WO2022157543A1 - Module solaire photovoltaïque - Google Patents

Module solaire photovoltaïque Download PDF

Info

Publication number
WO2022157543A1
WO2022157543A1 PCT/IB2021/050460 IB2021050460W WO2022157543A1 WO 2022157543 A1 WO2022157543 A1 WO 2022157543A1 IB 2021050460 W IB2021050460 W IB 2021050460W WO 2022157543 A1 WO2022157543 A1 WO 2022157543A1
Authority
WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
photovoltaic
solar module
photovoltaic solar
reflector
cells
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/IB2021/050460
Other languages
English (en)
Inventor
John Paul Morgan
Michael Andrade
Brett BARNES
Muny TRAM
Original Assignee
Morgan Solar Inc.
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 Morgan Solar Inc. filed Critical Morgan Solar Inc.
Priority to CA3205662A priority Critical patent/CA3205662A1/fr
Priority to PCT/IB2021/050460 priority patent/WO2022157543A1/fr
Publication of WO2022157543A1 publication Critical patent/WO2022157543A1/fr

Links

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
    • H01L31/0488—Double glass encapsulation, e.g. photovoltaic cells arranged between front and rear glass sheets
    • 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
    • H01L31/054—Optical elements directly associated or integrated with the PV cell, e.g. light-reflecting means or light-concentrating means
    • H01L31/0547—Optical elements directly associated or integrated with the PV cell, e.g. light-reflecting means or light-concentrating means comprising light concentrating means of the reflecting type, e.g. parabolic mirrors, concentrators using total internal reflection
    • 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
    • H02S50/00—Monitoring or testing of PV systems, e.g. load balancing or fault identification
    • 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

Definitions

  • the present technology relates to the field of solar energy.
  • the present disclosure relates to photovoltaic solar modules.
  • PV photovoltaic
  • solar modules may comprise local power optimizing devices configured to determine the most favorable operating condition of each solar module comprised within strings of interconnected solar modules, and each string of solar modules of the system may be connected to a grid- tied converter or inverter which may take the power from the PV modules at their maximum power points.
  • a grid- tied converter or inverter which may take the power from the PV modules at their maximum power points.
  • power optimizing components at the module level are required to control the power output of each module, reducing the output power when the voltage exceeds a predetermined load threshold established, for example, by a load capacity of fuses or buried cables, and in these cases, capping the output of the modules restricts their peak performance.
  • the PV solar module includes reflector strips which reflect away a portion of incident sunlight at normal incidence (thereby limiting efficiency at normal incidence) while also aiding in increasing efficiency of the module at some off-normal angles.
  • the module can be configured to have good performance over a large range of angles (increasing a total amount of power produced) while the peak power can be configured to match other system requirements, such as matching the peak power of previously existing installations in order to refurbish solar power installations.
  • a photovoltaic solar module comprising an outer glass layer positioned to receive sunlight thereon when the photovoltaic solar module is in use; a plurality of photovoltaic cells disposed beneath the glass layer, the photovoltaic cells being configured to receive sunlight through the glass layer; and a reflective layer disposed between the glass layer and the plurality of photovoltaic cells, the reflective layer comprising at least one of reflector, the at least one reflector being at least partially aligned with at least one photovoltaic cell of the plurality of photovoltaic cells to limit exposure to sunlight of the at least one photovoltaic cell.
  • the at least one reflector includes a plurality of reflectors, and the reflectors of the plurality of reflectors define a plurality of gaps therebetween.
  • the reflective layer of the photovoltaic solar module is an optic film mesh.
  • the at least one reflector comprises a facetted pattern with mirrored portions.
  • a portion thereof is covered by the at least one reflector; and a size of the portion covered by the at least one of the reflector is determined based on a desired modified power output of the photovoltaic solar module.
  • the photovoltaic cells of the plurality of photovoltaic cells are arranged in a rectangular array.
  • the photovoltaic cells of the plurality of photovoltaic cells are bifacial solar cells.
  • the photovoltaic solar module further comprises a backing sheet disposed beneath the plurality of photovoltaic cells.
  • the at least one reflector when the photovoltaic solar module is in use: the at least one reflector reflects sun rays incident thereon toward the glass layer; when the sun rays reflected by the at least one reflector are at an off-normal angle of incidence to the glass layer, the glass layer reflects light by total internal reflection towards a corresponding photovoltaic cell; and when the sun rays reflected by the at least one reflector are at a normal angle of incidence to the glass layer, the glass layer transmits a majority of the sun rays therethrough outwardly of the photovoltaic solar module.
  • a method of refurbishing a solar module installation including a plurality of used photovoltaic solar modules, the method including determining a nominal peak power output associated with each of the used photovoltaic solar modules; determining a peak power output associated with each one of a plurality of new photovoltaic solar modules; selecting at least one new photovoltaic module of the plurality of new photovoltaic modules, a peak power output difference between the nominal peak power output of each of the used photovoltaic solar modules and the peak power output of the at least one new photovoltaic solar module being below a threshold, the at least one new photovoltaic solar module having at least one reflector covering a portion of at least one photovoltaic cell of a plurality of photovoltaic cells thereof; and replacing at least one of the used photovoltaic solar modules with the at least one new photovoltaic solar module.
  • the portion of the at least one photovoltaic cell covered by the at least one reflector is at least 10%.
  • the peak power output of the at least one new photovoltaic solar module is within 25% of the nominal peak power output of each of the used photovoltaic solar modules.
  • the peak power output of the at least one new photovoltaic solar module is approximately equal to the nominal peak power output of each of the used photovoltaic solar modules.
  • the modified average power output of the at least one new photovoltaic solar module is greater than an average power output of each of the used photovoltaic solar modules.
  • a number of the photovoltaic cells the at least one new photovoltaic solar module is the same as a number of photovoltaic cells of each of the used photovoltaic solar modules.
  • the terms “new” and “used” denote simply if a given article, such as a solar module, has previously been installed or used for its intended use. For example, a new solar module may have previously been operated for testing its properties in a laboratory setting but will not generally have been previously used in a solar module installation.
  • Embodiments of the present technology each have at least one of the above-mentioned objects and/or aspects, but do not necessarily have all of them. It should be understood that some aspects of the present technology that have resulted from attempting to attain the above-mentioned object may not satisfy this object and/or may satisfy other objects not specifically recited herein.
  • Figure 1 is a top view of a photovoltaic solar module according to an embodiment of the present technology
  • Figure 2 is an exploded view of the photovoltaic solar module of Figure 1 ;
  • Figure 3 is a top view of a photovoltaic solar module according to another embodiment
  • Figure 4A is a top view of a photovoltaic solar module according to another embodiment
  • Figure 4B is a close-up view of a section of the photovoltaic solar module of Figure 4A;
  • Figure 4C is a close-up view of a reflector strip of the photovoltaic solar module of Figure 4A;
  • Figure 5A is a cross sectional view of the reflector strip of Figure 4C taken along line 5A in Figure 4C, shown when sunlight impinges thereon at an angle normal to a surface of an outer glass layer of the photovoltaic solar module;
  • Figure 5B is a cross sectional view of the reflector strip of Figure 4C taken along line 5A in Figure 4C, shown when sunlight impinges thereon at an approximately 45° angle of incidence to the outer glass layer of the photovoltaic solar module;
  • Figure 6 is a cross sectional view of a section of a photovoltaic solar module according to another embodiment
  • Figure 7 is a cross sectional view of a section of a photovoltaic solar module according to another embodiment
  • Figure 8A is a close-up view of a section of a reflector strip of the photovoltaic solar module of Figure 4A according to another embodiment
  • Figure 8B is a cross sectional view of the reflector strip of Figure 8A taken along line 8B in Figure 8A;
  • Figure 8C is a cross sectional view of the reflector strip of Figure 8A taken along line 8C;
  • Figure 8D is a cross sectional view the reflector strip of Figure 8A taken along line 8B in Figure 8A, shown when light impinges on the photovoltaic solar module 210 at an off-normal angle of incidence;
  • Figure 9 is a graph comparing the power curve of a conventional PV solar module and the photovoltaic solar module of the present technology.
  • Figure 10 shows a flow chart of an illustrative embodiment of a method of refurbishing a solar module installation according to an embodiment of the present technology.
  • PV solar module 10 for harvesting sunlight in accordance with an embodiment of the present technology
  • the PV solar module may alternatively be referred to as a PV solar panel.
  • the PV solar module 10 and other embodiments thereof (including the PV solar modules 110, 210 described further below), provides localized power conditioning to ameliorate at least some of the inconveniences present in the prior art.
  • the PV solar module 10 comprises an optically transparent outer glass layer 12, a photovoltaic layer 36 including an array of thirty- five photovoltaic cells 14 positioned beneath the outer glass layer 12, and a reflective layer 16 disposed between the glass layer 12 and the photovoltaic cells 14.
  • the photovoltaic cells 14 are crystalline silicon (c-Si) photovoltaic cells. It is contemplated that the photovoltaic cells could be made of any other suitable photovoltaic material.
  • the outer glass layer 12 is a rectangular sheet of glass, but it can alternatively be made of any transparent material such as polymers.
  • the reflective layer 16 is an optical film mesh comprising four reflector strips 18, attached together at their opposite ends by two connector strips 24.
  • the reflector strips 18 are strips of optical film comprising a mirrored microstructure thereon (as seen in the close-up views of Figures 4C and 8A for similar reflector strips 218, 258 described in detail further below).
  • the reflector strips 18 are aligned and parallel to one another, and one connector strip 24 is positioned at each end of the reflector strips 18.
  • the reflector strips 18 of the reflective layer 16 are positioned to cover a portion of one of the photovoltaic cells 14 which will be referred to as an optically shaded cell 26.
  • the photovoltaic cells 14 are arranged in a rectangular array to form a photovoltaic layer 36.
  • the connector strips 24 of the reflective layer 16 are positioned over the gaps 38 formed between the optically shaded cell 26 and two adjacent ones of the photovoltaic cells 14 (on opposite sides of the optically shaded cell 26) which will be referred to herein as the adjacent cells 28, 29 of the photovoltaic layer 36.
  • the proportion of the surface area of the optically shaded cell 26 covered and shaded by the reflector strips 18 is approximately 33.3% (i.e., approximately one-third).
  • the proportion of the surface area of the optically shaded cell 26 covered and shaded by the reflector strips 18 of the reflective layer 16 could be different, namely based on a desired modified power output of the photovoltaic solar module 10 and of the optically shaded cell 26.
  • the reflective layer 16 is disposed between the glass layer 12 and optically shaded photovoltaic cell 26 of the photovoltaic layer 36, and the reflector strips 18 of the reflective layer 16 limit exposure to sunlight of portions of the optically shaded photovoltaic cell 26 below.
  • Each reflector strip 18 of the reflective layer 16 is at least partially aligned with the optically shaded photovoltaic cell 26 of the photovoltaic layer 36.
  • the reflector strips 18 are equally spaced apart defining a plurality of gaps 19 therebetween, the portions of the optically shaded photovoltaic cells 36 positioned below the gaps 19 receive sunlight directly via the outer glass layer 12.
  • the photovoltaic layer 36 is attached to a backing sheet 20 via a bottom encapsulant 34 such as an ethylene vinyl acetate (EVA) film or any other suitable encapsulating adhesive. Furthermore, the reflective layer 16 is positioned over the photovoltaic layer 36, with the reflector strips 18 positioned over the optically shaded cell 26, and the connector strips 24 positioned over the gaps 38 between the optically shaded cell 26 and the two adjacent cells 28,29.
  • a bottom encapsulant 34 such as an ethylene vinyl acetate (EVA) film or any other suitable encapsulating adhesive.
  • EVA ethylene vinyl acetate
  • a top encapsulant 32 such as an EVA film or any other suitable encapsulating optically transparent adhesive bonds the outer glass layer 12 to the photovoltaic layer 36, sandwiching the reflective layer 16 in place between the outer glass layer 12 and the PV cells 14 of the photovoltaic layer 36.
  • the photovoltaic cells 14 are wired together by tabbing wires 22.
  • all photovoltaic cells 14 comprised by the module 10 are connected in series. If the optically shaded cell 26 is producing less current than the other photovoltaic cells 14, the total power produced by the module 10 would be approximately equal to the number of photovoltaic cells 14 multiplied by the power produced by the optically shaded cell 26, due to the current limiting nature of the series interconnection.
  • all photovoltaic cells 14 could be shaded by reflector strips 18, for instance for creating an aesthetically uniform and/or desired visual aspect.
  • the module output would be the same as if only a single cell was shaded due to the cells being connected in series, as discussed above. This may be desirable to produce a consistent aesthetic effect.
  • reflector strips 18 could be arranged over some subset of photovoltaic cells 14, creating a pattern or graphic when viewed from a distance.
  • the photovoltaic cells 14 could be grouped in smaller subgroups, with the photovoltaic cells 14 within each subgroup connected in series, and those subgroups could be connected together in series within the solar module 10.
  • a bypass diode would be provided per subgroup to enable operation of other subgroups if any subgroup is producing too low a current and limiting overall operation of the module 10.
  • the backing sheet 20 can be made of polymer or a combination of polymers.
  • the backing sheet 20 need not be transparent.
  • the backing sheet 20 would be made of a transparent polymer, glass or any suitable transparent material.
  • the outer glass layer 12 and the backing sheet 20 are brought together sandwiching the encapsulants 32, 34, the photovoltaic layer 36 and the reflective layer 16 in relatively fixed positions between them, allowing some degree of movement to account for thermal expansion of the cells 14.
  • FIG. 3 shows a photovoltaic solar module 110 for harvesting sunlight according to an alternative embodiment.
  • the PV solar module 110 comprises an optically transparent outer glass layer 112, a photovoltaic layer 136 comprising an array of sixteen of the photovoltaic cells 14 positioned beneath the outer glass layer 112, and a reflective layer 116 disposed between the glass layer 112 and the photovoltaic cells 14.
  • the photovoltaic cells 14 can be crystalline silicon (c-Si) photovoltaic cells or cells of made any suitable photovoltaic material.
  • the outer glass layer 112 is a square sheet of glass, but it can alternatively be made of any transparent material such as polymers.
  • the photovoltaic layer 136 is a square array of photovoltaic cells 14 comprising twelve optically shaded photovoltaic cells 126 and four photovoltaic cells 14 that are not optically shaded.
  • the reflective layer 116 is made of optical film comprising four reflector strips 118a-118d. Each reflector strip 118a- 118d covers a portion of four of the optically shaded photovoltaic cells 126 that are aligned to form a row.
  • the proportion of the surface area of each optically shaded cell 126 covered and shaded by the reflector strips 116 is determined based on a desired modified power output of the photovoltaic solar module 110 and of the optically shaded cells 126.
  • the reflector strips 118a-118d are strips of optical film comprising a mirrored microstructure thereon.
  • the reflector strips 118a-118d are aligned and extend parallel to one another and are evenly spaced apart, defining a plurality of gaps 119 between adjacent ones of the reflector strips 118a-118d.
  • Each reflector strip 118a- 118d of the reflective layer 116 is at least partially aligned with each of the optically shaded photovoltaic cells 126. Portions of the optically shaded photovoltaic cells 126 aligned with the gaps 119 receive sunlight directly via the outer glass layer 112.
  • one of the rows of four photovoltaic cells 14 is optically shaded by two reflector strips 118b and 118c, another one of the rows of four photovoltaic cells 14 is optically shaded by one reflector strip 118a, and another one of the rows of four photovoltaic cells 14 is optically shaded by one reflector strip 118d, while one of the rows of photovoltaic cells 14 is not optically shaded by the reflective layer 116.
  • the outer glass layer 112 is positioned to receive sunlight thereon. Furthermore, the photovoltaic layer 136 disposed beneath the glass layer 112 is configured to receive sunlight through the glass layer 112.
  • the reflective layer 116 is disposed between the glass layer 112 and the photovoltaic layer 136, and the reflector strips 118a-118d of the reflective layer 116 limit exposure to sunlight of covered portions of each of the optically shaded photovoltaic cells 126 therebeneath.
  • FIG 4A is a top view of an alternative embodiment of a photovoltaic solar module 210 for harvesting sunlight.
  • the PV solar module 210 comprises an optically transparent outer glass layer 212, a photovoltaic layer 236 comprising an array of photovoltaic half-cut cells 214 positioned beneath the outer glass layer 212, and a reflective layer 216 disposed between the glass layer 212 and the photovoltaic half-cut cells 214.
  • the photovoltaic half-cut cells 214 can be crystalline silicon (c-Si) photovoltaic cells or cells made of any suitable photovoltaic material where each half- cut cell 214 is a variation on standard silicon solar cells that can help improve solar module performance by cutting a standard cell in half or by making a cell half the size of a standard photovoltaic cell.
  • the outer glass layer 212 is a rectangular sheet of glass, but it can alternatively be made of any transparent material such as polymers.
  • the photovoltaic layer 236 is a rectangular array of PV half-cut cells 214 comprising 144 (one hundred and forty-four) PV half-cut cells 214.
  • the photovoltaic layer 236 is divided into two sub arrays 239a, 239b, with each sub array comprising 72 (seventy-two) half-cut cells 214.
  • the PV half-cut cells 214 within each sub array 239a, 239b can be connected in series and the sub arrays 239a, 239b can be connected together in parallel.
  • smaller groups of cells 214 within each sub array 239a, 239b can be connected in series, and then all groups of series connected half-cut cells 214 can be connected together in parallel.
  • the reflective layer 216 is made of an optical film comprising six reflector strips 218, with each reflector strip 218 covering a portion of a plurality of optically shaded PV half-cut cells 226 of the plurality of PV half-cut cells 214.
  • the size of the portion covered and shaded by the reflector strips 216 is determined based on a desired modified power output of the photovoltaic solar module 210 and of the optically shaded cells 226.
  • the proportion of the surface area of each optically shaded half-cut cell 226 that is covered and shaded by the reflector strips 216 is approximately 33.3% (i.e., approximately one-third).
  • the reflector strips 218 are strips of optical film comprising a mirrored microstructure thereon (as seen in the closeup views of Figures 4C and 8A).
  • the reflective layer 216 comprises two separate optical film meshes 240a, 240b, one optical film mesh 240a, 240b for each sub array 239a, 239b.
  • each optical film mesh 240a, 240b includes three reflector strips 218, attached together by connector strips 224 positioned at the ends of the reflector strips 218 and within the body of optical film mesh 240a, 240b, holding the reflector strips 218 together in each optical film mesh 240a, 240b.
  • the reflector strips 218 are equally spaced apart, aligned and parallel to one another, and define a plurality of gaps 219 therebetween.
  • the reflector strips 218 of the reflective layer 216 are positioned to cover portions of given ones of the optically shaded cells 226.
  • Each reflector strip 218 of the reflective layer 216 is at least partially aligned with corresponding ones of the optically shaded PV cells 226. Portions of the optically shaded photovoltaic cells 226 positioned below the gaps 219 receive sunlight directly via the outer glass layer 212. As shown in Figure 4A, in this embodiment, a row of four photovoltaic cells 214 within each sub-array of half-cut cells 214 is optically shaded by three reflector strips 218 of each corresponding optical film mesh 240a, 240b.
  • the outer glass layer 212 is positioned to receive sunlight thereon. Furthermore, the photovoltaic layer 236 disposed beneath the glass layer 212 is configured to receive sunlight through the glass layer 212.
  • the reflective layer 216 is disposed between the glass layer 112 and the photovoltaic layer 236, and the reflector strips 218 of the reflective layer 216 limit exposure to sunlight of covered portions of each of the optically shaded photovoltaic cells 226 therebeneath.
  • Figure 4B is a close-up view of a circled section 4B of the photovoltaic solar module 210 (see Figure 4A), where the optical film meshes 240a, 240b can be seen in detail.
  • the reflective layer 216 is positioned over the photovoltaic layer 236, by placing one optical film mesh 240a, 240b over a section of each photovoltaic subarray 239a, 239b respectively, covering portions of four PV half-cut cells 214 within each PV sub-array 239a, 239b.
  • the reflector strips 218 are positioned over the optically shaded PV half-cut cells 226, and the connector strips 224 are positioned over the gaps 238 between adjacent PV half-cut cells 214, the gaps 238 being dead zones of the PV solar module 210.
  • Figure 4C is a close-up view of a circled section 4C in Figure 4B, showing a close-up view of a reflector strip 218 comprising a mirrored microstructure 242 thereon.
  • the mirrored microstructure can vary in shape and orientation, with some designs comprising longitudinal facetted microreflector patterns and some comprising transverse facetted microreflector patterns, as described and shown in the close-up views of Figures 4C and 8A.
  • Any reflector strip 218, 250, 254, 258 design described herein can be used in any of the embodiments of the PV solar modules 10, 110, 210 of the present technology or variations thereof.
  • Figures 5A and 5B show a cross sectional view of one of the reflector strips 218.
  • Figure 5A shows the PV solar module 210 in use when sunlight impinges thereon at an angle normal to the surface 244 of the outer glass layer 212. Sunlight will be normal to the surface 244 depending on the orientation of the module 210 with respect to the sun. On equinox at the equator one might expect the sun to rise at 6am and set at 6pm, and if the PV solar module 210 is positioned on a flat, level surface, direct (normal) incoming sunlight 246 will typically impinge thereon at noon.
  • FIG. 5A An exemplary ray of direct sunlight 246 is shown in Figure 5A to demonstrate how the facetted and mirrored microstructure 242 reflects direct sunlight 246 impinging thereon back towards the exterior 248 of the PV solar module 210.
  • a ray of direct sunlight 246 enters the body of the PV solar module 210 through the surface 244 of the outer glass layer 212 and is transmitted through the outer glass layer 212 and through the top encapsulant 232 towards the reflector strip 218 where it encounters the mirrored microstructure 242 designed to reflect light 246 back towards the surface 244 of the outer glass layer 212 where light 246 is reflected by total internal reflection back towards the mirrored microstructure 242 where a second reflection occurs redirecting light outwards to the exterior 248 of the PV solar module 210.
  • the reflector strips 218 create a shading effect, rejecting direct sunlight 246 impinging thereon, therefore creating loss in power generation during times of the day when the module 210 is directly facing the sun. This effect, however, is desired for maintaining a broadened power curve of the module throughout the day, and this will be explained in further detail below.
  • direct sunlight 247 impinging on the surface 244 of the outer glass layer 212 above the gaps 219 is transmitted directly to the cell 226 through the outer glass layer 212 and the top encapsulant 232 and is absorbed by the PV half-cut cell 226 generating power.
  • direct sunlight 247 impinging on the surface 244 of the outer glass layer 212 above any of the PV half-cut cells 214 that are not shaded by the reflective layer 216 is absorbed by the cells 214 generating power for the system.
  • FIG. 5B shows the photovoltaic solar module 210 in use when sunlight impinges thereon at an approximately 45° angle of incidence.
  • Incoming sunlight 245 will be at approximately a 45° angle of incidence depending on the orientation of the module 210 with respect to the sun, the geographic location and the time of year.
  • On equinox at the equator one might expect the sun to rise at 6am and set at 6pm, and if the module 210 is positioned on a flat, level surface, incoming sunlight 245 will typically impinge thereon at an angle of approximately 45° at 9am (or 3pm).
  • FIG. 5B An exemplary ray of sunlight 245 at a 45° angle of incidence is shown in Figure 5B to demonstrate how the mirrored microstructure 242 reflects sunlight 245 impinging thereon towards an optically shaded PV half-cut cell 226 of the solar module 210.
  • a ray of indirect sunlight 245 enters the body of the solar module 210 through the surface 244 of the outer glass layer 212 and is transmitted through the outer glass layer 212 and through the top encapsulant 232 towards a reflector strip 218 where it encounters the mirrored microstructure 242 designed to reflect light 245 back towards the surface 244 of the outer glass layer 212 where light 245 is reflected by total internal reflection back towards the optically shaded PV half-cut cell 226 to which the reflector strip 218 is associated.
  • the reflector strips 218 reflect nearly all indirect sunlight 245 impinging thereon towards an associated optically shaded PV half-cut cell 226, via total internal reflection on the surface 244 of the outer glass layer 212, for absorption and power generation by the photovoltaic cells 226, maintaining the power generation capacity of the PV half-cut cells 226 expected at off-normal angles of incidence if the reflective layer 216 were not present.
  • Indirect sunlight 249 also enters the module 210 through the surface 244 of the outer glass layer 212 and can be transmitted directly through the outer glass layer 212 and the top encapsulant 232 to all unshaded PV half-cut cells 214, or to optically shaded PV half-cut cells 226 through the gaps 219 in the optical film meshes 240a and 240b.
  • the mirrored microstructure 242 comprises a zigzag pattern of mirror coated surfaces angled at 30° for reflecting light.
  • FIG. 6 shows a reflector strip 250 (in place of the reflector strip 218) according to an alternative embodiment of the PV solar module 210.
  • the reflector strip 250 comprises a mirrored microstructure 252 having a zigzag pattern of mirror coated surfaces angled at 45° for reflecting light.
  • Exemplary rays are shown in Figure 6, where direct light 247 impinging on the surface 244 of the outer glass layer 212 is transmitted directly to the cells 214, 226, or direct light 246 is reflected by the mirrored microstructure 252 towards the exterior 248 of the module 10, 110, 210 via two reflections on facets of the mirrored microstructure 252.
  • indirect light 249 can be transmitted directly to the optically shaded PV cells 226 through the gaps 219 within the reflective layer 216, or indirect light 245 may be reflected by the mirrored microstructure 252 towards the surface 244 of the outer glass layer 212 where light is reflected by total internal reflection back towards the photovoltaic cell 226.
  • FIG. 7 shows an alternative embodiment of the photovoltaic solar module 210 in which the PV solar module 210 comprises alternative reflector strips 254 (instead of the reflector strips 218 or 250), each having a mirrored microstructure 256.
  • the mirrored microstructure 256 comprises a half-cylindrical pattern of curved mirror coated surfaces angled for reflecting light. Exemplary rays are shown in Figure 7, where direct light 247 impinging on the surface 244 of the outer glass layer 212 is transmitted directly to the cells 214, or direct light 246 is reflected by the mirrored microstructure 256 towards the exterior 248 of the module.
  • indirect light 249 can be transmitted directly to the PV cells 226 through the gaps 219 within the reflective layer 216, or indirect light 245 may be reflected by the mirrored microstructure 256 towards the surface 244 of the outer glass layer 212 where light is reflected by total internal reflection back towards the photovoltaic cell 226.
  • the reflector strips 218, 250, 256 shown in Figures 4C-7 have longitudinal microstructure patterns thereon, where the microstructures are made of symmetrically facetted mirror coated optical elements extending longitudinally along the length of the reflector strips 218, 250, 256.
  • improved efficiency can be achieved in embodiments where the reflector strips comprise a transverse microstructure pattern as shown in the embodiment of Figures 8A-8D.
  • Figure 8A is a close-up view of a section of the PV solar module 210 according to an alternative embodiment in which the PV solar module 210 comprises alternative reflector strips 258 (instead of the reflector strips 218, 250 or 256).
  • the section 8A is analogous to circled section 4C of the embodiment detailed in Figure 4B.
  • Each reflector strip 258 comprises a transverse microstructure pattern 260 that could be used in any PV solar module 10, 110, 210 of the present technology or variations thereof.
  • the reflector strip 258 comprises the transverse mirrored microstructure 260 thereon extending transversally along the length of the reflector strip 258.
  • the mirrored microstructure 260 is a mirror coated pattern of symmetrical, facetted, mirror coated optical elements for reflecting incoming sunlight 245, 246, 247, 249.
  • Figure 8B is a cross sectional view of one of the reflector strips 258 when light impinges on the PV solar module 210 at a normal angle of incidence.
  • the section shown in Figure 8B is marked by dotted line 8B in Figure 8A.
  • the PV solar module 210 is in use when sunlight impinges thereon at an angle normal to the surface 244 of the outer glass layer 212. Sunlight will be normal to the surface 244 of the PV solar module 210 depending on the orientation of the module 210 with respect to the sun.
  • FIG. 8C is a cross sectional view taken along dotted line 8C in Figure 8A.
  • the PV solar module 210 is in use when sunlight impinges thereon at an angle normal to the surface 244 of the outer glass layer 212. Sunlight will be normal to the surface 244 of the solar module 210 depending on the orientation of the module 210 with respect to the sun. On equinox at the equator one might expect the sun to rise at 6am and set at 6pm, and if the module 210 is positioned on a flat, level surface, direct (normal) incoming sunlight 246 will typically impinge thereon at noon. An exemplary ray of direct sunlight 246 is shown in Figure 8C to demonstrate how the facetted and mirrored microstructure 260 reflects direct sunlight 246 impinging thereon back towards the exterior 248 of the solar module 210.
  • an exemplary ray of direct sunlight 246 enters the body of the PV solar module 210 through the surface 244 of the outer glass layer 212 and is transmitted through the outer glass layer 212 and through the top encapsulant 232 towards the reflector strip 258 where it encounters the mirrored microstructure 260 designed to reflect light 246 back towards the surface 244 of the outer glass layer 212 where light 246 is reflected by total internal reflection back towards the mirrored microstructure 260 where a second reflection occurs redirecting light outwards to the exterior 248 of the module 210.
  • the reflector strips 258 create a shading effect, rejecting direct sunlight 246 impinging thereon, therefore creating loss in power generation during times of the day when the module 210 is directly facing the sun. This effect, however, is desired for maintaining a broadened power curve of the module 210 throughout the day.
  • direct sunlight 247 impinging on the surface 244 of the outer glass layer 212 above the gaps 219 is transmitted directly to the cell 226 through the outer glass layer 212 and the top encapsulant 232 and is absorbed by the PV half-cut cell 226 generating power.
  • direct sunlight 247 impinging on the surface 244 of the outer glass layer 212 above any of the PV half-cut cells 214 that are not shaded by the reflective layer 216 is absorbed by the cells 214 generating power for the system.
  • Figure 8D is a cross sectional view of a close-up of one of the reflector strips 258 when light impinges on the PV solar module 210 at an off-normal angle of incidence.
  • the section shown in Figure 8D is marked by dotted line 8B in Figure 8A.
  • the PV solar module 210 is shown in use when sunlight impinges thereon at an approximately 45° angle of incidence.
  • Incoming sunlight 245 will be at approximately a 45° angle of incidence depending on the orientation of the module 210 with respect to the sun, the geographic location and the time of year.
  • a ray of indirect sunlight 245 enters the body of the solar module 210 through the surface 244 of the outer glass layer 212 and is transmitted through the outer glass layer 212 and through the top encapsulant 232 towards a reflector strip 258 where it encounters the mirrored microstructure 260 designed to reflect light 245 back towards the surface 244 of the outer glass layer 212 where light 245 is reflected by total internal reflection back towards the optically shaded PV half-cut cell 226 to which the reflector strip 258 is associated.
  • the reflector strips 258 reflect nearly all indirect sunlight 245 impinging thereon towards an associated optically shaded PV half-cut cell 226, via total internal reflection on the surface 244 of the outer glass layer 212, for absorption and power generation by the photovoltaic cells 226, maintaining the power generation capacity of the PV half-cut cells 226 expected at off-normal angles of incidence if the reflector strip 258 were not present.
  • Indirect sunlight 249 also enters the module 210 through the surface 244 of the outer glass layer 212 and can be transmitted directly through the outer glass layer 212 and the top encapsulant 232 to all unshaded PV half-cut cells 214, or to optically shaded PV half-cut cells 226 through the gaps 219.
  • the mirrored microstructure 260 comprises a zigzag pattern of transverse mirror coated facetted surfaces angled at 30° for reflecting light.
  • the reflector strip 258 described in Figures 8A-8D can be used in reflective layers 16, 116, 216 of any of the above described embodiments, interchangeably with any of the above described longitudinal reflector strip designs 18, 118, 218, 250, 254.
  • the PV solar modules 10, 110, 210 of any of the embodiments of the present technology use a reflective layer 16, 116, 216 to reject direct incoming light 246 outwardly of the solar module 10, 110, 210, and to redirect indirect light 245 impinging thereon towards an optically shaded PV cell 26, 126, 226 for absorption and power generation.
  • the reflector strips 18, 118, 218, 250, 254, 258 create a shading effect, rejecting direct sunlight 246 impinging thereon, therefore creating drop in power generation during times of the day when the corresponding PV solar module 10, 110, 210 is directly facing the sun. This effect, however, is desired for levelling off the overall efficiency of the module throughout the day.
  • FIG. 9 shows a comparative line graph of two 300-Watt solar modules, one being a conventional PV solar module and the other being the PV solar module as described according to any of the embodiments presented herein.
  • the conventional PV solar module displays peak power at noon
  • the PV solar module 10, 110, 210 of the present technology displays a drop in power at noon, two peaks in power at approximately 11am and 1pm, and a flatter level of efficiency throughout the day due to a boost provided by the redirecting of indirect light that is provided by the reflector strips.
  • a solar module installation is a collection of photovoltaic solar modules operatively connected together to form an electricity generating system.
  • some solar module installations may benefit from replacing one or more used photovoltaic solar modules within a system which have stopped working or have degraded over time.
  • the solar module installation could both benefit from replacing the functionality of the less efficient used module, as well as from the broadened power curve of the solar modules 10, 110, 210.
  • a method 300 of refurbishing a solar module installation with the photovoltaic solar modules 10, 110, 210 according to the present technology will now be described with reference to Figure 10.
  • the solar module installation is formed from a plurality of used photovoltaic solar modules, some of which may have degraded over time, or stopped working.
  • the solar module installation has enough carrying capacity to handle a boost in peak power and broadening of the peak power output, although this is generally determined on a case-by-case basis.
  • the method 300 begins, at step 310, with determining a nominal peak power output associated with one or more of the used photovoltaic solar modules of the photovoltaic solar module installation. As originally installed, the used photovoltaic solar modules likely all functioned with a same or similar peak power, for which the solar module installation was configured. In some cases, the method 300 could also include determining the actual peak power output for each solar module, for example in order to choose which used solar module has the most diminished power output or to choose which used solar module is to be replaced. In some cases, only a predetermined used solar module may be tested. [00084] To determine the nominal peak power, data or documentation provided from the supplier with the used solar modules or the installation could be consulted, for example.
  • Peak power of each used photovoltaic solar module can be measured in the field, for instance, by cleaning the modules and measuring the output throughout the day to determine the power curve and peak power of each used PV solar module within the installation. Peak power can also be determined by flash testing, where artificial light is provided to simulate sunlight and measure the output of the used PV solar module in optimal conditions including optimal temperature.
  • the method 300 continues, at step 312, with determining a peak power output associated with one or more new photovoltaic solar modules 10, 110, 210.
  • a plurality of new solar modules 10, 110, 210 could be supplied, and the peak power output could be tested for each one.
  • the peak power of new photovoltaic modules is generally determined using flash testing, although details may vary.
  • steps 310 and 312 could be performed in either order or simultaneously. It is also contemplated that the determining the peak power output at step 312 of the new solar modules could be performed by retrieving technical data corresponding to the one or more new solar modules, for example from the supplier or documentation supplied with the new solar modules.
  • the method 300 continues, at step 314, with selecting one or more new photovoltaic modules 10, 110, 210 to be used to replace one or more of the used solar modules.
  • a particular one of the new photovoltaic modules 10, 110, 210 is chosen to minimize a peak power output difference between the nominal peak power output of used photovoltaic solar modules and the peak power output of chosen new photovoltaic solar module.
  • the new photovoltaic solar module 10, 110, 210 is specifically chosen such that the peak power difference is below a threshold, such that the peak power of the new photovoltaic solar module 10, 110, 210 is as closely matched as possible to the nominal peak power of the used photovoltaic solar module, for which the solar module installation is configured, to be replaced.
  • the threshold is about 10%.
  • the peak power output difference between the peak power output of the used photovoltaic solar modules and the peak power output of each of the new photovoltaic solar modules could be determined by data comparison.
  • the method 300 continues, at step 316, with replacing one or more of the used photovoltaic solar modules with one or more new photovoltaic solar modules 10, 110, 210.
  • step 316 Specifics of removing the used solar modules and connecting the new solar modules 10, 110, 210 will depend on the particular solar module installation and will not be further described herein. In some implementations of the method 300, all of the used photovoltaic solar modules could be replaced, such that mechanical and/or electrical infrastructure in place is utilized while providing all new PV solar modules 10, 110, 210.
  • the solar module installation generally has a greater average power output over a given day than was previously possible with the collection of used solar modules, either in as degraded by use and exposure, or by their nominal technical specifications.

Landscapes

  • 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 module solaire photovoltaïque comprenant : une couche de verre externe positionnée pour recevoir la lumière solaire sur celle-ci lorsque le module solaire photovoltaïque est en cours d'utilisation ; une pluralité de cellules photovoltaïques disposées sous la couche de verre, les cellules photovoltaïques étant configurées pour recevoir la lumière solaire à travers la couche de verre ; et une couche réfléchissante disposée entre la couche de verre et la pluralité de cellules photovoltaïques. La couche réfléchissante comprend au moins un réflecteur. L'au moins un réflecteur est au moins partiellement aligné avec au moins une cellule photovoltaïque de la pluralité de cellules photovoltaïques pour limiter l'exposition à la lumière solaire de l'au moins une cellule photovoltaïque lorsque la cellule photovoltaïque est directement en regard des rayons solaires entrants, et pour maintenir l'exposition à la lumière du soleil lorsque les rayons solaires arrivent sur les couches de verre extérieures à des angles d'incidence indirects.
PCT/IB2021/050460 2021-01-21 2021-01-21 Module solaire photovoltaïque WO2022157543A1 (fr)

Priority Applications (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
CA3205662A CA3205662A1 (fr) 2021-01-21 2021-01-21 Module solaire photovoltaique
PCT/IB2021/050460 WO2022157543A1 (fr) 2021-01-21 2021-01-21 Module solaire photovoltaïque

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
PCT/IB2021/050460 WO2022157543A1 (fr) 2021-01-21 2021-01-21 Module solaire photovoltaïque

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
WO2022157543A1 true WO2022157543A1 (fr) 2022-07-28

Family

ID=74347462

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
PCT/IB2021/050460 WO2022157543A1 (fr) 2021-01-21 2021-01-21 Module solaire photovoltaïque

Country Status (2)

Country Link
CA (1) CA3205662A1 (fr)
WO (1) WO2022157543A1 (fr)

Citations (7)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
WO1999056317A1 (fr) * 1998-04-24 1999-11-04 Ase Americas, Inc. Module solaire dote d'un reflecteur place entre des cellules
US20060225781A1 (en) * 2005-04-07 2006-10-12 Steve Locher Portable solar panel with attachment points
US20140102515A1 (en) * 2011-06-23 2014-04-17 Sanyo Electric Co., Ltd. Solar module
US9929296B1 (en) * 2009-12-22 2018-03-27 Sunpower Corporation Edge reflector or refractor for bifacial solar module
US20180366606A1 (en) * 2016-02-25 2018-12-20 Panasonic Intellectual Property Management Co., Ltd. Solar cell module
WO2019173928A1 (fr) * 2018-03-16 2019-09-19 Silfab Solar Inc. Module photovoltaïque à collecte de lumière améliorée
WO2020121043A1 (fr) * 2018-12-13 2020-06-18 Morgan Solar Inc. Panneau solaire photovoltaïque bifacial et ensemble panneau solaire

Patent Citations (7)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
WO1999056317A1 (fr) * 1998-04-24 1999-11-04 Ase Americas, Inc. Module solaire dote d'un reflecteur place entre des cellules
US20060225781A1 (en) * 2005-04-07 2006-10-12 Steve Locher Portable solar panel with attachment points
US9929296B1 (en) * 2009-12-22 2018-03-27 Sunpower Corporation Edge reflector or refractor for bifacial solar module
US20140102515A1 (en) * 2011-06-23 2014-04-17 Sanyo Electric Co., Ltd. Solar module
US20180366606A1 (en) * 2016-02-25 2018-12-20 Panasonic Intellectual Property Management Co., Ltd. Solar cell module
WO2019173928A1 (fr) * 2018-03-16 2019-09-19 Silfab Solar Inc. Module photovoltaïque à collecte de lumière améliorée
WO2020121043A1 (fr) * 2018-12-13 2020-06-18 Morgan Solar Inc. Panneau solaire photovoltaïque bifacial et ensemble panneau solaire

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
CA3205662A1 (fr) 2022-07-28

Similar Documents

Publication Publication Date Title
JP6686116B2 (ja) 光方向付け媒体を備える光起電モジュール及びこれを作製する方法
US8338693B2 (en) Solar arrays and other photovoltaic (PV) devices using PV enhancement films for trapping light
US7968790B2 (en) Photovoltaic (PV) enhancement films for enhancing optical path lengths and for trapping reflected light
EP2399296B1 (fr) Système à énergie renouvelable extrêmement efficace
US8049150B2 (en) Solar collector with end modifications
WO2006031798A2 (fr) Modules de miroirs photovoltaiques solaires
KR20110000695A (ko) Ｐｖ 심미성 및 효율의 향상방법
WO2011120148A1 (fr) Module photovoltaïque intégré
Andreev et al. Solar thermophotovoltaic converters based on tungsten emitters
US9136416B2 (en) Solar light concentration photovoltaic conversion system using a wavelength splitter and lambda-specific photovoltaic cells optically coupled to lambda-dedicated fibers illuminated by respective split beams
US7904871B2 (en) Computer-implemented method of optimizing refraction and TIR structures to enhance path lengths in PV devices
WO2022157543A1 (fr) Module solaire photovoltaïque
Hebrink Durable polymeric films for increasing the performance of concentrators
CN101771368A (zh) 分级利用的太阳能聚光发电装置
Chatten et al. Luminescent and geometric concentrators for building integrated photovoltaics
US20190353882A1 (en) Solar concentrator apparatus and solar collector array
US20230017119A1 (en) Solar cell comprising photovoltaic lined optical cavity with customized optical fill, methods for manufacturing the same and solar panels comprising the same
Escarra et al. A hybrid CPV/T system featuring transmissive, spectrum-splitting concentrator photovoltaics
WO2013002662A1 (fr) Dispositif pour transformer l'énergie solaire
RU201526U1 (ru) Голографическая пленка на основе призмаконов
US20140202520A1 (en) Thin film solar collector and method
Paul et al. Enhancing the performance of a building integrated compound parabolic photovoltaic concentrator using a hybrid photovoltaic cell
Abd Alaziz et al. Effects of reflectance and shading on parabolic dish photovoltaic solar concentrator performance
RU2555197C1 (ru) Устройство для преобразования солнечной энергии
US11545591B2 (en) Light trapping dynamic photovoltaic module

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: 21702312

Country of ref document: EP

Kind code of ref document: A1

ENP Entry into the national phase

Ref document number: 3205662

Country of ref document: CA

NENP Non-entry into the national phase

Ref country code: DE

122 Ep: pct application non-entry in european phase

Ref document number: 21702312

Country of ref document: EP

Kind code of ref document: A1