Solar power generation apparatus

Abstract

The present invention relates to a solar power generation apparatus capable of, by collecting light regardless of the position of the sun and generating power with a plurality of solar panels arranged three-dimensionally, maximizing power production compared to the installation area, improving solar power generation efficiency, and generating more power even in a narrow place restricted by topographical factors or surrounding buildings and, more specifically, a solar power generation apparatus comprising: a light collecting unit (1) having an inner reflective surface (13) in an elliptical shape with both ends opened in the long axis direction; and a solar array unit (2) having an inner space surrounded by a plurality of solar panels (21) and connected to the light collecting unit (1) to generate power with sunlight incident through the light collecting unit (1).

Description

solar power generation device

[0001] The present invention relates to a solar power generation device that maximizes power production per installation area, improves solar power generation efficiency, and can produce more power even in narrow spaces constrained by topographical factors or surrounding buildings by generating power with multiple solar panels arranged three-dimensionally by concentrating light regardless of the position of the sun.

[0002] A typical solar power generation system is composed of multiple solar cells arranged in the form of panels, solar panels (or modules) installed facing south and tilted at an optimal installation angle, and multiple such solar panels are connected to form a solar array.

[0003] Since these solar power generation systems require a large installation area proportional to the amount of power generated, it is difficult to install large-scale solar power generation systems in areas where it is difficult to secure a large area due to topography or land use regulations, or where sunlight is blocked by surrounding buildings. Therefore, solar power generation systems are installed with limited power generation capacity in permitted or restricted installation areas.

[0004] Moreover, since the areas where large-scale solar power generation systems can be installed are often far from the power consumption areas, there is also the problem of increasing transmission facility costs.

[0005] In addition, as a means of maximizing power generation in a limited area, solar tracking technology can be applied to increase the solar energy incident on the solar panel, the light collection efficiency can be increased for each solar cell, or solar panels with high-performance solar reflection prevention technology can be installed to increase power generation while preventing damage from light reflection. However, applying these technologies requires high costs and is difficult to operate, and there are still limitations in increasing power generation when there are topographical constraints or obstructions from surrounding buildings.

[0006] To overcome these limitations, Patent Publication No. 10-2024-0000113, Patent Registration No. 10-2176534, and Patent Registration No. 10-2450775 disclose a method for arranging multiple solar panels with a circular or square internal space to form a three-dimensional solar array, and collect sunlight toward the inside of the solar panels to receive it, thereby increasing power generation efficiency by increasing the amount of power generated per unit area while preventing the solar panels from being exposed to the outside.

[0007] However, these three-dimensional solar arrays cause light to be received biasedly on some solar panels depending on the direction of incidence of sunlight, and the solar panels that receive the reflected light are also biased. If a fluorescent liquid filler is used to disperse the collected sunlight and evenly receive it on multiple solar panels, as in Patent Publication No. 10-2024-0000113, less energy of light is received than the incident sunlight due to Stokes' law, and energy loss increases with each reflection. In addition, although one or more separate lenses can be added to disperse the incident sunlight, the structure is complex and the cost is high, making it difficult to use in reality. In addition, energy loss may occur depending on the transmittance, refraction, and reflection of each lens.

[0008] In particular, the technology of the above-mentioned conventional patent document does not have an optical structure for reducing solar energy reflected inside the solar array and then radiated to the outside, and thus, ultimately, has limitations in increasing power generation efficiency.

[0009] [Prior Art Literature]

[0010] [Patent Document]

[0011] (Patent Document 1) KR 10-2024-0000113 A 2024.01.02.

[0012] (Patent Document 2) KR 10-2176534 B1 2020.11.03.

[0013] (Patent Document 3) KR 10-2450775 B1 2022.09.29.

[0014] Accordingly, the purpose of the present invention is to provide a solar power generation device that can further maximize power generation efficiency by using a solar array that combines multiple solar panels to have a three-dimensional internal space, and having an optical structure that minimizes the loss of incident solar energy while having a simple structure and is easy to configure and install, and evenly distributes and irradiates the solar energy to multiple solar panels and minimizes the loss of solar energy radiated to the outside.

[0015] In order to achieve the above object, the present invention comprises a solar power generation device, which comprises a light collection unit (1) formed as an ellipsoid having two focal points (F1, F2) each cut out and an inner surface formed as an ellipsoid, an inlet (11) for incident sunlight and an outlet (14) for emitting the incident sunlight are formed in the long axis direction, and the inner surface formed as an ellipsoid is formed as a reflective surface (13) for reflecting sunlight; and a solar array unit (2) in which an internal space surrounded by a plurality of solar panels (21) is communicated with the interior of the light collection unit (1) through an outlet (12).

[0016] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the inlet (11) and outlet (12) of the light collecting unit (1) are formed by cutting along a plane perpendicular to the long axis.

[0017] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the entrance port (11) of the light collecting unit (1) is formed by cutting along a plane that is perpendicular to the long axis and passes through the focus (F1).

[0018] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the emission port (12) of the light collecting unit (1) is formed relatively close to the center (C) of the ellipsoid compared to the entrance port (11) and is formed relatively large compared to the entrance port (11).

[0019] According to one embodiment of the present invention, a reflector (3) is installed on the inner surface of the solar array (2) facing the emission port (12) of the light collection unit (1) to reflect sunlight and guide it to the solar panel (21).

[0020] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the reflector (3) is configured in a pyramidal or conical shape with the apex facing the emission port (12).

[0021] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the internal space of the solar array unit (2) is filled with an air pocket (4) made of a transparent material and is in close contact with the solar panel (21) and the reflector (3).

[0022] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the inner reflective surface (13) of the light collecting portion (1) is formed in the shape of a rotating ellipsoid.

[0023] The present invention uses an ellipsoid-shaped light collecting section that collects and disperses sunlight incident from any direction toward the interior of a three-dimensional solar array, thereby evenly generating power from a plurality of solar panels constituting the solar array, minimizing solar energy loss, and thereby maximizing solar power generation per unit area, so that a solar power generation system capable of generating a large amount of power even in a small area can be effectively used.

[0024] Figure 1 is a perspective view (a) and a cross-sectional view (b) of a solar power generation device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0025] Figure 2 is a perspective view (a) of a light collecting part (1) and a cross-sectional view (b) showing the positions of the focus (F1, F2) and center (C) of an ellipsoid.

[0026] Figure 3 is a cross-sectional view (a) of an ellipsoid showing the path of sunlight passing through the ellipsoid cut through the focal points (F1, F2), and a cross-sectional view (b) of an ellipsoid showing the location to be cut to form an exit port (12).

[0027] Figure 4 is a partial separation perspective view (a) and a partial cut perspective view (b).

[0028] Figure 5 is a cross-sectional view showing the path of sunlight incident at various angles.

[0029] Figure 6 is a cross-sectional view of a solar power generation device according to a modified embodiment of the present invention.

[0030] Figure 7 is a perspective view showing a state in which a plurality of solar power generation devices are installed according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0031] Hereinafter, specific embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the attached drawings so that those skilled in the art can easily implement the present invention. It is clear that the embodiments of the present invention can be implemented through various changes or modifications within the scope of the present invention, and thus are not limited to the described embodiments. Furthermore, since those skilled in the art can implement the embodiments of the present invention by adding well-known components, methods, and typical details, they will not be described in detail.

[0032] Referring to the perspective view and cross-sectional view of Fig. 1, a solar power generation device according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a light collection unit (1), a solar array unit (2), and a reflection unit (3).

[0033] The above light collecting part (1) is configured as an ellipsoid having an inner surface formed of an elliptical surface, and the two vertices of the ellipsoid in the direction of the long axis are cut off, so that the two ends in the direction of the long axis are open, and the inner surface of the ellipsoid is configured as a reflective surface (13) so as to reflect light.

[0034] Accordingly, an entrance port (11) for admitting sunlight and an exit port (12) for emitting sunlight that is reflected on a reflective surface (13) or passes directly through the entrance port (11) are formed along the major axis of the ellipsoid, so that sunlight can be sent to the internal space of the solar array section (2) connected to the exit port (12).

[0035] The above reflective surface (13) can be configured as a mirror having an elliptical surface or by attaching a reflective film to the elliptical surface.

[0036] Referring to the perspective view and cross-sectional view shown in Fig. 2, the shape and position of the inlet port (11) and outlet port (12) formed in the light collecting unit (1) will be described.

[0037] The above light collecting part (1) has an ellipsoidal shape in which two foci (F1, F2) and a center (C) exist on the major axis, and a portion having a first focus (F1) on one side and a portion having a second focus (F2) on the other side are cut along a plane perpendicular to the major axis to form the entrance port (11) on the first focus (F1) side and the exit port (12) on the second focus (F2) side.

[0038] The light collecting unit (1) configured in this manner can send sunlight incident from any direction from the first focus (F1) to the second focus (F2) and to the solar array unit (2) by utilizing the characteristic of an ellipsoid in which light passing through one focus inside the ellipsoid is collected at another focus.

[0039] In addition, since the above-described light collecting unit (1) configured as an ellipsoid reflects the light into a three-dimensional ellipsoid, the sunlight incident as parallel light is concentrated and dispersed toward the solar array unit (2) regardless of the direction from which it is incident, thereby irradiating the sunlight to a plurality of solar panels (21) built into the solar array unit (2) as described below. Through this, power can be produced evenly and simultaneously from a plurality of solar panels (21) connected in series or parallel, if possible, and excessive temperature rise of some solar panels (21) can be suppressed, thereby increasing power generation efficiency. In addition, since a separate light dispersion means that reduces the amount of incident sunlight is not additionally used, a reduction in power generation efficiency due to the light dispersion means does not occur.

[0040] As described below, the sunlight that is dispersed and incident on the solar array unit (2) returns to the light collection unit (1) with a small amount of light after being reflected by multiple solar panels (21), even if it is reflected by the solar panel (21), and in the case where it is reflected by the solar panel (21) a small number of times, a significant amount of sunlight can be sent back to the solar array unit (2) according to the optical characteristics of the ellipsoid, thereby increasing the power generation efficiency.

[0041] Here, the ellipsoid for forming the above-described light collecting unit (1) is formed as a rotating ellipsoid, so that the reflecting surface (13) is formed as a rotating ellipsoid. That is, the short axis lengths in two directions perpendicular to the long axis are equal, so that sunlight is distributed and irradiated to multiple solar panels (21) of the solar array unit (2) described later, regardless of the direction in which it is incident.

[0042] Furthermore, the above-mentioned entrance port (11) is formed by cutting along a plane passing through the first focus (F1) while being perpendicular to the long axis.

[0043] The above-mentioned exit port (12) is formed by cutting along a plane that is perpendicular to the major axis and passes through a point between the second focus (F1) and the center (C) among the points on the major axis. That is, the exit port (12) is formed at a position relatively closer to the center (C) than the entrance port (11), and is formed to have a relatively large radius compared to the entrance port (11).

[0044] Accordingly, the amount of light incident on the entrance port (11) is increased as much as possible, and the incident light is not reflected on the entrance port (11) but is emitted entirely through the exit port (12). This will be described with reference to Fig. 3.

[0045] Figure 3(a) shows a light collecting section of a comparative object in which the entrance (11) and exit (12') are configured to pass through the focal points (F1, F2), respectively.

[0046] *Referring to Figure 3(a), sunlight (S1) incident through the first focus (F1) is reflected once according to the optical characteristics of the ellipsoid, then gathered at the second focus (F2) and emitted through the exit port (12').

[0047] However, sunlight (S2) incident obliquely from above the first focus (F1) may be emitted through the exit port (12') but may be reflected several times depending on the size of the incident angle before being emitted through the exit port (12'), and sunlight (S3) incident obliquely from below the first focus (F1) may be reflected toward the entrance port (11) depending on the size of the incident angle and may be trapped inside the light collecting part (1) and may not be emitted through the exit port (12').

[0048] Therefore, it is recommended that the above-mentioned entrance (11) be formed by cutting along the first focus (F1) in order to maximize the incident sunlight that is emitted to the exit (12') after being reflected once while making the entrance surface as large as possible.

[0049] Additionally, the angle of sunlight (S3) incident at an angle below the first focus (F1) decreases with respect to the minor axis of the ellipsoid as the optical path moves away from the first focus (F1).

[0050] Figure 3(b) shows the location of the exit hole (12) formed based on this.

[0051] Referring to Fig. 3(b), it is preferable to form the exit port (12) by cutting the point on the reflective surface (13) where the sunlight (S4) that enters the entrance port (11) through the farthest path from the first focus (F1) is reflected so that it proceeds parallel to the short axis. That is, the exit port (12) can be formed along the point where the reflected light (S5) of the sunlight (S4) that enters along the boundary of the entrance port (11) and then proceeds while intersecting the long axis is reflected parallel to the short axis.

[0052] Meanwhile, the exit port (12) may be formed by cutting along a point closer to the center (C) of the ellipsoid than that point. That is, the exit port (12) may be formed by cutting along a plane that passes through any position among the major axis sections from the second focus (F1) to the center (C) and is perpendicular to the major axis. In other words, since the light collecting portion (1) is formed as an ellipsoid and is reflected by a three-dimensional ellipsoid, it is better to form the exit port (12) by cutting along a point closer to the center (C) of the ellipsoid than a point that satisfies the condition for forming reflected light (S5) parallel to the minor axis.

[0053] Even if the above-mentioned entrance port (11) is configured so as not to pass through the first focus (F1), the condition for forming a reflected light (S5) parallel to the short axis as described above is satisfied, so that the exit port (12) is configured relatively close to the center (C) of the ellipsoid compared to the entrance port (11). Accordingly, the exit port (12) is configured relatively large compared to the entrance port (11).

[0054] The above solar array unit (2) is described with reference to Fig. 4.

[0055] Referring to Fig. 4, the solar array unit (2) has an internal space formed by opening one side to connect the light collection unit (1) and being surrounded by a plurality of solar panels (21). According to a specific embodiment, it is formed in the form of a tube in which the inner surface in each direction is covered with a plurality of solar panels (21) to form an inner wall with the solar panels (21).

[0056] And, the light collecting part (1) is installed and fixed in the upper opening of the solar array part (2) so as to be connected to the inside of the light collecting part (1) through the light emitting hole (12), and accordingly, the sunlight incident on the light collecting part (1) is emitted from the light emitting hole (12) and is incident on the internal space.

[0057] The above solar array unit (2) may include a pillar (221) erected at a corner position in the lateral direction, as in the specific embodiment illustrated in FIG. 4, a cover (222) having a hole formed to fit the lower part where the emission port (12) is formed in the light collection unit (1), and a floor (223) on which the reflection unit (3) is to be installed. This structure facilitates the heat generated from the solar panel (21) to be dissipated from the outer surface to the outside. Although not illustrated in detail, each pillar (221) may be configured as a structure that can be expanded in a flat plane, and the solar panel (21) may be fixed thereto and then folded to form a square tube shape. Of course, the solar cells that receive sunlight from the solar panel (21) face the inner space.

[0058] As shown, the cover (222) may have a hole that surrounds and seals only the edge of the light collecting portion (1) emission port (12).

[0059] The above solar array unit (2) is configured in a square tube shape, but is not limited thereto, and may be configured in a multi-angle tube shape such as a pentagonal tube or a hexagonal tube, or in a cylindrical shape. However, it is preferable to have a structure that is easy to connect and arrange multiple solar power generation devices. For example, the sides in each direction are configured by stacking solar panels (21) in three stages, but this is not limited thereto, and the number of solar panels (21) to be stacked may be varied in consideration of the light reflectivity of the solar panels (21), the desired amount of solar power generation, etc.

[0060] And, the reflector (3) is installed on the inner bottom (223) of the solar array (2), so that the reflector (3) faces the light emitting hole (12) of the light collecting part (1).

[0061] The above reflector (3) can be configured in a pyramidal shape as shown in Fig. 4(b) cut along the opposite corners, or it can be configured in a cone shape, but it is preferable that the apex be directed toward the exit port (12) of the light collecting portion (1), so as to be placed on an extension of the long axis of the light collecting portion (1).

[0062] As described above, the path of sunlight incident on a solar power generation device including a light collection unit (1), a solar array unit (2), and a reflector unit (3) will be examined with reference to FIG. 5.

[0063] Referring to Fig. 5, regardless of the direction from which sunlight is incident through the entrance (11) of the light collecting unit (1), the sunlight passes through the light collecting unit (1) and is emitted through the exit (12) by the structure described with reference to Fig. 3. In addition, sunlight emitted through the exit (12) of the light collecting unit (1) and incident on the solar array unit (2) is reflected and dispersed by the reflective surface (13) formed by the inner elliptical surface of the light collecting unit (1), and although not illustrated in detail, is evenly irradiated to the plurality of solar panels (21) constituting the solar array unit (2) by the three-dimensional reflective surface (13). In other words, regardless of the direction from which sunlight incident as parallel light is incident, it is concentrated toward the exit (12), disperses the light, and is irradiated into the internal space of the solar array unit (2), thereby evenly irradiating the solar panels (21).

[0064] And, each solar panel (21) constituting the solar array (2) generates electricity with the irradiated sunlight and reflects a portion of the sunlight, and the reflected sunlight is irradiated to other solar panels (21). Here, since the reflector (3) is installed, the sunlight is reflected at least several times by the solar panel (21) and then proceeds toward the light collection unit (1), and thus proceeds to the light exit (12) of the light collection unit (1) with a very small amount of light.

[0065] As shown in Fig. 5(c), sunlight incident along the long axis of the light collecting portion (1) is reflected by the reflector (3) and evenly distributed to the solar panels (21), and after being reflected several times, proceeds to the exit port (12) of the light collecting portion (1) with a very small amount of light.

[0066] Moreover, sunlight incident from the light collecting unit (1) to the exit port (12) may be reflected from the entrance port (11) side and then return to the exit port (12) side depending on the direction of incidence due to the optical characteristics of the ellipsoid described with reference to FIG. 3. However, since the size of the entrance port (11) is relatively small compared to the exit port (12), the amount of light that returns to the exit port (12) and is re-injected into the solar array unit (2) also increases.

[0067] Accordingly, a solar power generation device configured by combining a light collecting part (1) configured as an ellipsoid with a solar array part (2) having a built-in reflector (3) generates power with the entire solar panel (21) regardless of the direction in which sunlight is incident, and generates power while minimizing waste of incident sunlight energy, thereby increasing power generation efficiency.

[0068] Meanwhile, since the reflector (3) is intended to guide the sunlight traveling toward the bottom of the solar array (2) to the solar panel (21), it is recommended to configure it to have an appropriate inclination angle depending on the ratio of the long and short axes of the light collecting section (1), the relative sizes of the inlet (11) and outlet (12), and the length of the solar array (2).

[0069] FIG. 6 is a modified embodiment of the present invention, in which the inlet port (11) of the light collection unit (1) is covered with a transparent cover (14) to prevent rainwater, dust, insects, etc. from entering, and an air pocket unit (4) is installed in the internal space of the solar array unit (2), thereby preventing contamination of the solar panel (21) and preventing factors that reduce the amount of incident solar light, such as fine dust, from entering the internal space of the solar array unit (2).

[0070] The above air pocket portion (4) is preferably configured in the form of a bag made of transparent material filled with clean air free of foreign substances, and configured to be in close contact with the solar panel (21), so that no gap is created between the air pocket portion (4) and the solar panel (21), thereby preventing contamination of the solar panel (21). Of course, it is also preferable that the air pocket portion (4) be configured to be in close contact with the reflector portion (3).

[0071] Figure 7 is a drawing showing a solar power generation system configured by installing a plurality of the above-described solar power generation devices.

[0072] As illustrated in Fig. 7, a solar power generation device installed with the light collection unit (1) facing upward can be installed so that the sides of the solar array unit (2) are connected. At this time, in order to prevent empty space from being created between the connected solar power generation devices, the solar array unit (2) can be formed in the shape of a square column, or as another example, in the shape of a regular hexagonal column, and the solar array unit (2) for this purpose can be configured in a different shape.

[0073] Although not shown, by covering the outer surface of the light collecting unit (1) and extending the cover (222) of the solar array unit (2), it is possible to prevent a space from being created between adjacent solar power generation devices.

[0074] [Explanation of symbols]

[0075] 1: Light collection unit

[0076] 11: entrance 12: exit 13: reflector

[0077] 14: Transparent cover

[0078] F1: First focus F2: Second focus C: Center

[0079] 2: Solar array section

[0080] 21: Solar panel 22: Frame 221: Column

[0081] 222: Cover 223: Floor

[0082] 3: Reflector

[0083] 4: Air pocket section

Claims

1. 2 Focus (F1, F2) portions are each cut along a plane perpendicular to the major axis and are formed as an ellipsoid with an inner surface formed as an ellipsoid, so that an entrance port (11) for admitting sunlight and an exit port (12) for emitting the incident sunlight are formed in the direction of the major axis, and the inner surface formed as an ellipsoid is formed as a reflective surface (13) for reflecting sunlight, wherein the entrance port (11) is cut along a plane passing through the focus (F1), and the exit port (12) is formed relatively close to the center (C) of the ellipsoid compared to the entrance port (11) and is formed relatively large compared to the entrance port (11); A solar array unit (2) in which the interior space surrounded by multiple solar panels (21) is connected to the interior of the light collection unit (1) through an exit port (12); A solar power generation device including:

2. In paragraph 1, In the above solar array section (2), the inner surface facing the emission port (12) of the light collecting section (1) A reflector (3) is installed to reflect sunlight and guide it to the solar panel (21). Solar power generation device.

3. In paragraph 2, The above reflector (3) It is composed of a pyramid or cone shape with the apex facing the above-mentioned exit port (12). Solar power generation device.

4. In paragraph 2, The internal space of the above solar array unit (2) is It is attached to the solar panel (21) and the reflector (3) and is filled with an air pocket (4) made of transparent material. Solar power generation device.

5. In paragraph 1, The inner reflective surface (13) of the above light collecting part (1) Composed of a rotating ellipsoid shape Solar power generation device.

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