Side light gain tube photovoltaic module

Abstract

A side light gain photovoltaic power generation tube cell assembly, comprising an upper wall (4) having a bifacial photovoltaic cell layer (3) and a light-transmitting side wall (2); the upper wall and the side wall are combined to form a photovoltaic tube (1); sunlight (11) directly incident on the side wall is emitted through the side wall to the back surface of the bifacial photovoltaic cell layer to generate power. The present application improves the overall power generation efficiency of the photovoltaic tube cell assembly, and reduces the levelized cost of energy.

Description

Side-light gain cylindrical photovoltaic modules

[0001] This application claims priority from the following Chinese patent applications, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. Technical Field

[0002] The present application belongs to the field of photovoltaic power generation technology, and specifically relates to a photovoltaic module that can direct side light into backlight that can be used by double-sided photovoltaic cells to improve the efficiency of photovoltaic power generation - a side-light gain tube-type photovoltaic module. Background Art

[0003] The applicant's prior application, "Photovoltaic Power Generation Method and Photovoltaic Power Generation Cable at High Altitude in Cultivated Land (CN117792235B)", authorized a method and photovoltaic power generation cable for photovoltaic power generation at high altitude in cultivated land. A photovoltaic cell layer is laid on a load-bearing cable with high tensile strength to encapsulate a photovoltaic power generation cable, which is then erected above the cultivated land through a high-rise support. This technology absorbs excess solar energy from the altitude to generate electricity, and can also provide water for irrigation, achieving the complementary development of agricultural production and photovoltaic power generation – agro-photovoltaic complementarity. Its large span and minimal pile foundations can avoid serious interference with agricultural machinery operations. It overcomes many technical drawbacks of existing agro-photovoltaic complementary technologies, including large power generation fluctuations, difficulty in high-altitude erection, high installation costs, difficulty in cleaning and maintenance, short service life, and insufficient and ineffective exploitation of excess solar energy resources above cultivated land. Another prior application of the applicant is "Suspended Cylinder Photovoltaic Power Generation System and Photovoltaic Power Generation Cylinder (CN118316367A)", which is a linear photovoltaic cell assembly with an outer wall encapsulated into a circular shape - a photovoltaic power generation cylinder, which can be connected in series to form the "Photovoltaic Power Generation Cable" in CN117792235B.

[0004] However, during production implementation, it was discovered that the current flexible thin-film photovoltaic cells have yet to achieve economies of scale, and their price (approximately 1.65 yuan / watt) is unlikely to drop to the price level of single-crystalline silicon photovoltaic panels (approximately 0.8 yuan / watt) within two to three years. Therefore, the photovoltaic tubes encapsulated with them will still have a high power generation cost per kilowatt-hour (commonly known as the cost per kilowatt-hour) in recent years. Summary of the Invention

[0005] The purpose of this application is to provide a side-light gain cylindrical photovoltaic module to improve the efficiency of photovoltaic power generation and reduce the cost per kilowatt-hour.

[0006] In order to achieve the above-mentioned purpose of the invention, the present application provides a side-light gain cylindrical photovoltaic module as follows.

[0007] The present application provides a side-light gain cylindrical photovoltaic module, which includes an upper wall (including an inclined upper wall) having a double-sided photovoltaic cell layer, and a light-transmitting side wall; the upper wall and the side wall are combined to form a (section of) cylindrical photovoltaic cell module - a photovoltaic tube; sunlight directly incident on the side wall passes through the side wall and is directed toward (for example, refracted and / or reflected) the back side of the double-sided photovoltaic cell layer (on the upper wall), so that the back side of the double-sided photovoltaic cell layer receives sunlight (i.e., side light) from the side wall to generate electricity, thereby improving the overall power generation efficiency of the photovoltaic tube and reducing the cost of electricity.

[0008] The bifacial photovoltaic cell layer described in this application can be a bifacial photovoltaic cell panel, bifacial photovoltaic cell power generation glass, bifacial photovoltaic cell film, bifacial photovoltaic cell sheet, or other cell layer. It can receive sunlight from its front side (the side facing the sun) and also receive reflected and scattered sunlight from its back side (the other side facing the ground), thereby improving overall power generation efficiency. The higher the bifaciality, the greater the back side's power generation capacity. Current bifacial photovoltaic cell panels and other cell layers are mature and commonly used photovoltaic cell products, and their bifaciality has generally reached 70-90%, which will not be discussed in detail here.

[0009] Preferably, the side-light gain tubular photovoltaic assembly further has a lower wall, and the lower wall has a reflective surface for reflecting sunlight from the side wall to the back of the double-sided photovoltaic cell layer (on the upper wall).

[0010] Preferably, the side-view gain tube-type photovoltaic module comprises multiple photovoltaic tubes connected end-to-end to form a photovoltaic power generation cable, which is suspended in the air. Of course, the photovoltaic tubes can also be narrow photovoltaic modules, preferably C-shaped open-top photovoltaic modules, which are more suitable for applications requiring photovoltaic power generation, such as ground-based power stations.

[0011] It is also preferable that the left and right side walls consist of the support rods and the windows they enclose, leaving only the lower wall, which is provided with a (preferably diffuse) reflective surface. In other words, the side walls of the narrow photovoltaic module consist of the support rods and the windows they enclose. Preferably, the inclination angle φ2 of the reflective surface is smaller than the inclination angle φ1 of the bifacial photovoltaic panel, with the difference between the two inclination angles φ1-φ2 ​​being 1.5-41.5 degrees, preferably 1.5-25 degrees.

[0012] Preferably, the cross section of the photovoltaic tube of the side-light gain tube-type photovoltaic assembly is circular, polygonal, or any other suitable geometric shape.

[0013] Compared with the prior art, this application has the following beneficial technical effects.

[0014] First, the sunlight that shines on the "semi-circular opaque outer wall 15" on the side of the photovoltaic tube in the prior application (CN118316367A) - side light, would originally be wasted, but this application collects the side light and uses it to generate electricity, avoiding waste and increasing profits.

[0015] Secondly, the application of this application to the "High-altitude photovoltaic power generation method for cultivated land and photovoltaic power generation cable (CN117792235B)" can significantly improve the overall power generation efficiency and reduce the cost per kilowatt-hour. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0016] FIG1 is a schematic diagram of the outer appearance of a side-light gain cylindrical photovoltaic module (circular) of the present application (Example 1).

[0017] FIG2 is a schematic diagram of a cross-sectional structure of the side-light gain cylindrical photovoltaic module in FIG1 .

[0018] FIG3 is a schematic diagram of the external appearance of a side-light gain cylindrical photovoltaic module (hexagonal) of the present application (Example 2).

[0019] FIG4 is a schematic diagram of a cross-sectional structure of the side-light gain cylindrical photovoltaic module in FIG3 .

[0020] FIG5 is a schematic diagram of the appearance of a side-light gain cylindrical photovoltaic module (triangular prism) of the present application (Example 3).

[0021] FIG6 is a schematic diagram of a cross-sectional structure of the side-light gain cylindrical photovoltaic module in FIG5.

[0022] FIG7 is a schematic diagram of the appearance of a side-light gain cylindrical photovoltaic module (C-shaped) of the present application (Example 4).

[0023] FIG8 is a schematic diagram of a cross-sectional structure of the side-light gain cylindrical photovoltaic module in FIG7 .

[0024] FIG9 is a schematic diagram of the appearance of the side-light gain cylindrical photovoltaic assembly in FIG7 after adding support rods.

[0025] FIG10 is a schematic diagram of the appearance of another side-light gain cylindrical photovoltaic module in FIG7.

[0026] FIG11 is a schematic diagram of the cross-sectional structure of a side-light gain cylindrical photovoltaic module (eight-shaped) without a bottom wall.

[0027] FIG12 is a schematic diagram of the cross-sectional structure of a side-light gain cylindrical photovoltaic module (in the shape of a Chinese character "F") with no bottom wall and a single side wall.

[0028] Explanation of the accompanying numbers: 1-photovoltaic tube, 2-side wall, 201-C-shaped opening, 202-window, 3-double-sided photovoltaic cell layer, 4-upper wall, 5-lower wall, 6-reflective surface, 7-end cover, 8-load-bearing cable, 9-connecting component, 10-connector, 11-sunlight, 12-support pole. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0029] In order to make the technical means, creative features, objectives and effects achieved by this application easy to understand, this application is further explained below in conjunction with specific implementation methods.

[0030] In the description of this application, it should be noted that the terms "upper", "lower", "side", etc. indicating the orientation or position relationship are based on the orientation or position relationship shown in the accompanying drawings, and are only for the convenience of describing this application and simplifying the description, and do not indicate or imply that the device referred to must have a specific orientation, be constructed and operated in a specific orientation, and therefore cannot be understood as a limitation on this application.

[0031] It should be noted that, unless otherwise specified or limited, the terms "installed," "connected," and "connected in series" should be understood broadly. For example, "connected in series" can refer to both electrical connection and direct connection. Those skilled in the art will understand the specific meanings of these terms in this application based on the specific circumstances.

[0032] Example 1.

[0033] As shown in Figures 1 and 2, some 210mm wide double-sided (heterojunction) photovoltaic cells are purchased and packaged into double-sided photovoltaic panels 3 with a width of 235mm, a length of 1200mm, and a bending radius of 112.5mm, which are used as double-sided photovoltaic cell layers. A batch of matte light-transmitting tubes with a diameter D (i.e., outer diameter) of 225mm are purchased. For example, matte light-transmitting tubes made of polytetrafluoroethylene material are used. Polytetrafluoroethylene material has excellent properties such as corrosion resistance, wear resistance, and high toughness. This polytetrafluoroethylene matte light-transmitting tube is commonly known as frosted glass tube. It is a mature commercial product and will not be described in detail here. Of course, various tubes made of matte light-transmitting materials such as quartz glass and acrylic can also be used. When needed, they can be customized or purchased from the relevant manufacturers.

[0034] First, one third of the matte light-transmitting tube is hollowed out, and then the double-sided photovoltaic cell panel 3 is used as the original to fill it as the upper wall 4, so that the two can form a photovoltaic tube 1 with a light-transmitting side wall 2 (side light gain).

[0035] In order to apply the photovoltaic tube 1 to the applicant's prior application "High-altitude photovoltaic power generation method and photovoltaic power generation cable for cultivated land (CN117792235B)", so that it can be connected end to end to form a "photovoltaic power generation cable", it is desirable to add an upper end cover 7 and a connecting member 9 at both ends of the photovoltaic tube 1.

[0036] In this way, when the photovoltaic tubes 1, connected in series to form a "photovoltaic power generation cable," are suspended in the air along a north-south direction, morning sunlight 11 will directly strike the front of the bifacial photovoltaic panels 3 from above, and will also diffuse (including refract) from the east through the side walls 2 to the back of the bifacial photovoltaic panels 3. In the afternoon, sunlight 11 will directly strike the front of the bifacial photovoltaic panels 3 from above, and will also diffuse (including refract) from the west through the side walls 2 to the back of the bifacial photovoltaic panels 3. This allows the back of the bifacial photovoltaic panels 3 to generate electricity from diffused sidelight, thereby improving the overall power generation efficiency of the photovoltaic tube 1 and reducing the cost per kilowatt-hour.

[0037] To further collect and utilize sidelight, the inside of the lower wall 5 can be painted with a matte white paint to create a (diffuse) reflective surface 6. This will reflect sunlight 11 scattered from the lower wall 5 back to the back of the bifacial photovoltaic panels 3, further improving the photovoltaic tube 1's power generation efficiency and reducing the cost of electricity. Tests have shown that the photovoltaic tube 1 in this example is cylindrical, with an axisymmetric structure. Regardless of the wind's origin, the net force of the wind is directed toward the axis, thus eliminating torque and facilitating the stability of the photovoltaic tube 1. Furthermore, the overall power generation efficiency of the front and back surfaces of the bifacial photovoltaic panels 3 can reach over 132% of the front-side power generation efficiency of the bifacial photovoltaic panels 3.

[0038] Example 2.

[0039] As shown in Figures 3 and 4, some 210mm wide double-sided photovoltaic cell sheets are purchased and packaged into double-sided photovoltaic cell panels 3 with a width of 235mm and a length of 1200mm, which are used as double-sided photovoltaic cell layers. A batch of matte-type light-transmitting hexagonal tubes with a width of 225mm are also purchased. For example, matte-type light-transmitting hexagonal tubes made of polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) material are used. PTFE material has excellent properties such as corrosion resistance, wear resistance, and high toughness. This type of polytetrafluoroethylene matte-type light-transmitting hexagonal tube is commonly known as frosted glass tube. It is a mature commercial product and will not be described in detail here. Of course, various tubes made of matte-type light-transmitting materials such as quartz glass and acrylic can also be used. When needed, they can be customized or purchased from the relevant manufacturers.

[0040] First, remove one edge directly above the matte, light-transmitting hexagonal tube (i.e., remove one-sixth of the hexagonal tube), then replace it with the double-sided photovoltaic panel 3 as it was, using it as the upper wall 4. The two together form a (hexagonal, side-light-gain) photovoltaic tube 1 with light-transmitting side walls 2. Alternatively, as shown in Figure 11, it can be simplified into an "eight"-shaped side-light-gain tube-type photovoltaic module without a lower wall 5. Alternatively, as shown in Figure 12, it can be simplified into a "factory"-shaped side-light-gain tube-type photovoltaic module with only one side wall 2 and no lower wall 5.

[0041] In order to apply the photovoltaic tube 1 to the applicant's prior application "High-altitude photovoltaic power generation method and photovoltaic power generation cable for cultivated land (CN117792235B)", a load-bearing cable 8 (not shown) can be used to connect the ends of the photovoltaic tube 1 in series to form a "photovoltaic power generation cable".

[0042] In this way, when the photovoltaic tubes 1, connected in series to form a "photovoltaic power generation cable," are suspended in the air along a north-south direction, morning sunlight 11 will directly strike the front of the bifacial photovoltaic panels 3 from above, and will also diffuse (including refract) from the east through the side walls 2 to the back of the bifacial photovoltaic panels 3. In the afternoon, sunlight 11 will directly strike the front of the bifacial photovoltaic panels 3 from above, and will also diffuse (including refract) from the west through the side walls 2 to the back of the bifacial photovoltaic panels 3. This allows the back of the bifacial photovoltaic panels 3 to generate electricity from diffused sidelight, thereby improving the overall power generation efficiency of the photovoltaic tube 1 and reducing the cost per kilowatt-hour.

[0043] To further collect and utilize sidelight, the interior of the lower wall 5 can be painted with a matte white paint to create a (diffuse) reflective surface 6. This reflects light 11 scattered from the lower wall 5 back toward the back of the bifacial photovoltaic panels 3, further improving the overall power generation efficiency of the photovoltaic tube 1 and reducing the cost of electricity. Tests have shown that the overall power generation efficiency of both the front and back surfaces of the bifacial photovoltaic panels 3 can reach over 137% of the power generation efficiency of the front side of the bifacial photovoltaic panels 3.

[0044] Example 3.

[0045] As shown in Figures 5 and 6, some 210mm wide bifacial photovoltaic cell sheets are purchased and packaged into bifacial photovoltaic cell panels 3 that are 235mm wide and 1200mm long, which are used as bifacial photovoltaic cell layers. A batch of matte, light-transmitting V-grooves with a side length of 235mm is also purchased. For example, matte, light-transmitting V-grooves made of polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) material are used. PTFE has excellent properties such as corrosion resistance, wear resistance, and high toughness. This type of polytetrafluoroethylene matte, light-transmitting V-grooves is a mature commercial product and will not be described in detail here. Of course, various V-grooves made of matte, light-transmitting materials such as quartz glass and acrylic can also be used. When needed, they can be customized or purchased from the relevant manufacturers.

[0046] The notch of the matte light-transmitting V-groove is inlaid with the double-sided photovoltaic cell panel 3 and used as the upper wall 4, so that the two can form a photovoltaic tube 1 with a light-transmitting side wall 2 (triangular side light gain).

[0047] In order to apply the photovoltaic tube 1 to the applicant's prior application "High-altitude photovoltaic power generation method and photovoltaic power generation cable for cultivated land (CN117792235B)", it can be connected end to end with a load-bearing cable 8 to form a "photovoltaic power generation cable" for use.

[0048] In this way, when the photovoltaic tubes 1, connected in series to form a "photovoltaic power generation cable," are suspended in the air along a north-south direction, the morning sunlight 11 will directly strike the front of the bifacial photovoltaic panels 3 from above, and will also diffuse (including refraction) from the east through the sidewalls 2 to the back of the bifacial photovoltaic panels 3. In the afternoon, the sunlight 11 will directly strike the front of the bifacial photovoltaic panels 3 from above, and will also diffuse (including refraction) from the west through the sidewalls 2 to the back of the bifacial photovoltaic panels 3. This allows the back of the bifacial photovoltaic panels 3 to generate diffused sidelight electricity, thereby improving the overall power generation efficiency of the photovoltaic tube 1 and reducing the cost per kilowatt-hour. Tests have shown that the overall power generation efficiency of both the front and back sides of the bifacial photovoltaic panels 3 can reach over 128% of the power generation efficiency of the front side of the bifacial photovoltaic panels 3.

[0049] Example 4.

[0050] As shown in Figures 7 and 8, some 210mm wide bifacial photovoltaic cells were purchased and packaged into 1134mm wide and 2384mm long bifacial photovoltaic panels 3, which served as the bifacial photovoltaic cell layer. A batch of photovoltaic tubes 1 with C-shaped openings 201 were then processed, also known as C-type photovoltaic modules. The C-shaped openings 201 served as invisible, light-transmitting sidewalls 2, and the bifacial photovoltaic panels 3 were installed diagonally above the photovoltaic tubes 1 with the C-shaped openings 201, serving as the upper wall 4. Together, these two components formed a photovoltaic tube 1 with a side opening (side light gain), also known as a C-type photovoltaic module.

[0051] In order to apply the C-type photovoltaic module to the applicant's prior application "High-altitude photovoltaic power generation method and photovoltaic power generation suspension cable for cultivated land (CN117792235B)", it can be suspended in the air using a load-bearing cable 8 (not shown).

[0052] In this way, when a C-type photovoltaic module is installed and used along an east-west orientation facing south, part of the sunlight 11 will directly hit the front of the double-sided photovoltaic panel 3 from above, and the other part will be directed from the south (diagonally above) through the C-shaped opening 201 on the side (i.e., the invisible side wall 2) to the lower wall 5, and reflected by the reflective surface 6 such as cheap aluminum-coated plastic plate, aluminum-coated glass, aluminum foil, etc. to the back of the double-sided photovoltaic panel 3. In this way, the back of the double-sided photovoltaic panel 3 can obtain side light power generation, thereby improving the overall power generation efficiency of the C-type photovoltaic module and reducing the cost per kilowatt-hour. Tests have shown that the overall power generation efficiency of the front and back of the double-sided photovoltaic panel 3 can reach more than 138% of the power generation efficiency of the front of the double-sided photovoltaic panel 3. This embodiment can also be used as shown in Figure 9, by installing the upper support rod 12 to form a narrow and long photovoltaic module, which can be used in photovoltaic power generation occasions such as ground power stations and agricultural photovoltaic complementary. It is also preferable, as shown in FIG10 , that the left and right side walls 2 are formed by the support rods 12 and the windows 202 and 201 (enclosed therein), with only the lower wall 5 remaining, and a reflective surface 6 provided on the lower wall 5. Preferably, the inclination angle φ2 of the reflective surface 6 is smaller than the inclination angle φ1 of the bifacial photovoltaic panel 3, and the difference between the two inclination angles φ1-φ2 ​​is 1.5-41.5 degrees, preferably 1.5-25 degrees.

[0053] The above disclosure is only a preferred embodiment of the present application. The drawings are merely schematic structural diagrams and are not drawn according to the actual size ratio. They cannot be used to limit the scope of rights of the present application. Equivalent changes made based on the claims of the present application still fall within the scope covered by the present application.

Claims

1. A side-light gain cylindrical photovoltaic module, characterized in that: It includes an upper wall with a double-sided photovoltaic cell layer and a translucent side wall; the upper wall and the side wall are combined to form a cylindrical photovoltaic cell assembly - a photovoltaic tube; sunlight directly hitting the side wall passes through the side wall and hits the back of the double-sided photovoltaic cell layer, so that the back of the double-sided photovoltaic cell layer receives sunlight from the side wall to generate electricity, thereby improving the overall power generation efficiency of the photovoltaic tube and reducing the cost of electricity.

2. The side-light gain cylindrical photovoltaic module according to claim 1, characterized in that: The photovoltaic tube is also provided with a lower wall, and the lower wall is provided with a reflective surface for reflecting sunlight from the side wall to the back side of the double-sided photovoltaic cell layer.

3. The side-light gain cylindrical photovoltaic module according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that: Multiple photovoltaic tubes are connected end to end to form a photovoltaic power generation cable and hung in the air.

4. The side-light gain cylindrical photovoltaic module according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that: The cross section of the photovoltaic tube is circular or polygonal.

5. The side-light gain cylindrical photovoltaic module according to claim 2, characterized in that: The photovoltaic tube is a long and narrow photovoltaic module.

6. The side-light gain cylindrical photovoltaic module according to claim 5, characterized in that: The narrow and long photovoltaic module is a C-shaped open photovoltaic module.

7. The side-light gain cylindrical photovoltaic module according to claim 5, characterized in that: The side walls of the narrow photovoltaic modules are composed of support rods and windows surrounded by them.

8. The side-light gain cylindrical photovoltaic module according to claim 5, characterized in that: The inclination angle φ2 of the reflective surface is smaller than the inclination angle φ1 of the double-sided photovoltaic panel, and the difference between the two inclination angles φ1-φ2 ​​is 1.5-41.5 degrees.

9. The side-light gain cylindrical photovoltaic module according to claim 8, characterized in that: The difference between the two inclination angles φ1-φ2 ​​is 1.5-25 degrees.

Images