An integrated solar PV and water heater system to improve energy efficiency

Abstract

An integrated solar photovoltaic (PV) and solar water heating system (100) consisting of: a multitude of solar PV modules configured to generate electricity from sunlight; a set of heat transfer tubes arranged at the bottom of the solar PV modules and configured to capture the thermal energy of the PV modules and transfer the captured heat to circulating water, thereby keeping the PV modules at an optimal operating temperature to increase their efficiency; a solar water heater unit, wherein the water preheated by the PV modules is fed to the solar water heater, resulting in an increase in the water temperature before entering the water heater and thereby improving the overall heating efficiency of the solar water heater.

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to renewable energy systems, particularly to the integration of photovoltaic solar modules with solar water heaters to improve energy efficiency.

[0002] Solar energy systems are a cornerstone of renewable energy and are widely used for electricity generation through photovoltaic (PV) systems and water heating through solar water heaters. While these technologies have provided significant environmental and economic benefits, they are not without limitations that affect their performance and efficiency.

[0003] In photovoltaic (PV) systems, the efficiency of power generation is highly sensitive to the operating temperature of the PV modules. Under optimal conditions, PV modules operate efficiently at around 25°C. However, as the temperature of the modules increases due to prolonged exposure to sunlight, their efficiency decreases significantly, typically by about 0.5% for each degree Celsius above the optimal temperature. This temperature-induced efficiency loss can lead to a significant reduction in power output, especially in regions with high ambient temperatures or intense sunlight. Conventional PV systems lack an effective heat dissipation mechanism, which exacerbates this problem and reduces their overall energy yield and operating lifespan.

[0004] Solar water heaters (SDHs) also face significant challenges, despite effectively harnessing solar radiation to heat water. Their performance depends heavily on environmental conditions such as solar intensity and ambient temperature. In colder seasons or cloudy weather, the heating capacity of solar water heaters decreases, often requiring additional energy sources to achieve desired water temperatures. Furthermore, conventional water heating systems are self-contained and do not utilize preheated water from other sources, resulting in longer heating cycles and higher energy consumption.

[0005] Existing integrated solar systems attempt to combine PV modules and water heaters to overcome these limitations. For example, technologies such as those developed by Dualsun utilize the backside of PV modules to heat water and generate electricity simultaneously. However, these designs are often based on single-layer integration, which limits their effectiveness in temperature control for PV modules and restricts the overall system efficiency. Furthermore, such systems are typically rigidly constructed and cannot be easily adapted to existing PV or water heating systems, making them less suitable for retrofits or wider adoption.

[0006] Another significant disadvantage of conventional systems is the high operating and maintenance costs associated with managing separate PV and water heating systems. The need for independent installation, monitoring, and maintenance increases the financial burden for users and reduces the economic attractiveness of solar energy solutions for both residential and industrial applications.

[0007] These challenges underscore the need for an innovative solution that effectively addresses the inherent limitations of conventional systems. A system that integrates solar PV and water heating technologies in a way that improves the efficiency of both systems, effectively controls heat output, and can be adapted to existing facilities would represent a significant advance in renewable energy technology. This integrated approach not only maximizes energy yield but also reduces operating costs, providing a sustainable and economically viable solution for various applications.

[0008] Therefore, there is still a need in the field of integration of solar photovoltaic modules with solar water heaters to improve energy efficiency, which does not suffer from the above-mentioned shortcomings or at least offers a practical and effective solution.

[0009] The aim of the present disclosure is to remedy one or more problems of the prior art or at least to provide a useful alternative.

[0010] An object of the present disclosure is to provide integration of solar photovoltaic modules with solar water heaters to improve energy efficiency.

[0011] An object of the present disclosure is to provide an integration of photovoltaic modules with solar water heaters to improve energy efficiency, which can reduce the operating temperature of the photovoltaic modules by circulating water beneath the modules, thereby maintaining an optimal temperature of about 25°C and minimizing efficiency losses due to overheating.

[0012] An object of the present disclosure is to provide an integration of photovoltaic modules with solar water heaters to improve energy efficiency, which can utilize the preheated water from the PV modules to increase the inlet temperature of the water entering the solar water heater, resulting in faster heating and lower energy consumption.

[0013] An objective of the present disclosure is to provide an integration of photovoltaic modules with solar water heaters to increase energy efficiency, offering a design compatible with existing PV modules and water heating systems, ensuring ease of implementation and cost-effectiveness without requiring significant modifications.

[0014] An object of the present disclosure is to provide an integration of solar photovoltaic modules with solar water heaters to increase energy efficiency, enabling simultaneous and uninterrupted use of both the power generation and water heating functions, thus maximizing the utility of the system.

[0015] An object of the present disclosure is to provide integration of solar photovoltaic modules with solar water heaters to increase energy efficiency.

[0016] An objective of the present disclosure is to provide an integration of photovoltaic modules with solar water heaters to increase energy efficiency, which can reduce energy consumption in industrial and domestic environments by utilizing renewable solar energy for both electricity generation and water heating, thereby reducing the total cost of ownership and the carbon footprint.

[0017] One embodiment of the present invention provides an integrated solar PV and water heating system designed to increase energy efficiency and optimize the performance of both photovoltaic modules and solar water heaters. The system addresses the key challenges of overheating of solar PV modules and the inefficiency of conventional solar water heaters by adopting a dual-function approach. In this system, water circulates through pipes mounted beneath the PV modules to dissipate heat and maintain the modules at an optimal operating temperature of approximately 25°C, thereby improving their efficiency. The heated water is then piped into the solar water heater, increasing the inlet water temperature and improving the water heater's performance. This preheating process reduces energy consumption and enables faster heating.The design is compatible with existing PV and water heating systems, making it adaptable, cost-effective, and easy to implement. The integrated system ensures simultaneous power generation and water heating, reducing operating costs and promoting sustainability. This innovation is suitable for various applications, including residential and industrial use, where energy efficiency and cost savings are critical. By combining solar PV and water heating technologies in a unified system, the invention overcomes the limitations of conventional systems and provides a practical and environmentally friendly solution for maximizing the use of solar energy.

[0018] The invention is explained again below with reference to the figure. It shows: Fig. : an integrated solar PV and hot water system according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0019] The integrated solar photovoltaic (PV) and solar hot water system (100) comprises a plurality of solar PV modules, a set of heat transfer tubes, and a solar hot water unit. The plurality of solar PV modules are configured to generate electricity from sunlight. The set of heat transfer tubes is arranged on the underside of the solar PV modules and configured to absorb the thermal energy from the PV modules and transfer the absorbed heat to circulating water, thereby maintaining the PV modules at an optimal operating temperature to increase their efficiency. The water preheated by the PV modules is supplied to the solar water heater, resulting in an increase in the water temperature before entering the water heater and thereby improving the overall heating efficiency of the solar water heater.

[0020] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the water flow tubes maintain the temperature of the PV modules at an optimal operating temperature of about 25 °C, thereby improving the efficiency of the PV modules.

[0021] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the water preheated by the PV modules is mixed with the water entering the solar water heater, resulting in a higher water temperature and an improvement in the heating efficiency of the solar water heater.

[0022] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the system enables the simultaneous and independent operation of both the PV modules for electricity generation and the solar water heater for hot water production.

[0023] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the system is adaptable to existing solar PV and water heating systems without significant modifications, making it cost-effective and easy to retrofit.

[0024] According to one embodiment of the present invention, a temperature control unit ensures that the water flowing through the pipes under the PV modules is maintained at an optimal temperature to prevent overheating of the PV modules and improve the efficiency of the solar water heater.

[0025] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the integration of the solar PV modules and the solar water heater results in reduced overall energy consumption by improving the energy efficiency of both systems.

[0026] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the system reduces the time and energy required for hot water production by utilizing preheated water from the PV modules, resulting in faster and more efficient hot water production.

[0027] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the method for improving the efficiency of photovoltaic modules and solar water heaters comprises the following steps: circulating water through pipes arranged beneath the photovoltaic modules to absorb heat and maintain the photovoltaic modules at an optimal temperature of approximately 25°C; directing the heated water into the solar water heater, thereby increasing the water temperature before entering the solar water heater and improving the efficiency of the water heating process.

[0028] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the water preheated by the solar PV modules reduces the overall energy consumption of the solar water heater, resulting in improved energy efficiency.

Claims

[1] An integrated solar photovoltaic (PV) and solar hot water system (100) consisting of: a large number of solar PV modules configured to generate electricity from sunlight; a set of heat transfer pipes located on the underside of the solar PV modules and configured to capture the thermal energy from the PV modules and transfer the captured heat to circulating water, thereby maintaining the PV modules at an optimal operating temperature to increase their efficiency; a solar water heater unit, wherein the water preheated by the PV modules is fed to the solar water heater, which leads to an increase in the water temperature before entering the water heater and thus improves the overall heating performance of the solar water heater. [2] System (100) according to claim 1, wherein the water flow pipes maintain the temperature of the PV modules at an optimal operating temperature of about 25 °C and thereby improve the efficiency of the PV modules. [3] System (100) according to claim 1, wherein the water preheated by the PV modules is mixed with the water entering the solar water heater, resulting in a higher temperature of the water and an improvement in the heating performance of the solar water heater. [4] System (100) according to claim 1, wherein the system enables the simultaneous and independent operation of both the PV modules for electricity generation and the solar water heater for hot water preparation. [5] System (100) according to claim 1, wherein the system can be adapted to existing solar PV and hot water preparation systems without significant modifications, making it cost-effective and easy to retrofit. [6] System (100) according to claim 1, further comprising a temperature control unit which ensures that the water flowing through the pipes under the PV modules is kept at an optimal temperature to prevent overheating of the PV modules and to improve the efficiency of the solar water heater. [7] System (100) according to claim 1, wherein the integration of the solar PV modules and the solar water heater leads to a reduced overall energy consumption by improving the energy efficiency of both systems. [8] System (100) according to claim 1, wherein the system reduces the time and energy required for heating water by using preheated water from the PV modules, resulting in faster and more efficient hot water preparation.

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