A method for providing efficiency with an earth air heat exchanger (EAHE) in photovoltaic (PV) and photovoltaic / thermal (PV / t) power cycles and a system operating according to this method

Abstract

The invention relates to a method for providing efficiency with an earth air heat exchanger (EAHE) in photovoltaic (PV) and photovoltaic / thermal (PV / T) power cycles which generate electrical energy by utilizing solar and geothermal energy and a system (1) operating according to this method and an operating method of this system.

Description

[0001] A METHOD FOR PROVIDING EFFICIENCY WITH AN EARTH AIR HEAT EXCHANGER (EAHE) IN PHOTOVOLTAIC (PV) AND PHOTOVOLTAIC / THERMAL (PV / T) POWER CYCLES AND A SYSTEM OPERATING ACCORDING TO THIS METHOD

[0002] Technical Field

[0003] The invention relates to a method for providing efficiency with an earth air heat exchanger (EAHE) in photovoltaic (PV) and photovoltaic / thermal (PV / T) power cycles which generate electrical energy by utilizing solar and geothermal energy and a system operating according to this method.

[0004] State of the Art

[0005] In the state of the art, in photovoltaic (PV) power plants, external air is used as a coolant with the help of fans in PV power cycles, and the natural heat convection method, which is caused by changes in the density of the fluid inside the panel due to temperature differences of the fluid inside the panels, is used to cool the PV outer surface. However, in the natural heat convection method used in the present art, cooling depends on properties such as viscosity, density, thermal conductivity coefficient, fluid shape, flow geometry, and fluid velocity, which are the properties of the fluid. This method, which relies on multiple variables, fails to provide a consistent standard for outer surface cooling and does not achieve effective cooling on the PV surface in cases where insufficient fluid is used. Thus, with the increasing amount of solar radiation, the temperature on the PV surface increases, and due to the increased surface temperature, the PV efficiency falls below expectations. Increasing PV surface temperature causes insufficient cooling with increasing outdoor temperatures. Accordingly, the efficiency of PV power cycles decreases, leading to electricity production significantly below the installed capacity of the facility. The reduction in energy production directly impacts the profit level of the facility, and when the lifetime analyses of such facilities are examined, the payback periods are extended. Particularly during the summer months, these energy and efficiency losses increase. The limitations and inadequacies of the solutions in the present art, as well as issues such as energy and efficiency losses, have made it necessary to develop a new air cooling system for photovoltaic power plants.

[0006] Summary of the Invention

[0007] One object of the invention is to prevent energy and efficiency losses by reducing the increased temperature. In the invention, the air cooling required for the PV surface is achieved by passing external air through the EAHE (earth air heat exchangers) circuit to reduce the elevated PV temperature, and subsequently directing the cooled air to the PV power plant.

[0008] Description of the Drawings

[0009] Fig. 1 : Representative view of the cooling system illustrating the operating method of the system subject to the invention.

[0010] Description of the References in the Figures

[0011] For a better understanding of the invention, the corresponding meanings of the numbers in the figures are given below:

[0012] 1 . Air cooling system

[0013] 1.1 Fan

[0014] 1 .2 EAHE circuit

[0015] 1 .3 PV / PV / T panel

[0016] 1 .4 Hot air outlet

[0017] Detailed Description of the Invention

[0018] The invention relates to an air cooling system (1) with earth air heat exchanger circuits, developed for use in PV and / or PV / T based solar power plants that generate electrical energy using solar and geothermal energy, and to an operating method of this system. The air cooling system (1) subject to the invention comprises at least one fan (1.1 ) which provides external air inlet into the system, at least one EAHE (earth air heat exchangers) circuit (1.2) through which the external air passes to be converted into a cooling fluid, at least one PV / PV / T panel (1 .3) through which the cooling fluid passes to cool the PV surface, and at least one hot air outlet which releases the hot air resulting from the cooling process. Said EAHE circuit (1.2) is buried in a pipeline at least 3 meters and at most 5 meters below the earth to prevent being affected by temperature changes in the earth and to provide effective cooling. Particularly, in areas with arid, desert or severe summer climates, the atmospheric, i.e. external air is taken through the EAHE circuit (1.2) buried at this depth using a fan (1.1) and cooled. The cooled air is passed through the PV or PV / T surfaces to cool the PV and PV / T, and the air circulated within the air cooling system (1 ) subject to the invention is finally released into the atmosphere. Thus, inefficiencies in PV and PV / T power plants due to heating are reduced and / or eliminated. Accordingly, the operational efficiency and energy production levels of PV or PV / T power plants are increased.

[0019] The operating method of the air cooling system (1) subject to the invention comprises the following process steps: i. taking air from the external environment with the aid of a fan (1.1), ii. converting the external air into a cooling fluid by passing through the EAHE circuit (1.2), iii. cooling the PV surface by passing the cooling fluid mentioned in the process step (ii) through the PV / PV / T panel (1.3), iv. exhausting the hot air resulting from the cooling process through the hot air outlet (1.4).

[0020] Industrial Applicability of the Invention

[0021] The invention relates to an air cooling system (1) with earth air heat exchanger circuits, developed for use in PV and / or PV / T based solar power plants that generate electrical energy using solar and geothermal energy, and to an operating method of this system, and it can be used in PV and / or PV / T based solar power plants that generate electrical energy using solar and geothermal energy(s) and is applicable to the industry. The invention is not limited to the above descriptions, and a person skilled in the art can easily come up with different embodiments of the invention. These should be considered within the scope of protection requested by the claims of the invention.

Claims

CLAIMS1. An air cooling system (1), wherein it comprises at least one fan (1.1 ) which provides external air inlet into the system, at least one EAHE circuit (1.2) through which the external air passes to be converted into a cooling fluid, at least one PV / PV / T panel (1 .3) through which the cooling fluid passes to cool the PV surface, and at least one hot air outlet (1.4) which releases the hot air resulting from the cooling process.

2. An operating method of an air cooling system (1) according to claim 1 , wherein it comprises the following process steps: i. taking air from the external environment with the aid of a fan (1.1), ii. converting the external air into a cooling fluid by passing through the EAHE circuit (1.2), iii. cooling the PV surface by passing the cooling fluid mentioned in the process step (ii) through the PV / PV / T panel (1 .3), iv. exhausting the hot air resulting from the cooling process through the hot air outlet (1.4).

3. An air cooling system (1) according to claim 2, wherein said EAHE circuit (1.2) is buried at least 3 meters and at most 5 meters below the earth.

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