WO2012172584A1

WO2012172584A1 - Solar module

Info

Publication number: WO2012172584A1
Application number: PCT/IT2012/000176
Authority: WO
Inventors: Giovanni Facchiano
Original assignee: Res S.R.L.; PAMPANI, Milena; QUINTILI, Roberto; PERUGINI, Salvatore
Priority date: 2011-06-13
Filing date: 2012-06-12
Publication date: 2012-12-20
Also published as: ITRM20110295A1

Abstract

The present invention relates to a solar module (1) comprising a plurality of superimposed layers (13, 2, 14, 2', 15, 2'', 16), among which a first layer (13), exposed to the heat is made up of a thermal conductor material, i.e. glass, at least one second layer (2; 2'; 2'') is electrically insulated, said second layer (2; 2'; 2'') providing a first side (3) which is exposed to heat and a second side (4) which dissipates heat, each of said first (3) and second (4) sides providing at least two plates (10, 12, 10', 12', 10'', 12'') made up of a material with high thermal conductivity, said at least two plates (10, 10', 10'') of said first side (3) being connected to corresponding said at least two plates (12, 12', 12'') of said second side (4) respectively by means of a first cable (8) electronically positive and a second cable (9) electronically negative, said first (8) and second (9) cables being welded together at a point (11).

Description

MODULE SOLAR

The present invention is included in the solar panel technical field, and particularly concerns a solar module with a double passage of power.

More specifically, the invention refers to a solar module permitting using thermal energy in double passages from hot coupling points to less hot points producing electric power.

Always more high global energetic request has developed in many countries photovoltaic modules permitting converting solar energy into electric power.

Traditional photovoltaic modules available on the market have a sandwich structure made up or raw materials and other materials suitable to protect said raw materials. Particularly, known structure has a first glass layer, on which a film of Ethylene Vinyl Acetate is laid (EVA) down, and above a silicone cell layer with the photosensitive side faced downward. Another EVA film is placed above said cells, and thus an insulating plastic material or another glass layer is provided.

It is known that present photovoltaic modules exploit photon energy, and when passing through a silicone cell, doped with boron and phosphorous, on two coupling points, produce electric power.

However, needing of using silicone cells causes drawback of necessity of using an expensive material, difficult to be found on the market, and also difficult to be subjected to working.

Further, another drawback is due to EVA film, yellows while time passes, thus loosing transparency and jeopardizing energetic efficiency of photovoltaic module .

Another drawback of traditional photovoltaic modules is that they contain boron and phosphorous, i.e. materials decaying after some time, thus loosing energetic efficiency.

Further, in case of damaging or failure of the module, it cannot be repaired or recycled.

It is known Seebek effect, or thermocouple operation principle, so that it is possible transforming temperature difference into electric power.

At present, system are available on the market exploiting said principle, however, technology employed produces a low amount of electric power with respect to thermal energy consumed.

It is also known the use of thermocouples only for small productions of electric power, used for safety of thermal systems .

However, features of technology used to exploit said principle can ensure a production of energy only for very small amounts, not satisfying the energetic needing .

It is thus clear the needing of developing technical solutions permitting improving the electric efficiency for thermal energy available in this type of systems. It is therefore object of the present invention that of realising a solar module overcoming the above drawbacks and permitting complete absence of use of expensive and/or perishable materials.

Another object of the present invention is that of realising a solar module that can be repaired or at least recycled for other uses.

Further object of the present invention is that of realising a solar module that can be easily realised, not requiring the use of complex technologies or of expensive components.

Another object of the present invention is that of realising a solar module that is advantageous under the economic point of view and that can be sold at a competitive price.

It is therefore specific object of the present invention a solar module comprising a plurality of superimposed layers, among which a first layer, exposed to the heat is made up of a thermal conductor material, i.e. glass, at least one second layer is electrically insulated, said second layer providing a first side which is exposed to heat and a second side which dissipates heat, each of said first and second sides providing at least two plates made up of a material with high thermal conductivity, said at least two plates of said first side being connected to corresponding said at least two plates of said second side respectively by means of a first cable electronically positive and a second cable electronically negative, said first and second cables being welded together at a point.

Preferably, solar module according to the invention comprises a plurality of said second layers, among which a heat exchanging plate is interposed.

Furthermore, according to the invention two holes are provided on said second side of said second layer, respectively for the output of said first and second cables .

Furthermore, according to the invention, a hollow is provided on said first side, in which hollow one of the ends of each cables meet and are welded together by the casting of a metal, i.e. tin. Always according to the invention, said solar module comprises further a third layer for dissipating of heat .

Still according to the invention, said plurality of layers is included in an aluminium frame.

Preferably, according to the invention, said heat exchanging plates and/or said third layer for dissipating of heat are made up of a material with high thermal conductivity, i.e. aluminium.

Furthermore, according to the invention, said at least one second layer is made up of a material with thermal conductivity and electrically insulating, i.e. a conglomerate of fibreglass and resin.

The invention will be now described for illustrative, but not limitative, purposes, with particular reference to the drawing of the enclosed figures, wherein:

figure 1 shows a schematic view of an element of a solar module according to the invention;

figure 2 shows a schematic view of an element of a solar module according to the invention; and

figure 3 shows a perspective view of element of figure Making reference to the enclosed figures, solar module 1 according to the invention provides three juxtaposed layers 2. Each one of said three layers has a first side 3, exposed to the heat, and a second side 4, dissipating heat, and further provides an upper side 5 and a lower side 6.

Two holes 7 are provided on second side 4, respectively in correspondence of upper 5 and lower 6 sides, for outlet of an electrically positive cable 8 and of an electrically negative cable 9.

Aluminium plates 10 are present on first side 3 of layer 2, i.e. plates comprised of a material having optimum features as thermal conductor, said plates 10 being at a regular distance each other. Particularly, plates 10' and 10", provided in correspondence of upper 5 and lower 6 side, are at the same height of holes 7, and centrally a hollow 11 is provided having the same dimensions of the other plates 10, dividing them into two groups: a first group 50, comprised of plates 10, 12, 10', 12', connected by electrically positive cable 8, and a second group 60, comprised of plates 10, 12, 10", 12", connected by electrically negative cable 9.

Analogously, further aluminium plates 12 are provided on second side 4 of layer 2, said plates 12 being at a regular distance each other. Particularly, plates 12', 12", in correspondence of upper side 5 and lower side 6, are included within holes 7.

Cables 8, 9 run along layer following a zigzag path, reaching along an opposite path from outlet hole 7 first plate 10' (or 10") on first side 3, then first plate 12' (or 12") on second side 4, then second plate 10 on first side 3, and so on, until reaching to hollow 11 on first side 3.

Tin is poured within said hollow for connection between electrically positive cable 8 and electrically negative cable 9.

Advantageously, said layer 2 can be comprised of any electrically inert, but heat conducing, material. For example, it can be realised by employing typical materials by which electronic cards are made up of . Particularly, layer 2 can be comprised of a conglomerate of glass fibre and resin.

To realise module 1, according to the invention, it is sufficient juxtaposing a first glass panel 13, a layer 2 as described in the above, a first heat exchange plate 14, a layer 2, a second heat exchange plate 15, a layer 2 and a final thermal exchange plate 16. Preferably, said juxtaposed elements are comprised of an aluminium frame 17.

Thus, thermal exchange plates 14, 15 and 16 are connected in parallel, while coupling points 11 between first side 3 for acquiring heat and second side 4 for dissipating heat are connected in series, thus exponentially increasing electric efficiency, with respect to amount of thermal energy absorbed by module 1.

In other words, each pair of plate 10', 12', 10", 12", 10, 12 group 50, 60 connected each other realises a Seebek thermocouple effect, wherein electrical potential is the sum of multiplication of tension and current intensity in the single plate 10', 12' (or 10", 12" or 10, 12) connected in series.

In a preferred embodiment, each one of the layers 2 is comprised of an aluminium (or other metal with good heat conduction features) plate, covered by an material insulating the electric power transmission (to prevent short-circuit) , thus transmitting residual heat to the adjacent inner layer 2' , the latter acquiring heat and transferring the same to adjacent outer layer 2", thus producing electric power in a second stage.

Also thermal exchange plates 14, 15 and 16 are comprised of aluminium, to promote heat exchange among layers 2, 2', 2", and the following dispersion of residual heat within environment.

Coupling points are welded by employing tin or similar alloys and, due to this choice, it is not possible overcoming 150 °C (in fact, tin fusion point is at 216 °C) for a proper operation of the module. Advantageously, material employed for realising solar module according to the invention is aluminium, a material cheap and that can be easily found.

Further, layers 13, 2, 14, 2', 15, 2", 16 and frame 17 comprising the same are made up of a completely recyclable material.

Further advantageously, in case of damaging, it is possible replacing the damaged part without jeopardizing the other components, with remarkable economic advantages.

Preferred embodiments of the present invention have been described for illustrative, but not limitative purposes, but it is to be understood that variations and modifications can be introduced by those skilled in the art without departing from the scope of the invention as defined in the enclosed claims.

Claims

SOLAR MODULE

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1) Solar module (1) comprising a plurality of superimposed layers (13, 2, 14, 2', 15, 2'', 16), among which a first layer (13) , exposed to the heat is made up of a thermal conductor material, i.e. glass, at least one second layer (2; 2'; 2'') is electrically insulated, said second layer (2; 2'; 2'') providing a first side (3) which is exposed to heat and a second side (4) which dissipates heat, each of said first (3) and second (4) sides providing at least two plates (10, 12, 10', 12', 10'', 12'') made up of a material with high thermal conductivity, said at least two plates (10, 10', 10'') of said first side (3) being connected to corresponding said at least two plates (12, 12', 12'') of said second side (4) respectively by means of a first cable (8) electronically positive and a second cable (9) electronically negative, said first (8) and second (9) cables being welded together at a point (11) .

2) Solar module (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that it comprises a plurality of said second layers (2, 2', 2''), among which a heat exchanging plate (14, 15, 16) is interposed.

3) Solar module (1) according to any of claims 1-

2, characterized in that it comprises further a third layer (16) for dissipating of heat.

4) Solar module (1) according to any of claims 2-

3, characterized in that said heat exchanging plates (14, 15) and/or said third layer (16) for dissipating of heat are made up of a material with high thermal conductivity, i.e. aluminium.

5) Solar module (1) according to any of claims 1-

4, characterized in that said plurality of layers (13, 2, 14, 2', 15, 2'', 16) is included in an aluminium frame (17) .

6) Solar module (1) according to any of claims 1-

5, characterized in that two holes (7) are provided on said second side (4) of said second layer (2) , respectively for the output of said first (8) and second (9) cables.

7) Solar module (1) according to any of claims 1-

6, characterized in that a hollow (11) is provided on said first side (3), in which hollow (11) one of the ends of each cables (8, 9) meet and are welded together by the casting of a metal, i.e. tin.

8) Solar module (1) according to any of claims 1-

7, characterized in that said at least one second layer (2; 2'; 2'') is made up of a material with thermal conductivity and electrically insulating, i.e. a conglomerate of fibreglass and resin.