JP2015050218A - Photovoltaic power generator - Google Patents

Photovoltaic power generator Download PDF

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JP2015050218A
JP2015050218A JP2013179039A JP2013179039A JP2015050218A JP 2015050218 A JP2015050218 A JP 2015050218A JP 2013179039 A JP2013179039 A JP 2013179039A JP 2013179039 A JP2013179039 A JP 2013179039A JP 2015050218 A JP2015050218 A JP 2015050218A
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power generation
thermoelectric conversion
solar
temperature
conversion element
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野村　剛
Takeshi Nomura
剛 野村
南尾　匡紀
Masanori Nano
匡紀 南尾
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Panasonic Intellectual Property Management Co Ltd
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    • Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
    • Y02—TECHNOLOGIES OR APPLICATIONS FOR MITIGATION OR ADAPTATION AGAINST CLIMATE CHANGE
    • Y02E—REDUCTION OF GREENHOUSE GAS [GHG] EMISSIONS, RELATED TO ENERGY GENERATION, TRANSMISSION OR DISTRIBUTION
    • Y02E10/00—Energy generation through renewable energy sources
    • Y02E10/40—Solar thermal energy, e.g. solar towers
    • Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
    • Y02—TECHNOLOGIES OR APPLICATIONS FOR MITIGATION OR ADAPTATION AGAINST CLIMATE CHANGE
    • Y02E—REDUCTION OF GREENHOUSE GAS [GHG] EMISSIONS, RELATED TO ENERGY GENERATION, TRANSMISSION OR DISTRIBUTION
    • Y02E10/00—Energy generation through renewable energy sources
    • Y02E10/50—Photovoltaic [PV] energy
    • Y02E10/52—PV systems with concentrators

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Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a photovoltaic power generator capable of solving a conventional problem that the power generation amount decreases as the temperature rises on solar batteries as component elements.SOLUTION: The photovoltaic power generator 1 includes: a cooling pipe 102; a thermoelectric element 103 disposed on the cooling pipe 102; a solar battery 104 disposed on the thermoelectric element 103; a control section 107 that controls the thermoelectric element 103 to switch the function to power generation function or cooling function based on the temperature of the solar battery 104.

Description

本発明は、太陽エネルギーを電気エネルギーに変換する太陽光発電装置に関するものである。   The present invention relates to a solar power generation device that converts solar energy into electrical energy.

従来の太陽光発電装置において、例えば、冷却管上に配置した太陽電池に対して反射鏡を用いて太陽光を集光して、太陽エネルギーを電気エネルギーに変換する、集光型の太陽光発電装置が開発されている（例えば、特許文献１参照）。   In a conventional solar power generation device, for example, a concentrating solar power generation system that condenses sunlight using a reflecting mirror on a solar cell disposed on a cooling pipe and converts the solar energy into electric energy. An apparatus has been developed (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

特許文献１に開示の太陽光発電装置は、図７に示すように、反射鏡３０１で反射した太陽光を太陽電池３０２に集光させることで、太陽エネルギーを電気エネルギーに変換している。このとき、太陽光には、熱線が含まれているので、太陽電池３０２が加熱され、その温度が上昇する。そこで、特許文献１に開示の太陽光発電装置では、熱電変換素子３０４を太陽電池３０２と冷却管３０３との間に配置し、太陽電池３０２と冷却管３０３の温度差を利用して熱電変換を行うことで、太陽光の熱エネルギーを有効に活用している。   As shown in FIG. 7, the solar power generation device disclosed in Patent Document 1 condenses solar light reflected by the reflecting mirror 301 onto a solar cell 302 to convert solar energy into electric energy. At this time, since sunlight includes heat rays, the solar cell 302 is heated and its temperature rises. Therefore, in the solar power generation device disclosed in Patent Document 1, the thermoelectric conversion element 304 is disposed between the solar cell 302 and the cooling pipe 303, and thermoelectric conversion is performed using the temperature difference between the solar battery 302 and the cooling pipe 303. By doing so, solar thermal energy is effectively utilized.

特開２００４−２７１０６３号公報JP 2004-271063 A

しかしながら、従来の太陽光発電装置においては、反射鏡側の太陽電池３０２は、反射鏡３０１により太陽光が集光されているので、冷却管３０３に流通する冷水によって冷却したとしても温度が大きく上昇してしまう可能性がある。ここで、例えばシリコン系の太陽電池の場合、常温での発電効率は２０％程度であるが、温度上昇に伴ってその効率は低下し、２００℃での発電効率は８％前後になることもある。一方、熱電変換素子の発電効率は３％程度であり、反射鏡側における太陽電池の発電効率の低下は、熱電変換素子の発電から補うことはできない。つまり、従来の太陽光発電装置においては、総発電量が、太陽電池の温度上昇により低下するという課題があった。   However, in the conventional solar power generation apparatus, the solar cell 302 on the reflector side has the temperature greatly increased even if it is cooled by cold water flowing through the cooling pipe 303 because sunlight is collected by the reflector 301. There is a possibility that. Here, for example, in the case of a silicon-based solar cell, the power generation efficiency at room temperature is about 20%, but the efficiency decreases as the temperature rises, and the power generation efficiency at 200 ° C. may be about 8%. is there. On the other hand, the power generation efficiency of the thermoelectric conversion element is about 3%, and the decrease in the power generation efficiency of the solar cell on the reflector side cannot be compensated for by the power generation of the thermoelectric conversion element. That is, the conventional photovoltaic power generation apparatus has a problem that the total power generation amount is reduced due to the temperature increase of the solar cell.

本発明は、上記課題に鑑みてなされたもので、総発電量の大きな太陽光発電装置を提供することを目的とする。   This invention is made | formed in view of the said subject, and it aims at providing the solar power generation device with a big total electric power generation amount.

本発明の太陽光発電装置は、この目的を達成するために、冷却部と、前記冷却部に設置された熱電変換素子と、前記熱電変換素子に設置された太陽電池と、前記太陽電池の温度に基づいて、前記熱電変換素子の機能を発電機能と冷却機能とのいずれかに切り換える制御部と、を有することを特徴としている。   In order to achieve this object, the solar power generation device of the present invention has a cooling unit, a thermoelectric conversion element installed in the cooling unit, a solar cell installed in the thermoelectric conversion element, and the temperature of the solar cell. And a control unit that switches the function of the thermoelectric conversion element to either a power generation function or a cooling function.

本発明の太陽光発電装置は、熱電変換素子の機能を切り換えることが可能なものであるため、総発電量の大きい太陽光発電装置を提供することができる。   Since the solar power generation device of the present invention can switch the function of the thermoelectric conversion element, a solar power generation device with a large total power generation amount can be provided.

本発明の実施の形態に係る太陽光発電装置を示す斜視図The perspective view which shows the solar power generation device which concerns on embodiment of this invention. 図１のＡ−Ａ線で切断したときの断面図Sectional view when cut along line AA in FIG. 本発明の実施の形態に係る太陽光発電装置のシステム構成の一部を示すブロック図The block diagram which shows a part of system configuration | structure of the solar power generation device which concerns on embodiment of this invention. 本発明の実施の形態に係る熱電変換素子を示す斜視図The perspective view which shows the thermoelectric conversion element which concerns on embodiment of this invention 本発明の実施の形態に係る動作を説明するフローチャートThe flowchart explaining the operation | movement which concerns on embodiment of this invention. 本発明の実施の形態に係る太陽電池温度と発電効率との関係を示す概略図Schematic showing the relationship between solar cell temperature and power generation efficiency according to an embodiment of the present invention 従来の太陽光発電装置を示す概略図Schematic showing a conventional solar power generation device

以下、本発明の実施の形態について、図面を参照して説明する。   Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

図１に示すように、本発明の太陽光発電装置１は、架台１０に立設したフレーム１１によって支持された反射鏡１０１と、太陽光発電ユニット１００とで、構成される。反射鏡１０１は、断面形状が半円筒状であり、太陽光発電ユニット１００に太陽光を集光させるように構成されている。太陽光発電ユニット１００は、反射鏡１０１の焦線付近に配置されるように、フレーム１１によって支持されている。すなわち、反射鏡１０１は、
冷却管１０２及び熱電変換素子１０３及び太陽電池１０４を少なくとも含む太陽光発電ユニット１００の下方に配置されている。 As shown in FIG. 1, the solar power generation device 1 of the present invention includes a reflecting mirror 101 supported by a frame 11 erected on a gantry 10 and a solar power generation unit 100. The reflecting mirror 101 has a semi-cylindrical cross-sectional shape and is configured to collect sunlight on the photovoltaic power generation unit 100. The photovoltaic power generation unit 100 is supported by the frame 11 so as to be disposed near the focal line of the reflecting mirror 101. That is, the reflecting mirror 101 is
It is disposed below the solar power generation unit 100 including at least the cooling pipe 102, the thermoelectric conversion element 103, and the solar battery 104.

図２は、図１のＡ−Ａ線で切断した太陽光発電ユニット１００の断面図である。図２に示すように、太陽光発電ユニット１００は、冷却管１０２と、冷却管１０２の側面に設置された熱電変換素子１０３ａ〜１０３ｈ（以下、まとめて熱電変換素子１０３ともいう。）と、熱電変換素子１０３の上面にそれぞれ設置された太陽電池１０４ａ〜１０４ｈ（以下、まとめて太陽電池１０４ともいう。）を備えている。冷却管１０２は、冷却部の一例である。   FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the photovoltaic power generation unit 100 cut along line AA in FIG. As shown in FIG. 2, the photovoltaic power generation unit 100 includes a cooling pipe 102, thermoelectric conversion elements 103 a to 103 h (hereinafter, collectively referred to as thermoelectric conversion elements 103) installed on the side surfaces of the cooling pipe 102, and thermoelectrics. Solar cells 104 a to 104 h (hereinafter collectively referred to as solar cells 104) respectively installed on the upper surface of the conversion element 103 are provided. The cooling pipe 102 is an example of a cooling unit.

本発明の太陽光発電装置１は、詳細は後述するが、この熱電変換素子１０３の機能を、太陽電池１０４の温度によって発電機能と冷却機能とで切り替えて使用することで、太陽電池１０４の発電効率を高くすることができるものである。具体的には、本発明の太陽光発電装置１は、太陽電池１０４の温度が設定温度以下か否かを測定して、太陽電池１０４の温度が設定温度以下の場合は、熱電変換素子１０３を発電機能で使用して発電量を増やし、太陽電池１０４の温度が設定温度より高い場合は、熱電変換素子１０３を冷却機能で使用して太陽電池１０４の発電効率の低下を防ぐことで、太陽光発電装置１全体の発電効率を高くするものである。   Although the solar power generation device 1 of the present invention will be described in detail later, the function of the thermoelectric conversion element 103 is switched between a power generation function and a cooling function depending on the temperature of the solar cell 104, thereby generating power from the solar cell 104. Efficiency can be increased. Specifically, the solar power generation device 1 of the present invention measures whether or not the temperature of the solar cell 104 is equal to or lower than the set temperature. When the temperature of the solar cell 104 is equal to or lower than the set temperature, the thermoelectric conversion element 103 is When the power generation function is used to increase the amount of power generation and the temperature of the solar cell 104 is higher than the set temperature, the thermoelectric conversion element 103 is used for the cooling function to prevent a decrease in the power generation efficiency of the solar cell 104, thereby reducing sunlight. The power generation efficiency of the power generation device 1 as a whole is increased.

冷却管１０２は、断面は８角形である角筒形状を有し、側面は矩形の平面を有している。冷却管１０２の内部には図示しない冷却水が流通しており、冷却管１０２の壁面および熱電変換素子１０３を介して太陽電池１０４を冷却することが可能な構造となっている。冷却管１０２に冷却水を流通させることで、太陽電池１０４の温度上昇を防ぎ、太陽電池１０４の発電効率の低下を防ぐことができる。本実施の形態では、冷却管１０２の断面形状を角筒形状としているため、一般的に平面で構成される太陽電池１０４と冷却管１０２との密着性を高めると共に、冷却管１０２内を流通する冷却水の量を少なくすることができるので、より発電効率の高い太陽光発電装置１を実現している。   The cooling pipe 102 has a rectangular tube shape with an octagonal cross section, and a side surface has a rectangular flat surface. Cooling water (not shown) circulates inside the cooling pipe 102, so that the solar cell 104 can be cooled via the wall surface of the cooling pipe 102 and the thermoelectric conversion element 103. By causing the cooling water to flow through the cooling pipe 102, it is possible to prevent the temperature of the solar cell 104 from rising and to prevent the power generation efficiency of the solar cell 104 from decreasing. In the present embodiment, since the cross-sectional shape of the cooling tube 102 is a square tube shape, the adhesion between the solar cell 104 and the cooling tube 102 that are generally configured as a plane is improved, and the inside of the cooling tube 102 is circulated. Since the amount of cooling water can be reduced, the solar power generation device 1 with higher power generation efficiency is realized.

太陽電池１０４は、例えば、ケイ素や化合物半導体の結晶あるいはアモルファスシリコンなどから成り、半導体の光起電力効果を利用して光エネルギー（太陽エネルギー）を、直接、電気エネルギーに変換する。   The solar cell 104 is made of, for example, silicon, a compound semiconductor crystal, amorphous silicon, or the like, and directly converts light energy (solar energy) into electric energy by using the photovoltaic effect of the semiconductor.

図３は、本発明の太陽光発電装置１のシステム構成の一部を示すブロック図である。図３に示すように、太陽光発電装置１は、温度センサー１０６ａ〜１０６ｈ（以下、まとめて温度センサー１０６ともいう。）と、制御部１０７ａ〜１０７ｈ（以下、まとめて制御部１０７ともいう。）を備えている。温度センサー１０６ａ〜１０６ｈは、太陽電池１０４ａ〜１０４ｈの温度をそれぞれ測定するために、それぞれに対応して設けられている。温度センサー１０６としては、例えば、熱電対を用いることができ、太陽電池１０４の裏面や側面に貼着して設けられる。制御部１０７ａ〜１０７ｈは、熱電変換素子１０３ａ〜１０３ｈにそれぞれに対応し、熱電変換素子１０３ａ〜１０３ｈを制御する。制御部１０７ａ〜１０７ｈは、温度センサー１０６ａ〜１０６ｈが測定した太陽電池１０４ａ〜１０４ｈの温度に基づき、それぞれが対応する熱電変換素子１０３ａ〜１０３ｈの機能を発電機能又は冷却機能に切り換える。   FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a part of the system configuration of the photovoltaic power generation apparatus 1 of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 3, the solar power generation device 1 includes temperature sensors 106 a to 106 h (hereinafter collectively referred to as a temperature sensor 106) and control units 107 a to 107 h (hereinafter also collectively referred to as a control unit 107). It has. The temperature sensors 106a to 106h are provided corresponding to the respective solar cells 104a to 104h in order to measure the temperatures of the solar cells 104a to 104h. As the temperature sensor 106, for example, a thermocouple can be used, which is attached to the back surface or side surface of the solar cell 104. Control units 107a to 107h correspond to thermoelectric conversion elements 103a to 103h, respectively, and control thermoelectric conversion elements 103a to 103h. Based on the temperature of the solar cells 104a to 104h measured by the temperature sensors 106a to 106h, the control units 107a to 107h switch the functions of the corresponding thermoelectric conversion elements 103a to 103h to the power generation function or the cooling function.

また、温度センサー１０６ａ〜１０６ｈを用いず、熱電変換素子１０３ａ〜１０３ｈが発電した電圧値を測定して、太陽電池１０４ａ〜１０４ｈの温度を求めてもよい。この場合、温度センサー１０６ａ〜１０６ｈを用いる必要がなく太陽電池１０４の温度を測定することができるので、太陽光発電装置１における部品点数の削減が図れる。   Further, the temperature values of the solar cells 104a to 104h may be obtained by measuring voltage values generated by the thermoelectric conversion elements 103a to 103h without using the temperature sensors 106a to 106h. In this case, since it is not necessary to use the temperature sensors 106a to 106h and the temperature of the solar cell 104 can be measured, the number of parts in the solar power generation device 1 can be reduced.

図４は、熱電変換素子１０３を示す斜視図である。本発明の熱電変換素子１０３は、ゼーベック効果およびペルチェ効果の両方の機能を有するものである。   FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing the thermoelectric conversion element 103. The thermoelectric conversion element 103 of the present invention has both the Seebeck effect and the Peltier effect.

本発明における発電機能とは、このゼーベック効果により発電される機能をいう。本発明では、太陽光によって加熱された太陽電池１０４と、冷却管１０２を流通する冷却水との温度差を利用して、ゼーベック効果による発電を行っている。ここで、ゼーベック効果とは、種類の異なる金属または半導体を接合させ、その接合部に温度差を設けることによって、温度差に応じて起電力が発生する現象である。   The power generation function in the present invention refers to a function that generates power by the Seebeck effect. In the present invention, power generation by the Seebeck effect is performed using a temperature difference between the solar cell 104 heated by sunlight and the cooling water flowing through the cooling pipe 102. Here, the Seebeck effect is a phenomenon in which an electromotive force is generated according to a temperature difference by joining different types of metals or semiconductors and providing a temperature difference at the junction.

また、本発明における冷却機能とは、このペルチェ効果のうち、熱の吸収作用を利用して冷却する機能をいう。本発明では、熱電変換素子１０３に電力を供給することで、太陽光によって加熱された太陽電池１０４から冷却管１０２側に熱を輸送して、太陽電池１０４を冷却している。ここで、ペルチェ効果とは、ゼーベック効果とは逆の現象で、種類の異なる金属または半導体を接合させ、電流を流すと、電流の方向と大きさに依存した熱の吸収と放出が起こる現象である。   In addition, the cooling function in the present invention refers to a function of cooling using the heat absorption action in the Peltier effect. In the present invention, by supplying electric power to the thermoelectric conversion element 103, heat is transported from the solar cell 104 heated by sunlight to the cooling tube 102 side to cool the solar cell 104. Here, the Peltier effect is a reverse phenomenon to the Seebeck effect. When different types of metals or semiconductors are joined together and a current flows, heat absorption and release depending on the direction and magnitude of the current occur. is there.

熱電変換素子１０３は、図４に示すように、Ｐ型熱電変換素子１０３ｐとＮ型熱電変換素子１０３ｎとを配線基板１０５に実装して、電気的に直列に接続して形成される。   As shown in FIG. 4, the thermoelectric conversion element 103 is formed by mounting a P-type thermoelectric conversion element 103p and an N-type thermoelectric conversion element 103n on a wiring board 105 and electrically connecting them in series.

熱電変換素子１０３の材料としては、例えば、ビスマス・テルル系の合金を用いている。具体的には、Ｐ型熱電変換素子１０３ｐとしては、ビスマス・テルル系の合金にＳｂ等をドーパントとして添加したものを用い、Ｎ型熱電変換素子１０３ｎとしては、ビスマス・テルル系の合金にＳｅ等をドーパントとして添加したものを用いている。   As a material of the thermoelectric conversion element 103, for example, a bismuth-tellurium-based alloy is used. Specifically, as the P-type thermoelectric conversion element 103p, a bismuth-tellurium-based alloy added with Sb or the like as a dopant is used. As the N-type thermoelectric conversion element 103n, bismuth-tellurium-based alloy Se or the like is used. Is added as a dopant.

本発明の太陽光発電装置１の動作中の制御について、図５を用いて説明する。   Control during operation of the photovoltaic power generation apparatus 1 of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG.

図５に示すように、太陽光発電装置１の動作中においては、まず、ステップＳ１０において、制御部１０７ａ〜１０７ｈによる制御により、それぞれの温度センサー１０６ａ〜１０６ｈを用いて、対応する太陽電池１０４ａ〜１０４ｈの温度を測定する。   As shown in FIG. 5, during the operation of the solar power generation device 1, first, in step S <b> 10, by the control by the control units 107 a to 107 h, the corresponding solar cells 104 a to 104 a are used using the respective temperature sensors 106 a to 106 h. Measure the temperature at 104h.

次に、ステップＳ１１において、制御部１０７ａ〜１０７ｈで、対応する太陽電池１０４ａ〜１０４ｈの温度が設定温度以下か否かを判定する。ここで、太陽電池１０４ａ〜１０４ｈの温度が設定温度以下である場合（ステップＳ１１のＹｅｓ）は、ステップＳ１２に進み、対応する熱電変換素子１０３ａ〜１０３ｈを発電機能として使用して発電を行う。一方、太陽電池１０４ａ〜１０４ｈの温度が設定温度より高い場合（ステップＳ１１のＮｏ）、ステップＳ１３に進み、設定温度以上の太陽電池１０４の下面に設置した熱電変換素子１０３を冷却機能として使用して太陽電池１０４の冷却を行う。例えば、太陽電池１０４ｅの温度のみが設定温度より高くなれば、太陽電池１０４ｅの下面に設置した熱電変換素子１０３ｅのみを冷却機能として使用し、その他の熱電変換素子１０３ａ〜ｄ、１０３ｆ〜ｈは発電機能として使用する。このようにして、一部の太陽電池１０４の温度が設定温度より高くなった場合に、対応する熱電変換素子１０３のみで個別に冷却することで、各太陽電池１０４間の特性ばらつきや状態に応じた制御が可能となり、太陽電池１０４の発電効率を均一化させることができる。なお、前述のように、太陽電池１０４の温度が設定温度以下の場合は、太陽電池１０４と冷却管１０２の温度差を利用して発電するため、太陽光発電装置１の全体の発電量を大きくすることができる。   Next, in step S11, the control units 107a to 107h determine whether or not the temperatures of the corresponding solar cells 104a to 104h are equal to or lower than the set temperature. Here, when the temperature of solar cell 104a-104h is below setting temperature (Yes of step S11), it progresses to step S12 and generates electric power using corresponding thermoelectric conversion element 103a-103h as a power generation function. On the other hand, when the temperature of solar cell 104a-104h is higher than preset temperature (No of step S11), it progresses to step S13 and uses the thermoelectric conversion element 103 installed in the lower surface of the solar cell 104 more than preset temperature as a cooling function. The solar cell 104 is cooled. For example, if only the temperature of the solar cell 104e becomes higher than the set temperature, only the thermoelectric conversion element 103e installed on the lower surface of the solar cell 104e is used as a cooling function, and the other thermoelectric conversion elements 103a to 103d and 103f to h generate power. Use as a function. In this way, when the temperature of some of the solar cells 104 becomes higher than the set temperature, the cooling is individually performed only with the corresponding thermoelectric conversion elements 103, so that the characteristics vary between the solar cells 104 and the state. Control becomes possible, and the power generation efficiency of the solar cell 104 can be made uniform. As described above, when the temperature of the solar cell 104 is equal to or lower than the set temperature, power generation is performed using the temperature difference between the solar cell 104 and the cooling pipe 102, so the total power generation amount of the solar power generation device 1 is increased. can do.

ここで、熱電変換素子１０３を冷却機能で使用する場合、熱電変換素子１０３に電流を流してペルチェとして動作させる必要があるため、流す電流以上に冷却による発電効率の上昇分が大きくならないと、太陽光発電装置１全体の発電効率が低下することになる。そのため、本発明では、用いる太陽電池の特性などに合わせて予め実験を行うなどによって、熱電変換素子に流す電流以上に、冷却による太陽電池の発電効率の向上が大きくなる境界の温度を求め、この温度を所望の設定温度として予め設定しておく必要がある。   Here, when the thermoelectric conversion element 103 is used for the cooling function, it is necessary to flow a current through the thermoelectric conversion element 103 to operate as a Peltier. Therefore, if the increase in power generation efficiency due to cooling does not increase beyond the flowing current, The power generation efficiency of the entire photovoltaic power generation apparatus 1 is reduced. Therefore, in the present invention, by performing experiments in advance according to the characteristics of the solar cell to be used, etc., the temperature of the boundary at which the improvement in the power generation efficiency of the solar cell by cooling becomes greater than the current flowing through the thermoelectric conversion element. It is necessary to preset the temperature as a desired set temperature.

図６は、熱電変換素子１０３を発電機能で使用した場合の太陽電池温度（素子温度）と発電効率（変換効率）との関係を示す図である。図６に示すように、太陽電池の温度が高くなると、発電効率が下がることが分かっている。例えば、太陽電池の材料が結晶シリコンの場合、太陽電池の光電変換部の温度が１０℃上がると、発電効率は、約４％低下する。   FIG. 6 is a diagram showing the relationship between the solar cell temperature (element temperature) and the power generation efficiency (conversion efficiency) when the thermoelectric conversion element 103 is used in the power generation function. As shown in FIG. 6, it is known that the power generation efficiency decreases as the temperature of the solar cell increases. For example, when the material of the solar cell is crystalline silicon, the power generation efficiency decreases by about 4% when the temperature of the photoelectric conversion unit of the solar cell increases by 10 ° C.

なお、反射鏡１０１は、図１では長手方向に垂直な断面が半円筒状であるトラフ形状として図示しているが、所望の特性を実現できる構成であれば、多数の平面鏡の組み合わせや、複数のパラボラ型反射鏡を組み合せて構成してもよい。   In FIG. 1, the reflecting mirror 101 is illustrated as a trough shape whose cross section perpendicular to the longitudinal direction is a semi-cylindrical shape. These parabolic reflectors may be combined.

また、反射鏡１０１は、太陽エネルギーを最大限利用するためには、太陽光に対して正対する方向に向ける方が望ましく、太陽の移動に追従するように追尾装置（図示せず）を用いてもよい。   In order to make maximum use of solar energy, the reflecting mirror 101 is preferably directed in the direction facing the sunlight, and a tracking device (not shown) is used to follow the movement of the sun. Also good.

なお、本実施の形態では、角筒形状の冷却管１０２のすべての側面に熱電変換素子１０３および太陽電池１０４を搭載したが、これに限られるものではない。例えば、反射鏡１０１側のみに搭載しても構わない。   In the present embodiment, the thermoelectric conversion element 103 and the solar cell 104 are mounted on all side surfaces of the rectangular tube-shaped cooling pipe 102, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, it may be mounted only on the reflecting mirror 101 side.

さらに、冷却管１０２の形状は、角筒形状に限られるものではなく、円筒状であってもよい。   Furthermore, the shape of the cooling pipe 102 is not limited to the rectangular tube shape, and may be a cylindrical shape.

なお、本発明のように、所望の設定温度以下か否かに基づいて熱電変換素子を冷却機能と発電機能とで切り替えて使用するのは、反射鏡が無い太陽光発電装置においても効果がある。ただし、反射鏡１０１を備える太陽光発電装置１においては、各太陽電池１０４ａ〜１０４ｈの発電効率の均一化も図れるため、このような反射鏡を備える太陽光発電装置１で用いることがなお望ましい。   Note that, as in the present invention, switching the thermoelectric conversion element between the cooling function and the power generation function based on whether or not the temperature is equal to or lower than a desired set temperature is also effective in a solar power generation apparatus without a reflecting mirror. . However, in the solar power generation device 1 provided with the reflecting mirror 101, since the power generation efficiency of each of the solar cells 104a to 104h can be made uniform, it is still preferable to use the solar power generation device 1 provided with such a reflecting mirror.

以上のように、本発明は、太陽光発電装置として有用である。   As described above, the present invention is useful as a solar power generation device.

１ 太陽光発電装置
１０ 架台
１１ フレーム
１００ 太陽光発電ユニット
１０１ 反射鏡
１０２ 冷却管
１０３、１０３ａ〜１０３ｈ 熱電変換素子
１０４、１０４ａ〜１０４ｈ 太陽電池
１０３ｎ Ｎ型熱電変換素子
１０３ｐ Ｐ型熱電変換素子
１０５ 配線基板
１０６ａ〜１０６ｈ 温度センサー
１０７ａ〜１０６ｈ 制御部 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Solar power generation device 10 Base 11 Frame 100 Solar power generation unit 101 Reflector 102 Cooling tube 103, 103a-103h Thermoelectric conversion element 104, 104a-104h Solar cell 103n N type thermoelectric conversion element 103p P type thermoelectric conversion element 105 Wiring board 106a to 106h Temperature sensor 107a to 106h Control unit

Claims (5)

冷却部と、
前記冷却部に設置された熱電変換素子と、
前記熱電変換素子に設置された太陽電池と、
前記太陽電池の温度に基づいて、前記熱電変換素子の機能を発電機能と冷却機能とのいずれかに切り換える制御部と、を有する
太陽光発電装置。 A cooling section;
A thermoelectric conversion element installed in the cooling unit;
A solar cell installed in the thermoelectric conversion element;
A solar power generation apparatus comprising: a control unit that switches a function of the thermoelectric conversion element to either a power generation function or a cooling function based on a temperature of the solar cell. 前記熱電変換素子に流す電流以上に、冷却による前記太陽電池の発電効率の向上が大きくなる境界の温度を設定温度として予め設定しておき、
前記制御部は、前記太陽電池の温度が設定温度以下の場合は、前記熱電変換素子を発電機能で使用し、前記太陽電池の温度が前記設定温度より高い場合は、前記熱電変換素子を冷却機能で使用するように制御する、
請求項１に記載の太陽光発電装置。 More than the current flowing through the thermoelectric conversion element, the temperature of the boundary where the improvement of the power generation efficiency of the solar cell by cooling is set in advance as a set temperature,
The control unit uses the thermoelectric conversion element in a power generation function when the temperature of the solar cell is equal to or lower than a set temperature, and functions to cool the thermoelectric conversion element when the temperature of the solar cell is higher than the set temperature. Control to use in,
The solar power generation device according to claim 1. 前記制御部は、前記熱電変換素子が発電した電圧値を用いて前記太陽電池の温度を測定する、
請求項１又は２に記載の太陽光発電装置。 The control unit measures the temperature of the solar cell using a voltage value generated by the thermoelectric conversion element.
The solar power generation device according to claim 1 or 2. 前記冷却部および前記熱電変換素子および前記太陽電池を少なくとも含む太陽光発電ユニットの下方に配置された反射鏡をさらに有し、
前記太陽光発電ユニットは、複数の前記熱電変換素子と、それぞれの熱電変換素子に対応した複数の前記太陽電池とを有する、
請求項１から３いずれか１項に記載の太陽光発電装置。 A reflection mirror disposed below a solar power generation unit including at least the cooling unit, the thermoelectric conversion element, and the solar cell;
The solar power generation unit includes a plurality of the thermoelectric conversion elements and a plurality of the solar cells corresponding to the respective thermoelectric conversion elements.
The solar power generation device of any one of Claim 1 to 3. 前記冷却部の断面形状が、角筒形状である、
請求項４に記載の太陽光発電装置。 The cross-sectional shape of the cooling part is a rectangular tube shape,
The solar power generation device according to claim 4.
JP2013179039A 2013-08-30 2013-08-30 Photovoltaic power generator Pending JP2015050218A (en)

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