WO2011007122A2 - Composite solar collector - Google Patents

Composite solar collector Download PDF

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Publication number
WO2011007122A2
WO2011007122A2 PCT/GB2010/001323 GB2010001323W WO2011007122A2 WO 2011007122 A2 WO2011007122 A2 WO 2011007122A2 GB 2010001323 W GB2010001323 W GB 2010001323W WO 2011007122 A2 WO2011007122 A2 WO 2011007122A2
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WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
substrate
duct
panel
collector according
photo
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/GB2010/001323
Other languages
French (fr)
Other versions
WO2011007122A3 (en
Inventor
Nissim Leon Jacob
Original Assignee
Nissim Leon Jacob
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Nissim Leon Jacob filed Critical Nissim Leon Jacob
Publication of WO2011007122A2 publication Critical patent/WO2011007122A2/en
Publication of WO2011007122A3 publication Critical patent/WO2011007122A3/en

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Classifications

    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H02—GENERATION; CONVERSION OR DISTRIBUTION OF ELECTRIC POWER
    • H02S—GENERATION OF ELECTRIC POWER BY CONVERSION OF INFRARED RADIATION, VISIBLE LIGHT OR ULTRAVIOLET LIGHT, e.g. USING PHOTOVOLTAIC [PV] MODULES
    • H02S40/00—Components or accessories in combination with PV modules, not provided for in groups H02S10/00 - H02S30/00
    • H02S40/40—Thermal components
    • H02S40/44—Means to utilise heat energy, e.g. hybrid systems producing warm water and electricity at the same time
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01L—SEMICONDUCTOR DEVICES NOT COVERED BY CLASS H10
    • H01L31/00—Semiconductor devices sensitive to infrared radiation, light, electromagnetic radiation of shorter wavelength or corpuscular radiation and specially adapted either for the conversion of the energy of such radiation into electrical energy or for the control of electrical energy by such radiation; Processes or apparatus specially adapted for the manufacture or treatment thereof or of parts thereof; Details thereof
    • H01L31/04—Semiconductor devices sensitive to infrared radiation, light, electromagnetic radiation of shorter wavelength or corpuscular radiation and specially adapted either for the conversion of the energy of such radiation into electrical energy or for the control of electrical energy by such radiation; Processes or apparatus specially adapted for the manufacture or treatment thereof or of parts thereof; Details thereof adapted as photovoltaic [PV] conversion devices
    • H01L31/052—Cooling means directly associated or integrated with the PV cell, e.g. integrated Peltier elements for active cooling or heat sinks directly associated with the PV cells
    • H01L31/0521—Cooling means directly associated or integrated with the PV cell, e.g. integrated Peltier elements for active cooling or heat sinks directly associated with the PV cells using a gaseous or a liquid coolant, e.g. air flow ventilation, water circulation
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F24—HEATING; RANGES; VENTILATING
    • F24S—SOLAR HEAT COLLECTORS; SOLAR HEAT SYSTEMS
    • F24S10/00—Solar heat collectors using working fluids
    • F24S10/50—Solar heat collectors using working fluids the working fluids being conveyed between plates
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F24—HEATING; RANGES; VENTILATING
    • F24S—SOLAR HEAT COLLECTORS; SOLAR HEAT SYSTEMS
    • F24S10/00—Solar heat collectors using working fluids
    • F24S10/70—Solar heat collectors using working fluids the working fluids being conveyed through tubular absorbing conduits
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01L—SEMICONDUCTOR DEVICES NOT COVERED BY CLASS H10
    • H01L31/00—Semiconductor devices sensitive to infrared radiation, light, electromagnetic radiation of shorter wavelength or corpuscular radiation and specially adapted either for the conversion of the energy of such radiation into electrical energy or for the control of electrical energy by such radiation; Processes or apparatus specially adapted for the manufacture or treatment thereof or of parts thereof; Details thereof
    • H01L31/04—Semiconductor devices sensitive to infrared radiation, light, electromagnetic radiation of shorter wavelength or corpuscular radiation and specially adapted either for the conversion of the energy of such radiation into electrical energy or for the control of electrical energy by such radiation; Processes or apparatus specially adapted for the manufacture or treatment thereof or of parts thereof; Details thereof adapted as photovoltaic [PV] conversion devices
    • H01L31/052—Cooling means directly associated or integrated with the PV cell, e.g. integrated Peltier elements for active cooling or heat sinks directly associated with the PV cells
    • 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
    • Y02B—CLIMATE CHANGE MITIGATION TECHNOLOGIES RELATED TO BUILDINGS, e.g. HOUSING, HOUSE APPLIANCES OR RELATED END-USER APPLICATIONS
    • Y02B10/00—Integration of renewable energy sources in buildings
    • Y02B10/20—Solar thermal
    • 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
    • Y02B—CLIMATE CHANGE MITIGATION TECHNOLOGIES RELATED TO BUILDINGS, e.g. HOUSING, HOUSE APPLIANCES OR RELATED END-USER APPLICATIONS
    • Y02B10/00—Integration of renewable energy sources in buildings
    • Y02B10/70—Hybrid systems, e.g. uninterruptible or back-up power supplies integrating renewable energies
    • 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
    • Y02E10/44—Heat exchange systems
    • 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
    • Y02E—REDUCTION OF GREENHOUSE GAS [GHG] EMISSIONS, RELATED TO ENERGY GENERATION, TRANSMISSION OR DISTRIBUTION
    • Y02E10/00—Energy generation through renewable energy sources
    • Y02E10/60—Thermal-PV hybrids

Definitions

  • This invention relates to a composite solar collector having photo-voltaic and thermal elements.
  • Solar collectors typically in the form of panels, are of two main kinds.
  • Photo-voltaic panels convert solar energy directly into electricity, principally from non-infrared wavelengths, and have an efficiency of energy conversion of around 16- 17%. Although low in efficiency photo-voltaic panels are popular because the resultant electrical energy is considered of high value, being usable in many kinds of electrical device.
  • Thermal collectors on the other hand use a heat transfer fluid, such as water, to absorb and transmit heat energy to a heat user. Such energy is low grade because heat energy is not very usable except for heating, but energy conversion has an efficiency of around 80%. Typically it may be possible to generate 24Ow of heat energy from a photo-voltaic collector rated at 8Ow. A particular problem with photo-voltaic collectors is that efficiency is generally inversely proportional to temperature, so that the infrared content of solar energy must ideally be reduced or removed if electricity production is to be maximized. Typically a photo-voltaic panel is thus arranged on a free standing frame to give good air circulation.
  • a photo-voltaic panel is thus arranged on a free standing frame to give good air circulation.
  • Such frames are unsuitable for many applications, particularly sloping roofs, where they have a poor visual appearance and may be difficult to service. Furthermore the infrared content of solar energy impinging upon a photo-voltaic panel is wasted, and in fact sometimes considered a disadvantage.
  • a composite solar collector comprising a photo-voltaic panel mounted immediately adjacent a substrate having a duct therein for the passage of a heat transfer fluid, said duct being immediately adjacent said panel.
  • the panel closes the duct, and in another embodiment the duct is separated from the panel by a thin membrane of less than 5mm thickness, preferably in the range 2-4mm.
  • the substrate may of a material adapted to absorb infra-red energy.
  • the duct may be of any suitable shape and size, and multiple ducts may be provided.
  • inlet and outlet manifolds may be connected by a plurality of individual fluid passages.
  • the mass of substrate may be selected according to the maximum amount of heat energy to be retained. However it will be understood that the flow rate of fluid within the duct can be selected and/or adjusted to give a rate of heat removal sufficient to maintain a substantially constant temperature at the underside of the photo-voltaic panel.
  • the invention places the cooling duct immediately adjacent the photo-voltaic panel so as to maximize heat transfer therefrom.
  • Such a substrate can be relatively easily moulded in plastics material, the duct(s) appearing as open channels in one face thereof.
  • the ducts are formed as a thin shell vacuum forming having a substantially constant wall thickness. In use the channels are closed by a thin membrane, or directly by the photo-voltaic panel.
  • Such channels may be selected to maximize the duct area directly adjacent the photo-voltaic panel.
  • such channels may be 'U' or 'V shaped.
  • a closure membrane of the ducts, where provided, preferably permits high heat transfer so as to promote cooling of the photo-voltaic panels. This is in contrast to prior art arrangements where the panel underside typically included as insulation or reflector layer so as to prevent transmission of heat to the support surface, typically a sloping roof.
  • the material of the substrate is preferably strongly absorbent of heat energy, and is for example a black plastics material typically low carbon fill polypropylene.
  • the closure membrane is of the same material as the substrate, and may for example also be of polypropylene.
  • the substrate is preferably self-supporting and thus constitutes a structural member of the invention.
  • the substrate may constitute a chassis for one or more photo-voltaic panels.
  • the substrate may include integrated hard points for mounting to a support surface and to receive components thereon.
  • the substrate is fixed directly to the underside of the photo-voltaic panel, so that the lower surface of the panel closes the duct(s).
  • Such an arrangement can substantially rigidity a flexible photo-voltaic panel. Any suitable means of fixing, such as adhesive, may be used provided that the fluid channel is closed for function thereof.
  • the addition of the substrate results in a self-supporting structure in which the channels define stiffening ribs.
  • the channels may be arranged so as to provide stiffness in a desired direction, but to allow flexibility in another direction.
  • channels orientated in a plane in a first direction may provide great bending stiffness in one direction but weak resistance to bending in an orthogonal direction.
  • panels susceptible of curvature may be formed.
  • a flexible photo-voltaic panel can be formed into a curve prior to attachment of a substrate, so as to form a composite component after attachment of the substrate.
  • Such a panel can maintain the curved form post attachment, thus resulting in an effective and inexpensive method of making a curved photo-voltaic panel.
  • the former for such a panel can be a curved bed into which a flexible photo-voltaic panel is laid, followed by a vacuum formed substrate having flexibility in the direction of the curve of the bed.
  • a flexible membrane and flexible substrate are rigidified upon bonding as a flat or curved composite component.
  • a composite component is typically self-supporting, and can be fixed to a photo-voltaic panel of flexible or rigid type.
  • a thin shell substrate of the kind referred to above can be mounted in a frame for mounting in turn upon a roof or the like. If closed by a membrane, the composite may be used to retrofit photo-voltaic panels with a means of gathering heat energy.
  • the substrate is preferably conformable to accommodate variations of a support surface, such as a sloping roof. High flexibility is not required in this application, and may be determined by the pattern of channels in the substrate.
  • the operating temperature of the substrate is preferably in the range - 40°C to 200°C in order to accommodate all likely environmental conditions.
  • the heat transfer fluid is water, which may include additives to prevent freezing and corrosion.
  • Heat extracted from the duct may be disposed of via a water/air heat exchanger such as a radiator or cylinder.
  • a water/air heat exchanger such as a radiator or cylinder.
  • heat is used for space heating or as a means of generating power via a suitable device.
  • a composite solar collector according to the invention is adapted for flush-fitting to a roof and presents a good appearance. Furthermore the collector may comprise the outer face of a roof, thus obviating the need for underlying tiles and the like, and avoiding risk of heat transmission into the roof space.
  • Fig. 1 is a transverse section through a schematic solar collector according to the invention.
  • Fig. 2 is a plan view of the substrate of the collector of Fig. 1 , showing the line ' 1-1 ' on which the transverse section is taken.
  • Fig. 3 is a transverse section through a substrate according to the invention.
  • Fig. 4 shows a method of forming a curved solar collector according to the invention.
  • a preferred embodiment of a composite solar collector (10) comprises a rectangular moulded plastics substrate (1 1) in the upper surface of which is defined an open fluid channel (12) closed by a thin plastics membrane (13).
  • the membrane is attached for example by adhesive or welding so that the channel is closed.
  • Suitable inlet and outlet connections are provided, as represented by the arrows of Fig. 2.
  • the composite collector (10) further comprises a photo-voltaic panel assembly (14), within which three photo-voltaic panels (15) are illustrated. Each panel may comprise a cell or a plurality of cells. As will be apparent from Fig. 1, the channel (12) is immediately adjacent the assembly (14).
  • the embodiment shown in Figs. 1 and 2 is illustrative.
  • the panels (15) may for example be mounted or bonded directly to the membrane (13) so that an independent housing is not required.
  • the panels (15) will be covered by a self-cleaning material, such as a known grade of self-cleaning glass.
  • the substrate provides structural integrity to the assembly and is self-supporting. As will be apparent from the direction of the longitudinal channel runs of Fig. 2, some compliance of the substrate is permitted to allow conformability to a roof structure
  • Pipe fittings of any suitable kind may be bonded into the open channel ends for connection to a heat user; these fittings may for example be of brass or bronze.
  • channel run may be adapted to give alternative degrees of compliance, both in the X and Y directions.
  • the size, shape and number of channel runs is selected according to flow characteristics of the heat transfer fluid, and the heat energy to be removed - the arrangement shown in Fig. 2 is illustrative.
  • Heat energy passing through the photo-voltaic panel assembly (14) is absorbed by the substrate (11), and conducted away from the collector (10) by the passage of a heat transfer fluid in the channel (12).
  • a suitable heat exchanger or energy transfer device so that fluid entering the channel (12) is colder than fluid exiting the channel.
  • Suitable control systems determine fluid flow rate so as to minimize energy consumption whilst ensuring effective removal of excess heat from the substrate.
  • the controlling factor may for example be to maintain the underside of the photo-voltaic panel below a critical temperature, or to ensure operation within a pre-determined temperature range.
  • Fig. 1 illustrates a substrate having channels moulded in a relatively massive base.
  • Fig. 3 illustrates a vacuum formed, pressed or blown substrate in which the channels are formed in sheet material by for example an aluminium die.
  • 2mm or 4mm sheet polypropylene (30) is vacuum formed so that the areas (32) between the ducts (31) present flat faces in a common plane. These areas are adapted to receive adhesive (33) for attachment of a closing membrane (34), or the underside of a photo-voltaic panel (not shown).
  • adhesive (33) for attachment of a closing membrane (34), or the underside of a photo-voltaic panel not shown.
  • the composite of substrate (30) and membrane (34) is substantially rigidified.
  • the ducts (31) are parallel in the Z axis of the drawing, it will also be appreciated that flexibility is provided in the direction of arrow 35.
  • Each duct may be of the order of 10-20mm in maximum transverse direction.
  • curvature may be built in, as illustrated in Fig. 4 in which a curved mould (41) has laid therein a flexible photo-voltaic panel (42), to which is bonded a shell-like substrate (43) having open ducts formed therein.
  • the adhesive (44) also seals the ducts to hold the desired pressure therein, which may be of the order of 1-2 bar. After curing of the adhesive (44) it will be appreciated that the composite panel assembly will maintain the desired curvature.
  • the dimensions illustrated in Fig. 4 are somewhat exaggerated in order to more clearly illustrate the invention.

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  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Condensed Matter Physics & Semiconductors (AREA)
  • Electromagnetism (AREA)
  • General Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Computer Hardware Design (AREA)
  • Microelectronics & Electronic Packaging (AREA)
  • Power Engineering (AREA)
  • Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
  • Sustainable Development (AREA)
  • Sustainable Energy (AREA)
  • Thermal Sciences (AREA)
  • Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
  • Combustion & Propulsion (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Photovoltaic Devices (AREA)
  • Roof Covering Using Slabs Or Stiff Sheets (AREA)

Abstract

A composite solar collector comprises a heat absorbing substrate (11) having one or more photo-voltaic panels mounted (15) thereon. An open duct (12) is provided in the substrate (11) immediately adjacent the panels (15). A heat transfer fluid circulates in the duct (12) so as to avoid overheating of the panel, and may be used as a thermal energy source.

Description

Composite Solar Collector
This invention relates to a composite solar collector having photo-voltaic and thermal elements.
Solar collectors, typically in the form of panels, are of two main kinds.
Photo-voltaic panels convert solar energy directly into electricity, principally from non-infrared wavelengths, and have an efficiency of energy conversion of around 16- 17%. Although low in efficiency photo-voltaic panels are popular because the resultant electrical energy is considered of high value, being usable in many kinds of electrical device.
Thermal collectors on the other hand use a heat transfer fluid, such as water, to absorb and transmit heat energy to a heat user. Such energy is low grade because heat energy is not very usable except for heating, but energy conversion has an efficiency of around 80%. Typically it may be possible to generate 24Ow of heat energy from a photo-voltaic collector rated at 8Ow. A particular problem with photo-voltaic collectors is that efficiency is generally inversely proportional to temperature, so that the infrared content of solar energy must ideally be reduced or removed if electricity production is to be maximized. Typically a photo-voltaic panel is thus arranged on a free standing frame to give good air circulation. Such frames are unsuitable for many applications, particularly sloping roofs, where they have a poor visual appearance and may be difficult to service. Furthermore the infrared content of solar energy impinging upon a photo-voltaic panel is wasted, and in fact sometimes considered a disadvantage.
Many houses are ideally suited to solar collectors since they have sloping roofs, but the closer a photo-voltaic panel is mounted to the roof, the more the problem of heat retention is apparent, and the greater the transmission of heat into the roof space. What is required is a solution which permits close-fitting of a photo-voltaic panel to a sloping roof, yet avoids the problems associated with heat retention on the underside of the panel. Reflective film has been used in the past to reflect infrared energy, but is not considered effective in maintaining high efficiency in the photo-voltaic panel, which loses efficiency with increase of operating temperature.
According to the invention there is provided a composite solar collector comprising a photo-voltaic panel mounted immediately adjacent a substrate having a duct therein for the passage of a heat transfer fluid, said duct being immediately adjacent said panel.
By immediately adjacent we mean a minimal separation so as to maximize heat transfer. In one embodiment the panel closes the duct, and in another embodiment the duct is separated from the panel by a thin membrane of less than 5mm thickness, preferably in the range 2-4mm.
The substrate may of a material adapted to absorb infra-red energy.
Such an arrangement is counter-intuitive since it provides a heat absorber immediately beneath the photo- voltaic panel. However the fluid duct allows removal of such heat to a remote radiator, or preferably a heat user, so as to prevent the photo-voltaic panel overheating.
The duct may be of any suitable shape and size, and multiple ducts may be provided. For example inlet and outlet manifolds may be connected by a plurality of individual fluid passages.
The mass of substrate may be selected according to the maximum amount of heat energy to be retained. However it will be understood that the flow rate of fluid within the duct can be selected and/or adjusted to give a rate of heat removal sufficient to maintain a substantially constant temperature at the underside of the photo-voltaic panel. The invention places the cooling duct immediately adjacent the photo-voltaic panel so as to maximize heat transfer therefrom. Such a substrate can be relatively easily moulded in plastics material, the duct(s) appearing as open channels in one face thereof. In a preferred embodiment the ducts are formed as a thin shell vacuum forming having a substantially constant wall thickness. In use the channels are closed by a thin membrane, or directly by the photo-voltaic panel. The cross-sectional shape of such channels may be selected to maximize the duct area directly adjacent the photo-voltaic panel. For example, such channels may be 'U' or 'V shaped. A closure membrane of the ducts, where provided, preferably permits high heat transfer so as to promote cooling of the photo-voltaic panels. This is in contrast to prior art arrangements where the panel underside typically included as insulation or reflector layer so as to prevent transmission of heat to the support surface, typically a sloping roof.
The material of the substrate is preferably strongly absorbent of heat energy, and is for example a black plastics material typically low carbon fill polypropylene.
In a preferred embodiment, the closure membrane is of the same material as the substrate, and may for example also be of polypropylene.
The substrate is preferably self-supporting and thus constitutes a structural member of the invention. The substrate may constitute a chassis for one or more photo-voltaic panels. In the case of a moulding, the substrate may include integrated hard points for mounting to a support surface and to receive components thereon.
In one preferred embodiment, the substrate is fixed directly to the underside of the photo-voltaic panel, so that the lower surface of the panel closes the duct(s). Such an arrangement can substantially rigidity a flexible photo-voltaic panel. Any suitable means of fixing, such as adhesive, may be used provided that the fluid channel is closed for function thereof. In the case of a flexible photo-voltaic panel, the addition of the substrate results in a self-supporting structure in which the channels define stiffening ribs. The channels may be arranged so as to provide stiffness in a desired direction, but to allow flexibility in another direction. Thus channels orientated in a plane in a first direction may provide great bending stiffness in one direction but weak resistance to bending in an orthogonal direction. Thus panels susceptible of curvature may be formed.
Furthermore a flexible photo-voltaic panel can be formed into a curve prior to attachment of a substrate, so as to form a composite component after attachment of the substrate. Such a panel can maintain the curved form post attachment, thus resulting in an effective and inexpensive method of making a curved photo-voltaic panel. The former for such a panel can be a curved bed into which a flexible photo-voltaic panel is laid, followed by a vacuum formed substrate having flexibility in the direction of the curve of the bed.
The aforementioned advantages can also be obtained in case of thin membrane bonded to a vacuum formed substrate, such that a flexible membrane and flexible substrate are rigidified upon bonding as a flat or curved composite component. Such a composite component is typically self-supporting, and can be fixed to a photo-voltaic panel of flexible or rigid type.
A thin shell substrate of the kind referred to above can be mounted in a frame for mounting in turn upon a roof or the like. If closed by a membrane, the composite may be used to retrofit photo-voltaic panels with a means of gathering heat energy.
The substrate is preferably conformable to accommodate variations of a support surface, such as a sloping roof. High flexibility is not required in this application, and may be determined by the pattern of channels in the substrate. The operating temperature of the substrate is preferably in the range - 40°C to 200°C in order to accommodate all likely environmental conditions.
It is envisaged that the heat transfer fluid is water, which may include additives to prevent freezing and corrosion. Heat extracted from the duct may be disposed of via a water/air heat exchanger such as a radiator or cylinder. Preferably however such heat is used for space heating or as a means of generating power via a suitable device.
A composite solar collector according to the invention is adapted for flush-fitting to a roof and presents a good appearance. Furthermore the collector may comprise the outer face of a roof, thus obviating the need for underlying tiles and the like, and avoiding risk of heat transmission into the roof space.
Other features of the invention will be apparent from the following description of a preferred embodiment shown by way of example only in the accompanying drawings in which :-
Fig. 1 is a transverse section through a schematic solar collector according to the invention.
Fig. 2 is a plan view of the substrate of the collector of Fig. 1 , showing the line ' 1-1 ' on which the transverse section is taken.
Fig. 3 is a transverse section through a substrate according to the invention, and
Fig. 4 shows a method of forming a curved solar collector according to the invention. With reference to the drawings, a preferred embodiment of a composite solar collector (10) comprises a rectangular moulded plastics substrate (1 1) in the upper surface of which is defined an open fluid channel (12) closed by a thin plastics membrane (13). The membrane is attached for example by adhesive or welding so that the channel is closed. Suitable inlet and outlet connections are provided, as represented by the arrows of Fig. 2.
The composite collector (10) further comprises a photo-voltaic panel assembly (14), within which three photo-voltaic panels (15) are illustrated. Each panel may comprise a cell or a plurality of cells. As will be apparent from Fig. 1, the channel (12) is immediately adjacent the assembly (14).
The embodiment shown in Figs. 1 and 2 is illustrative. The panels (15) may for example be mounted or bonded directly to the membrane (13) so that an independent housing is not required. Typically the panels (15) will be covered by a self-cleaning material, such as a known grade of self-cleaning glass.
In use the substrate provides structural integrity to the assembly and is self-supporting. As will be apparent from the direction of the longitudinal channel runs of Fig. 2, some compliance of the substrate is permitted to allow conformability to a roof structure
(20) or other supporting surface, generally as represented by arrows (21). Pipe fittings of any suitable kind may be bonded into the open channel ends for connection to a heat user; these fittings may for example be of brass or bronze.
Other shapes of channel run may be adapted to give alternative degrees of compliance, both in the X and Y directions.
The size, shape and number of channel runs is selected according to flow characteristics of the heat transfer fluid, and the heat energy to be removed - the arrangement shown in Fig. 2 is illustrative.
In use sunlight, represented by arrows (30), impinges directly on the photo-voltaic panels (15) to generate electricity, which is conducted away by suitable connections to, for example, a storage battery.
Heat energy passing through the photo-voltaic panel assembly (14) is absorbed by the substrate (11), and conducted away from the collector (10) by the passage of a heat transfer fluid in the channel (12). Such heat is removed by a suitable heat exchanger or energy transfer device so that fluid entering the channel (12) is colder than fluid exiting the channel. Suitable control systems determine fluid flow rate so as to minimize energy consumption whilst ensuring effective removal of excess heat from the substrate. The controlling factor may for example be to maintain the underside of the photo-voltaic panel below a critical temperature, or to ensure operation within a pre-determined temperature range.
Fig. 1 illustrates a substrate having channels moulded in a relatively massive base.
Fig. 3 illustrates a vacuum formed, pressed or blown substrate in which the channels are formed in sheet material by for example an aluminium die. In the preferred embodiment 2mm or 4mm sheet polypropylene (30) is vacuum formed so that the areas (32) between the ducts (31) present flat faces in a common plane. These areas are adapted to receive adhesive (33) for attachment of a closing membrane (34), or the underside of a photo-voltaic panel (not shown). It will be appreciated that after bonding the composite of substrate (30) and membrane (34) is substantially rigidified. If the ducts (31) are parallel in the Z axis of the drawing, it will also be appreciated that flexibility is provided in the direction of arrow 35. Each duct may be of the order of 10-20mm in maximum transverse direction.
Some curvature may be built in, as illustrated in Fig. 4 in which a curved mould (41) has laid therein a flexible photo-voltaic panel (42), to which is bonded a shell-like substrate (43) having open ducts formed therein. The adhesive (44) also seals the ducts to hold the desired pressure therein, which may be of the order of 1-2 bar. After curing of the adhesive (44) it will be appreciated that the composite panel assembly will maintain the desired curvature. The dimensions illustrated in Fig. 4 are somewhat exaggerated in order to more clearly illustrate the invention.

Claims

1. A composite solar collector comprising a photo-voltaic panel mounted immediately adjacent a substrate of material having a duct therein for the passage of a heat transfer fluid, wherein said duct comprises an open channel formed in an upper surface of said substrate.
2. A collector according to claim 1, wherein said duct comprises multiple passageways between an inlet and an outlet..
3. A collector according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein said duct is next to said panel.
4. A collector according to claim 3, wherein said panel is applied directly to said substrate.
5. A collector according to claim 4, wherein said panel closes said duct.
6. A collector according to any of claim 3 or claim 4, wherein said duct is closed by an overlying membrane.
7. A collector according to claim 6, wherein said panel is applied directly to said membrane.
8. A collector according to any preceding claim, wherein said substrate is moulded of plastics material.
9. A collector according to claim 8, wherein said duct is formed in sheet material.
10. A collector according to claim 9, wherein said substrate is a vacuum forming.
11. A collector according to any preceding claim, wherein said substrate is self- supporting and comprises a chassis for said panel.
12. A collector according to any preceding claim, and comprising a plurality of photo-voltaic panels mounted on a common substrate.
13. A method of forming a thin shell substrate of a solar collector, said substrate having a fluid duct formed therein, the method comprising the steps of:
forming an open duct in sheet material by one of pressing, blowing and vacuum forming, and
closing said duct by attaching a sheet member over the open mouth thereof.
14. The method of claim 13, wherein said sheet member comprises a photo-voltaic panel.
15. The method of claims 13 and 14 for forming a curved solar collector, and comprising the steps of slumping said substrate and sheet member in a curved former prior to mutual attachment of said substrate and sheet member.
PCT/GB2010/001323 2009-07-13 2010-07-09 Composite solar collector WO2011007122A2 (en)

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GB0912161A GB2471844A (en) 2009-07-13 2009-07-13 Composite solar collector
GB0912161.7 2009-07-13

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GB2471844A (en) 2011-01-19
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