Three-dimensional photovoltaic module

Abstract

The three-dimensional photovoltaic module (2) has a central axis and comprises photovoltaic coatings (3) comprising a plurality of photovoltaic coating subsets (3) which are distributed around the central axis (A) and which each comprise two adjacent photovoltaic coatings (3), each photovoltaic coating (3) extending substantially along a respective extension plane and comprising a positive terminal, a negative terminal and at least one photovoltaic cell, the extension planes of the two photovoltaic coatings (3) belonging to the same subset converging upwards and intersecting along a respective intersection line which is inclined with respect to the central axis and which extends upwards away from the central axis;and an electrical connection base (5) which is located under the photovoltaic coatings (3) of said three-dimensional photovoltaic module (2) and which is configured to electrically connect said photovoltaic coatings (3) to each other. Figure 1;

Description

Title of the invention: Three-dimensional photovoltaic module technical field

[0001] The present invention relates generally to the field of photovoltaic solar energy. More specifically, it relates to a three-dimensional photovoltaic module. Prior art

[0002] In the field of photovoltaic solar energy, it is known to generally use two-dimensional photovoltaic panels made up of the superposition of several layers, generally consisting, from top to bottom, of:

[0003] - an anti-reflective coating to limit the reflection of solar rays on the layers underlying semiconductors;

[0004] - a protective glass layer to protect the underlying semiconductor layers underlying;

[0005] - a conductive grid;

[0006] - a layer of N- or P-doped semiconductor;

[0007] - a layer of P- or N-doped semiconductor; and

[0008] - a base layer.

[0009] The major drawback of this type of photovoltaic panel lies in the low amount of energy produced per m2. Indeed, with a two-dimensional photovoltaic panel, the amount of energy produced per m2 is not optimized.

[0010] Furthermore, this type of photovoltaic panel does not produce energy uniformly throughout the day. In fact, this production follows a Gaussian law, being maximum when the Sun is at its culmination point, and lower for the rest of the day, particularly at the beginning and end of the day.

[0011] Moreover, the classic solution requires orienting the photovoltaic panel optimally with respect to solar radiation, which is not always easy depending on the configuration of the building receiving such a photovoltaic panel.

[0012] To overcome such drawbacks, it is known to produce a three-dimensional photovoltaic module comprising:

[0013] - a three-dimensional support structure having a pyramidal shape with a base square, and comprising four supporting faces, each having a triangular shape; and

[0014] - a plurality of photovoltaic coatings fixed to the tridi support structure dimensionally, each photovoltaic coating being arranged on a respective support face and extending substantially parallel to the respective support face, each photovoltaic coating comprising at least one photovoltaic cell and covering at least part of the respective support face.

[0015] Such a configuration of the three-dimensional photovoltaic module makes it possible to increase the developed surface covered with active photovoltaic material, and therefore to produce, when the Sun is at its culmination point and the three-dimensional photovoltaic module is arranged on a horizontal surface, more energy per unit area than a conventional photovoltaic panel.

[0016] However, due to the shadows cast by the three-dimensional support structure during the Sun's daily path, the amount of energy produced annually by such a three-dimensional photovoltaic module is not optimal. Furthermore, at certain points during the Sun's path, some of the photovoltaic coatings are not exposed to sunlight and generate resistive loads that oppose the energy supplied by the exposed photovoltaic coatings, further limiting the amount of energy produced annually by such a three-dimensional photovoltaic module.

[0017] Furthermore, when a plurality of three-dimensional photovoltaic modules of the aforementioned type are assembled together to form a photovoltaic device, each three-dimensional support structure generates, during the Sun's movement, shadows, or even darkness, on the photovoltaic coatings of the adjacent three-dimensional photovoltaic modules, which therefore considerably limits the amount of energy produced annually by such a photovoltaic device. Summary of the invention

[0018] The present invention aims to remedy the aforementioned drawbacks.

[0019] The technical problem underlying the invention therefore consists of providing a three-dimensional photovoltaic module capable of producing more energy per unit area annually than a conventional three-dimensional photovoltaic module.

[0020] To this end, the present invention relates to a three-dimensional photovoltaic module having a central axis and comprising:

[0021] - photovoltaic coatings comprising a plurality of re subsets photovoltaic garments which are distributed around the central axis and which each comprise two adjacent photovoltaic coatings, each photovoltaic coating extending substantially along a respective extension plane and comprising a positive terminal, a negative terminal and at least one photovoltaic cell, the extension planes of the two photovoltaic coatings belonging to the same subset converging upwards and intersecting along a respective line of intersection which is inclined with respect to the central axis and which extends upwards away from the central axis, and

[0022] - an electrical connection base which is located under the photo coatings photovoltaic said three-dimensional photovoltaic module and which is configured to electrically connect said photovoltaic coatings together.

[0023] Such an orientation of the different photovoltaic coatings makes it possible to maximize the insolated surface of the three-dimensional photovoltaic module at each instant of the Sun's movement, and therefore to capture a significant amount of energy from the Sun, without requiring any movement mechanism configured to modify the orientation of the three-dimensional photovoltaic module according to the position of the Sun.

[0024] In particular, the arrangement of the different photovoltaic coatings limits the phenomenon of shadows cast by each photovoltaic coating on the other photovoltaic coatings, while allowing good light penetration within the three-dimensional photovoltaic module.

[0025] Furthermore, given the arrangement of the photovoltaic coatings, all the photovoltaic coatings are at least partially simultaneously exposed to sunlight during a significant portion of the Sun's movement, which ensures greater regularity in energy production throughout the day (and particularly during the Sun's ascending and descending phases) and therefore also throughout the year. The arrangement of the photovoltaic coatings also makes it possible to produce electricity earlier in the day and until later in the day compared to three-dimensional photovoltaic modules of the prior art.

[0026] Furthermore, even when a photovoltaic coating is not directly exposed to sunlight, it is nevertheless capable of capturing at least some of the light reflected by other photovoltaic coatings of the three-dimensional photovoltaic module. Finally, even when a photovoltaic coating is neither directly nor indirectly exposed to sunlight, this represents only a minimal portion of the photovoltaic coatings belonging to the three-dimensional photovoltaic module that is not exposed to sunlight.

[0027] Consequently, the three-dimensional photovoltaic module makes it possible to produce, not only instantaneously, but especially annually, more energy per unit area than a conventional photovoltaic panel and also than a conventional three-dimensional photovoltaic module.

[0028] The three-dimensional photovoltaic module may also have one or more of the following characteristics, taken alone or in combination.

[0029] According to one embodiment of the invention, the ratio of the developed surface area of ​​the photovoltaic coatings to the ground area occupied by the three-dimensional photovoltaic module is greater than 3, and for example between 4 and 6, and advantageously between 4.5 and 5.5. These arrangements ensure a relatively high energy production per unit area compared to the energy produced per unit area by a prior art three-dimensional photovoltaic module.

[0030] According to one embodiment of the invention, the electrical connection base is substantially flat.

[0031] According to one embodiment of the invention, the electrical connection base comprises conductive tracks configured to electrically connect said photovoltaic coatings together.

[0032] According to one embodiment of the invention, the electrical connection base is formed by a printed circuit board.

[0033] According to one embodiment of the invention, the electrical connection base is configured to electrically connect, in parallel, the photovoltaic coatings of said three-dimensional photovoltaic module.

[0034] According to one embodiment of the invention, each photovoltaic coating comprises two electrically conductive pins electrically connected respectively to the negative and positive terminals of said photovoltaic coating, the two electrically conductive pins of each photovoltaic coating being electrically connected to the electrical connection base, and for example to a respective conductive track provided on the electrical connection base.

[0035] According to one embodiment of the invention, each electrically conductive pin is configured to extend substantially vertically when the three-dimensional photovoltaic module is arranged on a horizontal surface.

[0036] According to one embodiment of the invention, the two electrically conductive pins of the same photovoltaic coating are configured to support and hold said photovoltaic coating in position, particularly during the assembly of the three-dimensional photovoltaic module. In other words, the two electrically conductive pins of the same photovoltaic coating are configured such that each photovoltaic coating is self-supporting with respect to the electrical connection base.

[0037] According to one embodiment of the invention, the electrical connection base comprises a plurality of connection holes, each of the connection holes being configured to allow at least partial insertion of a respective electrically conductive pin.

[0038] According to one embodiment of the invention, each electrically conductive pin has a circular cross-section, and thus has the shape of a rod.

[0039] According to one embodiment of the invention, the three-dimensional photovoltaic module comprises a main positive terminal and a main negative terminal to which the positive and negative terminals of all the photovoltaic coatings are electrically connected, the main positive terminal and the main negative terminal being provided on the electrical connection base.

[0040] According to one embodiment of the invention, the positive terminals of all the re- Photovoltaic clothing is electrically connected to the main positive terminal, and the negative terminals of all photovoltaic coatings are electrically connected to the main negative terminal.

[0041] According to one embodiment of the invention, the electrical connection base comprises a first conductive track configured to connect the positive terminals of said photovoltaic coatings together, and a second conductive track configured to connect the negative terminals of said photovoltaic coatings together.

[0042] According to one embodiment of the invention, each of the first and second conductive tracks is provided on an underside face of the electrical connection base.

[0043] According to one embodiment of the invention, each photovoltaic coating comprises an active face configured to capture incident light rays photons, and a passive face which is located opposite the respective active face and which is provided with the respective negative and positive terminals.

[0044] According to one embodiment of the invention, the electrical connection base has a polygonal shape, and for example, is generally hexagonal.

[0045] According to one embodiment of the invention, the lines of intersection are regularly distributed around the central axis of the three-dimensional photovoltaic module.

[0046] According to one embodiment of the invention, each line of intersection is secant with the central axis of the three-dimensional photovoltaic module.

[0047] According to one embodiment of the invention, each of the lines of intersection is inclined with respect to the central axis at an angle of inclination between 10 and 40°, advantageously between 20 and 30°, and for example about 26°.

[0048] According to one embodiment of the invention, the lines of intersection intersect at an intersection point located substantially on the central axis of the three-dimensional photovoltaic module.

[0049] According to one embodiment of the invention, all the extension planes of the photovoltaic coatings have different orientations.

[0050] According to one embodiment of the invention, the two photovoltaic coatings of each sub-assembly define a top zone, said top zones being distributed around the central axis, and for example regularly distributed, around the central axis.

[0051] According to one embodiment of the invention, the apex areas defined by the photovoltaic coatings are equidistant from the central axis.

[0052] According to one embodiment of the invention, the central axis of the three-dimensional photovoltaic module is configured to extend substantially vertically when the three-dimensional photovoltaic module is arranged on a horizontal surface.

[0053] According to one embodiment of the invention, the photovoltaic coatings of said plurality of photovoltaic coatings are distinct from each other and are connected in series and / or parallel.

[0054] According to one embodiment of the invention, at least one photovoltaic coating, and for example each of the photovoltaic coatings, is flexible.

[0055] According to another embodiment of the invention, at least one photovoltaic coating, and for example each of the photovoltaic coatings, is rigid.

[0056] According to one embodiment of the invention, each photovoltaic coating comprises a plurality of photovoltaic cells connected in parallel and / or in series.

[0057] According to one embodiment of the invention, each of the photovoltaic coatings has an overall triangular shape.

[0058] According to one embodiment of the invention, each photovoltaic coating comprises a first edge extending near and along the respective intersection line, a second edge located opposite the central axis and a third edge connecting the first and second respective edges.

[0059] According to one embodiment of the invention, the first edges of two photovoltaic coatings belonging to the same subset extend close to and along each other.

[0060] According to one embodiment of the invention, the second edge of each photovoltaic coating is inclined with respect to the central axis, such that the lower end of said second edge is closer to the central axis than the upper end of said second edge.

[0061] According to one embodiment of the invention, each photovoltaic coating is inclined, with respect to a respective reference plane which is parallel to the central axis and which passes through the third edge of said photovoltaic coating, at an angle of inclination between 5 and 10°, and for example about 7°.

[0062] According to one embodiment of the invention, the first edge of each photovoltaic coating has a length between 15 and 25 mm, and advantageously between 18 and 22 mm, and for example about 19.3 mm.

[0063] According to one embodiment of the invention, the second edge of each photovoltaic coating has a length between 20 and 35 mm, and advantageously between 25 and 30 mm, and for example of about 28.5 mm.

[0064] According to one embodiment of the invention, the third edge of each photovoltaic coating has a length between 10 and 20 mm, and advantageously between 12 and 17 mm, and for example of about 14.6 mm.

[0065] According to one embodiment of the invention, the number of photovoltaic coatings is between 6 and 12.

[0066] According to one embodiment of the invention, the two photovoltaic coatings of each sub-assembly are substantially symmetrical with respect to a plane of symmetry respective passing through the respective line of intersection.

[0067] According to one embodiment of the invention, the planes of symmetry of the different sub-assemblies intersect along a line of intersection which is substantially coincident with the central axis.

[0068] According to one embodiment of the invention, the adjacent photovoltaic coatings belonging to two adjacent sub-assemblies are located opposite each other.

[0069] According to one embodiment of the invention, the two photovoltaic coatings of each sub-assembly define, viewed from above, a triangular shape, and for example an equilateral triangular shape. In other words, an orthogonal projection of all the points of the two photovoltaic coatings belonging to the same sub-assembly onto a reference plane perpendicular to the central axis defines a triangular surface, and preferably an equilateral triangular surface.

[0070] According to one embodiment of the invention, a ratio of the first edge of each photovoltaic coating to a side of the equilateral triangular shape is between 1.7 and 2.2, advantageously between 1.8 and 2, and for example between 1.90 and 1.95.

[0071] According to one embodiment of the invention, a ratio of the second edge of each photovoltaic coating to a side of the equilateral triangular shape is between 2.7 and 3, advantageously between 2.8 and 2.9, and for example about 2.86.

[0072] According to one embodiment of the invention, a ratio of the third edge of each photovoltaic coating to a side of the equilateral triangular shape is between 1.2 and 1.8, advantageously between 1.3 and 1.7, and further advantageously between 1.4 and 1.6.

[0073] According to one embodiment of the invention, a ratio of the height of the three-dimensional photovoltaic module to one side of the equilateral triangular shape is between 2.5 and 3.5, advantageously between 2.8 and 3.3, and for example between 3 and 3.1.

[0074] According to one embodiment of the invention, the three-dimensional photovoltaic module includes a protective cap, also called an encapsulation cap, which covers the photovoltaic coatings, the protective cap being made of a material transparent to light radiation.

[0075] According to one embodiment of the invention, the protective cap is configured to fill at least part of an internal space located between the photovoltaic coatings.

[0076] According to one embodiment of the invention, the protective cap is formed by hardening a transparent resin.

[0077] According to one embodiment of the invention, the upper face of the cap of protection extends substantially perpendicularly to the central axis of the three-dimensional photovoltaic module.

[0078] According to one embodiment of the invention, the three-dimensional photovoltaic module comprises an anti-reflective surface coating disposed on an upper face of the protective cap.

[0079] According to one embodiment of the invention, the three-dimensional photovoltaic module has a cross-section of polygonal shape, and for example hexagonal.

[0080] According to one embodiment of the invention, the three-dimensional photovoltaic module has a height of between 3 and 6 cm, and for example, approximately 4 cm. Such a height for the three-dimensional photovoltaic module is particularly suitable when the three-dimensional photovoltaic module is intended to be installed on pitched or horizontal roofs. However, the three-dimensional photovoltaic module could have a height well above 6 cm for other applications, for example, when the three-dimensional photovoltaic module is intended to be installed in a substantially vertical orientation.

[0081] The present invention further comprises a photovoltaic device comprising a plurality of three-dimensional photovoltaic modules according to the present invention, said three-dimensional photovoltaic modules being arranged adjacently.

[0082] According to one embodiment of the invention, the electrical connection bases belonging to the three-dimensional photovoltaic modules are formed by a single printed circuit board.

[0083] According to one embodiment of the invention, each electrical connection base is formed by a respective printed circuit board.

[0084] According to one embodiment of the invention, the photovoltaic device extends along an extension plane. Brief description of the figures

[0085] The present invention will be better understood with the aid of the following description with reference to the accompanying figures, in which identical reference signs correspond to structurally and / or functionally identical or similar elements.

[0086] [Fig-1] is a partial top perspective view of the tridi photovoltaic module mensional according to the present invention.

[0087] [Fig.2] is a partial perspective view from below of the three-dimensional photovoltaic module of [Fig.1].

[0088] [Fig.3] is a partial top perspective view of the three-dimensional photovoltaic module of [Fig.1] during assembly.

[0089] [Fig.4] is a schematic top view of the three-dimensional photovoltaic module of [Fig.1].

[0090] [Fig.5] is a schematic side perspective view of the three-dimensional photovoltaic module of [Fig.1].

[0091] [Fig.6] is a schematic top perspective view of a protective cap and an anti-reflective surface coating belonging to the three-dimensional photovoltaic module of [Fig.1].

[0092] [Fig.7] is a top perspective view of a photovoltaic device comprising a plurality of three-dimensional photovoltaic modules according to the present invention.

[0093] [Fig. 8] is a perspective view from below of the photovoltaic device of [Fig. 7],

[0094] [Fig. 9] is a top perspective view of a printed circuit board belonging to a variant embodiment of the photovoltaic device of [Fig. 7]. Detailed description

[0095] In this document, "photovoltaic coating" means a photovoltaic element comprising at least one or more photovoltaic cell(s) supported or not by a base substrate layer which may, for example, be flexible or rigid.

[0096] Figures 1 to 6 represent a three-dimensional photovoltaic module 2 according to an embodiment of the invention. Advantageously, the three-dimensional photovoltaic module 2 has a central axis A which is configured to extend vertically when the three-dimensional photovoltaic module 2 is placed on a horizontal surface.

[0097] The three-dimensional photovoltaic module 2 comprises photovoltaic coatings 3 which are distributed around the central axis A. At least one photovoltaic coating 3, and for example each of the photovoltaic coatings 3, can be flexible or rigid.

[0098] According to the embodiment shown in the figures, the number of photovoltaic coatings 3 is 12, and each photovoltaic coating 3 is generally triangular in shape. However, according to a variant of the invention, the number of photovoltaic coatings 3 could be 6, 8, or 10, and each photovoltaic coating 3 could have a different shape. According to one embodiment of the invention, each photovoltaic coating 3 has a thickness of approximately 1 mm.

[0099] Each photovoltaic coating 3 advantageously comprises several photovoltaic cells connected in parallel and / or in series. The photovoltaic cells of Each photovoltaic coating 3 can, for example, be supported by a base substrate layer. Each photovoltaic coating 3 further comprises an active face 3.1 configured to capture incident light rays photons, and a passive face 3.2 which is located opposite the respective active face 3.1 and which is provided with a negative terminal and a positive terminal.

[0100] Each photovoltaic coating 3 extends substantially along a respective extension plane, and all the extension planes of the photovoltaic coatings 3 have different orientations.

[0101] The photovoltaic coatings 3 more particularly comprise a plurality of photovoltaic coating subsets distributed around the central axis A, each subset comprising two adjacent photovoltaic coatings 3. Advantageously, the adjacent photovoltaic coatings 3 belonging to two adjacent subsets are located opposite each other.

[0102] The extension planes of the two photovoltaic coatings 3 belonging to the same subassembly intersect along a respective intersection line Li, which is straight, inclined with respect to the central axis A, and extends upwards away from the central axis A. Each of the intersection lines Li is inclined with respect to the central axis A at an angle of inclination α of between 10 and 40°, advantageously between 20 and 30°, and for example about 26°. Advantageously, the intersection lines Li are regularly distributed around the central axis A of the three-dimensional photovoltaic module 2, and intersect at a point of intersection located substantially on the central axis A of the three-dimensional photovoltaic module 2.

[0103] The two photovoltaic coatings 3 of each sub-assembly are substantially symmetric with respect to a respective plane of symmetry P passing through the respective line of intersection Li. Advantageously, the planes of symmetry P of the different sub-assemblies intersect along a line of intersection which coincides with the central axis A.

[0104] According to the embodiment shown in the figures, the two photovoltaic coatings 3 of each subset define a vertex zone 4, and the vertex zones 4 defined by the photovoltaic coatings 3 are regularly distributed around the central axis A and are equidistant from the central axis A.

[0105] Each of the photovoltaic coatings 3 comprises a first edge B1 extending near and along the respective intersection line Li, a second edge B2 located opposite the central axis A and extending to the respective vertex area 4, and a third edge B3 connecting the first and second edges. Thus, the first edges B1 of two photovoltaic coatings 3 belonging to the same subset extend near and along each other.

[0106] Advantageously, the second edge B2 of each photovoltaic coating 3 is inclined with respect to the central axis A, such that the lower end of said second edge B2 is closer to the central axis A than the upper end of said second edge B2.

[0107] According to the embodiment shown in the figures, the two photovoltaic coatings 3 of each subset define, viewed from above, a triangular shape, and for example an equilateral triangular shape. In other words, an orthogonal projection of all the points of the two photovoltaic coatings 3 belonging to the same subset onto a reference plane perpendicular to the central axis A defines a triangular surface, and preferably an equilateral triangular surface.

[0108] According to one embodiment of the invention, the ratio of the developed surface area of ​​the photovoltaic coatings 3 to the ground surface occupied by the three-dimensional photovoltaic module 2 is greater than 3, and for example between 4 and 6, and advantageously between 4.5 and 5.5.

[0109] According to one embodiment of the invention:

[0110] - a ratio of the first edge B1 of each photovoltaic coating 3 on one side C of the equilateral triangular shape is between 1.7 and 2.2, advantageously between 1.8 and 2, even more advantageously between 1.90 and 1.95, and for example equal to approximately 1.94 or approximately 1.92,

[0111] - a ratio of the second edge B2 of each photovoltaic coating 3 on one side C of the aforementioned equilateral triangular shape is between 2.7 and 3, advantageously between 2.8 and 2.9, and for example approximately 2.86,

[0112] - a ratio of the third edge B3 of each photovoltaic coating 3 on one side C of the aforementioned equilateral triangular shape is between 1.2 and 1.8, advantageously between 1.3 and 1.7, and even more advantageously between 1.4 and 1.6, and for example equal to approximately 1.47 or approximately 1.58,

[0113] - a ratio of the height of the three-dimensional photovoltaic module 2 to one side C of the aforementioned equilateral triangular shape is between 2.5 and 3.5, advantageously between 2.8 and 3.3, and even more advantageously between 3 and 3.1, and for example equal to about 3.06.

[0114] Advantageously, each photovoltaic coating 3 is inclined, with respect to a respective reference plane which is parallel to the central axis A and which passes through the third edge B3 of said photovoltaic coating 3, at an angle of inclination between 5 and 10°, and for example about 7°.

[0115] The three-dimensional photovoltaic module 2 also includes an electrical connection base 5 located beneath the photovoltaic coatings 3 and configured to electrically connect the photovoltaic coatings 3 to each other. The electrical connection base 5 more specifically includes conductive tracks configured to electrically connect, in parallel, the photovoltaic coatings 3.

[0116] According to the embodiment shown in the figures, the electrical connection base 5 is formed by a printed circuit board, and includes a first conductive track 6 configured to connect the positive terminals of the photovoltaic coatings 3 together, and a second conductive track 7 configured to connect the negative terminals of the photovoltaic coatings 3 together. Advantageously, each of the first and second conductive tracks 6, 7 is provided on a lower face of the electrical connection base 5.

[0117] According to the embodiment shown in the figures, each photovoltaic coating 3 has two electrically conductive pins 8 electrically connected respectively to the negative and positive terminals of said photovoltaic coating 3, and the two electrically conductive pins 8 of each photovoltaic coating 3 are electrically connected to the electrical connection base 5, and more particularly respectively to the first and second conductive tracks 6, 7 provided on the electrical connection base 5. Advantageously, each electrically conductive pin 8 has a circular cross-section, and thus has the shape of a rod.

[0118] Each electrically conductive pin 8 is configured to extend substantially vertically when the three-dimensional photovoltaic module 2 rests, by its electrical connection base 5, on a horizontal surface. Advantageously, the two electrically conductive pins 8 of the same photovoltaic coating 3 are configured to support and hold said photovoltaic coating 3 in position, particularly during the assembly of the three-dimensional photovoltaic module 2. Thus, the two electrically conductive pins 8 of the same photovoltaic coating 3 are configured such that each photovoltaic coating 3 is self-supporting with respect to the electrical connection base 5.

[0119] According to the embodiment shown in the figures, the electrical connection base 5 has a plurality of connection ports 9, each of the connection ports 9 being configured to allow at least partial insertion of a respective electrically conductive pin 8.

[0120] The three-dimensional photovoltaic module 2 further comprises a main terminal a positive terminal 11 to which the positive terminals of all the photovoltaic coatings 3 are electrically connected via their respective electrically conductive pins 8, and a main negative terminal 12 to which the negative terminals of all the photovoltaic coatings 3 are electrically connected via their respective electrically conductive pins 8. Advantageously, the main positive terminal 11 and the main negative terminal 12 are provided on the electrical connection base 5, and more particularly on the underside of the electrical connection base 5.

[0121] As shown in [Fig. 1], the three-dimensional photovoltaic module 2 further comprises a protective cap 14 (see [Fig. 6]), also called an encapsulation cap, which covers and protects the photovoltaic coatings 3. The protective cap 14 is made of a material transparent to light radiation and is, for example, formed by hardening a transparent resin. The protective cap 14 is more particularly configured to fill an internal space located between the photovoltaic coatings 3. According to the embodiment shown in the figures, the protective cap 14 has an upper face that extends perpendicularly to the central axis A.

[0122] The three-dimensional photovoltaic module 2 also comprises a coating of anti-reflective surface 15 disposed on the upper face of the protective cap 14. However, if the protective cap 14 is made of a material having anti-reflective properties, the three-dimensional photovoltaic module 2 could be devoid of the anti-reflective surface coating 15.

[0123] The present invention further relates to a photovoltaic device 16 comprising a plurality of three-dimensional photovoltaic modules 2 according to the present invention, which are arranged adjacently, such that the photovoltaic device 16 extends along an extension plane and thus has an external shape similar to that of a conventional photovoltaic panel. The three-dimensional photovoltaic modules 2 can, for example, be connected in series and / or in parallel by connecting their main positive and negative terminals 11, 12.

[0124] According to one embodiment of the invention, the electrical connection bases 5 of the various three-dimensional photovoltaic modules 2 could be separate from one another and thus be formed by separate printed circuit boards. According to such an embodiment, for each pair of adjacent three-dimensional photovoltaic modules 2 of the photovoltaic device 16, the electrical connection bases 5 of the two adjacent three-dimensional photovoltaic modules 2 are juxtaposed, that is, are in contact with each other, at their adjacent sides. Such a photovoltaic device 16 advantageously comprises a support or support frame delimiting a compartment in which the various three-dimensional photovoltaic modules 2 are arranged.The fact that the base of each three-dimensional photovoltaic module 2 has a hexagonal shape advantageously allows for an optimized network arrangement of the different three-dimensional photovoltaic modules 2 of said photovoltaic device 16. .

[0125] According to another embodiment of the invention (see Figures 7 and 8), the electrical connection bases 5 of the various three-dimensional photovoltaic modules 2 could be formed by a single printed circuit board which could by for example, to be rectangular in shape.

[0126] As shown in [Fig.9], the photovoltaic device 16 could include, along each of its edges, additional three-dimensional photovoltaic modules 17 which differ from the aforementioned three-dimensional photovoltaic modules 2 essentially in that each additional three-dimensional photovoltaic module 17 corresponds to a "half" of a three-dimensional photovoltaic module 2, and c.

[0127] A photovoltaic device 16 according to the present invention can be installed in a greater number of locations than a photovoltaic device made up of three-dimensional photovoltaic modules of the prior art, and with fewer constraints regarding orientation and tilt. A photovoltaic device 16 according to the present invention can, in particular, be installed on sloping roofs facing East, South or West, on horizontal roofs or on the ground without additional support, on facades facing East, South or West (and therefore with a substantially vertical orientation), or even as a replacement for any existing photovoltaic devices coated with photovoltaic material with identical technical characteristics, with at least three times more annual electricity production for the same surface area.

[0128] A photovoltaic device 16 according to the present invention can also be installed on all means of locomotion existing to date and to come, because such a photovoltaic device 16 has an annual energy production at least three times greater than that of prior art photovoltaic devices coated with photovoltaic material with identical technical characteristics and is free from most of the orientation constraints.

[0129] According to an embodiment not shown in the figures, each three-dimensional photovoltaic module 2 could, for example, comprise a support element, for example conical or frustoconical in shape, configured to rest on the electrical connection base and to support the photovoltaic coatings. The support element could, for example, be configured such that the lower edge of each photovoltaic coating 3 is designed to rest on the support element. Such a support element ensures, in particular, optimal positioning of the photovoltaic coatings 3 during the assembly of the three-dimensional photovoltaic module 2.

[0130] The support member could, for example, be provided with through passages configured to allow the passage of electrically conductive pins for their connection to the electrical connection base

[0131] Of course, the present invention is in no way limited to the embodiment described and illustrated, which has been given only by way of example. Modifications remain possible, particularly with regard to the composition of the various elements or by substitution of technical equivalents, without departing from the scope of protection of the invention.

Claims

Claims

1. Three-dimensional photovoltaic module (2) having a central axis (A) and comprising: - photovoltaic coatings (3) comprising a plurality of sub-assemblies of photovoltaic coatings (3) which are distributed around the central axis (A) and which each comprise two adjacent photovoltaic coatings (3), each photovoltaic coating (3) extending along a respective extension plane and comprising a positive terminal, a negative terminal and at least one photovoltaic cell, the extension planes of the two photovoltaic coatings (3) belonging to the same sub-assembly converging upwards and intersecting along a respective intersection line (Li) which is inclined relative to the central axis (A) and which extends upwards away from the central axis (A),and - an electrical connection base (5) which is located under the photovoltaic coverings (3) of said three-dimensional photovoltaic module (2) and which is configured to electrically connect said photovoltaic coverings (3) to each other.,

2. Three-dimensional photovoltaic module (2) according to claim 1, wherein the electrical connection base (5) is planar.

3. Three-dimensional photovoltaic module (2) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the electrical connection base (5) comprises conductive tracks (6, 7) configured to electrically connect said photovoltaic coatings (3) together.

4. Three-dimensional photovoltaic module (2) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the electrical connection base (5) is formed by a printed circuit board.

5. Three-dimensional photovoltaic module (2) according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein each photovoltaic covering (3) comprises two electrically conductive pins (8) electrically connected respectively to the negative and positive terminals of said photovoltaic covering (3), the two electrically conductive pins (8) of each photovoltaic covering (3) being electrically connected to the electrical connection base (5).

6. Three-dimensional photovoltaic module (2) according to claim 5, wherein the two electrically conductive pins (8) of a same photovoltaic coating (3) are configured to support and hold said photovoltaic coating (3) in position.

7. A three-dimensional photovoltaic module (2) according to any one of claims 1 to 6, which comprises a positive main terminal (11) and a negative main terminal (12) to which the positive and negative terminals of all the photovoltaic coverings (3) are electrically connected, the positive main terminal (11) and the negative main terminal (12) being provided on the electrical connection base (5).

8. A three-dimensional photovoltaic module (2) according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein each photovoltaic coating (3) comprises an active face (3.1) configured to capture photons of incident light rays, and a passive face (3.2) which is located opposite the respective active face (3.1) and which is provided with the respective negative and positive terminals.

9. Three-dimensional photovoltaic module (2) according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the intersection lines (Li) intersect at an intersection point located on the central axis (A) of the three-dimensional photovoltaic module (2).

10. Three-dimensional photovoltaic module (2) according to any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the two photovoltaic coatings (3) of each subassembly define a vertex zone (4), said vertex zones (4) being distributed around the central axis (A).

11. A three-dimensional photovoltaic module (2) according to any one of claims 1 to 10, wherein each of the photovoltaic coatings (3) has a triangular shape.

12. A three-dimensional photovoltaic module (2) according to claim 11, wherein each photovoltaic covering (3) has a first edge (Bl) extending near and along the respective intersection line (Li), a second edge (B2) located opposite the central axis (A) and a third edge (B3) connecting the respective first and second edges (Bl, B2).

13. Three-dimensional photovoltaic module (2) according to any one of claims 1 to 12, wherein the number of photovoltaic coatings (3) is between 6 and 12.

14. Three-dimensional photovoltaic module (2) according to any one of claims 1 to 13, wherein the two photovoltaic coatings (3) of each subassembly are symmetrical with respect to a respective plane of symmetry (P) passing through the respective intersection line (Li).

15. Three-dimensional photovoltaic module (2) according to any one of the Claims 1 to 14, wherein the adjacent photovoltaic coverings (3) belonging to two adjacent sub-assemblies are located opposite each other.

16. Three-dimensional photovoltaic module (2) according to any one of claims 1 to 15, which comprises a protective cap (14) which covers the photovoltaic coatings (3), the protective cap (14) being made of a material transparent to light radiation.

17. A photovoltaic device (16) comprising a plurality of three-dimensional photovoltaic modules (2) according to any preceding claim, said three-dimensional photovoltaic modules (2) being arranged adjacently.

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