WO2020161548A2 - Système et/ou module utilitaire de collecte solaire - Google Patents

Système et/ou module utilitaire de collecte solaire Download PDF

Info

Publication number
WO2020161548A2
WO2020161548A2 PCT/IB2020/050316 IB2020050316W WO2020161548A2 WO 2020161548 A2 WO2020161548 A2 WO 2020161548A2 IB 2020050316 W IB2020050316 W IB 2020050316W WO 2020161548 A2 WO2020161548 A2 WO 2020161548A2
Authority
WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
harvesting
shu
solar
heat
utility
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/IB2020/050316
Other languages
English (en)
Other versions
WO2020161548A3 (fr
Inventor
Zeev Shavit
Nehemia Miller
Hanoch Miller
Eliakim KOLTON
Original Assignee
Zeev Shavit
Nehemia Miller
Hanoch Miller
Kolton Eliakim
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 Zeev Shavit, Nehemia Miller, Hanoch Miller, Kolton Eliakim filed Critical Zeev Shavit
Publication of WO2020161548A2 publication Critical patent/WO2020161548A2/fr
Publication of WO2020161548A3 publication Critical patent/WO2020161548A3/fr

Links

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
    • H02S20/00—Supporting structures for PV modules
    • H02S20/20—Supporting structures directly fixed to an immovable object
    • H02S20/22—Supporting structures directly fixed to an immovable object specially adapted for buildings
    • 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
    • H02S20/20—Supporting structures directly fixed to an immovable object
    • H02S20/22—Supporting structures directly fixed to an immovable object specially adapted for buildings
    • H02S20/26—Building materials integrated with PV modules, e.g. façade elements
    • 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
    • H02S40/20—Optical components
    • H02S40/22—Light-reflecting or light-concentrating means
    • 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
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F24—HEATING; RANGES; VENTILATING
    • F24S—SOLAR HEAT COLLECTORS; SOLAR HEAT SYSTEMS
    • F24S20/00—Solar heat collectors specially adapted for particular uses or environments
    • F24S20/60—Solar heat collectors integrated in fixed constructions, e.g. in buildings
    • F24S20/66—Solar heat collectors integrated in fixed constructions, e.g. in buildings in the form of facade constructions, e.g. wall constructions
    • 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
    • Y02B10/10—Photovoltaic [PV]
    • 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
    • Y02E—REDUCTION OF GREENHOUSE GAS [GHG] EMISSIONS, RELATED TO ENERGY GENERATION, TRANSMISSION OR DISTRIBUTION
    • Y02E10/00—Energy generation through renewable energy sources
    • Y02E10/50—Photovoltaic [PV] energy
    • Y02E10/52—PV systems with concentrators
    • 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

  • Embodiments of the invention relate to solar harvesting utilities, for example, for harvesting solar radiation in form of electricity and/or heat; and/or for production of electrical and thermal energies.
  • Harvesting of solar radiation in form of electricity and heat may include and/or be utilized for: solar heating, photovoltaics, solar thermal energy (and the like).
  • Harvesting of solar energy may be implemented in various surroundings where exposure to solar energy is available and where demand for energy is required.
  • solar energy harvesting may be useful in proximity to locations where energy demand exists and/or in urban environments where large population resides.
  • Harvesting of solar energy in such environment(s) may be useful adjacent buildings and may include harvesting means that are integrated or assembled into structures of buildings.
  • a zero-energy building possibly also referred to as a ZEB Zero Energy Building, zero net energy (ZNE) building or net-zero energy building (NZEB), ZCB zero carbon buildings; may be defined as a building with zero or positive net energy consumption, referring to the fact that a total amount of energy consumed annually within such building is just about the energy produced in or by the building or larger than the energy consumed, which is exported to the electrical grid or to any other external entity to the building.
  • Such energy produced in the building may be from renewable energy sources, bio-mass sources (and the like) as is defined in ZEB regulation in the US, Europe and elsewhere.
  • Such buildings thus result in less greenhouse gases being emitted into the atmosphere in relation to buildings that are supplied with energy, e.g., from the grid that is produced elsewhere and/or buildings that do not comply with such standards. While non-renewable energy may be consumed at certain times, this consumption may be substantially compensated by reduction in energy consumption at other instances. Criteria implemented e.g. by the European Union and US federal DOE is ZEB & nearly Zero Energy Building (nZEB)
  • US8046960 for example describes a window harvesting structure that includes within an internal air gap, an electrical generator for converting electromagnetic radiation to electricity.
  • the window includes reflective coatings for reflecting infrared radiation into the air gap and antireflective coatings that are configured to transmit visible light and infrared radiation into the air gap.
  • US9057535 describes solar energy converters for harvesting electricity, heat and lighting simultaneously.
  • the converters use slats to intercept sunlight, where slat surfaces in direct light path can be coated with photovoltaic (PV) material, or may be shaped to concentrate sunlight, allowing less PV material to capture reflected.
  • PV photovoltaic
  • US4137098 describes an energy absorbing venetian blind type device for generating electricity, providing heat, and serving as a sun shade.
  • a plurality of slats covered with an array of photovoltaic cells are enclosed between two panes of glass of a window housing.
  • a heat removal system using forced air cools the photovoltaic cells and collects heat for heating purposes elsewhere.
  • the electricity generated by the photovoltaic cells is collected for immediate use or stored in storage batteries for later use.
  • US20170012155 describes an apparatus for generating electricity from solar radiation.
  • the apparatus includes a photovoltaic mirror comprising a plurality of photovoltaic cells, the photovoltaic mirror configured to separate the solar spectrum, absorb a first portion of the solar spectrum, and concentrate a second portion of the solar spectrum at a focus.
  • the apparatus also includes an energy collector spaced from the photo-voltaic mirror and positioned at the focus, the energy collector configured for capturing the second portion of the solar spectrum.
  • a broad aspect applicable to at least certain embodiments of the invention may be defined as relating to a solar harvesting utility (SHU), for example, for harvesting of energy in form of electricity and/or heat; and/or to production of electrical and thermal power.
  • SHU solar harvesting utility
  • such harvesting of energy may be of energy within the electromagnetic spectrum, possibly energy having solar spectral irradiance components.
  • At least certain embodiments provide for solar energy harvesting in form of a‘dual’ (electrical and heat) energy generating utility.
  • SHU may take form of a module, device, and/or system.
  • At least certain SHU embodiments coming within the scope of some embodiments of the present invention may not necessarily be of a so-called‘dual’ harvesting function, but rather of a mainly‘single’ function, arranged for either electrical harvesting or heat harvesting.
  • An aspect applicable to at least certain ‘dual’ harvesting module embodiments may be defined in substantial separation between heat and electrical harvesting, so that e.g. relative high temperatures may be reached during heat harvesting while avoiding/limiting substantial harm to harvesting efficiency of electricity.
  • this may be embodied by locating main utilities for harvesting heat and electricity at different, preferably spaced apart, locations possibly within the harvesting module's outer housing/boundary.
  • one of the utilities for example that harvesting heat, may be located outside of the module in communication with the module.
  • a thermal solar collector (TSC) e.g. in a VTC formation may be located physically outside of the SHU's housing/boundary, such as within a building to which the SHU is fitted e.g. in a wall or a ceiling of such building.
  • At least certain SHU embodiments may include an at least partial outer glazed/glass wall that may serve as the utility’s outer or external wall (known also as a façade, screen, building envelop or the like).
  • the outer wall may be in form of a single glazing. Such glazing of the outer wall may render the outer wall as transparent to incoming solar energy
  • At least certain SHU embodiments may also include an inner wall or may be associated or fitted to an already existing wall structure that may be arranged to serve as an inner wall of the utility.
  • an already existing wall structure may be a wall of a building upon which an embodiment of a SHU of the invention may be placed and hence such building wall may be arranged to function/serve as a SHU inner wall.
  • Such use of a building’s wall as a SHU’s inner wall may be in order to retrofit an existing building to meet its energy needs, possibly complying with efficient energy consumption standards such as ZEB or the like.
  • An inner wall of at least certain SHU embodiments may be formed at least in part from thermally insulated material.
  • thermally insulated material may be defined as appropriate for building exterior walls or shells, with substantially good thermal insulation, that may be characterized as suitable for a "passive building" design and walls.
  • the inner wall may in addition or alternatively be at least partially glazed/glass-formed, possibly making it transparent to incoming solar energy. Possibly such glazed wall may be a double- glazing wall that serves as the inner wall of the utility.
  • a SHU embodiment with an inner glazed wall includes such glazed wall as an integral part of the SHU.
  • At least certain SHU embodiments may include an appropriate number of shelves, e.g. one and typically more, extending each between the inner and outer walls, possibly from adjacent the outer wall towards the inner wall.
  • shelves may be arranged generally closer to the SHU’s outer wall.
  • Such proximity to the outer wall may be defined by arranging the shelves within the SHU’s cavity, such that when tilted to a position generally orthogonal to the inner and/or outer walls– the outer edge of each shelf is located closely adjacent the SHU’s outer wall. This may increase harvesting efficiency of such SHU embodiments due to relative proximity of the shelves to the outer wall through which solar radiation is configured to enter the SHU module during use.
  • Each shelf may be defined as extending along a shelf axis between the inner and outer walls, where all shelf-axes at least in certain embodiments may be defined as generally parallel one to the other.
  • a solar harvesting utility may include at least some shelves that are arranged to extend along shelf-axes that may not necessarily be in parallel to shelf-axes of the remainder of the shelves within the SHU.
  • a SHU module may be divided into sub- divisions e.g. by forming groups of shelves within a module and arranging the SHU such that an angular orientation of each group of shelves may be independently controlled from other groups.
  • Such SHU arrangement may permit different portions within a SHU module to be tuned for different harvesting parameters/criteria. For example, while one or more groups of shelves (or module sub-divisions) may be tuned for harvesting of preferably electricity, one or more other groups of shelves (or module sub-divisions) may be tuned for harvesting of preferably heat.
  • Groups of shelves may be formed from a plurality of adjacent shelves or spaced apart shelves (i.e. not necessarily shelves located immediately adjacent a neighboring shelf).
  • providing such sub-division(s) within a SHU module may provide additional utility to the SHU, such as by permitting tilting of certain shelves within a module to an orientation that forms a less obstructed view out of a building (e.g. when such SHU modules are fitted to an outer façade of the building).
  • Shelves may be vertically stacked one above the other within an interior space or cavity of a SHU.
  • Such interior space may be defined by the inner and outer walls and a possible peripheral pane extending between the walls.
  • the peripheral pane may be formed from aluminum or any other building metal and/or any other conventionally used materials such as wood or the like. Such pane may be arranged in certain embodiments to include a reflecting member on its inner side facing into the SHU’s cavity in order to reflect inwards heat and/or solar radiation in order to increase overall harvesting efficiency. Such inward reflection of solar energy into the SHU’s cavity may be in order to capture direct, diffused or reflected radiation and/or in order to internally direct backwards radiation into the SHU’s cavity solar energy during certain times of the day, such as but not limited to during morning or evening hours.
  • a tilt angle of each shelf in relation to the inner and outer walls may be adjustable so that an angle of inclination of each shelf axis relative to the inner and/or outer walls may be altered.
  • vertical spacing’s between shelves may be tuned according to the e.g. location, latitude and/or geographic coordinate where the SHU is intended to be utilized for solar harvesting.
  • SHU modules prior to installment may be arranged to have e.g. appropriate spacing’s between the shelves according to the specifics of the location where they are intended to be installed/utilized.
  • Each shelf may be arranged in a general layered structure. Layers within a shelf may be arranged in the following exemplary order from top to bottom, where top refers to a general upward direction away from a ground face and/or towards the direction of incoming solar radiation.
  • an upper most top layer may take form of a filtering member, such as a dichroic beam splitter, a hot mirror (or the like); possibly serving as an irradiance spectrum splitter.
  • Beneath may be arranged an electrical harvesting (EH) layer for converting solar radiation into electricity, such as a photovoltaic (PV) layer.
  • Beneath the solar power layer may be located a structural member such as a plate-like structural layer having a reflecting member at a lower and downward facing side.
  • the structural member may take also form of a structural frame– for framing and/or supporting the layers of each shelf.
  • the structural member may be formed from thermal conductive material such as aluminum and may include or support a heat absorber (HAB) above the reflecting member and adjacent the electrical harvesting (EH) layer.
  • HAB heat absorber
  • Such heat absorber (HAB) in one example may be in form of fluid pipes for transferring heat away from the PV cells.
  • the heat absorber (HAB) may take other form, such as that of a heat-pipe combining principles of both thermal conductivity and phase transition to efficiently transfer heat away from the shelf as a whole and the electrical harvesting (EH) layer in particular.
  • an enclosure within a shelf such as that suitable for housing an HAB - may remain substantially empty (e.g. not include a HAB dedicated structure therein) in order to form a passage for promoting free convection by air present in this space for transferring heat away from the electrical harvesting (EH) layer.
  • the filtering member at the top side of each shelf is arranged to reduce heat at the electrical harvesting (EH) layer (e.g. PV cells) and consequently reduce heat within the shelf - by limiting absorption of radiation that does not substantially contribute to harvesting of heat and/or electricity.
  • EH electrical harvesting
  • filter member inter alia, assists in tuning SHU embodiments of the invention for optimal harvesting conditions.
  • the electrical harvesting (EH) layer in form of a photovoltaic (PV) layer may be internally cooled by heat transfer via thermal conductive material of the structural member (e.g. aluminum material) to the HAB of the shelf. Such removal of heat away from the PV layers may assist in increasing thermal and electrical efficiency of the PV layers.
  • the heat removed from the electrical harvesting (EH) layer in some cases may thus be harvested as heat that contributes to overall heat that may be harvested by at least certain SHU embodiments.
  • the reflecting member at the lower side of the structural member may take form of a mirror-like or specular reflection member arranged to further reflect solar radiation so that the reflected radiation preserves many or most of the characteristics of the original radiation.
  • a reflecting member located at a lower side of a given shelf may be arranged to reflect, inter alia, wave lengths reflected upwards off a filtering member of a lower shelf that is located beneath it– so that at least some of such reflected radiation may be communicated onwards, inter alia, towards the SHU’s thermal solar collector (TSC).
  • TSC thermal solar collector
  • Such a reflecting member located at a lower side of a given shelf may also be configured to reflect direct, diffused and/or reflected solar - radiation, possibly also onwards towards the EH layer and/or directly towards the TSC.
  • a thermal solar collector (TSC) may take form of a heat absorber such as that combining principles of both thermal conductivity and phase transition to efficiently transfer heat.
  • TSC thermal solar collector
  • TC transpired collector
  • VTC vacuum tube collector
  • CPC compound parabolic reflector
  • trough type solar thermal collector such as the Winston trough collector (or the like).
  • At least some of the solar radiation entering a solar harvesting utility (SHU) - may directly reach the thermal solar collector (TSC) e.g. without being first reflected off any surfaces on the way such as filtering member(s) and/or reflecting member(s) within the SHU.
  • TSC thermal solar collector
  • at least some of the light entering a solar harvesting utility (SHU)– may directly hit/meet reflecting member(s), for example– scattered solar radiation, and from there be reflected onwards, possibly directly, towards the filtering member and/or thermal energy collector (TSC).
  • At least certain SHU embodiments may include a thermal solar collector (TSC) within the interior space or cavity of the utility for converting solar radiation to thermal energy entering the utility and/or reflected off shelves or other structures of the utility.
  • TSC thermal solar collector
  • the thermal solar collector (TSC) may be located between the inner wall and the shelves of the utility.
  • the filtering member located above each shelf may be arranged to filter solar energy arriving at the shelf.
  • Such filtering of wave length spectral bands may be defined in at least certain embodiments according to the type of electrical harvesting (EH) layer located beneath the filtering member and configured to harvest solar energy penetrating into the shelf.
  • the filtering member may be tuned to permit given wave length(s) spectrum(spectra) to pass therethrough and reach the electrical harvesting (EH) layer, where said given wave length(s) spectrum(spectra) generally correlate and/or overlap to the absorption spectrum(spectra) and/or reception spectrum(spectra) of the electrical harvesting (EH) layer.
  • the PV efficiency is relatively high in that it converts radiation over a relative wide range of wavelengths to electricity– necessity of the filtering member may not be required thus forming an embodiment absent of a filtering member above the EH layer.
  • the EH layer comprises Triple and/or four Junction PV Cells capable of converting sun radiation from about 300 nm to about 2000nm to electrical power.
  • the filtering member located above each shelf may be arranged to split solar energy arriving at the shelf into several wave- length spectra.
  • the filtering member may be configured such that one wave length spectrum, e.g. between about 0.55 ⁇ m and about 1.05 ⁇ m, can pass through the filtering member (i.e. be transmitted through) to create electrical energy at the electrical harvesting (EH) layer, while other(s) wave length spectrum, e.g. between about 0.3 ⁇ m and about 0.55 ⁇ m and/or between about 1.1 ⁇ m and about 2.5 ⁇ m, are/is reflected away from the shelf by the filtering member.
  • one wave length spectrum e.g. between about 0.55 ⁇ m and about 1.05 ⁇ m
  • other(s) wave length spectrum e.g. between about 0.3 ⁇ m and about 0.55 ⁇ m and/or between about 1.1 ⁇ m and about 2.5 ⁇ m
  • Wave length spectrum(spectra) reflected away from the shelf may then be harvested at least partially by the thermal solar collector (TSC) as heat. Reflection of wave length spectra away from the shelves by the filtering members results in such wave-lengths substantially not arriving at the PV cells. Avoidance of such wave-lengths may assist in reducing heat buildup at the PV cells, where such heat build-up if present may increase likelihood to harm in efficiency of electrical conversion at the PV cells and/or reduce the service life and/or reliability of the PV cells.
  • TSC thermal solar collector
  • the thermal solar collector may take various forms such as a hollow void through which air can be urged (e.g. via bellows) to flow in order to transfer heat absorbed at the TSC for further use e.g. in a building to which a SHU based system is fitted.
  • the TSC may take form of a like- tubing-grid (or coil) heat exchanger, or a heat-pipe combining principles of both thermal conductivity and phase transition to efficiently harvest and transfer heat absorbed by the TSC for further use.
  • harvested heat by heat absorbers (HABs) at the shelves of a SHU embodiment - can be merged/collocated/combined with heat harvested by the thermal solar collector (TSC) at the SHU - so that substantially all heat harvested in the SHU can be combined together out of the SHU for further use e.g. in HVAC applications (heating, ventilation, air conditioning, air dehumidifying) within a building and /or Sanitary water or such (and the like).
  • HVAC thermal solar collector
  • Certain SHU embodiments may take form of modular components that may be combined to form large dual/hybrid solar system / array of harvesting structures/panes, such as harvesting facades upon outer exteriors of buildings.
  • At least certain SHU embodiments may be incorporated into a construction of new buildings (e.g. high-rise office, public, commercial, or residential buildings) and/or may be fitted to existing buildings to retrofit such buildings with solar harvesting utility.
  • new buildings e.g. high-rise office, public, commercial, or residential buildings
  • existing buildings e.g. high-rise office, public, commercial, or residential buildings
  • At least certain SHU embodiments may be addressed as relating to technologies referred to as Building-integrated photovoltaics (BIPV) or building- integrated photovoltaic and thermal (BIPVT) and/or may be fitted to be part of a building (e.g., high-rise office building) envelope such as preferably a façade of a building.
  • BIPV Building-integrated photovoltaics
  • BIPVT building- integrated photovoltaic and thermal
  • At least certain SHU embodiments may be arranged to be pre-fabricated/pre-assembled off-site and possibly tested and/or made ready for installation off-site - and then later transported to a building site for installation to the building and by that minimizing need to use of peripheral construction service area. Installation to buildings may be by means of crane or the like.
  • SHU embodiments may possibly be fitted in an upright vertical manner e.g. to a building so that e.g. the inner and/or outer walls of the SHU extend generally upright in relation to a ground face.
  • SHU embodiments may also be fitted in other orientations such as to follow an outer inclined contour of e.g. a building facade or roof– resulting in the inner and/or outer walls of the SHU being inclined to a ground face.
  • SHU modules and/or SHU system on building facades for increased solar harvesting may generally be arranged to face azimuth wise towards the earth’s equator, for example generally south if located in northern hemisphere. Nonetheless, other directions may also be suitable for overall energy harvesting, such as the east and/or west directions.
  • At least certain TSC embodiments within the SHU embodiment may be designed to work in combination with other solar irradiance collectors such as, but not limited to, transpired collectors, vacuum tube collector, a flat plate collector, a parabolic trough type solar thermal collector such as the Winston trough collector (or the like).
  • other solar irradiance collectors such as, but not limited to, transpired collectors, vacuum tube collector, a flat plate collector, a parabolic trough type solar thermal collector such as the Winston trough collector (or the like).
  • Certain SHU embodiments may be arranged with North-South tracking for improved / optimal performance.
  • PV panels incorporated within shelves of a SHU may be based on organic or inorganic materials such as: monocrystalline/polycrystalline/amorphous silicon type materials, Gallium arsenide, perovskite (or the like).
  • At least one of the inner and/or outer wall(s) of a SHU may be movable after deployment of the SHU in a working condition– so that an interior-space/cavity of the SHU can be accessible for maintenance.
  • an inner wall of a SHU can be removed/moved after deployment in a working condition - so that the interior of the SHU can be accessible e.g. from within a building upon which the SHU is fitted.
  • a solar energy harvesting utility (SHU) of a ‘dual’ harvesting functionality may at times be arranged to preferably harvest substantially one of the energies of heat or electricity, such as maximum available electricity and residual heat, or maximum available heat and residual electricity, or any other combination between heat and electricity.
  • This may be accomplished in one non- binding example by rotating the shelves and consequently their filtering members AOI (angle of incidence) to face direction of solar radiation or by rotating the shelves to be in parallel to sun angle of inclination and by that permit solar radiation to reach TCS directly with substantially full solar spectra. Any other tilt angle of shelves that will allow different combination may also be applicable.
  • a SHU embodiment may be arranged to be substantially devoid of elements blocking portions of incoming solar radiation from reaching an interior of a building fitted with the SHU.
  • Such elements blocking light may e.g. include the thermal solar collector (TSC) 18 located at a rear part of the SHU and possibly adjacent a window of a building.
  • TSC thermal solar collector
  • SHU may be arranged e.g. with a TSC that may permit at least some wave lengths to pass therethrough– consequently reducing such TSC’s thermal efficiency.
  • increase in incoming natural light may be by reducing the TSC’s internal foot print and abstraction by e.g. increasing spacing’s between elements (such as between pipes e.g. in a VTC formation) which consequently may result in reduction in heat harvesting ability of the TSC and consequently of such SHU.
  • Such increase of incoming natural light may be provided in a TSC of e.g. a transpired collector (TC) type - by e.g. making such TC from materials that are more transparent to incoming light.
  • TC transpired collector
  • FIGs. 1A and 1B schematically show, in Fig. 1A a building with embodiments of solar harvesting utilities (SHU’s) incorporated into its structure during construction; and in Fig. 1B a building retrofitted with embodiments of solar harvesting utilities (SHU’s);
  • Figs. 2A and 2B schematically show a perspective front view and a side views, respectively, of an embodiment of a solar harvesting utility (SHU) of the invention
  • FIG. 3 schematically shows a perspective rear view of an embodiment of a solar harvesting utility (SHU) of the invention with a rear wall of the SHU in an open state;
  • SHU solar harvesting utility
  • FIGS. 4A, 4B and 4C schematically show perspective top and bottom views and an exploded view, respectively, of an embodiment of a shelf suitable for use in various SHU embodiments;
  • FIGS. 5A and 5B show schematic cross sectional side views of a SHU embodiment illustrating interaction of rays of solar radiation with two embodiments of a solar harvesting utility of the invention;
  • Fig. 6 shows a block diagram exemplifying a system in accordance with an aspect of the present invention
  • FIGs. 7A and 7B schematically show front view of various solar harvesting utility (SHU) embodiments
  • Fig. 8 schematically shows an embodiment of several solar harvesting utility (SHU) modules mounted together to form an embodiment of a glazed wall or screen;
  • SHU solar harvesting utility
  • Figs. 9A and 9B schematically shows upper and lower portions of an embodiment of several solar harvesting utility (SHU) modules mounted together to form an embodiment of a glazed wall or screen, and
  • SHU solar harvesting utility
  • FIGs. 10A to 10C and 11 schematically show a test conducted using three test modules to examine efficiency of a SHU according to an embodiment of the present invention
  • FIGs. 1A and 1B illustrating a building 10 with embodiments of solar harvesting utilities (SHU’s) 12 according to the present invention.
  • SHU’s of at least certain embodiments of the invention may be incorporated into a building during its construction as possibly illustrated in Fig. 1A and/or may be used to retrofit an already existing building as seen in the illustration of Fig. 1B.
  • SHU’s of various embodiments of the invention may preferably be fitted to a side, here a façade of a building, that is generally exposed to solar radiation, e.g. a generally south facing façade in a building located in the northern hemisphere.
  • SHU modules fitted to such a façade and/or outer side of a building may be considered as forming a system and/or array of modular segments (see, e.g., also Fig. 8).
  • Such system and/or array may be formed from SHU modules being arranged one immediately adjacent the other to form a substantial continuous formation as illustrated, and/or at least some of the SHU modules may be arranged spaced apart one from the other (not shown).
  • the SHU's are illustrated arranged along two facades of a building, covering and overlaying here possible openings 13 in form of windows in the facades of the building.
  • windows 13 may not be required as independent components that are overlaid, but rather the SHU’s themselves may function, inter alia, as screen, façade and/or windows of the building as seen in the example of Fig. 1A.
  • the SHU’s are here also illustrated as generally transparent units permitting an at least partial non-obstructed view out of the building.
  • Fig. 1B illustrates SHU embodiments being fitted to a building to retrofit the building for solar harvesting utilities and possibly overlaying already existing openings such as windows 13 of the building.
  • SHU solar harvesting utilities
  • an embodiment of a harvesting system of the invention may be formed by SHU embodiments fitted in a modular arrangement/configuration one substantially adjacent the other along an outer face of a building, as e.g. illustrated in Fig. 1A or 8.
  • SHU modules may form a so-called glazed wall/screen generally facing a direction of expected incoming solar radiation, such as facing (when in the northern hemisphere) generally south and/or generally east or west (acc. to architectural/designer considerations).
  • the harvesting modules may be arranged to interface one with the other such that air and/or liquid passages in adjacent neighboring modules may be combined/linked to form continuous flow paths through and/or along at least portions of the system.
  • air and/or liquid within the flow paths in at least certain harvesting system embodiments may be urged to flow.
  • the urging of flow may be via means such as a blower/pump located in a certain area in or in association with the system, such as at or adjacent a roof of a building and/or in between floor sections of a building (see, e.g., Figs.9).
  • FIG. 2A and 2B an embodiment of a solar harvesting utility (SHU) 12 can be seen, respectively, in a perspective front view and a cross sectional side view.
  • An outer housing of SHU 12 is here seen including outer front and inner rear walls 161, 162 defining in part an interior space/cavity of the SHU and a plurality of vertically stacked shelves 14 located one above the other and spaced apart one from the other within the cavity.
  • SHU 12 here further includes a thermal solar collector (TSC) 18 located in-between rear wall 162 and the shelves 14, so that each shelf may be defined as extending along a respective shelf axis S in a forward direction from TSC 18 towards front wall 161, where all axes S may be generally parallel to each other.
  • TSC thermal solar collector
  • one of the utilities may be located outside of the SHU module in communication with the module.
  • a thermal solar collector e.g. in a VTC formation may be located physically outside of the SHU's housing/boundary, such as within a building to which the SHU is fitted e.g. in a wall or a ceiling of such building.
  • Each shelf may be adapted to rotate about a pivot 17 defining an axis of rotation P extending generally parallel to the inner and/or outer walls.
  • the pivots 17 in a side view may be seen arranged one above the other along an axis/plane X extending generally parallel to the inner and/or outer walls.
  • Imaginary mid-points 71 (here two being indicated) are defined being located mid-way between adjacent shelfs along axis/plane X, and a spacing‘C’ defined between each pair of adjacent mid-points 71 is also equal to a spacing between the pivots 17 of adjacent shelves.
  • each shelf is defined having an extension‘L’ along its axis S.
  • spacing‘C’ and extension‘L’ may be arranged to satisfy a relation of‘L’ being equal to or smaller than‘C’ - so that the shelves may be rotated to substantially extend each along axis X, while the filtering members of the shelves face towards the outer wall and out of the SHU.
  • ‘L’ is substantially equal to‘C’
  • the shelves when pivoted to generally extend along axis X, form a generally continuous and non-interrupted wall/barrier.
  • FIG. 3 illustrating a perspective rear view of an embodiment of a solar harvesting utility (SHU) 12 exemplifying an option of opening of the SHU here by pivoting the rear wall 162– in order to form an opening for possible accessible for maintenance of the SHU.
  • the thermal energy solar (TSC) 18 of the SHU is seen optionally fitted for movement together with rear wall 162.
  • the solar harvesting utility (SHU) 12 may additionally include in the illustrated example an adjustment mechanism 19 for adjusting an angle of tilt of all the shelves so that inclination of each shelf along its axial extension towards the front wall may be adjusted/altered, by urging the shelves to pivot about their pivots 17.
  • the solar harvesting utility (SHU) embodiment seen in Fig. 3 includes a thermal solar collector (TSC) of a vacuum tube collector (VTC) type. Therefore, this SHU embodiment may be configured to include, inter alia, a manifold arrangement 29 for communicating fluid(s) flowing within the TSC/VTC and additional fluids possibly flowing within the SHU, such as from heat absorbers located within shelves of the SHU module. In addition, manifold arrangement 29 may also provide fluid collection /integration between adjacent SHU modules.
  • Manifold 291 in this example communicates with the heat-pipes of TSC 18 and is arranged to provide a fluid path for liquid flowing passed the heat-pipes and heated by the heat-pipes.
  • Manifold 292 located at the near side of Fig. 3 may be arranged to receive the heated liquid from manifold 291 and communicate this heated liquid onwards downstream possibly together with heated liquid arriving from adjacent SHU’s.
  • Such downstream collection of fluids may be via an exit 11 of the SHU that communicates fluid towards a SHU (not shown) that is located above the illustrated SHU to form a cascade-like fluid path through adjacent SHU modules.
  • a SHU (not shown) that is located above the illustrated SHU to form a cascade-like fluid path through adjacent SHU modules.
  • the modules 12 within screen 120 may be arranged in fluid communication with each other, e.g. to provide downstream flow of fluids such as harvested heated liquids. Collection of fluids within screen 120 may also be of e.g. air flowing through the modules, including incoming passages/entries for fresh air into nodules of the screen.
  • FIGs. 9A and 9B an embodiment of a harvesting screen wall 1200 generally similar to that in Fig. 8 is illustrated.
  • Screen wall 1200 in this example is shown including possible ingress and egress portions 2000, 3000 at possible relative lower and upper sides of the screen wall, respectively.
  • Ingress portion 2000 may include possible openings 2001 for ventilating air into the SHU modules of the screen wall and an incoming conduit 2002 for providing modules within the screen wall with incoming relative cool liquid flow.
  • An inlet 2003 may also be present for returning air circulating within the dwelling through the screen wall.
  • Egress portion 3000 may be arranged to include outlets 3001 for heated air harvested within the screen wall to be drawn out, possibly by blowers or the like.
  • Egress portion 3000 may further include an outgoing conduit 3002 for drawing heated liquid harvested within modules of the screen wall, out of it.
  • Ingress portion 2000 may be arranged to be located at a relative lower side of the screen, possible adjacent a ground floor of a building fitted with the screen wall or adjacent a lobby area of the building (or the like).
  • Egress portion 3000 may be arranged to be located at a relative upper side of the screen wall, possible adjacent a roof of a building fitted with the screen wall or adjacent a ceiling of a floor within the building.
  • Liquid exiting via outgoing conduit 3002 may be used downstream for internal heating of a dwelling and/or may be communicated to heat storage e.g. at locations above and/or below the dwelling, in order to support HVAC utilities of the dwelling.
  • manifold 292 as illustrated may also be arranged to receive heated liquid from additional sources, such as heated liquid from heat absorbers within shelves of the SHU, such as the HAB’s 28 discussed herein.
  • Manifold arrangement 29 may also include additional manifolds, such as a manifold 293 possibly here located at the far side of the figure and arranged to introduce relative cool liquid into manifold 291 and the shelves, which is then heated accordingly by the heat-pipes and HABs respectively, as discussed.
  • Harvested heat in form of heated liquid collected by manifolds such as those in manifold arrangement 29, may be communicated downstream for possible further use e.g. in heating and/or other applications e.g.
  • FIG.4A to 4C illustrating an embodiment of a shelf 14 possible used in at least certain SHU embodiments of the invention.
  • Layers within a shelf may be arranged in the following exemplary order from top to bottom, where top refers to a general upward direction away from a ground face and bottom generally towards the ground face.
  • an upper most top layer may take form of a filtering member 20 possibly serving as an irradiance spectrum splitter.
  • Filter member 20 may be arranged in various embodiments as a color filter for selectively passing light of a small range of colors while reflecting other colors.
  • filtering member 20 may be chosen to be a dichroic beam splitter.
  • such dichroic beam splitter filtering member 20 may be deposited as a coating on a substrate such as glass (e.g. the Borofloat tradename glass of SCHOTT North America, Inc) or foil (e.g. a thin multi-layer polymer foil) (or the like).
  • a substrate such as glass (e.g. the Borofloat tradename glass of SCHOTT North America, Inc) or foil (e.g. a thin multi-layer polymer foil) (or the like).
  • such dichroic beam splitter filtering member 20 may be deposited as a coating directly onto an electrical harvesting (EH) layer 22 (e.g. PV’s) located beneath it in a shelf.
  • EH electrical harvesting
  • a spectral response of such a possible dichroic beam splitter may be adjusted (in a limited manner) according to design considerations such as preference of power outputs - electric Vs thermal and/or different climate zones.
  • Beneath may be arranged an electrical harvesting (EH) layer 22 including in certain embodiments solar cells such as those of SunPower Corporation (or the like). Beneath layer 22 may be located a structural member 24 having a reflecting member 26 at a lower and downward facing side. Reflecting member 26 may be made of any front surface reflecting foil.
  • EH electrical harvesting
  • the structural member may be formed from thermal conductive material such as aluminum and may include or support a heat absorber (HAB) 28 above the reflecting member and adjacent the electrical harvesting (EH) layer.
  • HAB heat absorber
  • Such heat absorber (HAB) in one example may be in form of fluid/liquid pipes for transferring heat away from the electrical harvesting (EH) layer.
  • the heat absorber (HAB) may take form of a heat-pipe combining principles of both thermal conductivity and phase transition to efficiently transfer heat away from the EH layer.
  • an enclosure 281 within a shelf, such as that suitable for housing an HAB 28 (see indicated in Fig. 4C) - may remain substantially empty (e.g. not include a piping type HAB 28 therein) in order to form a passage for promoting free convection by air present in this space for transferring heat away from the electrical harvesting (EH) layer.
  • Fig. 4B and 4C - reflecting member 26 is shown not extending along the full lower extension of the shelf for illustrative purposes to reveal the heat absorber (HAB) 28, which would otherwise be concealed from beneath.
  • HAB heat absorber
  • the electrical harvesting (EH) layer 22 in a photovoltaic (PV) layer formation, at possible p-n junctions within the layer may be cooled by heat transfer via thermal conductive material of the structural member 24 to the HAB 28 of the shelf.
  • thermal conductive material may comprise the material of the structural member (e.g. aluminum material) and possible thermal conductive gap filler pads (e.g. TCGF pad) located in between the EH layer and the HAB. Removal of heat away from the PV layers may assist in increasing thermal and electrical efficiency of the PV layers.
  • the heat absorbers (HAB’s) located in the shelves may be optional in certain embodiments.
  • the reflecting member 26 at the lower side of structural member 24 may take form of a mirror-like or specular reflection member arranged to reflect light so that the reflected light preserves many or most of the characteristics of the original light.
  • At least some of the Solar radiation entering a solar harvesting utility (SHU) - may directly reach the thermal solar collector (TSC) e.g. without being first reflected off any surfaces on the way such as filtering member(s) and/or reflecting member(s) within the SHU. In such case the TSC may be more efficient in heat producing due to its exposure to the full sun spectral radiation.
  • at least some of the light entering a solar harvesting utility (SHU)– may directly hit/meet reflecting member(s) and from there be reflected onwards, possibly directly, towards the thermal solar collector (TSC).
  • FIG. 5A illustrating interaction of rays of solar radiation with an embodiment of a solar harvesting utility (SHU) 12 of the invention.
  • SHU solar harvesting utility
  • the two exemplary rays of solar radiation illustrated in this figure– represent upper-most and lower-most rays of direct sun radiation 101, 102 that in the illustrated SHU configuration and solar altitude and/or trajectory of the sun 1 can enter the SHU between these two shelves and reach the lower shelf 142.
  • Ray 101 along its dashed-lined path enters the SHU via the front wall 161 until at least part of this ray is reflected off a relative rear part of the lower shelf 142 by the filtering member 20 of this shelf.
  • ray 101 along the dashed- line represents a relative full spectrum of electromagnetic radiation
  • along the dotted-line it represents a partial spectrum of e.g. substantially IR + UV wave lengths that are reflected off the lower shelf 142 by the filtering member 20.
  • Parts of the electromagnetic radiation of ray 101 that enter the lower shelf 142 are harvested by the PV layer in this shelf for production of electrical energy and by the heat absorber (HAB) 28 for heat.
  • the dotted-lined part of ray 101 reflected off lower shelf 142 can be harvested for heat by the thermal solar collector (TSC) 18.
  • the dotted-lined part of ray 102 reflected off lower shelf 142 extends upwards until meeting reflecting member 26 located on the lower side of shelf 141, which reflects ray 102 back down towards the thermal solar collector (TSC) 18 where most of this energy is absorbed and harvested for heat.
  • TSC thermal solar collector
  • Figs. 5A and 5B are illustrated also diffused rays of radiation 55 randomly entering at various incoming angles into the SHU(s), to be harvested for electrical and heat energy in a similar manner to rays 101, 102.
  • Fig. 5B illustrates a SHU embodiment generally similar to that in Fig. 5A, however here fitted to include a thermal solar collector (TSC) 118 of a transpired collector (TC) type, which is arranged to heat air flowing therethrough.
  • the transpired collector (TC) 118 is here illustrated in form of an aperture partition possibly formed from blackened, perforated aluminum sheet.
  • TC 118 may be spaced from a rear wall 162 of the SHU and air (see dashed arrows 88) within the cavity of the SHU may be arranged to be sucked via TC 118 towards the spacing formed between TC 118 and rear wall 162.
  • the SHU embodiment of Fig. 5B may include ventilation entries for inputting fresh air into each module or at least certain modules.
  • a lower most SHU module may receive air from a lower part of a building upon which it is fitted, such as from a lobby of a building (or the like).
  • the spacing between partition TC 118 and rear wall 162 may act as a passageway for communicating air heated, in this example upwards, by means of bellows or the like (not shown).
  • This heated air may be used for HVAC purposes (e.g. for heating and/or air conditioning a building or the like) and/or for incoming fresh air de-humidifying, ventilation and/or air circulation purposes.
  • the TC’s partition may be made from at least partial transparent material for permitting solar radiation to pass e.g. entering a building fitted with such SHU.
  • FIG. 6 illustrating an aspect of the present invention, embodied by a system 500 for controlling tuning, optimizing and/or determining harvesting.
  • system 500 may be of various harvesting utility types, such as also those of the solar harvesting utility (SHU) embodiments discussed herein. Nevertheless, principles going along with system 500 may be applied also to harvesting utilities other than the embodiments discussed herein.
  • SHU solar harvesting utility
  • System 500 includes two main“harvesting” utility blocks, one for harvesting“heat” 501 and the other for harvesting“electricity” 502. These harvesting utilities may be arranged to function in parallel to each other possibly with mutual links and/or affinities therebetween.
  • Each harvesting utility may be tuned and/or controlled for its respective outputted contribution to a“client” 503 such as a building.
  • Optional control of such outputted contribution in one non-binding example may be embodied by e.g. altering angular orientation of shelves within a SHU in order to increase or decrease harvesting of electricity and/or heat.
  • Such management and control of balance between harvesting of energies of heat and electricity may be executed by linking a controller (or controllers) of an energy harvesting utility (or utilities), via communication channels (and the like) with a controller (or controllers) of utilities consuming/receiving the harvested energy, such as building(s), smart grid system(s) (or the like).
  • the amount of heat and/or electricity being harvested may be affected/tuned/controlled/determined by a controller 504 of or in association with system 500– in some cases by an algorithm executed by such controller.
  • Input parameters affecting harvesting within system 500 may include: energy demand in e.g. a client fitted or feeding-off the harvesting utilities 501, 502, and/or other considerations/criteria, such as regulatory aspects, dynamic incentives, peripheral demands of e.g. additional infrastructures feeding off the harvested energy (or the like), weather information and predictions, weather statistics, real time solar radiation parameters and characterization (and the like).
  • Such inputted parameters may be communicated to the controller for affecting harvesting parameters. This is exemplified in Fig.6 by the‘dotted arrowed’ line leading back from the client to the controller.
  • the controller may in addition or alternatively receive other inputs, such as from sensors measuring actual harvesting within the SHU(s) to determine changes/control to harvesting parameters, as exemplified by the‘dashed arrowed’ line in Fig. 6. Additional parameters that may be accessible to such control of the system may include accumulated use of energy in form of heat and/or electricity at the building, that may affect increase or decrease in harvesting e.g. in order to fill or lower additional energy within a storage 504, respectively.
  • a controller of the system may interface with a smart grid for determining harvesting parameters and/or management of energy.
  • a controller of such system may activate motors, electromagnets, switches and/or valves for controlling communication of harvested electrical and/or heat energy, respectively, within system 500.
  • Controller 504 may be utilized for receiving from harvesting utilities optimal outputted energy, such as maximal heat energy and residual electricity or; or maximal electrical energy and residual heat and other combinations. Such optimal outputted energies received by controller 504 may associated to "available” outputted energies where such "availability” may relate to respective energy outputs that can be created/harvested in view of considerations such as “available” solar radiation, weather (etc.)
  • a controller may fuse said sensed data and information and capability to control harvested energy as explained earlier in order to optimize total system performance as well as allowing visibility and understanding of building compliance with ZEB requirements.
  • harvesting solar radiation in form of electricity and/or heat may be regulated by controlling any one of the following: angular orientation / tilt of one or more shelves of a given SHU module possibly independent of other shelves in the given module; angular orientation / tilt of all shelves of a SHU module so that possibly all shelves are tilted in a generally similar angle; and/or angular orientation / tilt of all shelves of several SHU modules so that all shelves of such an array of SHU modules possibly have generally similar angles of tile.
  • Such regulation of harvesting of solar radiation in form of electricity and/or heat may be controlled by tracking the location of the sun in order to maximize solar radiation entering a SHU module to be harvested therein.
  • one or more SHU modules within an array of modules may be tuned for optimal harvesting of electricity while one or more other SHU modules within the array may be tuned for optimal harvesting of heat.
  • one or more SHU modules or an array of such modules may be configured to interface with an exterior main-controller e.g. of an infrastructure such as a building where such module(s) / array are fitted and/or designed to provide their harvested energies.
  • an exterior main-controller e.g. of an infrastructure such as a building where such module(s) / array are fitted and/or designed to provide their harvested energies.
  • Such exterior main-controller may be of, or associated with, a system/device handling harvesting e.g. of such infrastructure, possibly configured to collect harvesting details and/or perform computations relating to harvesting, such as optimizations (or the like).
  • Such interface may be embodied by provision of data interfaces for communicating to the main-controller sensed data/information (possibly from sensors located within SHU modules) such as: hydraulic details (e.g. pressures and flow rates), thermal details (e.g. temperature and heat rates), electrical details (e.g. of electrical current and voltage), angular orientation / tilt of shelves within the modules(s) / array (and the like).
  • data interfaces for communicating to the main-controller sensed data/information (possibly from sensors located within SHU modules) such as: hydraulic details (e.g. pressures and flow rates), thermal details (e.g. temperature and heat rates), electrical details (e.g. of electrical current and voltage), angular orientation / tilt of shelves within the modules(s) / array (and the like).
  • suitable control of SHU modules may be attempted in order to meet the client's energy preferences/needs.
  • FIG. 7A and 7B illustrating various SHU module embodiments, where each SHU module is arranged to include groups of shelves that can be tilted independently from other groups within the same module.
  • each SHU module is shown including three groups, where each group includes a few (here six) adjacent shelves.
  • a first one of the groups of shelves is marked by ‘continuous-lines’, a second one by‘dotted-lines’ and a third by‘dashed-lines’.
  • the groups of shelves are seen chosen not necessarily adjacent each other.
  • Provision of such groups of shelves within a SHU module may be utilized to create sub-divisions within a SHU module.
  • Such sub-divisions may be useful in introducing a so-called flexibility into a SHU module by permitting regions within a module to be tuned for specific harvesting. For example, certain groups within a module may be tilted to increase/decrease harvesting of electricity and/or heat.
  • FIGs. 10A to 10C schematically illustrating a comparison test performed to assess harvesting efficiency of different elements of a SHU according to various embodiments of the present invention, such as that shown in Figs.2A and 2B.
  • the test was conducted in order to examine efficiency of a SHU according to an embodiment of the present invention, by comparing the energy (electric and thermal) harvested/produced in three test modules having an equal frontal sized transparent vertical aperture of 850x450mm.
  • Fig. 10A shows a cross sectional view of a solar harvesting utility (SHU) 12 according to various embodiments of the present invention that includes an outer housing enclosing two active shelves 14 and one upper most shelf not effective in this case for harvesting solar radiation since it is substantially not exposed to incoming radiation.
  • the SHU also includes a thermal solar collector (TSC) 18.
  • TSC thermal solar collector
  • the SHU at its front side includes a front glass wall 161 through which incoming solar radiation arrives.
  • Fig. 10B illustrates a similar sized housing as in Fig. 10A, however here including electrical harvesting (EH) layer 22 with PV cells similar to those in the shelves of the SHU of Fig. 10A.
  • EH electrical harvesting
  • Fig. 10C illustrates a similar sized housing as in Figs. 10A and 10B, here enclosing a thermal solar collector (TSC) 18 located adjacent an inner side of the glass wall 161 to face incoming solar radiation.
  • TSC thermal solar collector
  • At least certain solar harvesting utilities (SHU’s) described herein such as those shown in Figs. 2 and 3 can be accommodated/adapted into a Double-Skin Façade (DSF) construction (building envelop), as wall mounted together with modules.
  • DSF Double-Skin Façade
  • modules Such an arrangement may be generally shown in Fig. 8 and 9.
  • each one of the modules may possibly be, as an example, with dimensions (not limited to) of more than 3m height by 2m width.
  • the sidewalls (East/West sides) of a module construction frame may block part of the sun irradiance at before-noon and after-noon times, which may affect the irradiance way by casting shadows on the SHU panels (shelves). In some cases, partial shading may affect and reduce the generation of electric power from the PV and thermal energy from the thermal collector, mostly, but not only, at morning and evening hours.
  • Different methods/solutions can be applied in the PV system design to reduce such shading losses. These may include one or more of the following, in regard to electric power outputs: a) the use of one row PV cells, with the size that cover the width/depth of a shelf (e.g 155X155mm or so), b) different stringing arrangements that electrically connect group of shelves (one above the others) in series or in parallel, c) different combination of PV cell dimensions and different appropriate stringing arrangements, in each one of the shelves or in group connected shelves, d) utilizing bypass diodes devices when needed, e) use of module level power electronics (MLPEs) as DC optimizers and/or microinverters.
  • MLPEs module level power electronics
  • thermal energy outputs may be also affected by the module sidewall shadow, casted on the module shelves.
  • the filtering member located above the electrical harvesting (EH) layer reflects the long wave irradiance (IR) toward the heat absorber, but because of the side-rays trajectory, part of it hits the opposite side wall (West side for before-noon rays and vice versa), without instantaneous reaching the heat absorber.
  • the interior of these sidewalls of the module frame may be covered by: a) reflecting mirror, designed/adjusted to reflect most of the rays toward the heat absorber or, b) size-adjusted heat collector, which is part of the main heat absorber or connected to it.
  • each of the verbs, “comprise”“include” and“have”, and conjugates thereof, are used to indicate that the object or objects of the verb are not necessarily a complete listing of members, components, elements or parts of the subject or subjects of the verb.

Landscapes

  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Architecture (AREA)
  • Civil Engineering (AREA)
  • Structural Engineering (AREA)
  • Photovoltaic Devices (AREA)

Abstract

L'invention concerne un utilitaire de collecte solaire (SHU) qui comprend un boîtier définissant des côtés interne et externe et une pluralité d'étagères empilées les unes au-dessus des autres. Chaque étagère s'étend entre les côtés interne et externe, et les étagères comprennent une couche de collecte électrique (EH) et un élément de filtrage qui est situé au-dessus de la couche de collecte électrique (EH). Chaque étagère peut en outre comprendre un miroir de déviation situé au-dessous de la couche de collecte électrique (EH) et le SHU peut comprendre en outre un collecteur solaire thermique (TSC) pour collecter un rayonnement solaire externe.
PCT/IB2020/050316 2019-02-06 2020-01-15 Système et/ou module utilitaire de collecte solaire WO2020161548A2 (fr)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US201962801682P 2019-02-06 2019-02-06
US62/801,682 2019-02-06

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
WO2020161548A2 true WO2020161548A2 (fr) 2020-08-13
WO2020161548A3 WO2020161548A3 (fr) 2020-10-22

Family

ID=71947581

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
PCT/IB2020/050316 WO2020161548A2 (fr) 2019-02-06 2020-01-15 Système et/ou module utilitaire de collecte solaire

Country Status (1)

Country Link
WO (1) WO2020161548A2 (fr)

Family Cites Families (9)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US4265222A (en) * 1978-08-14 1981-05-05 Kapany Narinder S See-through solar collector
DE20018360U1 (de) * 2000-10-26 2002-03-07 Eckle Wolfgang Fassadenelement
KR20130006538A (ko) * 2008-05-05 2013-01-16 다우 글로벌 테크놀로지스 엘엘씨 구조물에 광발전 디바이스를 설치하기 위한 시스템
KR20110048548A (ko) * 2008-08-06 2011-05-11 메릴랜드 브러시 컴퍼니 태양 에너지 변환
CA2775835A1 (fr) * 2008-11-14 2010-05-20 Project Frog, Inc. Panneau de construction intelligent multifonctions
JP5301685B2 (ja) * 2009-02-23 2013-09-25 テンケーソーラー インコーポレイテッド 高効率再生可能な太陽エネルギシステム
SK6432Y1 (sk) * 2012-06-05 2013-05-03 Michal Masaryk Cooling method of photovoltaic panel and system for carrying out this method
US9416590B2 (en) * 2014-11-04 2016-08-16 Extech/Exterior Technologies, Inc. Building envelope solar heat and daylighting control system
PL229793B1 (pl) * 2015-11-20 2018-08-31 Lanecki Wojciech Moa Spolka Cywilna Żaluzja fotowoltaiczna

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
WO2020161548A3 (fr) 2020-10-22

Similar Documents

Publication Publication Date Title
Li et al. Building integrated solar concentrating systems: A review
Chow A review on photovoltaic/thermal hybrid solar technology
Buker et al. Building integrated solar thermal collectors–A review
Tripanagnostopoulos et al. The Fresnel lens concept for solar control of buildings
Singh et al. Review on the progress of building-applied/integrated photovoltaic system
Sharaf et al. Concentrated photovoltaic thermal (CPVT) solar collector systems: Part II–Implemented systems, performance assessment, and future directions
Vassiliades et al. Building integration of active solar energy systems: A review of geometrical and architectural characteristics
Tyagi et al. Advancement in solar photovoltaic/thermal (PV/T) hybrid collector technology
US9057535B2 (en) Solar energy conversion devices and systems
Athienitis et al. A prototype photovoltaic/thermal system integrated with transpired collector
JP5497037B2 (ja) 太陽エネルギー変換
Abdelrazik et al. The recent advancements in the building integrated photovoltaic/thermal (BIPV/T) systems: An updated review
Davidsson et al. Performance of a multifunctional PV/T hybrid solar window
US20090223511A1 (en) Unglazed photovoltaic and thermal apparatus and method
US20070056579A1 (en) Energy Channeling Sun Shade System and Apparatus
Pugsley et al. BIPV/T facades–A new opportunity for integrated collector-storage solar water heaters? Part 1: State-of-the-art, theory and potential
US20110209743A1 (en) Photovoltaic cell apparatus
Chialastri et al. Performance and optimization of a BIPV/T solar air collector for building fenestration applications
Zhu et al. Indoor daylight distribution in a room with integrated dynamic solar concentrating facade
Kasaeian et al. Solar energy systems: An approach to zero energy buildings
WO2020161548A2 (fr) Système et/ou module utilitaire de collecte solaire
Chatten et al. Luminescent and geometric concentrators for building integrated photovoltaics
Cai et al. Conceptual design and preliminary experimental study on curved PV ventilated facade assisted heat pump system (CPVF-HP)
CN115033041B (zh) 被动房环境调控系统及环境调控方法
US20220286081A1 (en) Pv-chimney

Legal Events

Date Code Title Description
121 Ep: the epo has been informed by wipo that ep was designated in this application

Ref document number: 20752119

Country of ref document: EP

Kind code of ref document: A2

WPC Withdrawal of priority claims after completion of the technical preparations for international publication

Ref document number: 62/801,682

Country of ref document: US

Date of ref document: 20210721

Free format text: WITHDRAWN AFTER TECHNICAL PREPARATION FINISHED

NENP Non-entry into the national phase

Ref country code: DE

122 Ep: pct application non-entry in european phase

Ref document number: 20752119

Country of ref document: EP

Kind code of ref document: A2

122 Ep: pct application non-entry in european phase

Ref document number: 20752119

Country of ref document: EP

Kind code of ref document: A2