WO2016187654A1 - Dispositif photovoltaïque - Google Patents

Dispositif photovoltaïque Download PDF

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Publication number
WO2016187654A1
WO2016187654A1 PCT/AU2016/050387 AU2016050387W WO2016187654A1 WO 2016187654 A1 WO2016187654 A1 WO 2016187654A1 AU 2016050387 W AU2016050387 W AU 2016050387W WO 2016187654 A1 WO2016187654 A1 WO 2016187654A1
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WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
terminals
contacts
cell
cavity
devices
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/AU2016/050387
Other languages
English (en)
Inventor
Christopher Leslie Waring
Original Assignee
Mc2 Energy Pty Ltd
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
Priority claimed from AU2015901905A external-priority patent/AU2015901905A0/en
Application filed by Mc2 Energy Pty Ltd filed Critical Mc2 Energy Pty Ltd
Priority to AU2016267391A priority Critical patent/AU2016267391A1/en
Publication of WO2016187654A1 publication Critical patent/WO2016187654A1/fr

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Classifications

    • 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
    • H01L31/042—PV modules or arrays of single PV cells
    • H01L31/048—Encapsulation of modules
    • 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
    • H02S10/00—PV power plants; Combinations of PV energy systems with other systems for the generation of electric power
    • H02S10/40—Mobile PV generator systems
    • 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
    • H02S20/00—Supporting structures for PV modules
    • H02S20/30—Supporting structures being movable or adjustable, e.g. for angle adjustment
    • 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

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to a photovoltaic (PV) device and a PV module having a plurality of such devices.
  • PV photovoltaic
  • the invention has been developed primarily for deployment on water supply dams with potential or existing hydroelectric generation facilities and will be described hereinafter with reference to that application. However, it will be appreciated that the invention is not limited to that particular field of use and is also applicable to other dams, lakes, canals, slow flowing rivers or other relatively static large water bodies.
  • floating PV arrays also referred to as floating solar arrays or "floatovoltaics"
  • floatovoltaics floating solar arrays
  • These arrays are typically constructed from a plurality of commercially available like solar panels, each of which has a generally rectangular housing and a two dimensional matrix of PV cells which are disposed within the housing and which extend along a common plane.
  • the cells within a panel are electrically connected, typically in series, to provide a DC voltage when the array is exposed to sufficient sunlight.
  • a plurality of panels are usually mounted side-by-side to one or more support frames of metal that extend upwardly from the water surface and which incline the panels to optimise the exposure to sunlight.
  • the frames are fixed to the bottom of the relevant water body (for example, where mounted in a shallow canal), while in other cases the frames have pontoons or other buoyancy devices and float on the surface of the water body. In the latter case, the frames are typically tethered to moors to limit the amount of movement of the frame.
  • a photovoltaic (PV) device including:
  • a housing defining a sealed cavity
  • At least one PV cell disposed within the cavity and having at least two contacts, the at least one PV cell being responsive to predetermined electromagnetic radiation for generating a voltage between the contacts;
  • a window in the housing for allowing the electromagnetic radiation to enter the cavity and to fall upon the at least one PV cell
  • At least two terminals for extending from respective first ends to respective second ends, wherein the first ends are electrically connected with respective contacts and the second ends are disposed external to the cavity for allowing external electrical connection with the contacts.
  • the device includes a coupling device for selectively securing the module to an adjacent like module.
  • the coupling device includes a plurality of spaced apart formations.
  • the coupling device includes at least one pair of the spaced apart formations and the adjacent like module also includes at least one like pair of the spaced apart formations.
  • the spaced apart formations include a magnetised material.
  • the spaced apart formations in each pair have respective engagement faces that are substantially parallel.
  • the magnetised material of one of the formations in each pair has a magnetic polarity that is opposite to the magnetic polarity of the magnetised material in the other formation in that pair.
  • the at least one PV cell includes a single PV cell having two contacts and the at least two terminals includes four pairs of terminals that extend away from each other.
  • the housing includes a base and a top that are sealingly engaged with each other.
  • the window extends along the top.
  • the window extends along substantially all of the top.
  • the window is substantially rigid.
  • the window is formed at least substantially from plastics or glass.
  • the window includes one or more coatings on the plastics or glass.
  • the top is substantially rigid.
  • the top is formed at least substantially from plastics or glass.
  • At least one of the base and the top are pliant.
  • the base and the top include respective plaint sheets that are sealingly connected along a seal line.
  • the pliant sheets are formed from plastics.
  • the pliant sheets are laminates.
  • the device includes a support member for providing at least one of the sheets with a predetermined contour.
  • the support member extends between the sheets.
  • the support member engages both the sheets.
  • the support member includes at least one post having a curved surface for engaging with one of the sheets.
  • the support member includes a frame.
  • At least one of the top and the base is resiliently deformable.
  • both the top and the base are resiliently deformable and the top is preferentially deformable relative to the base.
  • the top is resiliently deformable between the first configuration and a second configuration.
  • the cavity contains a gas that, at a first temperature, maintains the top in the first configuration and that, at a second temperature which is higher than the first temperature, resiliently deforms the top toward the second configuration.
  • the magnetised material is conductive.
  • the magnetised material for one of the spaced apart formations defines at least part of one of the terminals.
  • the magnetised material for each of the spaced apart formations defines at least part of respective terminals.
  • substantially all of the electromagnetic radiation that enters the cavity falls upon the at least one PV cell.
  • the device is, in use, mounted on a predetermined liquid having a first density, wherein the device has a second density that is less than the first density.
  • the liquid is substantially water and the second density of less than 1 kg/litre.
  • the liquid is substantially fresh water.
  • At least one of the at least one PV cell is substantially rigid.
  • each of the at least one PV cell is substantially rigid.
  • each of the at least one PV cells is formed on a silicon wafer.
  • PV module including a plurality of like devices described in the first aspect of the invention, wherein those devices are electrically connected.
  • the like devices are physically connected to at least one other such device.
  • the like devices are physically connected directly to at least two other such devices.
  • a photovoltaic (PV) array including a plurality of modules according to the second aspect, wherein each of the modules is electrically connected to at least one other of the modules.
  • PV photovoltaic
  • each of the modules is physically connected to at least one other of the modules.
  • each of the modules is physically connected to at least two others of the modules.
  • each module in the array is buoyant.
  • a photovoltaic (PV) array for floating on a water body including:
  • a plurality of individually buoyant PV devices for floating on the water body each including:
  • a housing defining a sealed cavity
  • At least one PV cell disposed within the cavity and having at least two contacts, the at least one PV cell and being responsive to sunlight for generating a voltage between the contacts;
  • an window in the housing that, in use, is upwardly facing for allowing the sunlight to enter the cavity and to fall upon the at least one PV cell; and at least two terminals for extending from respective first ends to respective second ends, wherein the first ends are electrically connected with respective contacts and the second ends are disposed external to the cavity for allowing external electrical connection with the contacts; and wherein at least one of the terminals of each of the devices is electrically connected with at least one of the terminals of another of the devices.
  • the at least one of the terminals and the another of the terminals are releasably physically connected.
  • the releasable physical connection is provided by a magnetic coupling between the at least one of the terminals and the another of the terminals.
  • the at least one of the terminals and the another of the terminals are flexibly physically connected.
  • any one of the terms “comprising”, “comprised of” or “which comprises” is an open term that means including at least the elements/features that follow, but not excluding others.
  • the term “comprising”, when used in the claims, should not be interpreted as being limitative to the means or elements or steps listed thereafter.
  • the scope of the expression “a device comprising A and B” should not be limited to devices consisting only of elements A and B.
  • Any one of the terms “including” or “which includes” or “that includes” as used herein is also an open term that also means including at least the elements/features that follow the term, but not excluding others.
  • “including” is synonymous with and means “comprising”.
  • the term “exemplary” is used in the sense of providing examples, as opposed to indicating quality. That is, an "exemplary embodiment” is an embodiment provided as an example, as opposed to necessarily being an embodiment of exemplary quality.
  • Figure 1 is a schematic top view of a PV device according to an embodiment of the invention.
  • Figure 2 is a cross sectional view along line 2-2 of Figure 1 ;
  • Figure 3 is a schematic plan view of a PV module according to another embodiment of the invention making use of a 10 x 10 matrix of PV cells;
  • Figure 4 is a schematic plan view of a PV module according to another embodiment of the invention making use of a 5 x 5 matrix of PV cells with an arrangement of electrically coded interconnecting cables;
  • Figure 5 is a perspective view of an example PV cell for use in the embodiment of Figure 1 ;
  • Figures 6 to 8 are respective side views of intermediate manufactures arising during the construction of a PV device according to an embodiment of the invention.
  • Figure 9 is a top view of a PV module having an array of multi-cell devices and intermediate connecting busbars;
  • Figure 10 is a top view of a multi-cell device according to another embodiment of the invention.
  • Figure 1 1 is a top view of a PV array including a plurality of the devices of Figure 10.
  • PV devices Described herein are PV devices, PV modules and PV arrays.
  • PV device 1 including a two-part housing 2 defining a sealed cavity 3.
  • a generally square and substantially rigid 125 mm commercially available crystalline silicon PV cell 4 is wholly disposed within cavity 3 and has, as best shown in Figure 5, two spaced apart generally parallel flat metal negative contacts 4A and 4B formed of silver or silver alloy and a single large positive contact (not shown) at the rear of cell 4 formed from aluminium.
  • the contacts are formed on a polycrystalline silicon wafer to form cell 4.
  • Cell 4 is responsive to predetermined electromagnetic radiation for generating a voltage between the contacts.
  • Housing 2 includes a pliant base 5 and a pliant top 6 that are fused together along a peripherally extensive sealing line 7.
  • a window 8 in housing 2 is defined by the entirety of top 6 for allowing the electromagnetic radiation to enter cavity 3 and to fall upon cell 4.
  • Eight terminals being grouped in pairs formed respectively by terminals 1 1 and 12, terminals 13 and 14, terminals 15 and 16 and terminals 17 and 18, each extend from respective first ends within cavity 3 (not shown) to respective second ends 21 , 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27 and 28.
  • the first ends are each electrically connected with one of the contacts and the second ends 21 , 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27 and 28 are disposed external to cavity 3 for allowing external electrical connection with the contacts.
  • Sealing line 7 extends about the periphery of cell 4, and includes continuously adjacent straight sealed sections 31 , 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37 and 38.
  • the innermost part of line 7 lies closely adjacent to the periphery of cell 4, while the outmost part lies about 2 to 3 mm from the periphery of cell 4. That is, the sealing path provided by line 7 is about 2 to 3 mm.
  • This also provides device 1 with a length and breadth of about 130 mm x 130 mm.
  • Base 5 and top 6 are in this embodiment both formed from a low density laminate plastics sheet that is UV stable, air and water impermeable, and heat-weldable to facilitate the formation of sealing line 7 during manufacture.
  • a laminate plastics having an outer layer, an inner layer and an intermediate barrier layer is used in some embodiments, although in other embodiments different laminates are used.
  • base 5 and top 6 are formed with laminates of differing layers having different characteristics or properties.
  • top 6 is formed from a laminate having a higher visible light transmission characteristic than base 5.
  • base 5 includes a thicker intermediate barrier layer to better protect against the ingress of water into cavity 3.
  • the laminates selected for base 5 and top 6 include other than three layers.
  • cavity 3 is pressurized positively with a gas having a low moisture content and sealed such that base 5 and top 6 are tensioned and retain a continuously curved convex exterior contour as best illustrated in Figure 2.
  • a gas having a low moisture content and sealed such that base 5 and top 6 are tensioned and retain a continuously curved convex exterior contour as best illustrated in Figure 2.
  • inert gas without moisture also reduces corrosion within cavity 3 and contributes to an extended operational lifetime for device 1 .
  • different methods and structures are used to provide and/or maintain the desired contour and to reduce corrosion.
  • cavity 3 is pressurised with dry nitrogen.
  • use is made of other gases such as air, or an inert gas.
  • Terminals 1 1 to 18 extend generally upwardly from line 7 and, in some embodiments, slightly outwardly. These terminals each include a lead portion and a contact portion that collectively allow current conduction from cell 4 to one or more external devices or circuits to which device 1 is directly or indirectly electrically connected to, or which it is to be connected to. Typically, those external devices and circuits will be other like devices 1 , or inverters, or other such circuits.
  • each terminal 21 to 28 includes a lead portion having a flat copper alloy conductor that extends from the first end of the respective terminal. In other embodiments different conductors are used such as other metals (and their alloys) or non- metals such as carbon nanofiber composites.
  • Each of the first ends are physically and electrically connected with one of the contacts of cell 4.
  • the cells within cavity 3 are able to be connected in series, parallel or a combination of series and parallel where there are at least three cells.
  • terminals 1 1 , 14, 16 and 17 are connected to one of the negative contacts 4A and 4B, whereas the first ends of terminals 12, 13, 15 and 18 are each connected to the positive contact.
  • first ends of terminals 1 1 and 13 are connected to both the negative contacts and the positive contact respectively, and the remaining terminals are electrically isolated from the contacts.
  • different configurations are also possible to enable, or disable, predetermined series and/or parallel connections between devices. It will also be appreciated that the use of multiple devices in a single array includes, in some embodiments, the use of only like devices and, in other embodiments, the use of at least two types of devices.
  • each of the terminals in this embodiment includes a lead portion and a contact portion that are electrically connected to each other.
  • the second ends 21 to 28 of terminals 1 1 to 18 define the contact portions of the terminals and are each formed of metal that is magnetized and which is electrically connected to one of the copper alloy conductor that defines the lead portion of the respective terminal.
  • These second ends each present externally a generally flat rectangular face that in use extends along a substantially vertical plane. Each face provides a physical and an electrical contact point to allow electrical connection of cell 4 with external components. It also allows for magnetic interaction with the second ends of like devices 1 , for example, and for the coupling of those devices through the magnetic attraction between adjacent second ends having opposite magnetic polarities.
  • second ends 21 to 28 define, at least in part, a coupling device for selectively securing device 1 to an adjacent like device.
  • the magnetic polarities of the faces are illustrated in Figure 1 using the N and S nomenclature to indicate a North polarity and a South polarity respectively.
  • This coupling of adjacent devices is able to withstand pitching between those devices due to relative movement of the devices in response to movement of the water underlying those devices.
  • the magnetic attraction acts to guide the respective faces back into physical and electrical contact.
  • terminals that are not be connected will have the same magnetic polarity and, hence, will magnetically repulse each other when brought into physical proximity.
  • the faces of the terminals are other than rectangular.
  • the faces of the terminals are convex to better maintain a continuous electrical connection between the terminals during relative pitching of adjacent devices.
  • the terminals of like magnetic polarity have faces which are substantially flat and the terminals of the opposite magnetic polarity have faces that are convex.
  • the faces that are substantially flat have a larger surface area than that of the faces that are convex to further accommodate relative movement between adjacent devices while maintaining the physical and electrical connected between the relevant terminals.
  • the function of coupling the PV device to another PV device, and the function of establishing an electrical connection with external devices are performed by separate elements.
  • the terminals of a given PV device are releasably physically connected with each other to provide the electrical connection between the terminals, and magnetic coupling is used, although it is provided by other than the terminals, to retain the devices adjacent to each other.
  • the faces of the contact portions are each, in use, maintained generally in a vertical plane.
  • the nature of the magnetic coupling between adjacent and opposed faces has been found to provide a sufficiently dependable and secure connection between adjacent PV devices that are floating on a water storage dam.
  • the nature of the magnetic connection allows the adjacent PV devices to be disconnected by a shearing action; that is, by moving the two adjacent PV devices, in situ, vertically relative to each other. This allows for disconnection of adjacent PV devices from each other for repair, maintenance, inspection or otherwise.
  • a remote control drone (not shown) having engagement formations for releasably engaging with PV device 1 .
  • the drone is controlled to located itself over device 1 and to captively retain that device with the engagement formations.
  • the drone is then controlled to move vertically upwardly to simultaneously shear any of the magnetic connections that were shared between device 1 and adjacent PV devices.
  • the contours of either or both of base 5 and top 6 are maintained by a rigid member that extends between base 5 and top 6, or between cell 4 and one or more of base 5 and top 6.
  • a frame having a plurality of members for providing the predetermined contour.
  • the contour of top 6 is convex. In other embodiments the contour of top 6 is substantially flat. In other embodiments, the contour of top 6 is a compound surface. In still further embodiments the contour of top 6 is concave and device 1 includes a drainage device for allowing water to drain away from top 6.
  • base 5 and top 6 make use of pliant materials to form at least one of base 5 and top 6. This material is use to better accommodate temperature variations and the consequent pressure variations within sealed cavity 3. Having base 5 and top 6 resiliently deform or change shape in this manner reduces fatigue on sealing line 7 and acts to extend the operational lifetime of device 1 .
  • base 5 and top 6 are substantially rigid.
  • top 6 is formed substantially from glass.
  • base 5 is formed substantially from moulded plastics.
  • base 5 lies in direct contact with an upper surface 41 of a body of water 42.
  • second ends 21 to 28 of terminals 1 1 to 18 extend upwardly from the periphery of device 1 to remain above surface 41 and ready to move into retaining engagement with second ends of an adjacent like device.
  • device 1 will be most securely retained to the adjacent like device if opposed pairs of terminals have an opposite magnetic polarity. This engagement will also electrically connect the cells in the adjacent devices in series.
  • the magnetic polarity of the second ends are configured, and the connection of the terminals to the relevant contacts, to allow parallel connections between adjacent devices, or a combination of parallel and series connections.
  • device 1 includes only two pairs of terminals, being terminals 1 1 and 12, and terminals 23 and 24. In further embodiments, only one of the terminals in each pair is connected to a contact.
  • Device 1 is able to be manufactured individually or collectively with like devices and then separated.
  • the manufacture of like devices 1 includes prefabricating a plurality of cells 4 with the lead portions of the required terminals connected to the relevant contacts of the cell. These cells are individually robotically withdrawn from a storage magazine and presented sequentially at a first station. Simultaneously, a continuous first laminate sheet 51 that is to form the bases 5 of devices 1 is progressively horizontally presented to the first station and cells 4 are sequentially placed upon an upper surface of the laminate sheet at predetermined spaced apart locations.
  • the cells 4 are upward facing - that is, the positive terminal is engaged with the sheet 51 and contacts 4A and 4B face upwardly - the orientated with respect to the sheet 53 such that the second ends of the terminals lie adjacent to the periphery of the associated cells.
  • the combined sheet 51 and cells 4 are sequentially presented to a second station where a continuous second laminate sheet 52, which is to form tops 6, is also presented to progressively overlie both sheet 51 and cells 4. This results in the cells being successively sandwiched between the first and the second sheet at the second station, as exemplarily shown in Figure 6.
  • the sandwich arrangement referred to above is subjected to an initial heat welding operation to form substantially all of sealing line 7 about the periphery of cell 4.
  • a small gap is left near one of the second ends of the terminals for receiving a gas injection nozzle via which positive pressure is then applied between sheets 51 and 52 to resiliently deform those sheets to define cavity 3.
  • a second heat welding then occurs of the small gap to seal cavity 3 to provide an intermediate manufacture as exemplarily illustrated in Figure 7.
  • a further forming operation is then undertaken which involves clasping and drawing the second ends of the terminals, and the associated portions of the first and second sheets, upwardly and outwardly such that the second ends are now disposed about cell 4 and base 5.
  • This composite manufacture is exemplarily illustrated in Figure 8, and is progressed to a fourth station where the sealed cell 4 is segmented from the continuous first and second sheets 51 and 52 to define the device 1 .
  • the second ends 26 and 28 are of the terminals are drawn further upwardly than those shown in Figure 8.
  • the electrically connected cells form a multi-cell PV device where the individual cells are contained in respective sealed cavities. It will be appreciated that at the multi-cell device includes at its periphery terminals with second end to allow external electrical connection with the cells.
  • a further embodiment of the invention in the form of a PV panel 61 makes use of one hundred PV cells 4 in a 10 x 10 matrix. Each of cells 4 are individually sealed within respective cavities formed by respective bases 5 and tops 6.
  • a PV panel 62 makes use of twenty five PV cells arranged in a 5 x 5 matrix.
  • panel 62 includes positive and negative busbars 63 and 64 respectively that are magnetised for attraction toward and engagement with the relevant terminals along the associated edges of the matrix. These busbars provide a low resistance common voltage point for facilitating electrical connection of panel 62 to other electrical components.
  • panel 62 also includes insulating strips 65 that are connected with and extend between the ends of busbars 63 and 64 and across the terminals along the associated edges. That is, strips 65 further prevent any electrical connection with the relevant terminals, while also assisting maintaining the busbars in a predetermined configuration.
  • the first and second sheets are selected to allow for the manufacture of a multi-cell device, or a combination of substantially like multi- cell devices and associated busbars, having a footprint to allow the device to pack space- efficiently within a standard shipping container.
  • An example multi-cell device 71 is shown in Figure 9 which makes use of a 3 x 4 array of PV modules each having a 5 x 10 array of cells 4 and the associated busbars to enable the required electrical connections between the PV modules. This allows a plurality of like multi-cell devices to be stacked within a standard 20 foot shipping container. In addition to facilitating bulk transportation of devices 71 , it also simplifies deployment onto the body of water.
  • a first of the multi-cell devices is able to be unloaded from the container, on a First In Last Out (FILO) basis, and placed on the water body.
  • a second device is then able to be unloaded and positioned on the water body such that the adjacent devices have the correct busbars opposed and brought into contact.
  • the remainder of the devices are then sequentially unloaded and placed to progressively enlarge the PV array being constructed from the devices.
  • This array is able to be progressively constructed from the edge of the water body, with the first device and subsequent devices being successively and moved further from the edge as further devices are added to the array.
  • the multi-cell devices are similar to device 71 , but are flexibly and fixedly physically connected along their long edges to at least one adjacent device such that the devices are able to be folded alternatively over each other - that is, folded concertina-style - to further simplify deployment.
  • a multi-cell independently buoyant device 81 includes 600 cells arranged in a 15 x 40 array having dimensions of about 1 .95 m x 5.2 m. This device 81 provides for a predetermined series and parallel combination of the cells, and has a peak generation capacity of 2.15 kW. As illustrated in Figure 1 1 , device 81 (illustrated in contrast) is arranged in a string array 82 of forty nine other like panels, where adjacent panels have coextensive long edges and are electrically connected to provide a combined peak power generation capacity of 107.5 kW. This string array has dimensions of about 5.2 m x 100 m.
  • Ten such string arrays 82 are located in parallel on the water body and electrically connected to form a PV array 83 having a peak generation capacity of about 1 .075 MW, and having a surface area of about 53 m x 100 m, or just over half a hectare.
  • This string array 83 is able to be added to with other string arrays 83 or other such arrays to further scale up the generation capacity.
  • water bodies such as water supply dams
  • water supply dams have respective surface areas of tens or many hundreds of hectares, and are able to easily accommodate many megawatts or gigawatts of peak generation capacity as provided by one or more of the preferred embodiments of the invention.
  • the scalability of the embodiments, and the separability of the components, is advantageous not only because it allows for the application of the embodiments to many different water bodies of different shapes and sizes, but also because it allows the capital cost of using the technology to be spread over time.
  • use of the invention facilitates the immediate use of smaller arrays to gain the benefit of the generated power, and for the scaling up of those existing arrays as and when the demand for the generated energy increases. It also allows for an array to be easily decommissioned and redeployed at another location.
  • the cell 4 is maintained in engagement with base 5, and hence it will be, in use, maintained at a temperature very similar to that of the surface of the water body.
  • the operating temperature of the cells in the above embodiments will more typically be at 25 °C or less.
  • a 30 °C temperature differential provides the embodiments above with more than a 10% increase in the power yield.
  • the height of device 1 is about 20 mm and hence there is little or no shading effects induced by the PV device on adjacent PV devices. This allows for a higher density of cells 4 and hence a higher generation capacity in a given area.
  • PV cells including one or more of monocrystalline silicon, polycrystalline silicon and others, as well as other materials and structures such as perovskite-structure materials, organic photovoltaic (OPV) cells and dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSC). It will also be appreciated that cells being made of differing materials are able to be combined into a single array.
  • a photovoltaic (PV) array for floating on a water body.
  • the array includes a plurality of individually buoyant PV devices for floating on the water body. These devices each include:
  • a housing defining a sealed cavity
  • At least one PV cell disposed within the cavity and having at least two contacts, the at least one PV cell and being responsive to sunlight for generating a voltage between the contacts;
  • At least two terminals for extending from respective first ends to respective second ends, wherein the first ends are electrically connected with respective contacts and the second ends are disposed external to the cavity for allowing external electrical connection with the contacts;
  • the at least one of the terminals and the another of the terminals are releasably physically connected.
  • the releasable physical connection is able to be provided by a magnetic coupling between the at least one of the terminals and the another of the terminals.
  • use is made of flexible sheathed conductors that extend between the relevant terminals and which meet at a waterproof releasable connector. Both the magnetic coupling and the sheathed conductors provide for a flexible physical connection in that adjacent cells are able to move relatively to each other, within constraints, while still maintaining an electrical connection between the relevant terminals. However, should sufficient physical force be exerted upon the connection (for maintenance of other reasons) the connection will be broken and the adjacent devices are able to separate.
  • a photovoltaic (PV) device for floating on a water body.
  • the device includes:
  • a housing defining a sealed cavity, the housing, in use, being located on the water body;
  • the at least one PV cell disposed within the cavity and having at least two contacts, the at least one PV cell have a substantially planar surface that is responsive to the absorption of predetermined electromagnetic radiation for generating a voltage between the contacts, the substantially planar face being maintained generally horizontally; a window in the housing for allowing the electromagnetic radiation to enter the cavity and to fall upon the at least one PV cell; and
  • At least two terminals for extending from respective first ends to respective second ends, wherein the first ends are electrically connected with respective contacts and the second ends are disposed external to the cavity for allowing external electrical connection with the contacts.
  • the main advantages provided by the different embodiments include one or more of:
  • Each device is independently buoyant and will remain afloat even if separated from a PV array having a plurality of such devices.
  • the PV device floats directly on the surface of the water body and does not require a separate base (such as frames, pontoons etc.). This allows deployment costs to be minimised as the orientation issues for standard PV panels and arrays be resolved. That is, use is preferentially made in the embodiments of PV cells, and PV arrays of those cells, which are disposed substantially horizontally.
  • Coupled should not be interpreted as being limited to direct connections only.
  • the terms “coupled” and “connected,” along with their derivatives, may be used. It should be understood that these terms are not intended as synonyms for each other.
  • the scope of the expression “a device A coupled to a device B” should not be limited to devices or systems wherein an output or other element of device A is directly connected to an input or other element of device B. Rather, it means that there exists a connective path between an output of A and an input of B which may be a path including other devices, structures or means.
  • Coupled may mean that two or more elements are either in direct physical or electrical contact, or that two or more elements are not in direct contact with each other but yet still co-operate or interact with each other.

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  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Condensed Matter Physics & Semiconductors (AREA)
  • Electromagnetism (AREA)
  • General Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Computer Hardware Design (AREA)
  • Microelectronics & Electronic Packaging (AREA)
  • Power Engineering (AREA)
  • Photovoltaic Devices (AREA)

Abstract

L'invention concerne un dispositif photovoltaïque (PV) (1) incluant un logement (2) en deux parties définissant une cavité (3) étanche. Une cellule (4) PV est disposée complètement dans la cavité (3) et comporte deux contacts en métal espacés. La cellule (4) est sensible à un rayonnement électromagnétique préétabli pour la génération d'une tension entre les contacts. Le logement (2) inclut une base (5) flexible et un dessus (6) flexible qui sont soudés ensemble le long d'une ligne d'étanchéité (7) s'étendant sur toute la périphérie. Une fenêtre dans le logement (2) est définie par la totalité du dessus (6) et permet que le rayonnement électromagnétique entre dans la cavité (3) et tombe sur la cellule (4). Des bornes s'étendent de premières extrémités respectives dans la cavité (3) vers de deuxièmes extrémités respectives. Les premières extrémités sont chacune électriquement connectées à un des contacts et les deuxièmes extrémités sont disposées de manière externe à la cavité (3) pour permettre une connexion électrique externe avec les contacts.
PCT/AU2016/050387 2015-05-25 2016-05-20 Dispositif photovoltaïque WO2016187654A1 (fr)

Priority Applications (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
AU2016267391A AU2016267391A1 (en) 2016-03-29 2016-05-20 A photovoltaic device

Applications Claiming Priority (4)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
AU2015901905A AU2015901905A0 (en) 2015-05-25 A hydroelectric generation system and a method for hydroelectric generation
AU2015901905 2015-05-25
AU2016901148 2016-03-29
AU2016901148A AU2016901148A0 (en) 2016-03-29 A photovoltaic device

Publications (1)

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WO2016187654A1 true WO2016187654A1 (fr) 2016-12-01

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Cited By (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
CN106849846A (zh) * 2017-04-10 2017-06-13 黄山耀利水上设施有限公司 水上光伏板的支撑装置
CN109411611A (zh) * 2018-11-28 2019-03-01 中国华能集团有限公司 一种钙钛矿太阳能电池封装结构及封装方法
CN117544077A (zh) * 2024-01-09 2024-02-09 赫里欧新能源有限公司 一种bipv智能芯片光伏组件及其封装工艺

Citations (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US4352722A (en) * 1981-03-12 1982-10-05 General Atomic Company Integrated photovoltaic electrolytic cell
US20090133732A1 (en) * 2007-11-26 2009-05-28 Chih-Yu Hsia Floating solar power collectors and application means
JP2013030646A (ja) * 2011-07-29 2013-02-07 Takeo Takahashi 水上設置型太陽電池発電装置
US20130240025A1 (en) * 2010-11-30 2013-09-19 Active Innovation Management Buoyant solar panel, and solar power plant consisting of an assembly of said panels

Patent Citations (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US4352722A (en) * 1981-03-12 1982-10-05 General Atomic Company Integrated photovoltaic electrolytic cell
US20090133732A1 (en) * 2007-11-26 2009-05-28 Chih-Yu Hsia Floating solar power collectors and application means
US20130240025A1 (en) * 2010-11-30 2013-09-19 Active Innovation Management Buoyant solar panel, and solar power plant consisting of an assembly of said panels
JP2013030646A (ja) * 2011-07-29 2013-02-07 Takeo Takahashi 水上設置型太陽電池発電装置

Cited By (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
CN106849846A (zh) * 2017-04-10 2017-06-13 黄山耀利水上设施有限公司 水上光伏板的支撑装置
CN109411611A (zh) * 2018-11-28 2019-03-01 中国华能集团有限公司 一种钙钛矿太阳能电池封装结构及封装方法
CN117544077A (zh) * 2024-01-09 2024-02-09 赫里欧新能源有限公司 一种bipv智能芯片光伏组件及其封装工艺
CN117544077B (zh) * 2024-01-09 2024-04-02 赫里欧新能源有限公司 一种bipv智能芯片光伏组件及其封装工艺

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