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Modular solar panels with heat exchange & methods of making thereof

a solar panel and module technology, applied in the field of module solar panels with heat exchange & methods of making thereof, can solve the problems of low conversion efficiency, limited use of conventional roof-mounted solar modules, aesthetic appeal, etc., and achieve the effect of increasing the efficiency of converting solar energy into electricity

Inactive Publication Date: 2008-06-12
SUNMODULAR INC
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  • Summary
  • Abstract
  • Description
  • Claims
  • Application Information

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0007]Described herein are various solar modules that produce energy from the sun's radiation as well as various methods employed in fabrication of those solar modules. Some of the modules have increased efficiency in converting solar energy to electricity. Some modules are aesthetically attractive and well suited for installation over top of conventional roofs.

Problems solved by technology

Despite increased growth, the widespread use of conventional roof-mounted solar modules has been limited by their difficulty and cost of installation, lack of aesthetic appeal, and especially their low conversion efficiency.
These modules are complex systems comprising separate mechanical and electrical interconnections that are then mounted into existing rooftops, requiring significant installation time and skill.
Available modules are also invasive in the aesthetics of homes and commercial buildings, resulting in limited use.
A few manufacturers have fabricated more aesthetically pleasing and less obstructive solutions, but the systems are not price competitive largely due to installation difficulties and poor total area efficiency.
Lower module efficiency levels are correlated to higher photovoltaic system costs because a greater module area is required for a given energy demand.
Despite these improvements, solar cell conversion efficiency remains limited, in part, by high solar cell temperatures.
Part of the energy radiated onto the cell is converted to heat, which limits the electrical energy output and overall conversion efficiency of the cell.

Method used

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  • Modular solar panels with heat exchange & methods of making thereof
  • Modular solar panels with heat exchange & methods of making thereof
  • Modular solar panels with heat exchange & methods of making thereof

Examples

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Embodiment Construction

[0024]The following description is presented to enable a person of ordinary skill in the art to make and use the invention. Descriptions of specific materials, techniques, and applications are provided only as examples. Various modifications to the examples described herein will be readily apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art, and the general principles defined herein may be applied to other examples and applications without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Thus, the present invention is not intended to be limited to the examples described and shown, but is to be accorded the scope consistent with the appended claims.

[0025]FIGS. 1 and 2 illustrate an example of a photovoltaic (PV) module 100 of the present invention. The photovoltaic module 100 comprises a photovoltaic array of interconnected photovoltaic cells 110 positioned within a frame 120, which may be adapted to mount the module on a finished rooftop. Each photovoltaic cell is positioned within ...

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Abstract

A photovoltaic module with photovoltaic cell and a heat sink. The heat sink is attached on a side of the cell opposite to the light-receiving side of the photovoltaic cell. The heat sink can remove heat caused by light absorbed by the photovoltaic cell but not converted to electricity as well as heat generated by resistance to high current passing through electrodes of the photovoltaic cell. A photovoltaic module formed of such cells can exhibit greater energy conversion efficiency as a result of the ability to dissipate the heat. A method of making a photovoltaic module involves e.g. laminating a heat sink to a photovoltaic cell.

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS[0001]This application claims priority benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 60 / 874,313, entitled “Modular Solar Roof Tiles and Solar Panels With Heat Exchange” filed Dec. 11, 2006, which is incorporated by reference in its entirety herein as if it was put forth in full below.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0002]Solar energy is a renewable energy source that has gained significant worldwide popularity due to the recognized limitations of fossil fuels and safety concerns of nuclear fuels. The photovoltaic (PV) solar energy demand has grown at least 25% per annum over the past 15 years. Worldwide photovoltaic installations increased by 1460 MW (Megawatt) in 2005, up from 1,086 MW installed during the previous year (representing a 34% yearly increase) and compared to 21 MW in 1985.[0003]Most growth in the field of solar energy has focused on solar modules fixed on top of an existing roof. Rooftops provide direct exposure of solar radiation to a ...

Claims

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Application Information

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Patent Type & Authority Applications(United States)
IPC IPC(8): H01M6/00
CPCH01L31/052H01M14/005Y10T29/49114H02S20/00Y10T29/49112Y02E10/50B29C45/14639B29C45/1671H02S20/23H02S20/25H02S40/36H02S40/42Y02B10/10Y02B10/20
Inventor CORRALES, EUGENIA M.CORRALES, ANA M.
Owner SUNMODULAR INC
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