperature, the heat conduction from the transparent outer tube 2 is suppressed, so that the temperature increase is suppressed and high power generation efficiency is ensured.

  A film cylindrical photovoltaic module 1 is mounted on the transparent outer tube 2 in a state where the space 3 is secured by the module support 4, and then a getter 6 is disposed at a predetermined position of the transparent outer tube 2 by bonding or the like. Fix it. The getter 6 absorbs and captures impurity particles such as active molecules (oxygen molecules, water molecules) and ions that are precipitated during use from the film-shaped photovoltaic module 1 in the inner space of the transparent outer tube 2. It is. Next, in a state where the lead wires 5 and 5 are pulled out from both ends in the tube axis direction of the transparent outer tube 2, the stems 2 a and 2 a are made into the transparent outer tube 2 by partially melting the glass tube constituting the transparent outer tube 2. The lead wires 5 and 5 are held by the stems 2a and 2a.

  The photovoltaic device A of the present embodiment configured as described above has the following advantages. That is, the film-shaped photovoltaic power generation module 1 is covered with a transparent outer tube 2 to protect it from the outside environment such as outside air, and further, the transparent outer tube prevents ultraviolet rays from directly hitting the film-shaped photovoltaic module 1. Since 2 suppresses, the original power generation efficiency is maintained over a long period of time. Further, even when the temperature of the transparent outer tube 2 rises due to direct incident light, heat conduction from the transparent outer tube 2 to the film-shaped photovoltaic power generation module 1 due to the presence of the space 3 and the heat insulating module support 4 Is sufficiently suppressed, and this also suppresses a decrease in power generation efficiency.

  In the above, when the transparent outer tube 2 is made of glass, as its constituent materials, quartz glass, soda-lime glass, borosilicate glass, aluminosilicate glass, glass ceramic, silicate / fused silica glass, germanium / semiconductor glass, Examples thereof include fluoride glass, flint glass, dichroic glass, chalcogenide / sulfide glass, and serrated glass. When the transparent outer tube 2 is a glass tube, it is possible to increase UV protection (ultraviolet light stability) by adding sodium carbonate.

  Alternatively, the constituent material of the transparent outer tube 2 may be urethane polymer, acrylic polymer, fluoropolymer, silicone, silicone gel, epoxy, polyamide, polyolefin, or the like.

  Alternatively, the constituent material of the transparent outer tube 2 is polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA), ethylene vinyl acetate (EVA), polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS), cross-linked polyethylene (PEX), polypropylene (PP), polyethylene terephthalate glycol (PETG). Perfluoroalkoxyfluorocarbon (PFA), polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE), polyvinyl chloride (PVC), polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF), nylon and the like may be used.

  FIG. 9 shows a photovoltaic unit B in which sockets 7 and 7 are attached to both ends of the photovoltaic device A in order to make the photovoltaic device A easier to handle. In this photovoltaic unit B, a lead wire 5 extending from the stem 2 a is passed through a socket 7 and further connected to an electrode 8 formed at the outer end of the socket 7. By attaching the socket 7 having the electrode 8 to both ends of the photovoltaic device A to constitute the photovoltaic unit B, handling such as attaching the photovoltaic device A to the frame becomes easy.

  Furthermore, FIG. 10, FIG. 11 shows the state which assembled the some photovoltaic unit B ... as the photovoltaic panel C. FIG. A plurality of photovoltaic units B are connected and fixed to a rectangular frame 9 to constitute a photovoltaic panel C. A rectangular frame 9 is formed by combining horizontal frames 9a, 9a facing in parallel along the horizontal direction and vertical frames 9b, 9b facing in parallel along the vertical direction, and the vertical frame of the rectangular frame 9 is formed. A plurality of photovoltaic power generation units B... Are spanned between 9b and 9b with an appropriate interval between them. The sockets 7 and 7 of each photovoltaic unit B are fixed to the vertical frames 9b and 9b. The electrodes 8 and 8 in each socket 7 and 7 are electrically connected to elongated electrode plates 10 and 10 attached to the vertical frames 9b and 9b. As shown in FIG. 11, on the bottom surface of the rectangular frame 9, a reflecting plate 11 is installed in a state of being spaced downward from the lowest part of the photovoltaic units B. The reflector 11 has a width over the entire surface of the rectangular frame 9.

  In FIG. 11, sunlight that forms parallel rays is incident on the upper surface of the transparent outer tube 2 that is the outer periphery of each photovoltaic unit B, and enters the reflector 11 from the gap between the neighboring photovoltaic units B and B. The incident light is reflected and incident on the lower surface of the transparent outer tube 2. In the transparent outer tube 2, the incident range on the surface thereof is a half-circumferential region of the transparent outer tube 2. That is, each photovoltaic unit B can use incident light from any direction for power generation.

  Even if the sun moves with time and the incident angle with respect to the photovoltaic panel C changes, the incident range on the surface of the transparent outer tube 2 (the half-circumferential region of the transparent outer tube 2) does not change. The amount of light reflected by the reflecting plate 11 and incident on the lower surface of the transparent outer tube 2 changes according to the incident angle. However, if the reflecting surface of the reflecting plate 11 is made scattering, the change in the amount of incident light is suppressed. Is done. The light incident on the transparent outer tube 2 is refracted and reaches the film-shaped photovoltaic power generation module 1 for power generation. In any case, the energy of light incident on the photovoltaic panel C can be kept substantially constant regardless of the change in the incident angle accompanying the movement of the sun.

  Note that if through holes are formed at a plurality of locations on the reflector 11, it is useful for draining rainwater and also for reducing the wind pressure applied to the reflector 11.

  FIG. 12 shows the development of the fluorescent lamp illumination device D. FIG. 12 is a bottom view (bottom view). The photovoltaic power generation unit B is attached to the fluorescent lamp body 12 at an intermediate position between the fluorescent lamp tubes 13 and 13 attached to the fluorescent lamp body 12. Light from the fluorescent lamp tubes 13 and 13 enters the photovoltaic unit B, and the photovoltaic unit B generates power by the incident light. Instead of the fluorescent lamp illumination device, the present invention may be applied to an LED illumination device.

  In photovoltaic devices such as solar cells, the present invention realizes cost reduction while enjoying light weight securing and relaxation of restrictions in the light incident direction by using photovoltaic modules as film cylinders, and moisture, active molecules (oxygen molecules, It is useful as a technology for protecting the external environment such as water molecules), ions, and pollutants, and suppressing the decrease in power generation efficiency due to temperature rise.

A Photovoltaic device 1 Film-shaped photovoltaic module 1a Film-like substrate 1b Photovoltaic element 2 Transparent outer tube 2a Stem 3 Space 4 Module support 5 Lead wire 6 Getter 7 Socket

Claims (14)

A film-shaped photovoltaic module in which a plurality of photovoltaic elements are integrated on a film-shaped cylindrical substrate;
A transparent outer tube covering the film-shaped photovoltaic power generation module from the outside;
Space secured between the inner peripheral surface of the transparent outer tube and the outer peripheral surface of the film-shaped photovoltaic module,
A module support for supporting the film cylindrical photovoltaic module on the transparent outer tube in a state of securing the space;
The photovoltaic device provided with the lead wire which takes out the electric power generated by the said film cylindrical photovoltaic power generation module to the exterior of the said transparent outer tube | pipe.   The photovoltaic device according to claim 1, wherein the transparent outer tube is hermetically sealed with respect to the outside air in an internal space.   2. The photovoltaic device according to claim 1, wherein the transparent outer tube is hermetically sealed with respect to the outside air in a highly decompressed state.   The photovoltaic device according to claim 1, wherein an inert gas is sealed in the transparent outer tube.   The photovoltaic device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the transparent outer tube is formed of a glass tube.   The photovoltaic device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the transparent outer tube is made of plastic or engineering plastic.   The photovoltaic device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the transparent outer tube is composed of a lithium-exchanged clay film.   The photovoltaic device according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the tubular photovoltaic module is configured in a cylindrical shape.   The photovoltaic device according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the tubular photovoltaic module and the transparent outer tube are arranged coaxially.   The photovoltaic device has a CIGS (copper-indium-gallium-selenium) solar cell, an organic thin film solar cell (OPV), a dye-sensitized solar cell (DSC), a quantum dot solar cell, a compound thin film solar cell, The photovoltaic device according to any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the photovoltaic device is configured by either a spherical solar cell or a tandem solar cell.   The photovoltaic device according to any one of claims 1 to 10, wherein the module support is a heat insulating support.   The photovoltaic device according to any one of claims 1 to 11, wherein the transparent outer tube integrally includes a stem that holds the lead wire.   The photovoltaic device according to any one of claims 1 to 12, wherein the transparent outer tube includes a getter that traps impurity particles in an inner space thereof.   The photovoltaic unit which has attached the socket to the both ends of the photovoltaic device of any one of Claim 1- Claim 13.

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