Solar cell panel for vehicle

Abstract

The utility model discloses a vehicle-mounted solar cell panel, which enlarges the mounting area of the solar cell panel and increases the power generation based on the solar cell panel. The vehicle-mounted solar cell panel has a plurality of solar cell modules arranged in a grid shape on the surface of the solar cell panel. The solar cell panel has a shape in which adjacent solar cell modules in the solar cell modules that are continuous in at least one arrangement direction are bent in an alternating manner of a mountain fold and a valley fold. Each solar cell module has a plurality of solar cell units connected in series. The plurality of solar cell modules are connected in parallel.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This utility model relates to a vehicle-mounted solar panel. Background Technology

[0002] There are known vehicles with solar panels installed on their roofs.

[0003] Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2015-104940 Utility Model Content

[0004] In vehicles equipped with solar panels, there is a desire to increase the mounting area of ​​the solar panels to boost power generation. However, the mounting area and the power generation based on the solar panels are limited by the limited space required to mount them, such as on the vehicle roof.

[0005] This invention can be implemented in the following ways.

[0006] (1) According to one aspect of the present invention, a vehicle-mounted solar panel is provided. The solar panel comprises a plurality of solar cell modules arranged in a grid pattern constituting the surface of the solar panel. The solar panel has a shape in which adjacent solar cell modules in a continuous arrangement direction are bent in an alternating pattern of folds and bends. Each solar cell module has a plurality of strip-shaped solar cell units connected in series, and the plurality of solar cell modules are connected in parallel. According to this method, the solar panel has a shape in which adjacent solar cell modules are bent in an alternating pattern of folds and bends, thus increasing the mounting area of ​​the solar panel compared to a structure where the solar panel is arranged flat relative to the vehicle's mounting surface. Therefore, the power generation of the solar panel can be increased.

[0007] Furthermore, since multiple solar cell modules are connected in parallel, even if the current value in one solar cell module is low, the overall current value of the solar panel can be suppressed. Therefore, the decrease in power generation from the solar panel can be suppressed.

[0008] Furthermore, each solar cell module has multiple strip-shaped solar cell units connected in series, so the sum of the voltages of the multiple solar cell units can be set as the output voltage of each solar cell module, thereby increasing the output voltage of each solar cell module. Therefore, the power generated by the solar panels can be appropriately supplied to various devices. Attached Figure Description

[0009] Figure 1This is a schematic perspective view of the solar panel in this embodiment.

[0010] Figure 2 This is a schematic cross-sectional view showing a portion of the solar panel in this embodiment.

[0011] Figure 3 This is an explanatory diagram illustrating the electrical connections of the solar panel in this embodiment. Detailed Implementation

[0012] A. Implementation Method

[0013] A1. Overall structure of solar panel 10:

[0014] use Figure 1 and Figure 2 The overall structure of the solar panel 10 in this embodiment will be described. Figure 1 This is a perspective view schematically showing the solar panel 10 in this embodiment. Figure 2 This is a cross-sectional view schematically showing a portion of the solar panel 10 in this embodiment. Figures 1-3 The x-axis, y-axis, and z-axis directions in this text are provided for ease of explanation in this embodiment. For example... Figures 1-3 As shown, the direction in which the solar panel 10 extends is defined as the x-axis and y-axis, and the direction orthogonal to the direction in which the solar panel 10 extends is defined as the z-axis. The z-axis is also called the up-down direction, and the direction indicated by the arrow on the z-axis is called the up direction.

[0015] like Figure 1 and Figure 2 As shown, the solar panel 10 includes a support sheet 20 and multiple solar cell modules 30. In this invention, the component formed into a panel shape by combining multiple solar cell modules 30 is referred to as the solar panel 10. The solar panel 10 is constructed by mounting multiple solar cell modules 30 on the surface of the support sheet 20. The solar panel 10 has a shape that extends along the x-axis and y-axis directions and bends alternately with respect to the z-axis direction. Details regarding the bending shape will be described later. Figure 2 As shown, the solar panel 10 is mounted on the upper surface of the vehicle roof R, which is approximately located in the xy plane.

[0016] <Supporting sheet 20>

[0017] like Figure 1 and Figure 2As shown, the support sheet 20 forms the overall shape of the solar panel 10 by having a shape that alternately repeats mountain folds and valley folds. More specifically, the support sheet 20 has bends at equal intervals for so-called miura folds (mountain or valley folds). The shape of the support sheet 20 is maintained and fixed between a fully folded state due to miura folds and an undisturbed planar state. Multiple regions A surrounded by the bends of the support sheet 20 are arranged in a grid pattern and each has the same rhomboid shape. Figure 2 As shown, the angle 'a' between adjacent regions A is 120°, and adjacent regions A do not exist on the same plane. Furthermore, the angle 'b' of multiple regions A relative to the xy plane, i.e., the vehicle roof R, in the z-axis direction is 30°, and none of the multiple regions A exist on the xy plane.

[0018] <Solar Cell Module 30>

[0019] like Figure 1 and Figure 2 As shown, each solar cell module 30 has a rhombus shape similar to but slightly smaller than that of region A. The solar cell modules 30 are arranged in a grid along the rhombus shape of each region A and mounted to form the surface of the solar panel 10. Thus, the solar panel 10 has a shape in which adjacent solar cell modules 30 bend towards each other in an alternating pattern of mountain and valley folds.

[0020] A2. Electrical connections in solar panel 10:

[0021] Figure 3 This is an explanatory diagram illustrating the electrical connections of the solar panel 10 in this embodiment. For ease of explanation, Figure 3 The solar panel 10 shown differs from a portion of the actual structure at its point of existence in the xy plane and not tilted in the z-axis direction. Furthermore, in Figure 3 The support sheet 20 and several solar cell modules 30 are omitted from the description.

[0022] Each solar cell module 30 has a so-called integrated structure composed of multiple solar cell units C. The number of solar cell units C in each solar cell module 30 is not particularly limited, but in this embodiment, each solar cell module 30 has 15 solar cell units C1 to C15. Furthermore, C1 to C15 are collectively referred to as, or any single solar cell unit is referred to as, "solar cell unit C". Solar cell units C1 to C15 are connected in series. Solar cell units C1 to C15 have an elongated, strip-shaped parallelogram shape along the y-axis. The rhomboid shape in each solar cell module 30 is formed by arranging solar cell units C1 to C15 along the x-axis.

[0023] The solar cell unit C is configured as a solar cell capable of generating electricity using a material with a perovskite structure. Because the solar cell unit C is flexible and bendable, multiple elongated strip-shaped solar cell units C can be arranged relative to each solar cell module 30. The solar cell unit C is fabricated, for example, by patterning using a laser.

[0024] Multiple solar cell modules 30 are electrically connected to multiple positive electrodes PE, multiple negative electrodes NE, a positive bus line PB, and a negative bus line NB. The multiple solar cell modules 30 arranged along the y-axis are each electrically connected in parallel to the same positive electrode PE and the same negative electrode NE extending along the y-axis. More specifically, the solar cell unit C1 in each solar cell module 30 is electrically connected to the positive electrode PE. Similarly, the solar cell unit C15 in each solar cell module is electrically connected to the negative electrode NE. Furthermore, the positive electrodes PE arranged along the x-axis are electrically connected to the positive bus line PB. Similarly, the negative electrodes NE arranged along the x-axis are electrically connected to the negative bus line NB. Thus, the multiple solar cell modules 30 are electrically connected in parallel with each other. The positive bus line PB and the negative bus line NB are electrically connected to the vehicle battery or electrical equipment mounted in the vehicle.

[0025] As described above, multiple solar cell modules 30 are electrically connected in parallel with each other. Therefore, even if the current value in one solar cell module 30 decreases due to reasons such as low sunlight intensity or a faulty solar cell module 30, the decrease in the current value of the solar panel 10 as a whole can be suppressed. Thus, the decrease in power generation in the solar panel 10 can be suppressed.

[0026] If multiple solar cell modules 30 are connected in parallel, a decrease in the voltage of one solar cell module 30 may reduce the overall voltage of the solar panel 10. However, since each solar cell module 30 has multiple strip-shaped solar cell units C1 to C15 connected in series, the sum of the voltages in the multiple solar cell units C can be set as the output voltage of each solar cell module, thereby increasing the output voltage of each solar cell module. Therefore, the power generated by the solar panel 10 can be appropriately supplied to the vehicle battery or electrical equipment installed in the vehicle.

[0027] A3. Evaluation of the increase in power generation:

[0028] Next, under several assumptions, the increase in power generation of the solar panel 10 in this embodiment compared to a structure in which the solar panel 10 is arranged flat relative to the vehicle roof R (hereinafter referred to as the "Comparative Example") is calculated. Typically, the average angle of sunlight in Japan (the angle when the direction perpendicular to the ground is set to 0°) is set to 30°, therefore, in this calculation, it is assumed that sunlight reaches the ground at an angle of 30°. Furthermore, the power generation when the relative angle of sunlight to each solar panel 30 (the angle when the direction perpendicular to the solar panel 30 is set to 0°) is 0° is set to 100. In the case of the Comparative Example, sunlight shines on each solar panel 30 at a relative angle of 30°, therefore, the power generation of the Comparative Example is expressed by the formula 100 × cos30°, and "86.6" is calculated.

[0029] In this embodiment, the solar panel 10 includes a plurality of solar cell modules 30 tilted at an angle of 30° in the z-axis direction relative to the vehicle roof R. Therefore, in this calculation, it is assumed that the solar cell modules 30 with smaller and larger relative angles of sunlight exposure are present in the same proportion. Thus, the power generation of the solar cell modules 30 with smaller relative angles of sunlight exposure is expressed by the formula 100 × cos(30° - 30°), and calculated as "100". On the other hand, the power generation of the solar cell modules 30 with larger relative angles of sunlight exposure is expressed by the formula 100 × cos(30° + 30°), and calculated as "50". Therefore, without considering the increase in the installation area of ​​the solar panel 10, the power generation is calculated as "75" by averaging these two values.

[0030] Next, the power generation was calculated considering the increased installation area of ​​the solar panel 10. The ratio of the installation area of ​​the solar panel 10 to that of the comparative example was expressed by the formula ((1 / cos30°)^2)×100 (%), and thus 133 (%) was calculated. Therefore, the power generation considering the increased installation area of ​​the solar panel 10 was expressed by the formula 75×133 (%), and "100" was calculated. That is, the power generation of the solar panel 10 in this embodiment "100" exceeds the power generation of the comparative example "86.6". Thus, by increasing the mounting area of ​​the solar panel 10 in the vehicle roof R, the power generation of the solar panel 10 can be increased compared to the comparative example. In addition, the above power generation is calculated assuming a sunlight angle of 30°, but the smaller the sunlight angle, that is, the closer a country is to the equator than Japan, the greater the increase in the power generation of the solar panel 10.

[0031] The solar panel 10 described above has a shape in which adjacent solar cell modules 30 are bent in an alternating pattern of folds and bends. Therefore, compared to a structure where the solar panel 10 is arranged flat relative to the vehicle's mounting surface, the mounting area of ​​the solar panel 10 can be increased. Consequently, the power generation of the solar panel 10 can be increased.

[0032] Furthermore, since multiple solar cell modules 30 are connected in parallel with each other, even if the current value in one solar cell module 30 is low, the overall current value of the solar panel 10 can be suppressed from decreasing. Therefore, the reduction in the power generation of the solar panel 10 can be suppressed.

[0033] Furthermore, each solar cell module 30 has multiple strip-shaped solar cell units C connected in series, so the sum of the voltages in the multiple solar cell units C can be set as the output voltage of each solar cell module 30, thereby increasing the output voltage of each solar cell module 30. Therefore, the power generated by the solar panel 10 can be appropriately supplied to various devices.

[0034] B. Other implementation methods

[0035] (B1) In this embodiment, the solar panel 10 is mounted on the upper surface of the vehicle roof R. Compared to a structure where the solar panel 10 is arranged flat relative to the vehicle roof R, the solar panel 10 in this embodiment may have a higher risk of malfunction due to air resistance during vehicle movement. Therefore, a transparent sheet may be provided on the upper part of the solar panel 10 to reduce air resistance during vehicle movement. Furthermore, the strength of the solar panel 10 may be improved by filling the valley portions of the solar panel 10 with transparent resin.

[0036] Furthermore, rainwater can accumulate in the valleys of the solar panel 10, potentially causing it to malfunction. Therefore, the solar panel 10 can be configured with openings on a portion of its surface to allow rainwater to drain properly. To ensure proper drainage even under surface tension, a coating to reduce surface tension can be applied around the openings. Alternatively, instead of a coating, the upper part of the solar panel 10 can be covered with a flat, transparent covering. Additionally, the mounting location of the solar panel 10 is not limited to the upper surface of the vehicle roof R; it can also be mounted on the upper surface of the vehicle's hood or the side of a door, among other locations.

[0037] (B2) In this embodiment, the support sheet 20 is provided with fold lines for performing Miura folds, such as mountain folds or valley folds, but the present invention is not limited to this. The support sheet 20 may be provided with fold lines formed by various folding methods, such as double folds or triple folds after corrugated folding. Furthermore, the support sheet 20 may be continuous in at least one arrangement direction and have a shape that bends in an alternating manner of repeating mountain folds and valley folds; for example, it may also have a structure in which a portion of the support sheet 20 extends in the xy plane.

[0038] (B3) In this embodiment, the solar panel 10 has a support sheet 20, but the support sheet 20 may be omitted in this invention. The solar panel 10 may also be a structure in which solar cell modules 30 are directly connected to each other by means of adhesives or the like.

[0039] (B4) In this embodiment, the solar cell unit C is configured as a solar cell capable of generating electricity from a material having a perovskite structure, but the present invention is not limited thereto. The material constituting the solar cell unit C may be composed of crystalline silicon, amorphous silicon, CIS-based, CIGS-based, CdTe-based, organic thin film-based, or dye-sensitized materials, etc.

[0040] (B5) In this embodiment, the angle a between adjacent regions A in the support sheet 20 is 120°, and the angle b of region A tilted relative to the vehicle roof R in the z-axis direction is 30°, but the present invention is not limited to this. Angle a can be any angle of 90° or more and less than 180°, and angle b can be any angle of 1° or more and less than 45°. In addition, the value of angle a or angle b can be different for each region A. Furthermore, the values ​​of angle a and b can be appropriately set according to the region or latitude of the solar panel 10, i.e., the angle of sunlight.

[0041] This utility model is not limited to the above-described embodiments and can be implemented in various structures without departing from its spirit. For example, in order to solve some or all of the above-described problems, or to achieve some or all of the above-described effects, the technical features in the embodiments corresponding to the technical features in the various embodiments described in the summary section of the utility model can be appropriately replaced or combined. Furthermore, if the technical features are not described as necessary in this specification, they can be appropriately deleted.

[0042] Symbol Explanation

[0043] 10 - Solar panel, 20 - Support sheet, 30 - Solar cell module, A - Area, C (C1~C15) - Solar cell unit, NB - Negative busbar, NE - Negative electrode, PB - Positive busbar, PE - Positive electrode, R - Vehicle roof.

Claims

1. A vehicle-mounted solar panel, characterized in that, The solar panel comprises multiple solar cell modules arranged in a grid pattern constituting the surface of the solar panel. The solar panel has a shape in which adjacent solar cell modules in at least one arrangement direction bend in an alternating pattern of mountain and valley bends. Each of the aforementioned solar cell modules has multiple strip-shaped solar cell units connected in series. The multiple solar cell modules are electrically connected in parallel with each other.

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