Solar cell module

Abstract

The present invention provides a solar cell module that combines a solar cell and a flow channel structure, which reduces pressure loss in the flow channel structure during operation while also reducing the thickness during storage. [Solution] The solar cell module 10 comprises a substrate 11, a solar cell 12, a flow channel cover material 13 located on the side of the substrate 11 opposite to the side on which the solar cell 12 is installed, and a heat exchange flow channel 151 located between the flow channel cover material 13 and the substrate 11, with the substrate 11 in between and facing the solar cell 12. When the solar cell module 10 is in operation, the flow channel cover material 13 has a first curved shape that extends in the direction opposite to the direction on which the solar cell 12 is installed. When the solar cell module 10 is stored, the flow channel cover material 13 deforms into a second curved shape different from the first curved shape, and the height of the heat exchange flow channel 151 in the second curved shape is smaller than the height of the heat exchange flow channel 151 in the first curved shape.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a solar cell module.

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, a solar cell module combining a solar cell and a flow path structure is known. For example, in Patent Document 1, a flow path structure is arranged at a position adjacent to a solar cell, and the decrease in the power generation efficiency of the solar cell is suppressed by cooling the solar cell with a fluid flowing through the flow path structure, and hot water is generated by the fluid whose temperature has risen. A structure is disclosed.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] However, it has been difficult to reduce the pressure loss of the flow path structure during the operation of the solar cell module and to reduce the thickness of the solar cell module during storage with the above structure. An object of the present invention is to provide a solar cell module that can reduce the pressure loss of the flow path structure during the operation of the solar cell module and reduce the thickness of the solar cell module during storage in a solar cell module combining a solar cell and a flow path structure.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0005] According to an aspect of the present invention, a solar cell module is provided comprising: a sheet-like substrate; a solar cell provided on one side of the substrate; a flow channel cover material bonded in a pattern to the side of the substrate opposite to the side on which the solar cell is provided; a region of the flow channel cover material not bonded to the substrate and a heat exchange flow channel in contact with the substrate, with at least a portion of it facing the solar cell across the substrate; and a fluid inlet communicating with the heat exchange flow channel, wherein the region of the flow channel cover material in contact with the heat exchange flow channel is deformable into a first curved shape extending in the direction opposite to the direction on which the solar cell is provided and a second curved shape different from the first curved shape, and the height of the heat exchange flow channel in the second curved shape is smaller than the height of the heat exchange flow channel in the first curved shape. [Effects of the Invention]

[0006] According to an aspect of the present invention, in a solar cell module combining a solar cell and a flow channel structure, the thickness of the solar cell module during storage can be reduced while reducing the pressure loss of the flow channel structure during operation of the solar cell module. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0007] [Figure 1] This is a perspective view showing the overall structure of a solar cell module according to one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] This is a plan view showing the overall structure of a solar cell module according to one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 3] This is a cross-sectional view showing the flow channel structure during operation of a solar cell module according to one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 4] This is a cross-sectional view showing the flow channel structure during operation of a solar cell module according to one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 5] This is a cross-sectional view showing the flow channel structure during operation of a solar cell module according to one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 6] This is a cross-sectional view showing the flow channel structure during storage of a solar cell module according to one embodiment of the present invention. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0008] Hereinafter, a solar cell module according to one embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to Figures 1 to 6.

[0009] Figure 1 is a perspective view showing the overall structure of the solar cell module 10. The solar cell module 10 comprises a substrate 11, a solar cell 12, a flow channel cover material 13, and an adhesive 14. In Figure 1, the substrate 11 and the adhesive 14 are shown separated for clarity, but in reality, the substrate 11 and the adhesive 14 are in close contact. Figure 2 is a plan view showing the overall structure of the solar cell module 10.

[0010] As shown in Figures 1 and 2, the base material 11 is a sheet-like component made of resin materials such as polyimide, polyethylene terephthalate, polyethylene naphthalate, and polycarbonate, metal materials such as stainless steel and titanium, and glass materials.

[0011] A solar cell 12, such as a perovskite solar cell, a dye-sensitized solar cell, or an organic thin-film solar cell, is formed on one side of the substrate 11. The solar cell 12 is connected to terminals 121, and when sunlight is shone on the surface of the solar cell 12, a potential difference is generated between the terminals 121, allowing power to be supplied to the outside from the terminals 121.

[0012] The flow path cover material 13 is a sheet-like component made of resin materials such as polyimide, polyethylene terephthalate, polyethylene naphthalate, polycarbonate, polyethylene, polypropylene, vinyl chloride resin, and fluororesin.

[0013] The adhesive 14 is a sheet-like adhesive made of polyamide adhesives, polyester adhesives, polyolefin adhesives, epoxy adhesives, polyimide adhesives, etc., or a liquid adhesive such as an epoxy adhesive or an acrylic adhesive. The adhesive 14 is formed in a pattern on the outer periphery and interior of the base material 11 and the flow channel cover material 13. When the base material 11 and the flow channel cover material 13 are joined with the adhesive 14, a pattern is formed in which the base material 11 and the flow channel cover material 13 are joined and which are not joined.

[0014] In the areas where the base material 11 and the flow path cover material 13 are not joined by the adhesive 14, an introduction flow path 152, a branching flow path 153, a heat exchange flow path 151, a confluence flow path 154, and an discharge flow path 155 are formed.

[0015] The heat exchange channel 151 has a shape that extends in the X direction, which is a first direction parallel to the in-plane direction of the substrate 11. In addition, multiple heat exchange channels 151 are provided, and multiple heat exchange channels 151 are arranged in the Y direction, which is a second direction parallel to the in-plane direction of the substrate 11 and intersects the X direction. At least a portion of the heat exchange channel 151 is located opposite the solar cell 12 with the substrate 11 in between.

[0016] The heat exchange channel 151 is connected in order to the branch channel 153 and the introduction channel 152 on one end, and to the confluence channel 154 and the discharge channel 155 on the other end. The base material 11 is provided with a fluid inlet 112 connected to the introduction channel 152 and a fluid outlet 115 connected to the discharge channel 155. The width of the introduction channel 152 may be greater than the width of the heat exchange channel 151.

[0017] Figure 3(a) is a cross-sectional view of section AA (Figure 2) showing the flow path structure of the solar cell module 10 during operation, and Figure 3(b) is an enlarged view of region D in Figure 3(a). As shown in these figures, the flow path cover material 13 has multiple curves formed along the Y direction. These curves consist of a curved portion 131 that protrudes in the direction in which the solar cell 12 is installed, and a curved portion 132 that protrudes in the direction opposite to the direction in which the solar cell 12 is installed.

[0018] Next, the adhesive 14 is formed on the convex side surface of the curved portion 131, and the base material 11 and the curved portion 131 of the flow path cover material 13 are joined by the adhesive 14. As a result, a heat exchange flow path 151 is formed between the base material 11 and the flow path cover material 13, which is in contact with the base material 11 in a region not joined to the base material 11 of the flow path cover material 13. Thereby, the flow path cover material 13 has a first curved shape protruding in a direction opposite to the direction in which the solar cell 12 is provided in a region where the heat exchange flow path 151 is in contact. The height of the heat exchange flow path 151 in the first curved shape is h1.

[0019] (a) of FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view taken along section B - B (FIG. 2) showing the flow path structure during the operation of the solar cell module 10, and (b) of FIG. 4 is an enlarged view of region E in (a) of FIG. 4. As shown in these figures, the curved portions 132 of the flow path cover material 13 are continuous along the X direction, and the first curved shape is continuous along the X direction.

[0020] The curved portion 131 and the curved portion 132 may be created by performing embossing, laser forming, or the like on the flat flow path cover material 13 before joining the flow path cover material 13 to the base material 11 with the adhesive 14. Also, when joining the flat flow path cover material 13 to the base material 11 with the adhesive 14, wrinkles are generated in a region not joined to the base material 11 of the flow path cover material 13, and the region of the flow path cover material 13 in contact with the heat exchange flow path 151 is curved into a shape protruding in a direction opposite to the direction in which the solar cell 12 is provided by the pressure of the fluid 102 introduced into the heat exchange flow path 151, or by other methods.

[0021] FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view taken along section C - C (FIGS. 3 and 4) showing the flow path structure during the operation of the solar cell module 10. As shown in FIG. 5, the solar cell module 10 has a flow path structure in which the fluid 102 can move as follows. The fluid 102, such as water, antifreeze, or air, introduced into the solar cell module 10 from the fluid inlet 112 flows in direction 162 through the introduction channel 152, then flows in direction 163 through the branch channel 153, and is introduced into a plurality of heat exchange channels 151. The fluid 102 flows in direction 161 through the plurality of heat exchange channels 151. At least a portion of the heat exchange channels 151 is located opposite the solar cell 12 across the substrate 11. At this location, the fluid 102 inside the heat exchange channel 151 and the solar cell 12 exchange heat through the substrate 11. The fluid 102 that has exited the plurality of heat exchange channels 151 merges in the confluence channel 154 and flows in direction 164, passes through the discharge channel 155, and is discharged to the outside of the solar cell module 10 from the fluid outlet 115.

[0022] Figure 6 is a cross-sectional view of section AA (Figure 2) showing the flow channel structure of the solar cell module 10 when stored. As shown in Figure 6, the flow channel cover material 13 can deform from a first curved shape to a second curved shape different from the first curved shape in the region in contact with the heat exchange flow channel 151, and the height of the heat exchange flow channel 151 in the second curved shape is smaller than that of the first curved shape. For example, when multiple solar cell modules 10 are stacked and a compressive load is applied in a direction intersecting the in-plane direction of the base material 11, the flow channel cover material 13 is pressed from a direction opposite to the direction in which the solar cells 12 are installed, and can deform from the first curved shape to the second curved shape.

[0023] The second curved shape described above may be a shape in which the curved portion 134 extending in the direction opposite to the direction in which the solar cell 12 is installed and the curved portion 133 extending in the direction in which the solar cell 12 is installed are continuous in the Y direction. In this state, the height of the heat exchange channel 151 is h2, and h2 is smaller than h1. With the second curved shape described above, the thickness of the solar cell module 10 when stored can be reduced by (h1-h2) compared to the first curved shape.

[0024] The mechanism of operation of the solar cell module 10 described above will now be explained. When sunlight irradiates the surface of the solar cell 12 and the solar cell 12 generates electricity, the temperature rise of the solar cell 12 is propagated through the substrate 11 to the heat exchange channel 151. By flowing a fluid 102 such as water inside the heat exchange channel 151, the temperature of the fluid 102 inside the heat exchange channel 151 rises, and the temperature of the fluid 102 discharged from the fluid outlet 115 rises. As a result, in addition to the power generation by the solar cell 12, the heated fluid 102 such as hot water can be utilized as an energy source.

[0025] Furthermore, when sunlight irradiates the surface of the solar cell 12 and the solar cell 12 is generating electricity, the temperature rise of the solar cell 12 propagates through the substrate 11 to the heat exchange channel 151. By flowing a fluid 102 such as water, antifreeze, or air inside the heat exchange channel 151, the temperature of the fluid 102 inside the heat exchange channel 151 rises, and heat is carried to the outside of the solar cell module 10 by the fluid 102 flowing out from the fluid outlet 115. This suppresses the temperature rise of the solar cell 12 and prevents a decrease in power generation efficiency due to the temperature rise of the solar cell 12.

[0026] If sunlight cannot reach the solar cell 12 due to snow accumulation on its surface, preventing it from generating electricity, a fluid 102 such as heated water, antifreeze, or air is circulated inside the heat exchange channel 151. As the temperature of the fluid 102 inside the heat exchange channel 151 rises, this rise propagates through the substrate 11 to the solar cell 12, causing the temperature of the solar cell 12 to increase. This melts and removes the snow accumulated on the surface of the solar cell 12, allowing it to generate electricity.

[0027] As described above, when the solar cell module 10 is in operation, the flow channel cover material 13 takes on a first curved shape that extends in the direction opposite to the direction in which the solar cell 12 is installed, and the height of the heat exchange flow channel 151 can be increased, thereby reducing pressure loss. This makes it possible to increase the flow velocity of the fluid 102 flowing inside the heat exchange flow channel 151, and improve the performance of heat exchange between the fluid 102 and the solar cell 12.

[0028] Furthermore, when stored, the solar cell module 10's channel cover material 13 deforms into a second curved shape different from the first curved shape. The height of the heat exchange channel 151 in the second curved shape is smaller than the height of the heat exchange channel 151 in the first curved shape, allowing for a reduction in the thickness of the solar cell module 10. This enables space saving when storing multiple solar cell modules 10 stacked on top of each other. Moreover, when a flexible solar cell such as a perovskite solar cell, dye-sensitized solar cell, or organic thin-film solar cell is used as the solar cell 12, the reduction in the thickness of the solar cell module 10 allows the solar cell module 10 to become flexible. This enables further space saving, such as allowing the solar cell module 10 to be wound into a roll shape.

[0029] Furthermore, the second curved shape consists of a curved shape that extends in the opposite direction to the direction in which the solar cells 12 are installed, and a curved shape that extends in the same direction as the direction in which the solar cells 12 are installed. This makes it possible to further reduce the thickness of the solar cell module 10 when it is stored.

[0030] The heat exchange channel 151 has a shape that extends in the X direction, which is a first direction parallel to the in-plane direction of the base material 11, and the first curved shape is continuous along the X direction. This makes it possible to further reduce the pressure loss of the heat exchange channel 151 during operation.

[0031] Multiple heat exchange channels 151 are provided, and the multiple heat exchange channels 151 are arranged in the Y direction, which is a second direction parallel to the in-plane direction of the base material 11 and intersecting the X direction. This allows the fluid 102 to flow through multiple heat exchange channels 151, and further reduces the pressure loss in the heat exchange channels 151 during operation.

[0032] A branching channel 153 is provided between the fluid inlet 112 and the heat exchange channel 151. This allows the fluid 102 to branch and flow into multiple heat exchange channels 151. Furthermore, a confluence channel 154 is provided between the heat exchange channel 151 and the fluid outlet 115. This allows the fluid 102 to branch and circulate through multiple heat exchange channels 151, further reducing the pressure loss in the heat exchange channel 151 during operation.

[0033] The width of the introduction channel 152 may be greater than the width of the heat exchange channel 151. This reduces the pressure loss in the introduction channel 152 and increases the flow velocity of the fluid 102 in the heat exchange channel 151 during operation.

[0034] Hereinafter, modified examples of solar cell modules of the present invention will be described sequentially. However, components having the same configuration as one embodiment of the present invention will be denoted by the same reference numerals and their descriptions will be omitted as appropriate.

[0035] Various modifications are possible to the flow path structure of the solar cell module 10 described above. For example, there does not need to be multiple heat exchange channels 151; there may be only one. The branch channel 153 and the merging channel 154 are optional. The heat exchange channel 151 does not have to be straight; it may be curved or bent. The heat exchange channel 151 does not have to be a shape that extends in one direction; it may be circular, square, or other shapes. The width of the discharge channel 155 may be greater than the width of the heat exchange channel 151.

[0036] Various changes are possible regarding the curved shape of the flow channel cover material 13 of the solar cell module 10 described above. For example, the curved portion 132 of the flow path cover material 13 does not have to be continuous along the X direction, and the first curved shape described above may change along the X direction. The second curved shape does not have to be a shape in which the curved portion 134 extending in the direction opposite to the direction in which the solar cell 12 is installed and the curved portion 133 extending in the direction in which the solar cell 12 is installed are continuous in the Y direction. For example, the second curved shape may be a shape that extends in the direction opposite to the direction in which the solar cell 12 is installed and has a different curvature from the first curved shape. The flow path cover material 13 has the second curved shape when no external force is acting on it, and may deform from the second curved shape to the first curved shape when fluid 102 is introduced into the flow path structure and the pressure of the fluid 102 acts on the flow path cover material 13.

[0037] The fluid outlet 115 is optional. In this case, the fluid 102 introduced from the fluid inlet 112 may move through the flow path structure by convection or the like. The fluid inlet 112 and the discharge channel 155 may be provided on the channel cover material 13 rather than on the base material 11.

[0038] The adhesive 14 may be omitted, and the base material 11 and the flow path cover material 13 may be directly welded together.

[0039] The flow path cover material 13 does not have to be a single material; it may be a laminated material consisting of layers of multiple materials with different gas permeability and elastic modulus. For example, it may be a sheet-like material such as a resin material on which a thin film of a metal material, ceramic material, etc., is formed by vapor deposition or the like. This allows for the diffusion of components of the fluid 102 to be prevented by a layer of material with low gas permeability, such as a metal material or ceramic material, while the deformation between the first curved shape and the second curved shape can be easily facilitated by a layer of material with a low elastic modulus, such as a resin material.

[0040] The base material 11 does not have to be a component made of a single material, but may be a component made by laminating layers made of multiple materials.

[0041] The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment and its variations, and various modifications are possible. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0042] 10 solar modules 11 Base material 12 Solar Cells 13 Flow channel cover material 14 Adhesives 112 Fluid inlet 115 Fluid outlet 132 Curved section (during operation) 133 Curved section (during storage) 134 Curved section (during storage) 151 Heat exchange channel h1 Height of the heat exchange channel (during operation) h2 Height of the heat exchange channel (during storage)

Claims

1. Sheet-like substrate, A solar cell provided on one side of the aforementioned substrate, A flow channel cover material is bonded in a pattern to the surface of the substrate opposite to the surface on which the solar cell is provided. A region of the flow path cover material that is not joined to the substrate and a heat exchange flow path that is in contact with the substrate and at least a portion of which is positioned opposite the solar cell with the substrate in between, It is equipped with a fluid inlet that communicates with the heat exchange channel, The region of the flow path cover material in contact with the heat exchange flow path is deformable into a first curved shape that protrudes in the direction opposite to the direction in which the solar cell is installed, and a second curved shape different from the first curved shape. A solar cell module in which the height of the second curved heat exchange channel is smaller than the height of the first curved heat exchange channel.

2. The solar cell module according to claim 1, wherein the second curved shape is a continuous curved shape extending in the direction opposite to the direction in which the solar cell is provided and a curved shape extending in the same direction as the direction in which the solar cell is provided.

3. A solar cell module according to claim 1 or claim 2, comprising a fluid outlet communicating with the heat exchange channel.

4. The solar cell module according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the heat exchange channel has a shape that extends in a first direction parallel to the in-plane direction of the substrate, and the first curved shape is continuous in the first direction.

5. The solar cell module according to claim 3, comprising a plurality of the heat exchange channels, wherein the heat exchange channels are arranged in a second direction parallel to the in-plane direction of the substrate and intersecting the first direction.

6. The solar cell module according to claim 5, further comprising a branch channel between the fluid inlet and the heat exchange channel, and a confluence channel between the heat exchange channel and the fluid outlet.

7. The solar cell module according to claim 6, wherein an introduction channel is provided between the fluid inlet and the branch channel, and the width of the introduction channel is greater than the width of the heat exchange channel.

8. The solar cell module according to claim 6, wherein a discharge channel is provided between the confluence channel and the fluid outlet, and the width of the discharge channel is greater than the width of the heat exchange channel.

9. The solar cell module according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the flow channel cover material is made of a resin material.

10. The solar cell module according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the flow channel cover material consists of layers of multiple materials with different gas permeability and elastic modulus.

11. The solar cell module according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the flow channel cover material has the first curved shape when no external force is applied, and deforms into a second curved shape when a compressive load is applied to the flow channel cover material in a direction intersecting the in-plane direction of the substrate.

12. The solar cell module according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the flow channel cover material has a second curved shape when no external force is acting on it, and deforms to a first curved shape when internal pressure from the heat exchange flow channel acts on the flow channel cover material.

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