NL2022023B1 - Method of cooling a solar panel. - Google Patents

Method of cooling a solar panel. Download PDF

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Publication number
NL2022023B1
NL2022023B1 NL2022023A NL2022023A NL2022023B1 NL 2022023 B1 NL2022023 B1 NL 2022023B1 NL 2022023 A NL2022023 A NL 2022023A NL 2022023 A NL2022023 A NL 2022023A NL 2022023 B1 NL2022023 B1 NL 2022023B1
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Netherlands
Prior art keywords
solar panel
solar
airflow
air
nozzle
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Application number
NL2022023A
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Dutch (nl)
Inventor
Kornelius Dijken Durandus
Regondi Simone
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Atlas Technologies Holding Bv
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Priority to NL2022023A priority Critical patent/NL2022023B1/en
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Publication of NL2022023B1 publication Critical patent/NL2022023B1/en

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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
    • Y02E10/50—Photovoltaic [PV] energy
    • 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
    • Y02T—CLIMATE CHANGE MITIGATION TECHNOLOGIES RELATED TO TRANSPORTATION
    • Y02T10/00—Road transport of goods or passengers
    • Y02T10/60—Other road transportation technologies with climate change mitigation effect
    • Y02T10/7072—Electromobility specific charging systems or methods for batteries, ultracapacitors, supercapacitors or double-layer capacitors

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  • Photovoltaic Devices (AREA)

Abstract

The efficiency of solar panels is temperature depend: a 10° C increase in temperature results in a 5 — 10% decrease in electricity generated. The invention relates to a method of cooling a solar panel (102), the solar panel showing a light sensitive side (104) sensitive to light, the light sensitive side exposed to ambient air, the method comprising: producing an airstream (106) through an outlet nozzle (108), characterized in that the airstream is guided from the outlet nozzle over the light sensitive side. The amount of air used, the wind direction, etc. may be controlled by a controller (118) using input signals from a wind sensor (112) and temperature sensors (114, 116). The solar panel may be stationary (@) or be part of a vehicle (Æ).

Description

Method of cooling a solar panel.
Technical field of the invention.
[0001] The invention relates to a method of cooling a solar panel, the solar panel showing a light sensitive side sensitive to light, the light sensitive side exposed to ambient air, the method comprising producing an airstream through an outlet nozzle.
[0002] The invention further relates to a solar installation comprising a solar panel, the solar panel showing a light sensitive side sensitive to light, the light sensitive side exposed to ambient air, the solar installation comprising an air fan for producing an airstream, the solar installation comprising an output nozzle for guiding the air stream.
Background of the invention.
[0003] Solar panels convert sunlight (or any other type of light) to electricity. The efficiency with which that happens is temperature dependent. As a rule of thumb for silicon solar cells a 20° C increase of temperature leads to a 5-10% decrease in efficiency (electricity generated). Sometimes solar panels are therefore cooled.
[0004] An additional benefit of cooling solar panels is that the maximum temperature that the panel can reach is lowered, and thus thermal stress in for example a (glass) cover is lowered. Also, the thermal stress of (soldered) interconnections between the solar cells forming the solar panel are lowered. Further aging of (organic) materials is lessened.
[0005] Korean patent application publication KR101456630 to TGO Tech Corp, describes and claims a fan for generating an airflow in a space between an exterior wall of a building and a solar panel spaced from the exterior wall of the building.
[0006] A disadvantage of this cooling method is that it is only applicable to a solar panel that is spaced from a wall.
Summary of the invention.
[0007] The invention intends to provide a solution to the before mentioned limitation.
[0008] To that end the method according to the invention is characterized in that the airstream is guided from the outlet nozzle over the light sensitive side of the solar panel. [0009] By blowing an airflow over the sunward side of the solar panel (the light sensitive side), the solar panel is cooled.
[0010] Contrary to KR101456630 to TGO Tech Corp, there is no need for a gap between the solar panel and an exterior wall, and therefore the invention is not limited to a solar panel that is spaced from a wall: the solar panel can be part of the wall.
[0011] In Japanese patent application publication JPH04356213A to Kyocera a solar cell device for a vehicle comprises a translucent cover provided on a vehicle body surface, which covers a light receiving surface side of the solar cell, and an airflow path is formed on at least one principal surface side of the solar cell.
[0012] Here an air flow is thus guided over the solar cells, at the inside of the vehicle. As can be observed from its figure 2 the air is preferably taken from the interior of the vehicle. The solar cells are glued to the cover, and the air is blown over the solar cells at the side opposite to the cover.
[0013] A disadvantage of this cooling method is that the roof becomes thicker, and thus the cross-section of the vehicle larger. This in turn leads to a higher air resistance.
[0014] In US patent application publication US2015360558A to Toyota a solar panel on the roof of a vehicle is cooled using a liquid coolant.
[0015] A disadvantage of this cooling method is that the roof becomes thicker, and thus the cross-section of the vehicle larger. This in turn leads to a higher air resistance. Also, the use of a liquid coolant system results in an increase of costs.
[0016] An advantage of the invention is that the cooling not only results in an improved efficiency due to the lower temperature of the solar panel, but also to lower thermal stresses and thus an improved MTE3F (Mean Time Between Failures).
The invention enables a cooled solar panel without the need for a gap between the solar panel and underlaying structure.
[0017] In an embodiment of the method according to the invention the airstream is guided from the outlet nozzle over the light sensitive side at a shearing angle, the solar panel acting as a Coanda surface.
[0018] If the airstream is guided over the solar panel at a shearing angle, the solar panel acts as a Coanda surface and the airstream directed to the light sensitive side of the solar panel tends to cling to the surface, thereby cooling a large area.
[0019] In another embodiment of the method according to the invention the airstream is a continuous airstream, a pulsed airstream, or a rotating airstream.
[0020] The airstream need not be a continuous airstream but may also be an airstream that is variable in time and/or direction. This may lead to improved cooling, for example because the airstream ‘clings’ to the surface better (improved Coanda effect).
[0021] In yet another embodiment of the method according to the invention the outlet nozzle has an elongated cross-section.
[0022] As in most cases the solar panel has in at least one direction an elongated or even flat shape, an output nozzle with an elongated shape is most effective.
[0023] It is noted that the phrase ‘elongated’ is used to encompass a rectangular form.
[0024] In still another embodiment of the method according to the invention the solar panel is part of a vehicle.
[0025] In vehicles using a solar panel to generate electricity for the batteries, a solar panel is typically located on top of the roof. As these panels on the roof (‘roof panels’) are often curved in more than one direction, not only efficiency is important, but the roof panels are also vulnerable to thermal stresses.
[0026] It is noted that the amount of light falling on a solar panel may increase if not only direct sunlight is absorbed, but also light reflected from glass windows in the neighborhood, e.g. from an office building.
[0027] In yet another embodiment of the method according to the invention the method further comprises an airspeed measurement.
[0028] If airstream and wind of the ambient air are opposite and approximately equally strong, one will cancel the other. To avoid this, a measurement of the windspeed and/or speed of the airstream can be used. Also, when the wind is already sufficiently powerful further cooling with the airstream is superfluous and the fan can be turned off.
[0029] In still another embodiment of the method according to the invention the method further comprises a measurement of the temperature of the solar panel.
[0030] When the temperature is sufficiently low, no cooling is necessary. It is noted that cooling not only results in an improved energy generation due to improved efficiency, but also costs energy.
[0031] It is noted that also the irradiation of the panel is important: if no or little light is falling on the solar panel, an improvement of the efficiency still has no or little effect on the amount of electricity that is generated. However, no extra sensor is needed to measure the amount of light falling on the solar panel, as the solar panel itself already acts as a detector: if little electricity is generated, little light is falling on the solar panel, if much electricity is generated, much light is falling on the solar panel.
[0032] In yet another embodiment of the method according to the invention the airstream is, before being guided to the solar panel, cooled and/or moistened.
[0033] Cooling (resulting in a lower air temperature) and/or moistening (resulting in a higher thermal capacity of the air) the airstream results in improved cooling.
[0034] It is noted that, in the case that the solar panel is part of a vehicle, this cooling and/or moistening can be done using the air conditioning system of the vehicle.
[0035] In still another embodiment of the method according to the invention in which the airstream is generated by a fan, the fan controller by a controller, and the cooling is used to optimize the total yield, the total yield being the energy production of the solar panel minus the energy use of the fan and controller, and the controller determines, using signals from one or more sensors, what amplitude and/or direction of the airstream should be used, the controller powering fan and output nozzle accordingly.
[0036] Here the cooling is used to optimize the energy production of the solar panel together with the controller and fan.
[0037] In an aspect of the invention a solar installation comprising a solar panel, the solar panel showing a sensitive side sensitive to sunlight, the sensitive side exposed to ambient air, the solar installation comprising an air fan for producing an airstream, the solar installation comprising an output nozzle for guiding the air stream, is characterized in that the output nozzle guides the airstream to the sensitive side of the solar panel, the solar panel acting as a Coanda surface.
[0038] This describes a solar installation that is equipped to perform the method according the invention.
[0039] In an embodiment of the solar installation according to the invention the controller determines, using input from one or more sensors, what amplitude and/or direction of the airstream should be used to optimize the total yield of the solar installation, the total yield being the energy production of the solar panel minus the energy use of the fan and controller and powers fan and output nozzle accordingly
[0040] In another embodiment of the solar installation according to the invention the solar installation is part of a vehicle, and the solar panel forms or is part of the roof of the vehicle.
[0041] In a further embodiment of the solar installation according to the invention the vehicle comprises additional solar panels.
[0042] Typically, a vehicle with a solar installation (a solar car) has a solar panel on the roof, but there may be additional solar panels on the trunk or bonnet (both on the front and on the backside of the solar car), or e.g. door. These additional panels may be part of an installation that is equipped to cool the solar panel according to the invention, or the panels may be cooled in a different manner, or they may not be cooled at all.
Brief description of the drawings.
[0043] The invention is now elucidated using figures, in which identical reference signs indicate corresponding features. To that end:
Figure 1 schematically shows a solar installation according to the invention, and Figure 2 schematically shows a solar car equipped with a solar installation according to the invention.
Detailed description of the invention.
[0044] Figure 1 schematically shows a solar installation (100) according to the invention. [0045] The solar installation 100 comprises a solar panel 102 with a light sensitive side 104. The light sensitive side is irradiated by sunlight, and thereby its temperature rises to a temperature above the temperature of the ambient air. Especially if the solar panel is horizontally oriented, natural convection is not very strong and the temperature increase can be significant. A blower (or fan) 110 therefore blows an airstream 106 via an output nozzle 108 over the solar panel to cool it. Airflow sensor 112, a solar panel temperature sensor 114 and an ambient air temperature sensor 116 are connected to controller 118, the controller outputting a signal to the blower to regulate the airflow and/or output nozzle. [0046] The two temperature sensors 114 (solar panel temperature sensor) and 116 (ambient air temperature sensor) are used to determine the difference in temperature between ambient air and solar panel. The controller 118 derives from the temperature difference the airflow needed. It is noted that, if the ambient air is already sufficiently moving (when there is enough wind) no or little temperature difference occurs and forced air cooling by directing the airstream over the solar panel is useless. The air flow sensor 112 is used to decide from which side the ambient air is coming (from what direction the wind is coming), so that the controller 118 can decide if it is useful to direct the airstream 106 from the output nozzle 108 over the solar panel 102.
[0047] It is worth mentioning that instead of one, several air flow sensors can be used to determine the air flow more accurately.
[0048] It is noted that, when several output nozzles with different orientations or positions are used, the controller 118 can select the output nozzle(s) with the largest cooling effect. The several output nozzles can have a common fan, or each can have a dedicated fan. [0049] It is further noted that the temperature of the solar panel can be derived from a dedicated sensor 114, but can also be derived by electronic components part of the solar panel (e.g. solar cells or shunt diodes).
[0050] The air that the blower (the fan) 110 blows over the solar panel 102 is preferably taken from a relatively cool place. Also moistening the air may help, as moist air has a larger thermal capacity than dry air.
[0051] The cooling can be used to improve the efficiency. In that case the energy use of the fan and controller should be lower than the extra energy generation resulting from the lower temperature. However also the lower thermal stresses and the resulting improved MTBF (Mean Time Between Failures) can be a reason.
[0052] If the cooling is used to improve the efficiency, the controller can be used to determine, using input from one or more sensors, what amplitude and/or direction of the airstream should be used and to power fan and output nozzle accordingly.
[0053] It is noted that by blowing the airstream under a shearing angle, the airstream tends to cling to the surface. This is known as the Coanda effect and results in an improved cooling of the solar panel.
[0054] Figure 2 schematically shows a solar car equipped with a solar installation according to the invention.
[0055] A vehicle in the form of a solar car 200 has a solar panel 204. The solar panel 204 is close to horizontal, and therefore in a wind free situation natural convection is negligible. An airstream can be directed over the roof, and thus over the solar panel from slit B in the direction of C, or vice versa. Alternatively, the airstream can be blown over the surface from B’ in the direction of C. The solar car has further solar panels 202 and 206. These can be cooled by blowing air over solar panel 202 from slit A in the direction of B, and over solar panel 206 from slit C in the direction of D (or vice versa). By the resultant cooling the efficiency of the solar panels rises. A controller in the car can determine if the improved efficiency outweighs the energy used to lower the temperature. It is noted that also the thermal stresses occurring in the solar panel 204 can be a reason to cool the panel.
[0056] It is noted that cooling the roof, either for improved efficiency or for reducing the thermal stresses, is only applicable when the car is parked or moving at a very low speed: in other cases, cooling by the wind will suffice.
[0057] For an optimization of the energy production of the solar installation a controller controls the amplitude of the airstream, and if applicable, its direction. It is noted that, when there is little wind, the airstream generated by the fan is more effective when it is in the same direction as the wind. If there is enough wind, an additional airstream has no or 5 almost no added value.
[0058] It is noted that a wind still situation is not very likely to occur. However, when the lowering of the temperature is also used to extend the MTBF, it might be interesting to make the extra investment, even for the few days per year that is occurs.

Claims (13)

1. Methode voor het koelen van een zonnepaneel (102), het zonnepaneel een licht gevoelige zijde (104) vertonend die gevoelig is voor licht, de licht gevoelige zijde blootgesteld aan omgevingslucht, the methode omvattend: een luchtstroom (106) door een mondstuk opwekken, gekenmerkt doordat de luchtstroom door het mondstuk over de lichtgevoelige zijde wordt geleid.A method of cooling a solar panel (102), displaying the solar panel on a light sensitive side (104) which is sensitive to light, the light sensitive side exposed to ambient air, the method comprising: generating an air stream (106) through a nozzle characterized in that the air flow is passed through the nozzle on the photosensitive side. 2. De methode van conclusie 1 waarbij de luchtstroom door het mondstuk over de lichtgevoelige zijde wordt geleid onder een scherende hoek, en het zonnepaneel als een Coanda oppervlak fungeert.The method of claim 1 wherein the airflow is directed through the nozzle over the photosensitive side at a shearing angle, and the solar panel acts as a Coanda surface. 3. De methode volgens één der voorgaande conclusies waarbij de luchtstroom een continue luchtstroom, een pulserende luchtstroom of een roterende luchtstroom is.The method according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the airflow is a continuous airflow, a pulsating airflow or a rotating airflow. 4. De methode volgens één der voorgaande conclusies waarbij het mondstuk (108) een langwerpige dwarsdoorsnede heeft.The method according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the nozzle (108) has an elongated cross section. 5. De methode volgens één der voorgaande conclusies waarbij het zonnepaneel deel is van een voertuig (200).The method according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the solar panel is part of a vehicle (200). 6. De methode volgens één der voorgaande conclusies waarbij de methode verder het meten van luchtsnelheid omvat.The method according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the method further comprises measuring air velocity. 7. De methode volgens één der voorgaande conclusies waarbij de methode verder het meten van de temperatuur van het zonnepaneel en/of de omgevingslucht omvat.The method according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the method further comprises measuring the temperature of the solar panel and / or the ambient air. 8. De methode volgens één der voorgaande conclusies waarbij de luchtstroom, voordat deze naar het zonnepaneel wordt geleid, wordt gekoeld en/of wordt bevochtigd.The method according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the air flow is cooled and / or humidified before it is led to the solar panel. 9. De methode volgens één der voorgaande conclusies waarbij de luchtstroom wordt opgewekt door een luchtblazer (110), de luchtblazer wordt gecontroleerd door een controle-eenheid, en de koeling wordt gebruikt om de totale opbrengst te optimaliseren, de totale opbrengst zijnde de energieproduktie van het zonnepaneel minus het energieverbruik van de luchtblazer en de controle-eenheid, en waarbij de controleeenheid, met gebruikmaking van signalen van één of meer sensoren, de amplitude en richting van de luchtstroom bepaalt die gebruikt moet worden en de luchtblazer en het mondstuk navenant bekrachtigt.The method according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the air flow is generated by an air blower (110), the air blower is controlled by a control unit, and the cooling is used to optimize the total yield, being the total energy production of the solar panel minus the power consumption of the air blower and the control unit, and where the control unit, using signals from one or more sensors, determines the amplitude and direction of the airflow to be used and energizes the air blower and nozzle accordingly. 10. Een zonne-installatie (100) omvattende een zonnepaneel (102), het zonnepaneel een lichtgevoelige zijde (104) gevoelig voor zonlicht vertonend, de lichtgevoelige zijde blootgesteld aan omgevingslucht, de zonne-installatie omvattende een luchtblazer (110) voor het produceren van een luchtstroom (106), de zonne-installatie omvattende een mondstuk (108) voor het richten van de luchtstroom, gekenmerkt doordat het mondstuk de luchtstroom over de lichtgevoelige zijde van het zonnepaneel leidt, en het zonnepaneel als een Coanda oppervlak fungeert.A solar installation (100) comprising a solar panel (102), the solar panel displaying a photosensitive side (104) sensitive to sunlight, the photosensitive side exposed to ambient air, the solar installation comprising an air blower (110) for producing an airflow (106), the solar installation comprising a nozzle (108) for directing the airflow, characterized in that the nozzle directs the airflow over the photosensitive side of the solar panel, and the solar panel functions as a Coanda surface. 11. De zonne-installatie volgens conclusie 10 waarbij een controle-eenheid, met gebruikmaking van één of meer sensoren, wat de amplitude en/of richting van de luchtstroom zou moeten zijn om de totale opbrengst van de zonne-installatie te optimaliseren, de totale opbrengst zijnde de energieproduktie van het zonnepaneel minus het energieverbruik van de blazer en de controle-eenheid, en waarbij de controle-eenheid de luchtblazer en het mondstuk navenant bekrachtigt.The solar installation according to claim 10, wherein a control unit, using one or more sensors, which should be the amplitude and / or direction of the air flow to optimize the total output of the solar installation, the total yield being the energy production of the solar panel minus the energy consumption of the blower and the control unit, whereby the control unit energizes the air blower and the nozzle accordingly. 12. De zonne-installatie volgens conclusie 10 of conclusie 11 waarbij de zonneinstallatie deel is van een voertuig (200), en het zonnepaneel (204) het dak van het voertuig is of daar deel van uit maakt.The solar installation according to claim 10 or claim 11, wherein the solar installation is part of a vehicle (200), and the solar panel (204) is or forms part of the roof of the vehicle. 13. De zonne-installatie volgens conclusie 12 waarbij het voertuig meerdere zonnepanelen (202, 206) omvat.The solar installation according to claim 12, wherein the vehicle comprises a plurality of solar panels (202, 206).
NL2022023A 2018-11-19 2018-11-19 Method of cooling a solar panel. NL2022023B1 (en)

Priority Applications (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
NL2022023A NL2022023B1 (en) 2018-11-19 2018-11-19 Method of cooling a solar panel.

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NL2022023A NL2022023B1 (en) 2018-11-19 2018-11-19 Method of cooling a solar panel.

Publications (1)

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NL2022023B1 true NL2022023B1 (en) 2020-06-03

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NL2022023A NL2022023B1 (en) 2018-11-19 2018-11-19 Method of cooling a solar panel.

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