Solar panel and vehicle comprising same

Abstract

A solar panel capable of having various shapes by including a virtual battery module, and having improved output characteristics and life characteristics.

Description

[0001] Cross-reference to related applications

[0002] This application claims priority to Korean Patent Application No. 10-2025-0013582, filed with the Korean Intellectual Property Office on February 4, 2025, the entire disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference. Technical Field

[0003] This disclosure relates to a solar panel that can be shaped in various ways by including a virtual battery module and has improved output and lifespan characteristics. This disclosure also relates to a vehicle that includes the solar panel. Background Technology

[0004] In recent years, rooftop solar panels (i.e., applying solar cells to the roof of a vehicle) have been under development. These solar cells are mainly silicon-based, which currently boasts the highest photoelectric conversion efficiency among commercial solar cell technologies. However, silicon-based solar cells are made by processing silicon ingots into silicon wafers, making them brittle and prone to breakage even with slight bending. This characteristic can lead to cracking during processing when applied to areas of vehicle panels with high curvature or unique shapes, resulting in reduced output power and lifespan.

[0005] In particular, when silicon-based solar cells are applied to areas with prominent feature lines (such as the design of body panels like hoods, doors, and trunk lids), the risk of cracking is high, so solar cells cannot be applied to such areas.

[0006] Furthermore, elevated temperatures in solar cells are a major cause of decreased output power and reduced lifespan. Therefore, research is currently underway on solar panels that can prevent internal cell temperature rise and are suitable for use on highly curved vehicle surfaces. Summary of the Invention

[0007] This disclosure aims to provide a solar panel and a vehicle including the solar panel, which can be shaped in various ways by including a virtual battery module without a back electrode and has improved output and lifespan characteristics.

[0008] A solar panel according to an embodiment of the present disclosure may include: a heat transfer layer; a virtual battery module disposed above and spaced apart from the heat transfer layer; and a solar cell module spaced apart from the virtual battery module along the horizontal direction of the solar panel.

[0009] The virtual battery module has no electrical activity.

[0010] Vehicles according to embodiments of the present disclosure may include solar panels according to various embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0011] A solar panel according to an exemplary embodiment of this disclosure may include a virtual battery module.

[0012] Because virtual battery modules do not include a back electrode, they are not electrically active. Therefore, unlike existing solar cell modules, virtual battery modules can have various polygonal shapes.

[0013] Therefore, solar panels can have continuous edge portions, and when applied to vehicles, they can improve aesthetics by conforming to the specifications of the vehicle body surfaces (e.g., hood, doors, and trunk lid).

[0014] Furthermore, the virtual battery module may include a heat dissipation layer. Therefore, the heat generated by adjacent solar cell modules can be effectively released to the outside.

[0015] Therefore, the output characteristics of solar panels can be improved.

[0016] By controlling and regulating the temperature of solar panels, malfunctions can be prevented and lifespan characteristics can be extended. Attached Figure Description

[0017] The foregoing and other aspects, features, and advantages of this disclosure, as well as the following detailed description of embodiments, will be better understood in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. For the purpose of illustrating this disclosure, an exemplary embodiment is shown in the drawings; however, it should be understood that this disclosure is not limited to the details shown, as various modifications and structural changes can be made thereto without departing from the spirit of this disclosure and the scope and equivalents of the claims. The same reference numerals or symbols are used in different drawings to denote similar or identical parts.

[0018] Figure 1 This is a cross-sectional view of a solar panel according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0019] Figure 2 This is a cross-sectional view of a virtual battery module according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0020] Figure 3 This is a cross-sectional view of a solar cell module according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0021] Figure 4 This is a cross-sectional view of a solar panel according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0022] Figure 5 This is a cross-sectional view of a virtual battery module according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0023] Figure 6 This is a cross-sectional view of a virtual battery module according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0024] Figure 7A Image of an existing solar panel.

[0025] Figure 7B An image of a solar panel according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0026] Symbol Explanation

[0027] 100: Heat transfer layer

[0028] 200: Virtual Battery Module

[0029] 210: Semiconductor layer

[0030] 220: Heat dissipation layer

[0031] 230: Heat transfer layer

[0032] 240: Heat dissipation components

[0033] 300: Solar cell module

[0034] 310: Semiconductor layer

[0035] 320: Back electrode

[0036] 400: Interconnector

[0037] 500: Cover sheet

[0038] 600: Heat-absorbing layer. Detailed Implementation

[0039] Unless otherwise defined, all terms used herein (including technical and scientific terms) shall be those commonly used in the field to which the inventive concept of this disclosure pertains. It should also be understood that, unless expressly defined herein, commonly used terms shall be interpreted as those commonly used in the relevant field, and not in an idealized or overly formal sense.

[0040] It should be understood that although the terms "first," "second," and other numerical terms may be used herein to describe various elements, these elements should not be limited by these terms. These terms are used only to distinguish individual elements. For example, without departing from the scope of this disclosure, a first element may be referred to as a second element, and similarly, a second element may be referred to as a first element.

[0041] The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing specific exemplary embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting. Unless the context clearly specifies otherwise, the articles “a,” “an,” and “the” used herein include plural references. In the following disclosure, terms such as “comprising,” “including,” and “having” indicate the presence of features, steps, elements, and combinations thereof, but should not be construed as excluding or adding one or more other features, steps, elements, and combinations thereof.

[0042] In the following description, embodiments of the present disclosure will be described in more detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. Figures 1 to 6 The shape of the edge portion of the solar panel is shown, which consists of a virtual battery module 200 and two solar cell modules 300. This is merely an example and is not limited to a specific size or shape.

[0043] First, refer to Figure 1 A solar panel according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure is described.

[0044] Figure 1 This is a cross-sectional view of a solar panel according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0045] Figure 1 In this document, each component is drawn arbitrarily for illustrative purposes only and does not represent its actual size or shape.

[0046] Figures 2 to 6 The same applies.

[0047] Reference Figure 1 The solar panel disclosed herein may include: a heat transfer layer 100; a virtual battery module 200 disposed above and spaced apart from the heat transfer layer 100; and a solar cell module 300 spaced apart from the virtual battery module 200 in a horizontal direction.

[0048] Figure 2 This is a cross-sectional view of a virtual battery module 200 according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0049] Reference Figure 2 The virtual battery module 200 may include a semiconductor layer 210. The semiconductor layer 210 may include multiple semiconductor cells. A semiconductor cell may refer to the active layer portion in a conventional solar cell structure, excluding the top electrode and the back electrode. Figure 2 The top electrode has been omitted.

[0050] Reference Figure 2 The solar panel may include a heat dissipation layer 220. The heat dissipation layer 220 may include one or more of aluminum, silver, copper, gold, and any combination thereof. The heat dissipation layer 220 has excellent thermal conductivity and can release transferred heat into the atmosphere through convection or radiation. A semiconductor layer 210 may be disposed on the heat dissipation layer 220.

[0051] The virtual battery module 200 disclosed herein may not include a back electrode. Therefore, the virtual battery module 200 can be in a non-electrically active state. Since the virtual battery module 200 does not include a back electrode 320, unlike existing solar cell modules, it can have various polygonal shapes. Therefore, the virtual battery module 200 can be positioned at the edge of a solar panel, thereby achieving a continuous shape solar panel. Therefore, when applied to vehicle body surfaces such as hoods, doors, and trunk lids, the shape of the solar panel can conform to vehicle surface specifications, improving aesthetics.

[0052] Figure 3 This is a cross-sectional view of a solar cell module 300 according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. (See reference...) Figure 3 The solar cell module 300 may include a semiconductor layer 310. The semiconductor layer 310 of the solar cell module 300 is the same as the semiconductor layer 210 of the virtual battery module 200 described above, and the semiconductor layer 310 of the solar cell module 300 may also include multiple semiconductor units.

[0053] The solar cell module 300 of this disclosure may include a back electrode 320. Therefore, the back electrode 320 is electrically active. Figure 3 The top electrode has been omitted.

[0054] In this disclosure, multiple solar cell modules 300 may be provided.

[0055] In addition, similar to the virtual battery module 200, the solar cell module 300 can be disposed above the heat transfer layer 100 and spaced apart from the heat transfer layer 100.

[0056] The heat transfer layer 100 of this disclosure may include a thermal interface material (TIM). A thermal interface material is a type of heat interface material that promotes more efficient heat transfer and improves thermal conductivity between two adjacent surfaces. The heat transfer layer 100 of this disclosure may include a material with excellent thermal conductivity and serve as a channel for transferring heat generated within the solar panel to the virtual battery module 200.

[0057] Specifically, the thermal interface material can be any one selected from thermal paste, thermal tape, thermal pad, phase change material (PCM), and metal-based materials.

[0058] Thermal pastes may include silicone or hydrocarbon base materials and may also include thermally conductive fillers, such as metal oxides. Furthermore, thermal pastes can be soft, viscous pastes. Thermal tapes can be thin tapes and may be made of polymeric materials. Thermal pads can be pad-like and may be made of silicone or polymers with embedded thermally conductive fillers. Phase change materials (PCMs) are materials that absorb and release large amounts of heat by changing between a solid and a liquid state, offering the advantage of high thermal conductivity. Metal-based materials refer to metal alloys with high thermal conductivity suitable for irregular surfaces.

[0059] Reference Figure 1 The heat transfer layer 100 can extend along the extension direction of the solar cell module 300 and overlap vertically with the solar cell module 300. That is, the virtual battery module 200 and the solar cell module 300 can be arranged at equal intervals above the heat transfer layer 100 and overlap vertically with the heat transfer layer 100.

[0060] When the solar panels disclosed herein are as follows Figure 1 As shown, the heat generated by the solar cell module 300 is transferred to the heat transfer layer 100, then to the heat dissipation layer 220 of the virtual battery module 200, and released into the atmosphere.

[0061] Figure 4 This is a cross-sectional view of a solar panel according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. (Refer to...) Figure 4 The solar panel may also include a heat-absorbing layer 600, which extends from the heat transfer layer 100 along the extending direction of the solar cell module 300 and overlaps perpendicularly with the solar cell module 300. That is, the heat transfer layer 100 may be configured to overlap perpendicularly with the virtual battery module 200, and the heat-absorbing layer 600 may be configured to overlap perpendicularly with the solar cell module 300. Here, the virtual battery module 200 and the solar cell module 300 may be respectively disposed above the heat transfer layer 100 and the heat-absorbing layer 600 at equal intervals. On the other hand, in Figure 4 In this case, the virtual battery module 200 and the solar cell module 300 are the same as described above.

[0062] When the solar panels disclosed herein are as follows Figure 4 As shown, the heat generated by the solar cell module 300 is first transferred to the heat-absorbing layer 600, and then to the heat-transfer layer 100. Afterward, the heat is transferred to the heat dissipation layer 220 of the virtual battery module 200, and finally released into the atmosphere.

[0063] The heat-absorbing layer 600 disclosed herein may include one or more of a phase change material (PCM), a thermal fluid, a nanofluid, and any combination thereof. In one example, the phase change material may be paraffin wax. In one example, the thermal fluid may be water or ethylene glycol. In one example, the nanofluid may be nanosilver or nanocopper. However, these materials are merely exemplary and are not limited to any particular material.

[0064] On the other hand, the solar panel of this disclosure may include an interconnector 400. The interconnector 400 is conductive and can electrically connect multiple solar cell modules 300.

[0065] Reference Figure 1 and Figure 4 The interconnector 400 can be configured to connect one end of any one of the multiple solar cell modules 300 to one end of another solar cell module 300.

[0066] In this disclosure, the solar cell module 300 is disposed above and spaced apart from the heat transfer layer 100 or the heat absorption layer 600, and the interconnector 400 may be disposed in the space between the heat transfer layer 100 or the heat absorption layer 600 and the solar cell module 300.

[0067] That is, the interconnector 400 can be disposed in the space between the heat transfer layer 100 or the heat absorption layer 600 and the solar cell module 300 to connect one end of any solar cell module 300 to one end of another solar cell module 300.

[0068] The solar panel disclosed herein may also include a cover sheet 500. The cover sheet 500 may improve aesthetics by covering the heat transfer layer 100, the heat absorption layer 600, or the interconnector 400.

[0069] In this disclosure, the cover sheet 500 may be made of an insulating material to prevent short circuits in the solar cell module 300. In one example, the cover sheet 500 may be in the form of tape or sheet.

[0070] refer to Figure 1 and Figure 4 The cover sheet 500 can be configured to vertically overlap with one end of any one of the multiple solar cell modules 300 and one end of another solar cell module 300, or it can be configured to vertically overlap with one end of the virtual battery module 200 and one end of any solar cell module 300 adjacent to the virtual battery module 200.

[0071] That is, the cover sheet 500 can be configured to cover the gap formed by the horizontal spacing between the virtual battery module 200 and the solar cell module 300, thereby connecting one end of the virtual battery module 200 to one end of the solar cell module 300.

[0072] Furthermore, the cover sheet 500 can be configured to cover the gaps formed by the horizontal spacing of the multiple solar cell modules 300, thereby connecting one end of any one solar cell module 300 to one end of another solar cell module 300. Here, as an example of a cover sheet 500 configured to connect multiple solar cell modules 300, the cover sheet 500 can be vertically overlapped with the interconnector 400, wherein the solar cell modules 300 are located between the cover sheet 500 and the interconnector 400.

[0073] On the other hand, the virtual battery module 200 according to one embodiment of the present disclosure may further include a heat transfer layer 230 disposed inside the virtual battery module 200. Here, the virtual battery module 200 may not include a heat dissipation layer 220, and a semiconductor layer 210 may be disposed on the heat transfer layer 230 inside the virtual battery module 200.

[0074] Figure 5 This is a cross-sectional view of a virtual battery module 200 according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0075] Reference Figure 5 The virtual battery module 200 may include a heat dissipation component 240 disposed on at least a portion of the heat transfer layer 230 inside the virtual battery module 200. In this disclosure, the heat dissipation component 240 may be made of a material with an emissivity of 0.9 or higher. Specifically, carbon materials, ceramic materials, asphalt, etc., may be used, but this disclosure is not limited thereto.

[0076] In embodiments of this disclosure, the heat transfer layer 230 may include a first region and a second region, wherein the semiconductor layer 210 is disposed on the first region and the heat dissipation component 240 is disposed on the second region.

[0077] Reference Figure 5 The first region and the second region are divided so that the semiconductor layer 210 can be continuously disposed on the first region and the heat dissipation component 240 can be continuously disposed on the second region.

[0078] When the virtual battery module 200 disclosed herein is as follows Figure 5 As shown, the heat generated by the solar cell module 300 is transferred to the heat-absorbing layer 600. Subsequently, the heat is transferred to the heat transfer layers 100 and 230, and moves towards the heat dissipation component 240 of the virtual battery module 200, and is finally released into the atmosphere.

[0079] Figure 6 This is a cross-sectional view of a virtual battery module 200 according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0080] Reference Figure 6 The virtual battery module 200 may include a heat dissipation component 240 disposed on at least a portion of the heat transfer layer 230 inside the virtual battery module 200. In this disclosure, the heat dissipation component 240 may be made of a material with an emissivity of 0.9 or higher. Specifically, carbon materials, ceramic materials, asphalt, etc., may be used, but this disclosure is not limited thereto.

[0081] Reference Figure 6 The first region and the second region can be arranged alternately and repeatedly. That is, the first region and the second region can be arranged without a fixed rule, so that the semiconductor layer 210 and the heat dissipation member 240 can be arranged alternately.

[0082] When the virtual battery module 200 disclosed herein is as follows Figure 6 As shown, the heat generated by the solar cell module 300 is transferred to the heat-absorbing layer 600. Then, the heat is transferred to the heat transfer layers 100 and 230, and moves towards the heat dissipation component 240 of the virtual battery module 200, and is finally released into the atmosphere.

[0083] The virtual battery module 200 according to the various embodiments described above can be disposed at the edge portion of the solar panel. Therefore, the solar panel of this disclosure may include a continuous edge portion.

[0084] Since the virtual battery module 200 of this disclosure does not include a rear electrode 320 and has no electroactive properties, its shape can be freely varied. For example, the virtual battery module 200 can be a right-angled triangle, a rectangle, a square, or an equilateral triangle, but this disclosure is not limited thereto. Since the virtual battery module 200 can have various shapes, it can be manufactured to conform to the specifications of vehicle body surfaces (e.g., hoods, doors, and trunk lids).

[0085] Previously, when solar panels used only existing rectangular solar cell modules, cracking often occurred at the edges when applied to uniquely shaped vehicle surfaces. However, by introducing the virtual battery module 200, this disclosure enables the manufacture of components with shapes conforming to desired specifications and improves the cracking phenomenon.

[0086] In addition, the solar panels have a more aesthetically pleasing appearance because they consist of continuous edges rather than stepped edges.

[0087] Figure 7A and Figure 7B This difference is illustrated in the text.

[0088] Figure 7AImages of existing solar panels, Figure 7B An image of a solar panel according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0089] refer to Figure 7A and 7B As can be seen, the solar panel disclosed herein includes a continuous edge portion, which provides better aesthetics compared to existing solar panels with stepped edge portions.

[0090] A vehicle according to one exemplary embodiment of this disclosure may include solar panels according to the various embodiments described above. Therefore, the aesthetics of the vehicle can be improved, and its lifespan and output characteristics can be enhanced.

[0091] This disclosure has been shown and described in conjunction with its exemplary embodiments. It should be understood that various modifications in form and detail may be made therein by those skilled in the art without departing from the scope of this disclosure. Therefore, the disclosed exemplary embodiments should be considered descriptive only and not restrictive. The scope of this disclosure is not limited by the foregoing detailed description but by the appended claims, and all differences within the scope should be construed as including in this disclosure.

Claims

1. A solar panel, comprising: Heat transfer layer; A virtual battery module is disposed above and spaced apart from the heat transfer layer; as well as A solar cell module, spaced apart from the virtual battery module along the horizontal direction of the solar panel. The virtual battery module has no electrical activity.

2. The solar panel according to claim 1, wherein, The heat transfer layer extends vertically along the solar panel to overlap vertically with the solar cell module.

3. The solar panel according to claim 1, wherein, It also includes a heat-absorbing layer that extends from the heat-transferring layer along the extension direction of the solar cell module to overlap the solar cell module perpendicularly.

4. The solar panel according to claim 3, wherein, The virtual battery module includes a heat dissipation layer and a semiconductor layer. The heat dissipation layer is configured to face the heat transfer layer.

5. The solar panel according to claim 1, wherein, The solar cell modules are multiple, and the multiple solar cell modules are spaced apart from each other along the horizontal direction. The solar panel also includes an interconnector configured to connect one end of any one of the plurality of solar cell modules to one end of another solar cell module.

6. The solar panel according to claim 5, wherein, It also includes: a cover sheet, which is configured to vertically overlap with one end of any one of the plurality of solar cell modules and one end of another solar cell module, or configured to vertically overlap with one end of the virtual battery module and one end of any solar cell module adjacent to the virtual battery module.

7. The solar panel according to claim 1, wherein, The heat transfer layer includes a thermal interface material.

8. The solar panel according to claim 3, wherein, The heat-absorbing layer includes one or more of phase change materials, thermal fluids, nanofluids, and any combination thereof.

9. The solar panel according to claim 1, wherein, The virtual battery module does not include a back electrode.

10. The solar panel according to claim 1, wherein, The virtual battery module includes a heat dissipation layer. The heat dissipation layer includes one or more of aluminum, silver, copper, gold, and any combination thereof.

11. The solar panel according to claim 1, wherein, The virtual battery module also includes a heat transfer layer disposed inside the virtual battery module.

12. The solar panel according to claim 11, wherein, The virtual battery module includes a semiconductor layer. The semiconductor layer is disposed on the heat transfer layer inside the virtual battery module.

13. The solar panel according to claim 12, wherein, The virtual battery module includes a heat dissipation component disposed on at least a portion of the heat transfer layer inside the virtual battery module.

14. The solar panel according to claim 13, wherein, The emissivity of the heat dissipation component is 0.9 or higher.

15. The solar panel according to claim 13, wherein, The heat transfer layer inside the virtual battery module includes a first region and a second region. The semiconductor layer is disposed on the first region, and the heat dissipation component is disposed on the second region.

16. The solar panel according to claim 15, wherein, The first region and the second region are alternately arranged along the horizontal direction.

17. The solar panel according to claim 1, wherein, The virtual battery module is disposed on the edge portion of the solar panel and includes a continuous edge portion.

18. A vehicle, wherein, Includes the solar panel as described in claim 1.

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