Active cooling system for photovoltaic panels while simultaneously utilizing waste heat

Abstract

Holding device for photovoltaic panels, characterized in that a heat conducting profile, which has a maximum surface area on the underside of the photovoltaic circuit board and under which there is a cavity, possibly with several chambers, allows the waste heat generated during the operation of photovoltaic panels to be used for further purposes.

Description

[0001] Active multi-stage cooling system with integrated panel mount to reduce the power losses of photovoltaic systems while simultaneously utilizing waste heat for hot water preparation, air conditioning, and room heating.

[0002] Maximising solar energy is one of the most important issues worldwide to achieve agreed climate goals.

[0003] With the current state of technology, solar energy can only be used with photovoltaic systems to generate electrical energy.

[0004] The efficiency of modern monocrystalline panels is currently between 20 and 22%. This means that only 20 and 22% of the incoming solar energy can be converted into electricity by a PV system. This is a low value, considering the area required by a photovoltaic panel. Another disadvantage of photovoltaic systems is that their performance decreases with increasing temperatures (up to 75°C in summer and 50°C in winter). For the most commonly used silicon-based modules, the performance decreases by 0.35 to 0.45% for every degree of temperature increase. These performance losses can only be partially compensated for with an intelligent, cost-effective, and easy-to-install external cooling system. Description of the invention:

[0005] The invention relates to a universally applicable mounting device for all currently known, even frameless, photovoltaic panels. It allows the waste heat generated during operation of photovoltaic panels to be utilized for hot water production and for heating and cooling rooms. Furthermore, due to the large space requirements of photovoltaic systems, it is absolutely essential to equip photovoltaic panels with a constructive, cost-effective solution for generating additional solar energy in order to increase the efficiency of photovoltaic systems. It is generally known that current mounting devices for photovoltaic systems only serve the function of arranging them above an existing roof structure or open space.

[0006] It is therefore the object of the present invention to provide a holding device for photovoltaic systems with which the solar energy generation is improved from the current approximately 20% to 22% to at least approximately 25% to 30%, which is versatile in use and whose manufacture and use are very simple and cost-effective.

[0007] This problem is solved by the features of claim 1.

[0008] According to the invention, a holding device for photovoltaic panels with extruded profiles specially developed for this purpose is proposed.

[0009] ( Fig. 1) shows a first preferred embodiment of a heat conducting profile 1 ( Fig. 1), which is part of the present invention.

[0010] The thermal conduction profile 1 ( Fig. 1) is designed so that a maximum cooling surface 1 fits tightly against the underside of the panel circuit board over the entire length of the photovoltaic panel. This ensures direct heat transfer into the heat conduction profile 1 ( Fig. 1). Below the cooling surface of the heat conduction profile 1 ( Fig. 1) there is a hollow chamber 2. The hollow chambers 2 can also be modulated differently than in the heat conduction profile 1 ( Fig. 1) or multi-chamber heat conduction profile ( Fig. 2) is shown.

[0011] The entire thermal conduction profile 1( Fig. 1) acts like a large heat sink. However, since additional cooling liquid (water or other media) flows through the hollow chamber 2 of the heat conducting profile 1 ( Fig. 1), maximum cooling of the photovoltaic panels is achieved. The front sides of the heat conduction profile 1 ( Fig. 1) are fitted with a heat conducting profile 1 ( Fig. 1) is attached to the plate with a seal using the screw channels provided. The connection of the heat conducting profiles 1 ( Fig. 1) is carried out using standard self-tapping screw connections, which are positioned in the semicircular channels 5 and the matching tubes on the front sides of the heat conducting profiles 1 ( Fig. 1). With the design of the channels 3 on the heat conducting profiles 1 ( Fig. 1), the cooling surface for the photovoltaic panels and the heat transfer surface for hot water preparation are significantly increased. This also increases the cooling capacity and heat recovery with the heat conduction profile 1 ( Fig. 1). At the same time, the flow velocity of the outside air in channels 3 increases as the air heats up (chimney effect). When the photovoltaic circuit board heats up, larger volumes of outside air are directed through channels 3. This creates a further cooling effect for the photovoltaic circuit board.

[0012] Depending on the cooling capacity or heat recovery requirements, several heat conduction profiles 1 ( Fig. 1) Install below the photovoltaic circuit board. This makes it possible to set up multiple circuits with different media.

[0013] Fig. 2 shows a further preferred embodiment of a heat conducting profile 2 ( Fig. 2) which is part of the invention.

[0014] With the heat conduction profile 2 ( Fig. 2) preferably frameless photovoltaic panels can be mounted with the clamping profile ( Fig. 5) on all substructures constructed with roof hooks and rail systems. With the heat conducting profile 2 ( Fig. 2) you can attach two frameless photovoltaic panels Fig. 3 shows a further preferred embodiment for a multi-chamber heat conducting profile ( Fig. 3), which is part of the invention.

[0015] The design features several chambers arranged side by side, allowing different media (coolant, air, or other) to be heated simultaneously.

[0016] As an example, a multi-chamber heat conduction profile ( Fig. 3) is shown with 3 chambers. However, multiple chambers are also possible. With the multi-chamber heat conduction profile ( Fig. 3) you can use liquid coolants in two chambers and heat outside air in one chamber.

[0017] For larger photovoltaic systems, heat conduction profiles 1 ( Fig. 1), heat conducting profiles 2 ( Fig. 2) or multi-chamber heat conduction profiles ( Fig. 3) at the end of the row, the photovoltaic panels are no longer cooled optimally. With the multi-chamber heat conduction profiles ( Fig. 3) it is possible to set up two coolant circuits that run against each other.

[0018] This ensures more even cooling of the photovoltaic panels. With the heat conduction profile 1( Fig. 1), the thermal conduction profile 2( Fig. 2) and the multi-chamber heat conduction profile ( Fig. 3) In addition to the coolant, outside air can also be heated. Heating outside air reduces humidity exponentially.

[0019] The air is dried and can absorb and transport a lot of liquid. With this heated and dried air, you can use an evaporative cooler ( Fig. 7), generate cold for air conditioning rooms.

[0020] The thermal conduction profile 1 ( Fig. 1) and the multi-chamber heat conduction profile ( Fig. 3) designed so that they can also be used as a holding device for the photovoltaic panels ( Fig. 4). This eliminates the need to attach the photovoltaic panels using a clamp.

[0021] The invention heat conducting profile 1 ( Fig. 1) the heat conduction profile 2 ( Fig. 2) and multi-chamber heat conduction profile ( Fig. 3) has the following innovations compared to the current state of the art, which are neither known in practice nor in the literature. • The waste heat obtained by cooling is transported via a circuit connected to the heat conduction profile 1 ( Fig. 1) or the heat conduction profile 2 ( Fig. 2) or the multi-chamber heat conduction profile ( Fig. 3) is used for hot water supply, cooling, and room heating. The operating temperature of photovoltaic panels during operation is reduced by active external cooling with a coolant. This reduces the power losses of the photovoltaic panels. • The heat conduction profiles ( Fig. 1 and 2) and multi-chamber heat conduction profiles ( Fig. 3) are designed so that the photovoltaic panels are attached to the inner lower frame side along the entire length of the photovoltaic panels. This eliminates the need for additional fastening with a panel clamp, which is the current state of the art. Due to the grooved structure of the inner surfaces ( Fig. 1, Fig. 2 and 3) the heat transfer area is improved by about 40% • In winter, the system can be used to defrost photovoltaic systems

[0022] Fig. 7 shows a first preferred embodiment of an evaporative cooler ( Fig. 7) which is part of the present invention.

[0023] With an evaporative cooler ( Fig. 7) heated and dried air can be used to cool rooms. The evaporative cooler ( Fig. 7)is made from two cost-effective extruded profiles cooling profile ( Fig. 8) and air guide profile ( Fig. 9) composed .

[0024] In the upper curve ( Fig. 7) a drip hose is used which evenly covers the inner surfaces of the cooling profile, which are covered with a fleece, with liquid.

[0025] The front plate entrance ( Fig. 10) and front plate output ( Fig. 11) is attached to the cooling profile ( Fig. 7) attached to the outside.

[0026] With the air guide profile ( Fig. 9) the front plate input ( Fig. 10) supplied dried air into the cavities of the cooling profiles ( Fig. 7) and swirled. Due to the swirling, the dried air absorbs large quantities of evaporated liquid that forms on the inner walls of the cooling profiles and guides them through the front plate outlet ( Fig. 11).

[0027] The evaporation process generates cold which is directed to the outer wall of the cooling profile and can be used for cooling.

[0028] Is applied over the outer walls of the cooling profile ( Fig. 8) Warm air can be lowered to a temperature of approximately 18 degrees Celsius. This allows the system to be used as an air conditioning system with very low energy consumption. List of reference symbols Fig. 1 thermal conduction profile ( Fig. 1) 1 contact surface photovoltaic panel circuit board 2 hollow chambers 3 channels 4 Contact surface for fixing the photovoltaic panel frame 5 screw-in channels for standard screw connections 6 Connection surface for fastening with clamping profile ( Fig. 5) 7 screw channels for mounting frameless photovoltaic panels Fig. 2 Thermal conduction profile ( Fig. 2) 1 photovoltaic panel installation area 2 hollow chambers 3 channels 4 fixing points for frameless photovoltaic panels with ( Fig. 5) 5 screw-in channels for standard screw connections 6 Connection surface for fastening with clamping profile ( Fig. 5) Fig. 3 Multi-chamber heat conduction profile ( Fig. 3) 1 contact surface photovoltaic panel circuit board 2 hollow chambers 3 channels 4 Contact surface for fixing the photovoltaic panel frame 5 screw-in channels for standard screw connections 6 Connection surface for fastening with ( Fig. 5) 7 screw channels for mounting frameless photovoltaic panels Fig. 4 Schematic diagram for connections of multi-chamber heat conducting profiles ( Fig. 2) with photovoltaic panel 6 Panel circuit board 7 panel frames Fig. 5 Clamping profile 1 ( Fig. 5) for fastening ( Fig. 1 , Fig. 2 and Fig. 3) to standard profile 1 fastening groove 1 for insertion into the surfaces 6 of the profiles ( Fig. 1, Fig. 2 and Fig. 3) Fig. 6 grooves of the inner surfaces of the profiles ( Fig. 1, Fig. 2 and 3) Fig. 7 Evaporative cooler assembly ( Fig. 8 and Fig. 9) Fig. 8 Cooling profile ( Fig. 8) Fig. 9 Air guide profile ( Fig. 9) Fig. 10 Front plate inlet evaporative cooler ( Fig. 7) Fig. 11 Front plate outlet evaporative cooler ( Fig. 7)

Claims

[1] Holding device for photovoltaic panels, characterized by that with a heat conducting profile, which fits positively with a maximum area on the underside of the photovoltaic circuit board and under which there is a cavity with several chambers, the waste heat generated during the operation of the photovoltaic panel can be put to further use. [2] Holding device for photovoltaic panels, characterized by that the waste heat from the photovoltaic panels is absorbed through the cavities through which a medium is passed and can be transported to consumers via pipelines for further applications. [3] Holding device for photovoltaic panels, characterized by that with the heat conducting profile all photovoltaic panels, including frameless ones, can be installed regardless of their dimensions. [4] Holding device for photovoltaic panels, characterized byThe thermal conduction profile provides extensive support for the photovoltaic panel circuit board. This ensures that the load-bearing capacity (snow load) of particularly large-area photovoltaic panels is significantly increased and that damage due to high loads is excluded. [5] A holding device for photovoltaic panels, characterized in that the heat-conducting profile secures the photovoltaic panel frame over the entire length of the inner frame side. This ensures that the photovoltaic panels are securely fastened even under very severe weather-related loads (hurricane-force winds). [6] A mounting device for photovoltaic panels, characterized by the fact that the inner surfaces of the heat-conducting profile are structured in a grooved manner. This increases the surface area and allows the heat to be dissipated more quickly into the flowing medium. [7] Holding device for photovoltaic panels characterized by the fact that the photovoltaic panels can be defrosted even in winter during heavy snowfall. [8] Holding device for photovoltaic panels characterized by The thermal conduction profile provides additional cooling for the photovoltaic panels. This reduces power losses during operation. [9] Holding device for photovoltaic panels characterized by , that outside air can be drawn through the cavities. This exponentially reduces humidity. This heated and dried air can be used to generate very effective cooling in an evaporative cooler, releasing CO2. [10] Evaporative cooler for dried air characterized byThat is, air dried in the photovoltaic panel holder is passed through a maximum surface area made of a material with good thermal conductivity, to which a fleece is applied on one side. The fleece is constantly wetted over the entire surface with a liquid located in a closed space. Evaporation of the liquid creates cold at the fleece, which is then passed to the outer wall of the cooling profile and can thus be used for cooling processes. [11] Evaporative cooler for dried air characterized by,preferably with a structured aluminum profile, which is designed in such a way that when two profiles of equal length are put together edge to edge with the surfaces to which the fleece is applied, a hollow space is created inside which is closed at the top and bottom and through which the dried air is passed. The surfaces covered with the fleece are wave-shaped, which contributes to a significant increase in surface area. At the top end there is a drip hose, through which the fleece arranged on the inside walls can be evenly supplied with liquid. The front sides of the profile are closed with a plate on which there is an air inlet opening and on the opposite side an air outlet opening. Besides aluminum, other heat-conducting materials can also be used. [12] Evaporative cooler for dried air characterized byAn air guide profile directs the dried air into the interior of the wave-shaped profiles while simultaneously creating turbulence. This ensures optimal evaporation on the inside of the evaporative cooler and optimal cooling on the outer surfaces of the profiles. [13] Evaporative cooler for dried air characterized by that if the inner and outer sides of the wave-shaped profile are structured in a groove-like manner, the surface area and thus the evaporation area and the cooling area are increased and thus the cooling performance is improved.

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