Photovoltaic module self-powered cooling and soot cleaning system based on photothermal-thermoelectric conversion

Abstract

This invention discloses a self-powered cooling and dust removal system for photovoltaic modules based on photothermal-thermoelectric conversion, relating to the fields of solar energy utilization and photovoltaic operation and maintenance technology. The system includes a photovoltaic module, a concentrating unit, a heat absorption and equalization unit, a thermoelectric power generation unit, an energy conditioning and storage unit, a control unit, and a cooling and dust removal execution unit. The concentrating unit is located in the gaps between the photovoltaic arrays or at the edge of the module, concentrating solar radiation to the heat absorption and equalization unit. The heat absorption and equalization unit is thermally connected to the thermoelectric power generation unit to drive the thermoelectric power generation unit to output electrical energy. The electrical energy is conditioned and stored in the energy storage unit, and then used by the control unit to drive a fan, water pump, solenoid valve, and spray device. The cooling and dust removal execution unit includes a main spray cooling device located on the back of the photovoltaic module and an auxiliary cooling / dust removal device located on the front of the photovoltaic module, enabling the photovoltaic module to achieve self-powered operation, on-demand cooling, and auxiliary dust removal.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of solar energy utilization and photovoltaic operation and maintenance technology, specifically to a photovoltaic module cooling and dust removal system that utilizes concentrated solar power and thermoelectric power generation to achieve self-powered operation. Background Technology

[0002] Photovoltaic power generation, as an important way to efficiently utilize solar energy, has been widely used in distributed energy systems and centralized photovoltaic power plants. During actual operation, photovoltaic modules are exposed to the outdoor environment for extended periods, making them susceptible to various factors such as solar radiation, ambient temperature, wind speed, and dust accumulation. Among these, increased module operating temperature affects their operational status, while dust accumulation on the module surface reduces incident light flux and further impacts surface heat exchange and operating conditions. Therefore, effectively cooling and assisting in dust removal of photovoltaic modules without significantly increasing the system's operational burden has become a crucial issue in improving the operation and maintenance level of photovoltaic systems.

[0003] Existing photovoltaic module cooling and dust removal devices mostly use external power to drive fans, water pumps, spray components, or cleaning mechanisms. While these can improve the surface condition of the modules to some extent, they typically require additional power lines, control lines, and external power supply equipment, resulting in weak system independence and complex installation and maintenance. For large-area photovoltaic arrays or applications with limited deployment conditions, the above methods have certain limitations in terms of wiring, operation and maintenance, and system integration.

[0004] On the other hand, after installation, the gaps between adjacent modules or the edge areas of the modules in a photovoltaic array can still receive a certain amount of solar radiation energy, which is usually not fully utilized. If this radiation energy can be guided to the heat-absorbing components and converted into electrical energy that can be used by control and execution components through thermoelectric power generation, it is possible to build a photovoltaic operation and maintenance system that can autonomously complete cooling and dust removal operations without relying on external power supply.

[0005] Based on this, it is necessary to propose a photovoltaic module self-powered cooling and cleaning system that integrates concentrating heat collection, thermoelectric power generation, power conditioning and storage, temperature detection, and cooling and cleaning execution devices into one system, so as to improve the system's independence and integration, and provide a new technical solution for the operation and maintenance of photovoltaic modules. Summary of the Invention

[0006] To address the aforementioned problems, this invention proposes a self-powered cooling and dust removal system for photovoltaic modules based on photothermal-thermoelectric conversion. Since there are large gaps between photovoltaic array panels, much of the solar radiation received by these gaps is absorbed by the ground and wasted. This system fully utilizes the heat energy between the gaps of the photovoltaic array panels to achieve cleaning and cooling of the photovoltaic array panels without building municipal power lines or affecting the power transmission of the photovoltaic array panels.

[0007] The technical solution adopted in this invention is as follows:

[0008] A self-powered cooling and dust removal system for photovoltaic modules based on photothermal-thermoelectric conversion includes a photovoltaic module, a concentrating unit, a heat absorption and temperature equalization unit, a thermoelectric power generation unit, an energy conditioning unit, an energy storage unit, a control unit, and a cooling and dust removal execution unit. The concentrating unit is disposed in the gap region of the photovoltaic array and / or the edge region of the photovoltaic module to concentrate solar radiation onto the heat absorption and temperature equalization unit. The heat absorption and temperature equalization unit is connected to the hot end of the thermoelectric power generation unit, and the output end of the thermoelectric power generation unit is connected to the energy conditioning unit. The energy conditioning unit is electrically connected to the energy storage unit and the control unit. The cooling and dust removal execution unit includes a main spray cooling device disposed on the back of the photovoltaic module and an auxiliary cooling and dust removal device disposed on the front of the photovoltaic module. The control unit is electrically connected to the energy storage unit, the main spray cooling device, the auxiliary cooling and dust removal device, and a temperature sensor. It controls the operation of the cooling and dust removal execution unit according to a detection signal or a preset strategy to achieve cooling and dust removal of the photovoltaic module. The control unit controls the start and stop of the main spray cooling device and the auxiliary cooling and dust removal device according to a temperature threshold, a time period, or a preset control strategy. The control unit prioritizes controlling the electrical energy output from the thermoelectric generator unit to be input into the energy storage unit through the energy conditioning unit, and then the energy storage unit supplies power to the cooling and ash removal execution unit.

[0009] In the aforementioned system, concentrating units are arranged in the gap areas of the photovoltaic array and / or the edge areas of the photovoltaic modules to concentrate the receiveable solar radiation to the heat absorption and equalization unit. The heat energy is then converted into electrical energy by the thermoelectric power generation unit. The generated electrical energy is processed by the power conditioning unit and then input into the energy storage unit. The control unit then controls the main spray cooling device, auxiliary cooling and dust removal device, and related actuators to work according to the temperature signal and / or preset strategy. This constructs a self-powered closed-loop system of "radiation energy concentration - thermoelectric conversion - power conditioning and energy storage - cooling and dust removal execution". This system makes full use of the heat energy between the photovoltaic array panels to achieve cleaning and cooling of the photovoltaic array panels without building municipal power lines or affecting the power transmission of the photovoltaic array panels.

[0010] Optionally, the focusing unit is any one or a combination of Fresnel lenses, reflective focusing units, or non-imaging focusing units.

[0011] Optionally, the heat absorption and temperature equalization unit includes a heat absorption plate and a hot-end temperature equalization plate. The heat absorption plate is used to receive the radiant energy gathered by the concentrating unit, and the hot-end temperature equalization plate is used to transfer heat to the thermoelectric power generation unit.

[0012] Optionally, the cold end of the thermoelectric generator unit is connected to a cold end radiator, and the cold end radiator is equipped with a cooling fan to enhance the heat dissipation of the cold end of the thermoelectric generator unit.

[0013] Optionally, the power conditioning unit is a boost module, a voltage regulator module, or an integrated boost and voltage regulator module, used to perform voltage conversion or voltage regulation on the power output from the thermoelectric generator.

[0014] Optionally, the energy storage unit is a battery, a supercapacitor, or a combination of a battery and a supercapacitor.

[0015] Optionally, the main spray cooling device includes a water tank, a water pump, a water supply pipeline, and spray components. The main spray cooling device is located on the back of the photovoltaic module and is used to spray and cool the photovoltaic module. The water supply pipeline of the main spray cooling device is equipped with a solenoid valve, which is electrically connected to the control unit.

[0016] The opening and closing of the solenoid valve is controlled by the control unit, as is the starting and stopping of the water pump.

[0017] Optionally, the auxiliary cooling and dust removal device includes one or more of a fan, a spray component, and a spraying component. The auxiliary cooling and dust removal device is disposed on the front side of the photovoltaic module and is used to perform air cooling, dust removal, or auxiliary cleaning on the surface of the photovoltaic module.

[0018] Optionally, the control unit is electrically connected to a temperature sensor, which is disposed on the surface or back of the photovoltaic module to collect operating temperature information of the photovoltaic module.

[0019] Optionally, the system further includes a focusing unit cleaning branch, which is connected to the control unit and is used to clean the surface of the focusing unit;

[0020] The concentrating unit, the heat absorption and temperature equalization unit, and the thermoelectric power generation unit are mounted on an independent support structure, which is located in the gap area between adjacent photovoltaic modules or the edge area of ​​the modules.

[0021] The beneficial effects of this invention are: it makes full use of the heat energy between the gaps in the photovoltaic array panels, and achieves cleaning and cooling of the photovoltaic array panels without building municipal power lines or affecting the power transmission power of the photovoltaic array panels. Attached Figure Description

[0022] To more clearly illustrate the technical solutions in the embodiments of this application or the prior art, the drawings used in the embodiments will be briefly introduced below. Obviously, the drawings described below are only some embodiments recorded in this invention. For those skilled in the art, other drawings can be obtained based on these drawings.

[0023] Figure 1 This is a simplified structural diagram of a self-powered cooling and cleaning system based on photothermal and thermoelectric combined power generation.

[0024] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the working process of the auxiliary cooling / dust removal device.

[0025] The attached figures are labeled as follows: 1. Photovoltaic module; 2. Main spray water cooling device; 3. Auxiliary cooling and dust removal device; 4. Cooling fan; 5. Concentrating unit; 6. Thermoelectric power generation module; 7-1. Hot end heat spreader; 7-2. Cold end heat sink; 8. Temperature sensor; 9. Power conditioning unit; 10. Controller; 11. Energy storage unit; 12. Solenoid valve; 13. Cooling and dust removal execution unit; 4-1. Water pump; 4-2. Water tank. Detailed Implementation

[0026] To make the above-mentioned objects, features and advantages of the present invention more apparent and understandable, the specific embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0027] Many specific details are set forth in the following description in order to provide a full understanding of the invention. However, the invention may also be practiced in other ways different from those described herein, and those skilled in the art can make similar extensions without departing from the spirit of the invention. Therefore, the invention is not limited to the specific embodiments disclosed below.

[0028] In the description of this application, it should be noted that the terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to limit the exemplary embodiments according to this application. For ease of description, the dimensions of the various parts shown in the drawings are not drawn to actual scale. Techniques, methods, and devices known to those skilled in the art may not be discussed in detail, but where appropriate, such techniques, methods, and devices should be considered part of the specification. In all examples shown and discussed herein, any specific values ​​should be interpreted as merely exemplary and not as limitations. Therefore, other examples of exemplary embodiments may have different values. It should be noted that similar reference numerals and letters in the following drawings denote similar items; therefore, once an item is defined in one drawing, it need not be further discussed in subsequent drawings.

[0029] As attached Figure 1 and appendix Figure 2As shown, a self-powered cooling and dust removal system for photovoltaic modules based on photothermal-thermoelectric conversion includes a photovoltaic module 1, a concentrating unit 5, a heat absorption and temperature equalization unit, a thermoelectric power generation unit, an energy conditioning unit 9, an energy storage unit 11, a control unit, and a cooling and dust removal execution unit 13. The concentrating unit 5 is disposed in the gap region of the photovoltaic array and / or the edge region of the photovoltaic module 1 to concentrate solar radiation to the heat absorption and temperature equalization unit. The heat absorption and temperature equalization unit is connected to the hot end of the thermoelectric power generation unit, and the output end of the thermoelectric power generation unit is connected to the energy conditioning unit 9. The energy conditioning unit 9 is connected to the energy storage unit 11 and the control unit 13. The control unit is electrically connected to the energy storage unit 11, the main spray cooling device, the auxiliary cooling and cleaning device 3 located on the front of the photovoltaic module 1, and the auxiliary cooling and cleaning device 3 located on the front of the photovoltaic module 1. The control unit is electrically connected to the energy storage unit 11, the main spray cooling device, the auxiliary cooling and cleaning device 3, and the temperature sensor 8. It is used to control the operation of the cooling and cleaning execution unit 13 according to the detection signal or the preset strategy to achieve cooling and cleaning of the photovoltaic module 1. The control unit is used to control the start and stop of the main spray cooling device and the auxiliary cooling and cleaning device 3 according to the temperature threshold, time period, or preset control strategy. The control unit prioritizes controlling the electrical energy output by the thermoelectric generator unit to be input into the energy storage unit 11 through the power conditioning unit 9, and then the energy storage unit 11 supplies power to the cooling and cleaning execution unit 13.

[0030] In the above system, concentrating units 5 are arranged in the gap area of ​​the photovoltaic array and / or the edge area of ​​the photovoltaic module 1 to concentrate the receiveable solar radiation to the heat absorption and temperature equalization unit, and convert the heat energy into electrical energy through the thermoelectric power generation unit; the generated electrical energy is processed by the power conditioning unit 9 and then input into the energy storage unit 11. The control unit then controls the main spray cooling device, the auxiliary cooling and dust removal device 3 and related execution components to work according to the temperature signal and / or preset strategy, thereby constructing a self-powered closed-loop system of "radiation energy concentration - thermoelectric conversion - power conditioning and energy storage - cooling and dust removal execution". This system makes full use of the heat energy between the gaps of the photovoltaic array panels to achieve cleaning and cooling of the photovoltaic array panels without building municipal power supply lines or affecting the power transmission power of the photovoltaic array panels.

[0031] In the above system, the electrical energy output by the thermoelectric generator is conditioned and then input into the energy storage unit 11, which then supplies power to the control unit and the actuator.

[0032] The above system adopts a combination of back-side main spray cooling and front-side auxiliary cooling and dust removal, which can perform on-demand cooling and auxiliary dust removal on photovoltaic module 1 according to different operating needs, thereby improving the flexibility of operation and maintenance.

[0033] In this system, the control unit can be a single-chip microcomputer control board, a programmable controller 10 or other control modules, used to control the start and stop of the main spray cooling device and the auxiliary cooling and dust removal device 3 according to the temperature threshold, time period or preset control strategy.

[0034] As attached Figure 1 and appendix Figure 2 As shown, the focusing unit 5 is any one or more combinations of a Fresnel lens, a reflective focusing unit, or a non-imaging focusing unit.

[0035] As attached Figure 1 and appendix Figure 2 As shown, the heat absorption and temperature equalization unit includes a heat absorption plate and a hot end temperature equalization plate 7-1. The heat absorption plate is used to receive the radiant energy gathered by the light-concentrating unit 5, and the hot end temperature equalization plate 7-1 is used to transfer heat to the thermoelectric power generation unit.

[0036] The specific heat absorber plate can be made of copper, aluminum or other high thermal conductivity materials to receive the radiation energy gathered by the concentrating unit 5; the hot end heat spreader plate 7-1 is used to expand the heat flow and reduce the local heat flow density non-uniformity so as to provide a more uniform heat input to the hot end of the thermoelectric power generation unit.

[0037] As attached Figure 1 and appendix Figure 2 As shown, the cold end of the thermoelectric generator unit is connected to a cold end heat sink 7-2, and the cold end heat sink 7-2 is equipped with a cooling fan 4 to enhance the heat dissipation of the cold end of the thermoelectric generator unit.

[0038] The specific thermoelectric power generation unit can be a single thermoelectric module, or multiple thermoelectric modules can be connected in series, parallel or mixed to meet different output voltage and power requirements.

[0039] Specifically, the hot end of the thermoelectric generator unit and the heat absorption and equalization unit can be in close contact through a thermally conductive interface material to reduce contact thermal resistance; since its cold end is connected to the cold end heat sink 7-2, the cold end heat sink 7-2 can perform forced convection heat dissipation under the action of the cooling fan 4 to enhance the cold end heat dissipation capacity.

[0040] As attached Figure 1 and appendix Figure 2 As shown, the power conditioning unit 9 is a boost module, a voltage regulator module, or an integrated boost and voltage regulator module, used to perform voltage conversion or voltage regulation on the power output from the thermoelectric generator unit.

[0041] As attached Figure 1 and appendix Figure 2 As shown, the energy storage unit 11 is a battery, a supercapacitor, or a combination of a battery and a supercapacitor.

[0042] As attached Figure 1 and appendix Figure 2As shown, the main spray cooling device includes a water tank 4-2, a water pump 4-1, a water supply pipeline, and spray components. The main spray cooling device is located on the back of the photovoltaic module 1 and is used to spray cool the photovoltaic module 1. A solenoid valve 12 is provided on the water supply pipeline of the main spray cooling device, and the solenoid valve 12 is electrically connected to the control unit.

[0043] The opening and closing of solenoid valve 12 is controlled by the control unit, and the starting and stopping of water pump 4-1 is also controlled by the control unit.

[0044] As attached Figure 1 and appendix Figure 2 As shown, the auxiliary cooling and dust removal device 3 includes one or more of a fan, a spray component, and a spraying component. The auxiliary cooling and dust removal device 3 is disposed on the front side of the photovoltaic module 1 and is used to perform air cooling, dust removal, or auxiliary cleaning on the surface of the photovoltaic module 1.

[0045] As attached Figure 1 and appendix Figure 2 As shown, the control unit is electrically connected to the temperature sensor 8, which is located on the surface or back of the photovoltaic module 1 and is used to collect the operating temperature information of the photovoltaic module 1.

[0046] In this system, by setting temperature sensor 8 and control unit, the water pump 4-1, fan, solenoid valve 12 and spray components can be automatically controlled according to the detection signal or preset strategy, thereby improving the automation level of system operation.

[0047] As attached Figure 1 and appendix Figure 2 As shown, the system also includes a cleaning branch for the focusing unit 5, which is connected to the control unit and is used to clean the surface of the focusing unit 5.

[0048] Concentrating unit 5, heat absorption and temperature equalization unit and thermoelectric power generation unit are installed on independent support structure, which is set in the gap area between adjacent photovoltaic modules 1 or the edge area of ​​the module.

[0049] Need to attach Figure 1 and appendix Figure 2 It should be noted that the appendix Figure 1 The arrows in the diagram represent the direction of signal transmission, while the attached arrows indicate the direction of signal transmission. Figure 2 The arrows in the diagram indicate the direction of water flow.

[0050] The above-described embodiments only illustrate some aspects of the present invention, and while the descriptions are specific and detailed, they should not be construed as limiting the scope of the present invention. It should be noted that those skilled in the art can still modify the technical solutions described in the foregoing embodiments, or make equivalent substitutions for some of the technical features. Any modifications, equivalent substitutions, or improvements made within the spirit and principles of the present invention should be included within the protection scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. A photovoltaic module self-powered cooling and dust removal system based on photothermal-thermoelectric conversion, comprising a concentrating unit, a heat absorption and temperature equalization unit, a thermoelectric power generation unit, an energy conditioning unit, an energy storage unit, a control unit, and a cooling and dust removal execution unit; the concentrating unit is disposed in the gap region of the photovoltaic array and / or the edge region of the photovoltaic module, for concentrating solar radiation to the heat absorption and temperature equalization unit; the heat absorption and temperature equalization unit is connected to the hot end of the thermoelectric power generation unit, the output end of the thermoelectric power generation unit is connected to the energy conditioning unit, and the energy conditioning unit is electrically connected to the energy storage unit and the control unit; the cooling and dust removal execution unit includes a main spray cooling device disposed on the back of the photovoltaic module and an auxiliary cooling and dust removal device disposed on the front of the photovoltaic module; the control unit is electrically connected to the energy storage unit, the main spray cooling device, the auxiliary cooling and dust removal device, and a temperature sensor, for controlling the operation of the cooling and dust removal execution unit according to the detection signal or a preset strategy to achieve cooling and dust removal of the photovoltaic module; the control unit is used to control the start and stop of the main spray cooling device and the auxiliary cooling and dust removal device according to a temperature threshold, a time period, or a preset control strategy; The control unit prioritizes controlling the electrical energy output from the thermoelectric generator unit to be input into the energy storage unit through the energy conditioning unit, and then the energy storage unit supplies power to the cooling and ash removal execution unit.

2. The photovoltaic module self-powered cooling and dust removal system based on photothermal-thermoelectric conversion according to claim 1, characterized in that, The focusing unit is any one or a combination of Fresnel lenses, reflective focusing units, or non-imaging focusing units.

3. The photovoltaic module self-powered cooling and dust removal system based on photothermal-thermoelectric conversion according to claim 1, characterized in that, The heat absorption and temperature equalization unit includes a heat absorption plate and a hot end temperature equalization plate. The heat absorption plate is used to receive the radiant energy gathered by the concentrating unit, and the hot end temperature equalization plate is used to transfer heat to the thermoelectric power generation unit.

4. The photovoltaic module self-powered cooling and dust removal system based on photothermal-thermoelectric conversion according to claim 1, characterized in that, The cold end of the thermoelectric generator unit is connected to a cold end radiator, which is equipped with a cooling fan to enhance the heat dissipation of the cold end of the thermoelectric generator unit.

5. The photovoltaic module self-powered cooling and dust removal system based on photothermal-thermoelectric conversion according to claim 1, characterized in that, The power conditioning unit is a boost module, a voltage regulator module, or an integrated boost and voltage regulator module, used to perform voltage conversion or voltage regulation on the power output from the thermoelectric generator unit.

6. The photovoltaic module self-powered cooling and dust removal system based on photothermal-thermoelectric conversion according to claim 1, characterized in that, The energy storage unit is a battery, a supercapacitor, or a combination of a battery and a supercapacitor.

7. The photovoltaic module self-powered cooling and dust removal system based on photothermal-thermoelectric conversion according to claim 1, characterized in that, The main spray cooling device includes a water tank, a water pump, a water supply pipeline, and spray components. The main spray cooling device is located on the back of the photovoltaic module and is used to spray and cool the photovoltaic module. The water supply pipeline of the main spray cooling device is equipped with a solenoid valve, which is electrically connected to the control unit.

8. The photovoltaic module self-powered cooling and dust removal system based on photothermal-thermoelectric conversion according to claim 1, characterized in that, The auxiliary cooling and dust removal device includes one or more of a fan, a spray component, and a spraying component. The auxiliary cooling and dust removal device is disposed on the front of the photovoltaic module and is used to perform air cooling, dust removal, or auxiliary cleaning on the surface of the photovoltaic module.

9. The photovoltaic module self-powered cooling and dust removal system based on photothermal-thermoelectric conversion according to claim 1, characterized in that, The control unit is electrically connected to a temperature sensor, which is located on the surface or back of the photovoltaic module and is used to collect the operating temperature information of the photovoltaic module.

10. The photovoltaic module self-powered cooling and dust removal system based on photothermal-thermoelectric conversion according to claim 1, characterized in that, The system also includes a focusing unit cleaning branch, which is connected to the control unit and is used to clean the surface of the focusing unit. The concentrating unit, the heat absorption and temperature equalization unit, and the thermoelectric power generation unit are mounted on an independent support structure, which is located in the gap area between adjacent photovoltaic modules or the edge area of ​​the modules.

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