Photovoltaic cell with efficient sunlight utilization function

Abstract

The invention relates to the technical field of photovoltaic cells, in particular to a photovoltaic cell with an efficient sunlight utilization function. The photovoltaic cell comprises a photovoltaic unit; and the plurality of photovoltaic units are mutually spliced to form a spherical structure. According to the spherical photovoltaic cell provided by the invention, photoelectric conversion efficiency fluctuation caused by angle change of a traditional photovoltaic cell can be avoided while the spherical photovoltaic cell can receive sunlight irradiation in all directions. Due to the spherical design, the photovoltaic cell can effectively capture sunlight at any angle, so that the photovoltaic cell has remarkable advantages in a dynamic illumination environment. In addition, the spherical photovoltaic cell is flexible in structure, can obtain better adaptability in extreme environments such as seaborne and desert, and does not need to depend on an expensive sun tracking system. By adopting the spherical structure, the combination of a plurality of flexible photovoltaic cells can effectively disperse external pressure and vibration and improve the capability of resisting extreme climates such as wind and sand, so that the service life of the photovoltaic cells is prolonged.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to the technical field of photovoltaic cells, and particularly to a photovoltaic cell with a function of efficiently utilizing sunlight. Background Art

[0002] As an important part of renewable energy, photovoltaic cell technology has been widely used globally in recent years, especially in the field of solar power generation, which has promoted the sustainable development of energy. Traditional photovoltaic cells mainly adopt a planar structure. This design has a relatively high photoelectric conversion efficiency under standard conditions and is relatively mature, and has been widely used in fields such as rooftops and photovoltaic power stations. However, the performance of planar photovoltaic cells is affected by multiple factors, especially the incident angle of solar radiation. Due to the rotation of the earth and the change of solar radiation, the irradiation angle of sunlight changes with time, resulting in unstable energy collection ability of traditional planar photovoltaic cells. Even if a sun-tracking system is used to adjust the angle of the photovoltaic cell, the high cost and complexity of the sun-tracking device are still a major limiting factor in applications.

[0003] In addition, with the expansion of the scale of solar power generation and the diversification of application environments, the performance of traditional photovoltaic cells under extreme environmental conditions is not satisfactory. Especially in areas such as the sea and deserts, the installation of photovoltaic cells faces great challenges. The harsh climate conditions in these areas, such as sandstorms, high wind speeds, and strong sunlight irradiation, make photovoltaic cells face more wear and damage. In addition, the terrain in open areas such as the sea and deserts also restricts the installation of traditional planar photovoltaic cells, and the space and energy resources cannot be utilized to the maximum extent.

[0004] In these environments, traditional planar photovoltaic cells often cannot fully adapt to the changes in sunlight and complex environmental conditions, resulting in fluctuations in the photoelectric conversion efficiency, thereby affecting the overall power generation efficiency. Summary of the Invention

[0005] The purpose of the present invention is to provide a photovoltaic cell with a function of efficiently utilizing sunlight, which can solve the problem that existing planar photovoltaic cells cannot fully adapt to the changes in sunlight and complex environmental conditions;

[0006] The present invention provides a photovoltaic cell with a function of efficiently utilizing sunlight, which includes photovoltaic units; a plurality of photovoltaic units are spliced together to form a spherical structure.

[0007] Preferably, it includes an inner shell, a photovoltaic cell layer, and an outer shell;

[0008] The inner shell is a hollow spherical support structure, a plurality of photovoltaic units are spliced together to form a photovoltaic cell layer, and the outer shell is a transparent spherical structure;

[0009] Multiple photovoltaic units are fixed on the outer surface of the inner shell, and the outer shell covers the outside of the photovoltaic cell layer and is fixedly connected to the inner shell.

[0010] Preferably, the inner shell is made of plastic, ceramic or metal.

[0011] Preferably, the surface of the inner shell is provided with a groove structure;

[0012] The photovoltaic unit is fixed in the groove structure.

[0013] Preferably, the photovoltaic unit is fixed in the groove structure by means of pasting, magnetic attraction or buckling.

[0014] Preferably, the outer shell is made of glass, transparent plastic or transparent composite.

[0015] Preferably, the outer shell and the inner shell are connected by buckles or bolts.

[0016] Preferably, the shape of the photovoltaic unit is fan-shaped, hexagonal, circular, elliptical, rectangular, square or semi-circular.

[0017] Preferably, the arrangement of multiple photovoltaic units is annular arrangement, honeycomb arrangement, spiral arrangement, random arrangement, zigzag arrangement or longitudinal arrangement.

[0018] Preferably, the surface of the photovoltaic unit is provided with a self-cleaning coating and / or an anti-reflection coating.

[0019] Advantageous effects:

[0020] The present invention provides a spherical photovoltaic cell, which can receive sunlight from all directions while avoiding the fluctuation of the photoelectric conversion efficiency caused by the angle change of the traditional photovoltaic cell. Since the spherical design enables the photovoltaic cell to effectively capture sunlight at any angle, it has significant advantages in a dynamic lighting environment. In addition, the structure of the spherical photovoltaic cell is flexible, enabling it to have better adaptability in extreme environments such as the sea and the desert, and it does not need to rely on an expensive sun-tracking system. By adopting a spherical structure, the combination of multiple flexible photovoltaic cells can effectively disperse external pressure and vibration, enhancing the ability to resist extreme climates such as sandstorms, thereby increasing the service life of the photovoltaic cell. Description of the drawings

[0021] In order to more clearly illustrate the specific embodiments of the present invention or the technical solutions in the prior art, the following will briefly introduce the drawings required for the description of the specific embodiments or the prior art. Obviously, the following drawings are some embodiments of the present invention. For those of ordinary skill in the art, without creative efforts, other drawings can also be obtained based on these drawings.

[0022] Figure 1 Schematic diagram of a photovoltaic cell structure with efficient sunlight utilization function provided for the specific embodiment of the present invention. The photovoltaic cell includes an inner shell and a photovoltaic cell layer;

[0023] Figure 2 Schematic diagram of a photovoltaic cell structure with efficient sunlight utilization function provided for the specific embodiment of the present invention. The photovoltaic cell includes an inner shell, a photovoltaic cell layer and an outer shell;

[0024] Figure 3 Schematic diagram of a structure in which the photovoltaic units of the present invention are arranged in a ring;

[0025] Figure 4 Schematic diagram of a structure in which the photovoltaic units of the present invention are arranged in a honeycomb pattern;

[0026] Figure 5 Schematic diagram of a structure in which the photovoltaic units of the present invention are arranged in a spiral pattern;

[0027] Figure 6 Schematic diagram of a structure in which the photovoltaic units of the present invention are arranged randomly;

[0028] Figure 7 Schematic diagram of a structure in which the photovoltaic units of the present invention are arranged in a zigzag pattern;

[0029] Figure 8 Schematic diagram of a structure in which the photovoltaic units of the present invention are arranged longitudinally.

[0030] Description of reference numerals:

[0031] 1: Inner shell; 2: Photovoltaic cell layer; 3: Outer shell. Specific embodiment

[0032] Next, the technical solutions of the present invention will be clearly and completely described in conjunction with the embodiments. Obviously, the described embodiments are part of the embodiments of the present invention, rather than all of the embodiments. Based on the embodiments of the present invention, all other embodiments obtained by those of ordinary skill in the art without creative work shall fall within the protection scope of the present invention.

[0033] In the description of the present invention, it should be understood that the orientation or positional relationship indicated by terms such as "center", "longitudinal", "transverse", "length", "width", "thickness", "upper", "lower", "front", "rear", "left", "right", "vertical", "horizontal", "top", "bottom", "inner", "outer", "clockwise", "counterclockwise", etc. is based on the orientation or positional relationship shown in the drawings. It is only for the convenience of describing the present invention and simplifying the description, rather than indicating or implying that the device or element referred to must have a specific orientation, be constructed and operated in a specific orientation, and thus should not be construed as a limitation to the present invention.

[0034] In addition, the terms "first" and "second" are only used for descriptive purposes and cannot be understood as indicating or implying relative importance or implicitly specifying the quantity of the indicated technical features. Thus, the features defined with "first" and "second" may explicitly or implicitly include one or more of the said features. In the description of the present invention, "a plurality of" means two or more unless otherwise specifically defined. In addition, the terms "mounted", "connected", and "coupled" should be understood in a broad sense. For example, it may be a fixed connection, a detachable connection, or an integral connection; it may be a mechanical connection or an electrical connection; it may be directly connected or indirectly connected through an intermediate medium, and it may be the communication inside two elements. For those of ordinary skill in the art, the specific meanings of the above terms in the present invention can be understood according to specific circumstances.

[0035] As Figures 1-8 shown, this embodiment provides a photovoltaic cell with an efficient sunlight utilization function, which includes a photovoltaic unit; a plurality of photovoltaic units are spliced together to form a spherical structure.

[0036] In terrains such as at sea and in deserts and other open areas, traditional planar photovoltaic cells often cannot fully adapt to the changes in sunlight and complex environmental conditions, resulting in fluctuations in the photoelectric conversion efficiency, which in turn affects the overall power generation efficiency. To overcome these problems, a spherical structure photovoltaic cell formed by splicing a plurality of photovoltaic units together can, while receiving sunlight irradiation in all directions, avoid the fluctuations in the photoelectric conversion efficiency caused by the angle change of traditional photovoltaic cells. Since the spherical design enables the photovoltaic cell to effectively capture sunlight at any angle, this gives it significant advantages in a dynamic lighting environment. In addition, the structure of the spherical photovoltaic cell is flexible, enabling it to have better adaptability in extreme environments such as at sea and in deserts, and it does not need to rely on an expensive sun-tracking system. By adopting a spherical structure, the combination of multiple flexible photovoltaic cells can effectively disperse external pressure and vibration, enhancing the ability to resist extreme climates such as sandstorms, thereby increasing the service life of the photovoltaic cell.

[0037] In addition, this structure is more suitable for open places such as the sea and deserts. The spherical photovoltaic cells can roll with the waves and windblown sand, and there is no problem of being overturned and unable to work.

[0038] The photovoltaic cell with the function of efficiently utilizing sunlight includes, in addition to the photovoltaic units described above, necessary support structures and protective structures, specifically as described below:

[0039] The photovoltaic cell includes an inner shell 1, a photovoltaic cell layer 2, and an outer shell 3.

[0040] The inner shell 1 is a hollow spherical support structure. A plurality of photovoltaic units are spliced together to form the photovoltaic cell layer 2. The outer shell 3 is a transparent spherical structure with a high light transmittance.

[0041] A plurality of photovoltaic units are fixed on the outer surface of the inner shell 1. The outer shell 3 is wrapped outside the photovoltaic cell layer 2 and fixedly connected to the inner shell 3.

[0042] It should be noted that: as Figure 1 、 Figure 2 shown, the spherical structure from the inside to the outside is a spherical inner shell, a photovoltaic cell layer, and a spherical outer shell. In special cases, the spherical outer shell may not exist, such as when the packaging of the photovoltaic cell is good. The photovoltaic cell layer is attached to the spherical inner shell by various methods such as adhesives, buckles, and magnetic attraction.

[0043] The inner shell is made of plastic or metal.

[0044] The surface of the inner shell is provided with photovoltaic unit mounting positions. The photovoltaic units are fixed at the photovoltaic unit mounting positions. The photovoltaic unit mounting positions can be grooves, specifically as shown below:

[0045] The surface of the inner shell is provided with a groove structure. The photovoltaic units are fixed in the groove structure. The photovoltaic units are fixed in the groove structure by means of pasting, magnetic attraction, or buckles.

[0046] The outer shell is made of glass, transparent plastic, or transparent composite. The outer shell and the inner shell are connected by buckles or bolts.

[0047] To better illustrate the composition structure of the above photovoltaic cell, this embodiment provides two specific photovoltaic cell composition schemes. Among the three composition schemes, the photovoltaic cell includes an inner shell, a photovoltaic cell, and an outer shell.

[0048] The first composition scheme of the photovoltaic cell is: the photovoltaic cell includes a high-strength plastic spherical inner shell, a flexible photovoltaic cell layer, and a transparent polycarbonate outer shell.

[0049] High-strength plastic spherical inner shell

[0050] Material of the inner shell: High-strength plastics are used as the material of the inner shell, such as ABS or polycarbonate. Such plastics have good mechanical strength, impact resistance and corrosion resistance, and are suitable for use in harsh environments.

[0051] ABS: It has good impact resistance, is light and durable.

[0052] Polycarbonate (PC): It has strong transparency, ultraviolet resistance and high-temperature resistance, and is very suitable for outdoor use.

[0053] The specific structure of the inner shell is as follows: The spherical inner shell is a hollow structure, and the photovoltaic cell layer can be pasted or embedded on the outer surface of the inner shell. Specifically, microstructural grooves are provided on the surface of the inner shell to facilitate the fixation of the photovoltaic units of the photovoltaic cell layer, while reducing the contact area with the battery and reducing the stress caused by expansion and contraction.

[0054] Attachment method of the photovoltaic unit:

[0055] Adhesive method: Use high-performance adhesives (such as epoxy resin or silicone) to bond the photovoltaic units into the grooves of the spherical inner shell. The adhesive should have high temperature resistance, ultraviolet resistance, good mechanical strength and electrical insulation.

[0056] Snap-fixing method: Multiple card slots are designed on the spherical inner shell, and the edges of the photovoltaic units are equipped with snap designs, so that the battery layer can be directly snapped into the card slots for fixation. This method is convenient for installation and disassembly, and is suitable for situations that require regular replacement or maintenance.

[0057] Magnetic attraction fixing method: Magnetic materials are embedded in the edges of the photovoltaic units and adsorbed and fixed with the magnetic structure of the inner shell. This design provides higher flexibility, especially suitable for applications that require disassembly and replacement.

[0058] The outer shell, which is an optional structure, can be configured or not configured according to actual needs.

[0059] Material of the outer shell: Transparent polycarbonate (PC) or polypropylene (PP) is used as the outer shell material. Polycarbonate has good ultraviolet resistance, impact resistance, and high transparency, and is suitable as the outer shell material, which can effectively protect the photovoltaic cell layer.

[0060] The specific structure of the outer shell is as follows: The outer shell is designed as a sphere, which is light and has good impact resistance and sand and wind resistance. The outer shell can be fixed to the inner shell by threaded connection or snap connection to ensure a stable structure.

[0061] The connection method between the outer shell and the inner shell is as follows:

[0062] Bolt connection: The outer shell is connected to the inner shell by bolts, making it easy to disassemble and maintain.

[0063] Snap connection: The outer shell is connected to the inner shell by snaps, which facilitates quick installation and disassembly and reduces the manual labor intensity.

[0064] The second composition scheme of the photovoltaic cell is as follows: The photovoltaic cell includes a metal alloy inner shell, a glass photovoltaic cell layer, and a reinforced outer shell.

[0065] Spherical inner shell

[0066] Materials of the inner shell: The inner shell is made of aluminum alloy or stainless steel, and its advantages lie in impact resistance, corrosion resistance, and high-temperature resistance, making it suitable for high-wind and sandy environments such as the ocean or desert.

[0067] Aluminum alloy: Lightweight and strong, suitable for long-term outdoor use, with excellent corrosion resistance.

[0068] Stainless steel: More heat-resistant and corrosion-resistant, but relatively heavier.

[0069] The specific structure of the inner shell is as follows: The inner shell structure is a spherical hollow, and the thickness can be designed according to requirements to ensure sufficient strength. Microstructures are set on the outside of the inner shell to increase the adhesion of the photovoltaic cell layer, and the microstructures are grooves or protrusions.

[0070] Attachment method of the photovoltaic unit:

[0071] Adhesive method: Use high-strength adhesives (such as epoxy resin or polyurethane glue) to fix the photovoltaic unit on the surface of the inner shell to ensure that the battery layer is firmly attached without falling off.

[0072] Snap fixation method: The card slots on the inner shell are combined with the snap structures on the edges of the photovoltaic units, so that the photovoltaic cell layer can be firmly embedded in the inner shell, facilitating quick replacement.

[0073] The outer shell, which is a reinforced outer shell

[0074] Materials of the outer shell: The outer shell uses high-strength tempered glass or composite materials (such as carbon fiber or fiberglass), and the surface of the outer shell is designed to be transparent or semi-transparent to minimize light reflection.

[0075] Tempered glass outer shell: Provides strong protection and at the same time has transparency to ensure that the battery can absorb sunlight to the maximum extent.

[0076] Composite material outer shell: Lightweight and has good weather resistance and ultraviolet resistance, suitable for high-intensity outdoor environments.

[0077] The connection method between the outer shell and the inner shell is as follows: The outer shell can adopt bolt connection, snap connection, or elastic seal design. For long-term high-intensity use, bolt connection can be adopted to provide higher fixing strength and stability.

[0078] The first composition scheme of the photovoltaic cell is as follows: The photovoltaic cell includes a ceramic inner shell, a high-efficiency photovoltaic cell layer, and a fluorinated resin outer shell.

[0079] Spherical inner shell

[0080] The material of the inner shell is: The inner shell is made of high-strength ceramic material (such as alumina ceramic), which has high hardness, corrosion resistance, and good thermal stability, and is very suitable for extreme environments.

[0081] Alumina ceramic: It has excellent mechanical properties and chemical corrosion resistance, and is suitable for harsh environments such as the sea and desert.

[0082] The specific structure of the inner shell is: The surface of the spherical inner shell can be designed as a smooth surface or with microstructural grooves to enhance the adhesion of the photovoltaic cell layer and prevent the photovoltaic cell from falling off due to temperature changes or external forces.

[0083] The attachment method of the photovoltaic unit:

[0084] Adhesive method: Use adhesives such as epoxy resin or silicone to firmly adhere the photovoltaic unit to the inner shell. This method can ensure the tightness of the structure and prevent air or water vapor from infiltrating.

[0085] Magnetic attraction method: Embed magnets at the edge of the photovoltaic cell to adsorb and fix with the magnetic material on the inner shell, which is convenient for disassembly and replacement.

[0086] The outer shell, which is made of a fluorinated resin outer shell.

[0087] The material of the outer shell: The outer shell is made of fluorinated resin (such as PTFE), which has good corrosion resistance, ultraviolet resistance, and can effectively improve the light transmittance of the surface.

[0088] PTFE outer shell: It has weather resistance, can adapt to extreme environments, is ultraviolet resistant, and prolongs the service life.

[0089] The connection method between the outer shell and the inner shell is:

[0090] The outer shell can adopt snap-fastening, threaded connection or elastic sealing design to ensure the protection of the outer shell, and at the same time facilitate installation and maintenance.

[0091] According to different environments and requirements, the above three schemes have their own advantages and disadvantages. Scheme one is suitable for conventional environments, with low cost and simple structure; Scheme two is suitable for high-strength environments, providing higher protection and is applicable to harsh marine or desert environments; Scheme three is suitable for extreme high-temperature or corrosive environments and has very high durability. Select the most suitable scheme for implementation according to the usage scenario and budget.

[0092] In this embodiment, the composition materials of the photovoltaic unit are:

[0093] The photovoltaic unit is made of flexible photovoltaic film, such as organic thin-film photovoltaic, perovskite photovoltaic material or flexible silicon photovoltaic material, which can achieve high-efficiency photoelectric conversion and has good flexibility. The material selection should take into account stability, efficiency and resistance to environmental impact.

[0094] Size and shape of the photovoltaic unit: Each photovoltaic unit is in a shape such as a sector or an arc, adapting to the curvature of the spherical structure. The unit gap is designed to be 1 - 2 cm, facilitating thermal expansion and temperature regulation.

[0095] To further illustrate the size and shape of the photovoltaic unit, this embodiment also provides a variety of photovoltaic unit shapes and arrangement schemes, specifically as follows:

[0096] a. Sector (arc) design

[0097] Shape: The photovoltaic unit is in a sector or arc shape, and the curved edge follows the curvature of the sphere surface. The boundary of each photovoltaic unit forms an arc with a certain angle (30° - 45°), enabling the unit to adapt to the curved surface to the greatest extent when arranged on the spherical surface.

[0098] The advantages of using a sector or arc for the photovoltaic unit are: Each unit surface can effectively capture light; it highly adapts to the curvature of the spherical surface, reducing space waste; the simple structure is easy for large-scale production and installation.

[0099] The disadvantages of using a sector or arc for the photovoltaic unit are: Due to the curved surface, some parts of the battery at the edge of the photovoltaic unit may not be able to fully absorb light energy (further optimization of the design is required).

[0100] b. Hexagonal honeycomb shape

[0101] Shape: Each photovoltaic unit is hexagonal and arranged in a honeycomb pattern along the sphere surface. The side length and internal angles of each hexagonal unit are precisely designed so that the connection between units is tight and no excessive gaps are generated.

[0102] The advantages of using a hexagonal honeycomb shape for the photovoltaic unit are: The hexagonal arrangement can maximize space utilization and reduce the gaps between units. It improves the density of the photovoltaic units and reduces light loss.

[0103] The disadvantages of using a hexagonal honeycomb shape for the photovoltaic unit are: In extreme bending cases, stress concentration may occur in the hexagonal units, and the flexibility of the material needs to be enhanced.

[0104] c. Circular or oval units

[0105] Shape: The photovoltaic unit is designed in a circular or oval shape, taking into account the circular characteristics of the spherical shell, so that each unit can conform to the curvature to the greatest extent when arranged on the surface.

[0106] The advantages of using circular or oval-shaped photovoltaic units are as follows: The circular unit has a simple structure and strong adaptability. It is easy to manufacture and assemble, and can smoothly transition to the spherical surface. Circular units usually have good performance under multiple illumination angles.

[0107] The disadvantages of using circular or oval-shaped photovoltaic units are as follows: Circular units may have relatively large gaps when closely arranged, resulting in wasted space.

[0108] d. Rectangular or square design

[0109] Shape: The photovoltaic unit adopts a rectangular or square design, and the side length of each unit is fixed, usually in the range of 10 - 20 centimeters. Due to the relatively straight shape of the square design, modular production and installation can be utilized.

[0110] The advantages of using rectangular or square photovoltaic units are as follows: Square units are simple to manufacture and have a lower cost. In some cases, they can provide higher stability and strength.

[0111] The disadvantages of using rectangular or square photovoltaic units are as follows: When arranged on the spherical surface, square units will generate relatively large voids, affecting the overall utilization rate of the photovoltaic cells.

[0112] e. Semi-circular (bow-shaped) design

[0113] Shape: The shape of each photovoltaic unit is semi-circular or bow-shaped. The curved part can better follow the spherical surface.

[0114] The advantages of using semi-circular (bow-shaped) photovoltaic units are as follows: Semi-circular units can make better use of the spherical shape, resulting in a higher light absorption rate. The curved shape can reduce gaps during assembly.

[0115] The disadvantages of using semi-circular (bow-shaped) photovoltaic units are as follows: They have poor adaptability to certain surface morphologies and may have joint problems.

[0116] The arrangement of multiple photovoltaic units can be annular arrangement, honeycomb arrangement, spiral arrangement, random arrangement, zigzag arrangement, or longitudinal arrangement. To further illustrate the above arrangement methods, this embodiment also provides the specific arrangement methods of the above photovoltaic units:

[0117] 1. Annular arrangement (concentric circle arrangement)

[0118] Arrangement method: As Figure 3 shown, the photovoltaic units are arranged in concentric circles along the spherical surface. The units start from the top of the sphere and gradually arrange towards the bottom of the sphere. The angle of each circle of units gradually decreases to adapt to the curvature of the spherical surface.

[0119] The advantages of the circular arrangement of photovoltaic units are as follows: The concentric circle arrangement can evenly distribute the units, ensuring that each unit receives good illumination. It has symmetry in structure, which is convenient for installation and maintenance.

[0120] The disadvantages of the circular arrangement of photovoltaic units are as follows: When the spherical surface is relatively large, the illumination of the peripheral units may be slightly inferior, and the illumination utilization rate is slightly lower.

[0121] 2. Honeycomb arrangement (hexagonal arrangement)

[0122] Arrangement method: As Figure 4 shown, the hexagonal honeycomb arrangement method is adopted, and all photovoltaic units are closely connected in a hexagonal arrangement to ensure the maximum coverage of the spherical surface and reduce the gaps between the units.

[0123] The advantages of the honeycomb arrangement are as follows: Maximize the surface contact between the units, reduce the gaps and wasted illumination area. Improve the stability and density of the photovoltaic units.

[0124] The disadvantages of the honeycomb arrangement are as follows: At the extreme positions of the sphere, the hexagonal arrangement may be affected by the surface curvature, resulting in some irregular arrangements.

[0125] 3. Spiral arrangement

[0126] Arrangement method: As Figure 5 shown, the photovoltaic units are arranged in a spiral shape, starting from the top of the sphere, and the units gradually spiral along the spherical surface, similar to a spiral staircase.

[0127] The advantages of the spiral arrangement are as follows: The spiral arrangement can evenly distribute the photovoltaic units, enabling each unit to capture more illumination. The unit spacing and arrangement angle can be adjusted according to actual needs.

[0128] The disadvantages of the spiral arrangement are as follows: Precise mechanical alignment may be required during installation, increasing the complexity. The spiral arrangement may cause uneven illumination of the units at different heights, especially under extreme climatic conditions.

[0129] 4. Random arrangement

[0130] Arrangement method: As Figure 6 shown, the arrangement of the photovoltaic units is not strictly aligned, but a random arrangement is adopted. The gaps between the units are determined according to specific circumstances, and a certain gap can be left, or the units can be in close contact with each other.

[0131] The advantages of the random arrangement are as follows: Flexible design and strong adaptability. It can be dynamically adjusted according to the actual environment to adapt to different illumination conditions.

[0132] The disadvantages of random arrangement are as follows: the uniformity of light capture is poor, which may cause the light of some units to be blocked, affecting the overall performance. The installation process may be rather cumbersome and requires precise control and adjustment.

[0133] 5. Zigzag arrangement

[0134] Arrangement method: As Figure 7 shown, a zigzag arrangement method is adopted, similar to the edge of a sawtooth. Each unit is arranged at a certain interval, so that each unit can have a relatively large independent space, which is beneficial to adjusting the angle and increasing the area of sunlight reception.

[0135] The advantages of the zigzag arrangement are as follows: it provides a larger light reception angle and can better adapt to the change of light. This arrangement method can increase the mechanical strength and wind and earthquake resistance while maintaining a high light efficiency.

[0136] The disadvantages of the zigzag arrangement are as follows: the arrangement method is complex, which may increase the installation difficulty.

[0137] 6. Vertical arrangement (arrangement along the meridian direction)

[0138] Arrangement method: As Figure 8 shown, the photovoltaic units are arranged vertically downward along the meridian direction from the top of the spherical battery, forming a vertical arrangement. The spacing between each row of photovoltaic units gradually increases to ensure that each unit can receive light.

[0139] The advantages of the vertical arrangement are as follows: the installation process is relatively simple and is convenient for standardized production. By using the symmetry in the meridian direction, the problem of irregular arrangement is reduced.

[0140] The disadvantages of the vertical arrangement are as follows: the light absorption efficiency may be relatively low, especially at the extreme positions of the spherical structure, and the sunlight may not be fully utilized.

[0141] Through the design of various shapes and arrangements, it can be flexibly selected according to different application scenarios (such as at sea, in the desert, etc.). Each shape and arrangement design has its own advantages and disadvantages. When making an actual selection, factors such as light utilization rate, structural stability, manufacturing cost, and environmental adaptability need to be comprehensively considered.

[0142] A self-cleaning coating and / or an anti-reflection coating are provided on the surface of the photovoltaic unit. To further illustrate the above-mentioned photovoltaic unit, the specific surface structure design of the photovoltaic unit is provided in this embodiment

[0143] 1. Self-cleaning coating

[0144] The purpose of setting the self-cleaning coating is to keep the surface of the photovoltaic unit clean, prevent the accumulation of dust, sand particles, and water droplets, thereby reducing the loss of light energy and ensuring the long-term stable photoelectric conversion efficiency.

[0145] The materials for the self-cleaning coating are as follows:

[0146] Base coating: The self-cleaning coating usually uses nano-coating technology. Silicon dioxide (SiO2) or fluorinated polymers (such as PTFE) can be used as the base coating. These materials have strong hydrophobicity and anti-pollution characteristics.

[0147] Silicon dioxide (SiO2) nano-coating: The SiO2 coating can improve the optical transparency of the surface, and at the same time has strong water resistance and oil repellency, enabling water droplets to slide off the surface and taking away attached pollutants such as dust and sand grains.

[0148] Fluorinated polymer (PTFE) coating: The PTFE coating has very strong hydrophobic and oil-repellent properties, can effectively prevent the attachment of oil stains, dust and water droplets, and is suitable for highly polluted environments such as deserts or the sea.

[0149] The structure of the self-cleaning coating is as follows:

[0150] Microstructure design of the nano-coating: To improve the self-cleaning effect, a micron-level uneven structure is formed on the surface of the coating. This structure helps to form the "lazy water" phenomenon (water droplets form spherical shapes and slide off quickly). By controlling the surface structure of the coating (such as micron-level depressions or protrusions), the self-cleaning property of the coating and the efficiency of water droplet sliding can be greatly improved.

[0151] Coating thickness design: The thickness of the coating is designed between 20 - 500 nanometers to ensure that the coating is thin enough to maintain light transmittance and does not affect the photoelectric conversion efficiency of the photovoltaic unit.

[0152] The preparation process of the coating:

[0153] Physical vapor deposition or solution dipping method is used to evenly coat the self-cleaning coating on the surface of the photovoltaic unit. These methods can effectively fix the coating on the surface of the photovoltaic material, form strong adhesion, and prevent the coating from peeling off.

[0154] Advantages of the self-cleaning coating:

[0155] Durability: The self-cleaning coating can last for a long time and is not easily damaged by sandstorms or rain, especially suitable for use in harsh environments (such as deserts, the sea).

[0156] Low maintenance cost: The self-cleaning function reduces the need for regular cleaning and maintenance, thereby reducing maintenance costs and improving the long-term operation efficiency of the system.

[0157] 2. Anti-reflection coating

[0158] The purpose of setting the antireflection coating is as follows: By coating the antireflection coating, the light absorption rate is optimized, reflection losses are reduced, and the efficiency of the photovoltaic cell is increased, especially under low-light conditions.

[0159] The materials of the antireflection coating are:

[0160] Magnesium fluoride (MgF2) or silicon fluoride (SiO2): These materials can effectively reduce the reflection of light on the surface of the photovoltaic cell, increase the transmittance of incident light, and are especially suitable for multi-layer coating designs.

[0161] TiO2 (titanium dioxide): TiO2 has a high refractive index, can optimize the transmittance and absorption rate of light with different wavelengths, and enhance the efficiency under low-light conditions.

[0162] Silicon-based materials (SiNx): Silicon nitride (SiNx) coatings are widely used in high-efficiency photovoltaic cells, can provide a low reflectivity, and optimize the light absorption of the entire spectrum to adapt to the light changes in different environments.

[0163] The structure of the antireflection coating is:

[0164] Adopt a multi-layer structure design: The antireflection coating is usually a multi-layer structure, including material layers with different refractive indices. On the surface of the photovoltaic cell, a layer of low-refractive-index material (such as SiO2) is first coated, and then a layer of high-refractive-index material (such as TiO2) is coated on it. The multi-layer coating can effectively control the reflection of light with different wavelengths and maximize the light transmittance.

[0165] The thickness design of the antireflection coating: The designed thickness of the antireflection coating is usually between 20 - 200 nanometers, and the specific thickness depends on the working wavelength range of the photovoltaic cell. For a single-wavelength light source (such as specific sunlight irradiation conditions), the coating thickness can be optimized through optical simulation.

[0166] The preparation process of the antireflection coating:

[0167] Deposition technology: The antireflection coating can be coated by methods such as chemical vapor deposition (CVD), sputtering, or liquid-phase deposition. These methods can effectively control the thickness and uniformity of the coating and ensure the optical performance of the antireflection coating on the surface of the photovoltaic cell.

[0168] The advantages of the antireflection coating:

[0169] Improve the light absorption rate: By reducing the light reflection loss, the antireflection coating can direct more light to the photovoltaic cell, improve the light absorption efficiency, especially on cloudy days or under low-light conditions.

[0170] Enhanced performance stability: The anti-reflection coating can not only improve the efficiency of photovoltaic cells but also effectively extend their service life by reducing heat loss and material aging caused by reflection.

[0171] 3. Integrated design

[0172] Overall design of the photovoltaic cell surface:

[0173] a. Combination of self-cleaning coating and anti-reflection coating: The self-cleaning coating is combined with the anti-reflection coating. First, the anti-reflection coating is used to improve the light absorption rate of the photovoltaic cell, and the self-cleaning coating is used to reduce the adhesion of pollutants such as dust, sand grains, and water droplets. Through the synergistic effect of the two, the photoelectric conversion efficiency is improved and the service life of the photovoltaic cell is extended.

[0174] b. Multi-layer coating scheme:

[0175] Bottom layer: First, a silicon dioxide (SiO2) nano-coating is applied to provide anti-reflection function and optimize light absorption.

[0176] Middle layer: A fluorinated polymer (PTFE) coating is applied to achieve the self-cleaning function and ensure that water droplets and dust do not adhere.

[0177] Top layer: Depending on the requirements, magnesium fluoride (MgF2) can be applied as the last layer of the anti-reflection coating to improve the durability and corrosion resistance of the coating.

[0178] Structural and application advantages:

[0179] Improved photoelectric conversion efficiency: The anti-reflection coating effectively reduces light loss and increases the light absorption rate, especially improving the output power of photovoltaic cells under low light conditions.

[0180] Long life and low maintenance: The self-cleaning coating reduces the cleaning frequency and prevents the accumulation of pollutants such as sand and dust, thus extending the service life of the photovoltaic cell.

[0181] Adapt to harsh environments: The coating design takes into account high-wind-sand and high-humidity environments such as deserts and the sea, and can effectively resist wind-sand erosion and water vapor corrosion, ensuring the long-term stability of photovoltaic cells in extreme environments.

[0182] In this embodiment, a wiring method for the photovoltaic cell is also provided, specifically as follows:

[0183] Each photovoltaic cell is connected to other cells through a flexible cable to form a parallel or series circuit. The cable uses corrosion-resistant and high-temperature-resistant materials to ensure electrical safety in extreme environments. The electrical connection of each cell uses a quick-insert interface for easy maintenance and replacement.

[0184] To ensure that spherical photovoltaic cells can float stably and maintain stability in harsh environments such as seawater or deserts, the floating and anti-tilting design is crucial. The following are several specific design details, involving floating structures, anti-tilting design, stability analysis, and material selection schemes, etc.

[0185] I. Floating Structure Design

[0186] 1. Built-in Floating Module

[0187] To keep the spherical photovoltaic cell floating, a built-in floating module is designed to support the entire spherical structure using the buoyancy of the water surface or the supporting force of the ground. These floating modules are usually made of lightweight materials that can bear the weight of the spherical cell and ensure its stable buoyancy.

[0188] Floating Material Selection:

[0189] Inflatable polyurethane material, characteristics: lightweight, durable, UV-resistant, with good elasticity, and can provide effective buoyancy support on the water surface.

[0190] Design method: An inflatable design is adopted, enabling the floating module to adjust buoyancy as needed and adapt to different environmental conditions (such as tidal changes, water level changes, etc.).

[0191] Installation method: The polyurethane material is connected to the spherical inner shell through a sealed pipeline, and an automatic inflation and exhaust control system can be used to ensure the stability and safety of the floating module.

[0192] Foam materials (such as polystyrene foam or polyurethane foam), characteristics: having high density, good corrosion resistance and compressive resistance, and are suitable for water surface floating structures.

[0193] Design method: The foam module provides buoyancy support for the spherical cell, and a hollow structure can be designed inside to reduce weight while increasing buoyancy.

[0194] Fixing method: The foam material can be fixed to the inner shell, and stability can be ensured by bonding or embedding in a card slot.

[0195] Polymer Foam Composite Material:

[0196] Characteristics: This material has a very low density, excellent buoyancy characteristics, and can withstand large external forces, making it suitable for use in marine or desert environments.

[0197] Design method: By distributing the polymer foam material in multiple floating modules of the spherical inner shell, uniform buoyancy support is achieved.

[0198] Floating Module Design:

[0199] Distribution method: The floating modules can be distributed at the bottom and around the inner shell of the spherical photovoltaic cell to ensure uniform buoyancy distribution and avoid unilateral floating.

[0200] Floating adjustment system: Considering environmental changes such as wind speed, water flow, and tides, the floating module can be designed as an adjustable system. Through intelligent control valves, air pumps, and other devices, dynamic adjustment of the module's buoyancy can be achieved.

[0201] To facilitate the fixation of the spherical battery, this embodiment also provides an anchor point system:

[0202] The bottom of the spherical battery can be designed with an anchor point system to provide stability in harsh environments. The anchor points fix the spherical battery to the ground or the seabed through ropes or chains, ensuring that the photovoltaic cell moves within the working range.

[0203] Selection of anchor point materials:

[0204] Stainless steel: It has strong corrosion resistance, is suitable for seawater environments, and can withstand underwater pressure for a long time.

[0205] Corrosion-resistant alloy: In special environments, anchors made of highly corrosion-resistant alloy materials can effectively extend the service life.

[0206] Anchoring method:

[0207] Seabed anchor points: When the spherical photovoltaic cell floats on the water surface, it is firmly fixed to the seabed through anchor points. These anchor points can be connected to the spherical battery through tension ropes to prevent drifting.

[0208] Desert anchor points: In desert areas, use ground nails or ground hooks to fix the photovoltaic cell to the ground without exceeding the working area.

[0209] In summary, this embodiment solves the following problems:

[0210] 1. Adaptability to lighting angles: Traditional photovoltaic cells are usually limited to fixed angles and cannot effectively capture sunlight from different directions. This problem results in insufficient energy efficiency of photovoltaic cells at different lighting angles, especially in space where continuous high-efficiency operation cannot be ensured. The spherical photovoltaic cell is composed of multiple flexible photovoltaic units, which can capture a wider range of lighting angles, thereby improving the overall utilization rate of sunlight.

[0211] 2. Structural stability: Existing photovoltaic systems are prone to damage or abnormal operation due to unstable structures in harsh environments such as storms or sandstorms. The structure of the spherical photovoltaic cell can float with the waves and sandstorms and has good wind resistance and anti-overturning ability, avoiding problems such as being unable to work due to wind force or environmental factors.

[0212] 3. Adaptability to harsh environments: In extreme environments such as deserts and the sea, pollutants such as dust, sand grains, and water droplets are likely to accumulate on the surface of photovoltaic cells, which will significantly reduce their photoelectric conversion efficiency. By combining a self-cleaning coating and an antireflection coating, the accumulation of pollutants can be effectively reduced, and the long-term stability and performance of photovoltaic cells in these environments can be improved.

[0213] 4. Encapsulation and durability of photovoltaic cells: In harsh environments, photovoltaic cells need to have good encapsulation and durability, and be able to withstand multiple environmental impacts such as temperature changes, humidity, and ultraviolet rays. The present invention designs a combined structure with a high-strength plastic spherical inner shell, a flexible photovoltaic cell layer, and a transparent polycarbonate outer shell, ensuring the encapsulation performance and durability of photovoltaic cells.

[0214] For the above technical problems to be solved, the technical solutions provided in this embodiment can achieve the following effects:

[0215] 1. Improvement of photoelectric conversion efficiency: Compared with traditional planar photovoltaic cells, the photoelectric conversion efficiency of the spherical photovoltaic cell system is increased by 10% to 15% under multi-angle illumination.

[0216] 2. Improvement of wind resistance: The spherical design can effectively reduce the impact of strong winds. Experiments show that when the wind speed reaches 20 m / s, the damage rate of the spherical photovoltaic cell system is reduced by more than 80% compared with that of the traditional planar photovoltaic cell system.

[0217] 3. Energy capture rate under multi-angle illumination: By simulating the illumination angles at different times and seasons, the spherical photovoltaic cell can achieve a higher annual energy capture rate than the traditional system. For example, under the multi-angle sunlight illumination conditions throughout the year, the annual power generation of the spherical photovoltaic cell is increased by about 18%.

[0218] 4. Structural stability: In extreme environments such as deserts or the sea, the spherical photovoltaic cell can withstand a temperature difference range of -40°C to 85°C, while the traditional planar photovoltaic cell usually has an adaptation temperature difference of -20°C to 60°C. The spherical design is more capable of coping with extreme environmental changes.

[0219] Finally, it should be noted that: The above embodiments are only used to illustrate the technical solutions of the present invention, rather than to limit it; Although the present invention has been described in detail with reference to the foregoing embodiments, those of ordinary skill in the art should understand that: They can still modify the technical solutions recorded in the foregoing embodiments, or perform equivalent replacements on some or all of the technical features; And these modifications or replacements do not make the essence of the corresponding technical solutions deviate from the scope of the technical solutions of the embodiments of the present invention.

Claims

1. A photovoltaic cell with high-efficiency sunlight utilization function, characterized in that: It includes photovoltaic units; a plurality of photovoltaic units are spliced ​​together to form a spherical structure.

2. The photovoltaic cell with high-efficiency sunlight utilization function according to claim 1, characterized in that: including an inner shell, a photovoltaic cell layer and an outer shell; The inner shell is a hollow spherical support structure, a plurality of photovoltaic units are spliced ​​together to form a photovoltaic cell layer, and the outer shell is a transparent spherical structure; A plurality of photovoltaic units are fixed on the outer surface of the inner shell, and the outer shell is coated on the outer side of the photovoltaic cell layer and is fixedly connected to the inner shell.

3. The photovoltaic cell with high-efficiency sunlight utilization function according to claim 2, characterized in that: The inner shell is made of plastic, ceramic or metal.

4. The photovoltaic cell with high-efficiency sunlight utilization function according to claim 2 or 3, characterized in that: The surface of the inner shell is provided with a photovoltaic unit installation position; The photovoltaic unit is fixed at the photovoltaic unit installation position.

5. The photovoltaic cell with high-efficiency sunlight utilization function according to claim 4, characterized in that: The photovoltaic unit is fixed to the photovoltaic unit installation position by means of adhesion, magnetism or snapping.

6. The photovoltaic cell with high-efficiency sunlight utilization function according to claim 2, characterized in that: The shell is made of glass, transparent plastic or transparent composite material.

7. The photovoltaic cell with high-efficiency sunlight utilization function according to claim 6, characterized in that: The outer shell and the inner shell are connected by buckles or bolts.

8. The photovoltaic cell with high-efficiency sunlight utilization function according to claim 1, characterized in that: The photovoltaic unit has a shape of a fan, a hexagon, a circle, an ellipse, a rectangle, a square or a semicircle.

9. The photovoltaic cell with high efficiency sunlight utilization function according to claim 1, characterized in that: The photovoltaic units are arranged in a circular arrangement, a honeycomb arrangement, a spiral arrangement, a random arrangement, a zigzag arrangement or a longitudinal arrangement.

10. The photovoltaic cell with high efficiency sunlight utilization function according to claim 1, characterized in that: The surface of the photovoltaic unit is provided with a self-cleaning coating and / or an anti-reflection coating.

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