Hybrid solar element for collecting solar radiation

Abstract

The application relates to a hybrid solar element (100) for collecting solar radiation. The hybrid solar element comprises a transparent front cover (102), a photovoltaic structure (204), a heat exchanger (208), and a back cover (116). The front cover is configured to permit the solar radiation to penetrate inside the hybrid solar element. The photovoltaic structure comprises photovoltaic cells (106) configured to convert the solar radiation into electricity. The heat exchanger is configured to circulate a heat transfer fluid within the heat exchanger and to transfer heat from the photovoltaic structure to the heat transfer fluid. The hybrid solar element further comprises a thermoplastic spacer (218) between the front and back covers (102, 116), which thermoplastic spacer is configured to attach the front and back covers to each other and to insulate the photovoltaic structure hermetically to protect the photovoltaic structure.

Description

[0001] HYBRID SOLAR ELEMENT FOR COLLECTING SOLAR RADIATION

[0002] Technical field of the invention

[0003] The application relates generally to a hybrid solar element for collecting solar radiation.

[0004] Background of the invention

[0005] Photovoltaic thermal collectors, i.e., PVT collectors, are hybrid solar collectors, which are configured to convert solar radiation into electricity and thermal energy.

[0006] A known PVT collector comprises photovoltaic cells in a photovoltaic module, which converts solar radiation into electricity, and a solar thermal collector, which transfers waste heat from the PV module to a heat transfer fluid. The PCT collector further comprises a glass cover, encapsulants, e.g., ethylene-vinyl acetate (EVA) layers, a back sheet, e.g., polyvinyl fluoride (PVF) sheet, a thermal back insulation of the heat exchanger, and a collector frame.

[0007] The thermal back insulation below the heat exchanger is arranged on the bottom of the collector frame to insulate a back side of the heat exchanger. The back sheet is then arranged (stacked) on a front side of the heat exchanger and the PV module between the EVA layers is arranged on the back sheet. The glass cover is finally arranged on the encapsulated PV module to complete the structure of the PVT collector.

[0008] Summary

[0009] One object of the invention is to withdraw the drawbacks of known solutions and to provide a hybrid solar element, which has an improved performance of a photovoltaic structure when a control of an operation temperature of the photovoltaic structure is improved. The improved control is arranged by improving a heat transfer from the photovoltaic structure to a heat transfer fluid of a heat exchanger.

[0010] The provided hybrid solar element further decreases manufacture costs and simplifies a manufacture method when its structure enables to manufacture the hybrid solar element without any encapsulant layer.

[0011] The provided hybrid solar element further enables to use existing manufacture lines of insulated glass windows, e.g., thermoplastic spacer (TPS)-insulated glass windows. One object of the invention is fulfilled by providing a hybrid solar element, hybrid solar collector, and manufacture method according to the independent claims.

[0012] Embodiments of the invention are disclosed in the independent claims.

[0013] One hybrid solar element for collecting solar radiation comprises a transparent front cover, a photovoltaic structure, a heat exchanger, and a back cover. The front cover is configured to permit the solar radiation to penetrate inside the hybrid solar element. The photovoltaic structure comprises photovoltaic cells configured to convert the solar radiation into electricity. The heat exchanger is configured to circulate a heat transfer fluid within the heat exchanger and to transfer heat from the photovoltaic structure to the heat transfer fluid. The hybrid solar element further comprises a thermoplastic spacer between the front and back covers. The thermoplastic spacer is configured to attach the front and back covers to each other and to insulate the photovoltaic structure hermetically to protect the photovoltaic structure.

[0014] One hybrid solar collector that comprises a hybrid solar element according to the previous example of the hybrid solar element, which comprises a transparent front cover, a photovoltaic structure, a heat exchanger, and a back cover. The front cover is configured to permit the solar radiation to penetrate inside the hybrid solar element. The photovoltaic structure comprises photovoltaic cells configured to convert the solar radiation into electricity. The heat exchanger is configured to circulate a heat transfer fluid within the heat exchanger and to transfer heat from the photovoltaic structure to the heat transfer fluid. The hybrid solar element further comprises a thermoplastic spacer between the front and back covers. The thermoplastic spacer is configured to attach the front and back covers to each other and to insulate the photovoltaic structure hermetically to protect the photovoltaic structure.

[0015] One manufacture method for manufacturing a hybrid solar element according to the previous example of the hybrid solar element. The method comprises a step of injecting the thermoplastic spacer on the back cover of the hybrid solar element. The method further comprises a step of processing the photovoltaic structure and the heat exchanger of the hybrid solar element to enable the heat to transfer from the photovoltaic structure to the heat exchanger. The method further comprises a step of attaching the transparent front cover of the hybrid solar element to the established thermoplastic spacer to attach the front and back covers to each other and to insulate the photovoltaic structure hermetically to protect the photovoltaic structure. Brief description of the figures

[0016] The exemplary embodiments of the invention are disclosed with reference to the following figures: fig. 1 presents a hybrid solar element fig. 2a presents a cross section A-A of a two-sided structure of the hybrid solar element with one photovoltaic structure, which forms the hybrid solar collector as such fig. 2b presents a cross section A-A of a two-sided structure of the hybrid solar element with two photovoltaic structures, which forms the hybrid solar collector as such fig. 3 presents a cross section A-A of a single-sided structure of the hybrid solar element together with a cross-section of insulator and casing structures, which form the hybrid solar collector fig. 4 presents a flowchart of a manufacture method to manufacture the hybrid solar element

[0017] Detailed description of the figures

[0018] Fig. 1 presents a hybrid solar element 100, which is configured to collect solar radiation from a surrounding environment.

[0019] The element 100 comprises anti-reflective transparent front cover (plate) 102, which is configured to permit the solar radiation to penetrate inside the element 100. The front cover 102 is further configured to shelter inner parts 204, 205, 208 of the element 100 from mechanical damages, insects, and dust as well as to reduce thermal (heat) losses from the element 100. The front cover 102 comprises a transparent glass cover, e.g., an anti-reflective safety glass or a standard glass, or a transparent plastic cover, e.g., an acrylic (polymethyl methacrylate, PMMA) cover or a polycarbonate cover.

[0020] The element 100 further comprises at least one photovoltaic structure 204, 205, e.g., one or two photovoltaic structures, which comprises photovoltaic cells 106 that are configured to convert the solar radiation into electricity. The photovoltaic cells 106 and other parts of the photovoltaic structure 204, 205 produce waste heat during an absorption of the solar radiation and the conversion of the solar radiation into electricity The element 100 further comprises a heat exchanger 208, which is configured to circulate a heat transfer fluid within (inside) the heat exchanger 208 and to absorb the waste heat from the photovoltaic structure 204, 205 to the heat transfer fluid, i.e., to cool down the photovoltaic structure 204, 205. The heat transfer fluid comprises, e.g., water, air, or antifreeze.

[0021] The heat exchanger 208 comprises an integrated heat transport channel 210, which is configured to allow the heat transport fluid to flow through the channel 210 and, at the same time, absorb the waste heat from other structures of the heat exchanger 208 into the heat exchanger 208, and to flow outside the heat exchanger 208.

[0022] The heat exchanger 208 further comprises a rigid or semi-rigid structure, which is configured to support each photovoltaic structure 204, 205. The structure of the heat exchanger 208 comprises two metal plates, e.g., aluminium, stainless steel, or copper plates, which are configured to operate back and front heat exchange surfaces 207, 209 on front and back sides of the heat exchanger 208.

[0023] The metal plates, which comprise a front metal plate on a front side of the heat exchanger 208 to operate as a front heat exchange surface 207 and a back metal plate on a back side of the heat exchanger 208 to operate as a back heat exchange surface 209, have been bonded together by means of a roll-bond device or attached to each other by means of a laser welding device so that the channel 210 is established between the metal plates. The metal plates are configured to absorb the waste heat from the photovoltaic structure 204, 205 and to transfer the waste heat to the heat transfer fluid, which flows along the channel 210 within the structure of the heat exchanger 208.

[0024] The heat exchanger 208 comprises a direct-flow heat exchanger, wherein the integrated channel 210 is established against the back and front surfaces 207, 209 inside the structure of the heat exchanger 208 so that an entire width w of the channel 210, or a significant part of the width w of the channel 210 is configured to transfer the waste heat directly, not through a weld seam, from the front and back surfaces

[0025] 207, 209 to the heat transfer fluid. The direct-flow structure of the heat exchanger

[0026] 208, wherein the metal plates are configured to be a part of the channel 210 at least partly, e.g., the laser-welded structure (profile) of the heat exchanger 208, or completely, e.g., the roll-bond structure of the heat exchanger 208, provides more efficient heat transfer to the heat transfer fluid compared to heat exchangers, wherein a heat transfer channel is welded to a heat transfer surface and heat can only transfer through a narrow weld seam over a small part of a width of the heat transfer channel.

[0027] The channel 210 comprises a fluid connection 112, 114, which is configured to allow the heat transport fluid to flow into the heat exchanger 208 and to flow outside the heat exchanger 208. The fluid connection 112, 114 comprises an inlet 112, which is configured to enable the heat transport fluid to flow from outside the heat exchanger 208 along the inlet 112 into the heat exchanger 112, and an outlet 114, which is configured to enable the heat transport fluid to flow from the heat exchanger 208 along the outlet 114 to outside the heat exchanger 114.

[0028] The inlet and outlet 112, 114 are configured to be connected to external devices, e.g., a heat transport channel 210 of other elements 100, by connectors and connection adapters.

[0029] The element 100 further comprises a back cover (plate) 116, which is configured to operate correspondingly as the front cover 102 or, alternatively, configured to transfer heat from the photovoltaic structure 204 to the heat transfer fluid depending on a structure of the back cover 116. The front cover 102 is attached to the back cover 116 to complete the structure of the element 100.

[0030] The element 100 further comprises a thermoplastic spacer 218 between the front and back covers 102, 116, which is manufactured by a thermoplastic spacer technology. The thermoplastic spacer 218 comprises, e.g., a butyl seal.

[0031] The thermoplastic spacer 218 is configured to attach the front and back covers 102, 116 to each other so that the front distance hi is formed between the front cover 102 and the photovoltaic structure 204 and, at the same time, a sealed space 220 is formed between the front and back covers 102, 116. The front distance hi is, e.g., 10-20 mm, e.g., 10, 12, 15, 18, or 20 mm.

[0032] The front cover 102, thermoplastic spacer 218, and back cover 116, i.e., inner surfaces of said parts 102, 116, 218, are configured to define the sealed space 220, which is filled up with a low thermal conductive gas to protect the photovoltaic structure and the heat exchanger so that the photovoltaic structure and the heat exchanger are insulated to improve the transfer of the heat (heat collection) from the photovoltaic structure 204, 205 to the heat transfer fluid and to reduce the heat losses of the element 100. The low thermal conductive gas comprises, e.g., a noble gas, e.g., argon, krypton, xenon, or other inert gas. The thermoplastic spacer 218 is further configured to insulate at least the photovoltaic structure 204, 205, e.g., the photovoltaic structure 204, 205 and the heat exchanger 208, thermally to control an operation temperature of the photovoltaic structure 204, 205 to improve its performance.

[0033] The element 100 further comprises a secondary seal 122 between the front and back covers 102, 116 and against an outer surface of the thermoplastic spacer 218. The secondary seal 122 comprises, e.g., a silicon seal. The secondary seal 122 is configured to further insulate at least the photovoltaic structure 204 thermally and to protect the thermoplastic spacer 218

[0034] The element 100 further comprises at least one fastener 224, which is configured to fasten the photovoltaic structure 204 directly, without any encapsulant or back sheet, to the heat exchanger 208 so that the photovoltaic structure 204 contacts a front surface 207 of the heat exchanger 208. The at least one fastener 224 comprises, e.g., one, two, three, four, or more fasteners 224. Each fastener 224 comprises a mechanical fastener, e.g., a bolted joint (through-bolt coupling, bolt joint) according to the figures, or an adhesive fastener 224.

[0035] Fig. 2a presents the cross-section A-A of a two-sided embodiment of the element 100, which comprises the same features and operations as disclosed in context of previous figure.

[0036] The two-sided embodiment of the hybrid solar element 100 is configured to operate as a hybrid solar collector 226 as such.

[0037] The back cover 116 comprises a transparent glass cover, e.g., an anti-reflective safety glass or a standard glass; a transparent plastic cover, e.g., an acrylic cover or a polycarbonate cover; or a plastic cover, e.g., a polyurethane (PUR) cover or a polyisocyanurate (PIR) cover. It is configured to shelter inner parts 204, 208 of the element 100 from mechanical damages, insects, and dust as well as to reduce heat losses from the element 100 correspondingly as the front cover 102.

[0038] The photovoltaic structure 204 is fastened, by means of the at least one fastener 224, on the front surface 207 of the heat exchanger 208, which faces the front cover 102, directly without any encapsulant or back sheet between the photovoltaic structure 204 and the heat exchanger 208. Thermoplastic spacer 208 is further configured to attach the front and back covers 102, 116 to each other so that the heat exchanger 208 is also insulated together with the photovoltaic structure 204 thermally.

[0039] The two-sided embodiment comprises the fluid connection 112, 114, which is further configured to restrain the photovoltaic structure 204 and the heat exchanger 208, which are fastened to each other by at least one fastener 224, apart from other structures of the hybrid solar element 100 in the a sealed space 220, which is surrounded by the front cover 102, the thermoplastic spacer 218, and the back cover 116. The apart-restrained photovoltaic structure 204 and heat exchanger 208 are thermally insulated from the other structures of the hybrid solar element, e.g., front cover 102, the thermoplastic spacer 218, and the back cover 116.

[0040] The two-sided embodiment further comprises at least one front supporter 228, which is configured to support the photovoltaic structure 204 and the heat exchanger 208 to establish the front distance hi between the front cover 102 and the photovoltaic structure 204.

[0041] The at least one front supporter 228 comprises one, two, three, four, or more front supporters 228. Each front supporter 228 has been attached to the front surface of the photovoltaic structure 204, which faces the front cover 102 and is away from the heat exchanger 208, so that it maintains the front distance hi between the front cover 102 and the photovoltaic structure 204. Each front supporter 228 comprises a polystyrene (foam plastic), Teflon, or rubber supporter 228.

[0042] The two-sided embodiment further comprises at least one back supporter 230, which is configured to support the photovoltaic structure 204 and the heat exchanger 208 to establish the back distance h2 between the heat exchanger 208 and the back cover 116. The back distance h2 is, e.g., 10-20 mm, e.g., 10, 12, 15, 18, or 20 mm.

[0043] The at least one back supporter 230 comprises one, two, three, four, or more back supporters 230. Each back supporter 230 has been attached to the back surface of the heat exchanger 208, which is away from the photovoltaic structure 204 and faces the back cover 116, so that it maintains the back distance h2 between the heat exchanger 208 and the back cover 116. Each back supporter 230 comprises a polystyrene, Teflon, or rubber supporter 230.

[0044] Fig. 2b presents the cross-section A-A of another two-sided embodiment of the element 100, which comprises the same features and operations as disclosed in context of previous figures. The element 100 distinguishes from the element 100 of fig. 2a so that the element 100 further comprises another photovoltaic structure 205, which is configured to operate correspondingly as the photovoltaic structure 204.

[0045] The photovoltaic structure 205, which comprises photovoltaic cells 106 that are configured to convert the solar radiation into electricity, is fastened, by means of the at least one fastener 224, on a back surface 209 of the heat exchanger 208, which faces the back cover 116, directly without any encapsulant or back sheet between the photovoltaic structure 205 and the heat exchanger 208 so that the photovoltaic structure 205 contacts the back surface 209 of the heat exchanger 208.

[0046] The photovoltaic structure 205 and the transparent back cover 116, which is configured to permit the solar radiation to penetrate inside the element 100 correspondingly as the front cover 102, enable the element 100 to convert the solar radiation into electricity by means of both photovoltaic structures 204, 205 as well as to transfer heat from both photovoltaic structures 204, 205 to the heat transfer fluid on both surfaces 207, 209 of the heat exchanger 208.

[0047] Fig. 3 presents the cross-section A-A of a one-sided embodiment of the hybrid solar element 100, which comprises the same features and operations as disclosed in context of the previous figures except the sealed space 220 at the back side of the heat exchanger 208 and the possibility to permit the solar radiation to penetrate inside the element 100 through the back cover 116.

[0048] The one-sided embodiment comprises the heat exchanger 208, which is further configured to operate as a back cover 116. The heat exchanger 208 has a larger surface area than the photovoltaic structure 204 so that the thermoplastic spacer 218 can attach the front cover 102 to a front surface of the heat exchanger 208, which faces the front cover 102, and insulate the photovoltaic structure 204 thermally.

[0049] The one-sided embodiment of the hybrid solar element 100 is configured to operate as a part of the hybrid solar collector 226, when is installed on an insulator 332, which rests in a casing 334.

[0050] The one-sided embodiment of the hybrid solar collector thus comprises the insulator 332 against the back surface of the heat exchanger 208. The insulator 332 is configured to insulate the element 100 thermally, to minimize effects of its environment, and to support the element 100. The insulator 332 comprises, e.g., mineral or wood fiber wool insulator 332. The one-sided embodiment of the hybrid solar collector thus comprises the casing 334, which is configured to cover and support the element 100 when the element 100 rests on the insulator 332, which has been installed on a bottom of the casing 334. The casing 334 comprises, e.g., a stainless steel, galvanized steel, or aluminium casing 334

[0051] Fig. 4 presents a manufacture method 440 to manufacture the hybrid solar element 100, which comprises the same features and operations as disclosed in the previous figures.

[0052] At a step 442, irrespective of whether the back cover 116 comprises the simple back cover 116 according to fig. 2a, 2b or the photovoltaic-heat exchanger structure 204, 208 that operates as a back cover 116 according to fig. 3, the back cover 116 is mounted (arranged) in an upright (vertical) position on a manufacture line of insulated glass windows, e.g., thermoplastic spacer-insulated glass windows.

[0053] If the back cover 116 comprises the heat exchanger 208, the photovoltaic structure 204 and the heat exchanger 208 are fastened to each other by means of the fasteners) 224 to achieve the back cover 116 according to fig. 3 and the front supporters) 228 is further attached to the front surface of the photovoltaic structure 204 to establish the front distance hi between the front cover 102 and the photovoltaic structure 204 later on at a step 450 before the mounting of the photovoltaic-heat exchanger structure 204, 208 with the front supporter(s) 228 on the manufacture line is carried out at the step 442.

[0054] At a step 444, the thermoplastic spacer 218 is injected (applied) on the back cover 116, if the back cover 116 comprises the simple back cover 116, and on the front surface 207 of the heat exchanger 208, if the photovoltaic-heat exchanger structure 204, 208 operates as a back cover 116, to attach the front and back covers 102, 116 to each other later on at the step 450 so that the photovoltaic structure 204 and the heat exchanger 208 are insulated hermetically according to fig. 2a, 2b or so that at least the photovoltaic structure 204, e.g., the photovoltaic structure 204 and the front surface 207 of the heat exchanger 208, is insulated hermetically according to fig- 3.

[0055] At a step 446, if the back cover 116 comprises the simple back cover 116, the photovoltaic structure(s) 204, 205 and the heat exchanger 208 are fastened (processed) to each other by means of the fastener(s) 224 to achieve a photovoltaic-heat exchanger structure 204, 205, 208 according to fig. 2a, 2b, which enables the heat to transfer from the photovoltaic structure(s) 204, 205 to the heat exchanger 208.

[0056] The back supporter(s) 230 are further attached to the back surface 209 of the heat exchanger 208 to maintain the back distance h2 between the heat exchanger 208 and the back cover 116 or, alternatively to the front surface of the photovoltaic structure 205 to maintain the back distance h2 between the photovoltaic structure 205 and the back cover 116, if the element 100 comprises two photovoltaic structure(s) 204, 205 according to fig. 2b. The front supporter(s) 228 is further attached to the front surface of the photovoltaic structure 204 to establish the front distance hi between the front cover 102 and the photovoltaic structure 204. The fastening step 446 can be carried out alternatively before the mounting or injecting steps 442, 444.

[0057] At a step 448, if the back cover 116 comprises the simple back cover 116, the photovoltaic-heat exchanger structure 204, 205, 208 is supported against the back cover 116 by means of the fluid connection 112, 114 and the back supporter(s) 230 to establish the back distance h2 between the heat exchanger 208 and the back cover 116.

[0058] At a step 449, the back cover 116 with the photovoltaic-heat exchanger structure 204, 205, 208 and the injected thermoplastic spacer 218 or the photovoltaic-heat exchanger structure 204, 208 with the injected thermoplastic spacer 218 is conveyed into an oven (furnace) on the manufacture line. An interior of the furnace comprises a low thermal conductive gas, e.g., argon. At the step 450, the front cover 102 is then attached to the back cover 116 or the photovoltaic-heat exchanger structure 204, 208 by means of the thermoplastic spacer 218 in the oven to achieve the structure of the hybrid solar element 100.

[0059] At a step 452, when the front cover 102 is attached to the back cover 116 or the photovoltaic-heat exchanger structure 204, 208 at the attaching step 450, the sealed space 220 between the front and back covers 102, 116 or alternatively between the front cover 102 and the photovoltaic-heat exchanger structure 204, 208 fills up with the low thermal conductive gas in the oven.

[0060] At a step 454, the element 100 is then heated in the oven to complete the attachment of the front and back covers 102, 116 or alternatively the attachment of the front cover 102 and the photovoltaic-heat exchanger structure 204, 208, which is caused by the thermoplastic spacer 218. At a step 455, the element 100 is conveyed out of the oven on the manufacture line and, at a step 456, the secondary sealing 122 is then injected between the front and back covers 102, 116 or alternatively between the front cover 102 and the photovoltaic-heat exchanger structure 204, 208 and against the thermoplastic spacer 218. The secondary sealing 122 further insulates the photovoltaic structure 204, 205 and the heat exchanger 208 according to fig. 2a, 2b or alternatively the photovoltaic structure 204 and partly the heat exchanger 208 according to fig. 3 as well as protects the thermoplastic spacer 218. The manufactured hybrid solar element 100 is then removed from the manufacture line before the manufacture method 440 ends. After the manufacture method 440 has ended, if the manufactured hybrid solar element 100 comprises the photovoltaic-heat exchanger structure 204, 208 that operates as a back cover 116, the insulator 332 is yet mounted in the casing 334 and the hybrid solar element 100 is then mounted on the insulator 332 to complete the structure according to fig. 3. The invention has been now disclosed above with reference to the previous exemplary embodiments and its several advantages have been demonstrated. It is clear that the invention is not only restricted to these embodiments, but it comprises all possible embodiments within the scope of the following claims.

Claims

Claims1 . A hybrid solar element (100) for collecting solar radiation comprising a transparent front cover (102), photovoltaic structure (204), a heat exchanger (208), and a back cover (116), wherein the front cover is configured to permit the solar radiation to penetrate inside the hybrid solar element, wherein the photovoltaic structure comprises photovoltaic cells (106) configured to convert the solar radiation into electricity, and wherein the heat exchanger is configured to circulate a heat transfer fluid within the heat exchanger and to transfer heat from the photovoltaic structure to the heat transfer fluid, characterized in that the hybrid solar element further comprises a thermoplastic spacer (218) between the front and back covers (102, 116), which thermoplastic spacer is configured to attach the front and back covers to each other and to insulate the photovoltaic structure hermetically to protect the photovoltaic structure.

2. The hybrid solar element according to the previous claim, wherein the thermoplastic spacer is further configured establish a sealed space (220) together with the front and back covers, which sealed space is filled up with a low thermal conductive gas to insulate the photovoltaic structure and the heat exchanger to improve the transfer of the heat from the photovoltaic structure to the heat transfer fluid.

3. The hybrid solar element according to any of the previous claims, which further comprises at least one fastener (224) configured to fasten the photovoltaic structure to the heat exchanger.

4. The hybrid solar element according to any of the previous claims, which further comprises at least one front supporter (228) configured to support the photovoltaic structure and the heat exchanger to establish a front distance (hi ) between the front cover and the photovoltaic structure.

5. The hybrid solar element according to any of the previous claims, which further comprises a fluid connection (112, 114) configured to allow the heat transport fluid to flow into the heat exchanger and to flow outside the heat exchanger.

6. The hybrid solar element according to claim 5, wherein the fluid connection comprises an inlet (112) configured to enable the heat transport fluid to flow fromoutside the heat exchanger along the inlet into the heat exchanger and an outlet (114) configured to enable the heat transport fluid to flow from the heat exchanger along the outlet to outside the heat exchanger.

7. The hybrid solar element according to any of claims 5-6, which fluid connection is configured to restrain the photovoltaic structure and the heat exchanger apart from other structures of the hybrid solar element in a sealed space (220) surrounded by the front cover, thermoplastic spacer, and back cover so that the apart-restrained photovoltaic structure and heat exchanger are thermally insulated from the other structures of the hybrid solar element.

8. The hybrid solar element according to any of the previous claims, wherein the thermoplastic spacer is further configured to attach the front and back covers to each other to insulate the photovoltaic structure and the heat exchanger thermally.

9. The hybrid solar element according to any of the previous claims, which further comprises at least one back supporter (230) configured to support the photovoltaic structure and the heat exchanger to establish a back distance (h2) between the heat exchanger and the back cover.

10. The hybrid solar element according to any of the previous claims, wherein the back cover is a transparent back cover (116).11 . The hybrid solar element according to any of the previous claims, which further comprises another photovoltaic structure (205), which comprises photovoltaic cells (106) configured to convert the solar radiation into electricity so that the photovoltaic structure (204) is fastened on one surface (207) of the heat exchanger to face the front cover and the another photovoltaic structure is fastened on another surface (209) of the heat exchanger to face the back cover.

12. The hybrid solar element according to any of claims 1 -6, wherein the back cover comprises the heat exchanger having a larger surface area than the photovoltaic structure to attach the front cover to the heat exchanger and to insulate the photovoltaic structure thermally by the thermoplastic spacer.

13. The hybrid solar element according to any of the previous claims, wherein the heat exchanger comprises a direct-flow heat exchanger (208), which comprises an integrated heat transport channel (210) between heat exchange surfaces (207, 208) to circulate the heat transfer fluid within the heat exchanger and to absorb the heat from the photovoltaic structure.

14. The hybrid solar collector (226) comprising the hybrid solar element (100) according to any of the previous claims.

15. A manufacture method (440) for manufacturing the hybrid solar element (100) according to any of claims 1 -13, comprising at least following steps of injecting (444) the thermoplastic spacer (218) on the back cover (116) of the hybrid solar element, processing (446) the photovoltaic structure (204) and the heat exchanger (208) of the hybrid solar element to enable the heat to transfer from the photovoltaic structure to the heat exchanger, and attaching (450) the transparent front cover (102) of the hybrid solar element to the established thermoplastic spacer to attach the front and back covers (102, 116) to each other and to insulate the photovoltaic structure hermetically to protect the photovoltaic structure.

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