Lightweight photovoltaic panel and method for manufacturing such a panel

Abstract

The invention relates to a method for manufacturing a photovoltaic panel, the method comprising: placing a first volume of an encapsulation material on the bottom of a mould; placing a substrate made of bio-based material over the first volume, the thickness of the bio-based material being between 2 mm and 50 mm; arranging one or more photovoltaic cells on the top side of the substrate; placing a second volume of an encapsulation material over the photovoltaic cells and the top side of the substrate; placing a third volume of an encapsulation material inside the mould all around the substrate; closing the mould; heating the encapsulation materials so as to fuse the three volumes in order to form a sealed shell around the substrate and the cells; cooling the encapsulation materials; removing the photovoltaic panel encapsulated on all sides from the mould.

Description

Lightweight photovoltaic panel, and manufacturing process for such a panel technical field

[0001] The present invention relates to a lightweight photovoltaic panel, and a method for manufacturing such a photovoltaic panel. State of the art

[0002] Photovoltaic panels typically consist of photovoltaic cells made of semiconductor material sandwiched between two encapsulating sheets. A glass and / or polymer sheet is usually placed on the front and back of the cells to provide mechanical stability to the module and to protect the solar cells from moisture and dust. The glass or polymer sheet on the front of the cells is generally coated with an anti-reflective layer to reduce the reflection of sunlight.

[0003] The substrate, or back layer, provides structural support for the entire panel. The most common substrate materials used in photovoltaic panels include glass, polymers, and others. An aluminum frame is often included to enhance the panel's mechanical stability and facilitate installation.

[0004] Although very common, this construction has several drawbacks. First, the resulting panel is relatively heavy. The glass layer covering the panel is fragile and can shatter into dangerous shards. The same is true of the substrate if it is made of glass. Finally, the embodied energy required to manufacture and transport such a panel is significant. Brief summary of the invention

[0005] One aim of the present invention is to propose a photovoltaic panel, and a method for manufacturing such a photovoltaic panel, which reduces these disadvantages, or at least offers a better compromise between the different constraints that a photovoltaic panel must face.

[0006] According to the invention, these objectives are achieved in particular by means of a method for manufacturing a photovoltaic panel, comprising the following steps: placing a first volume of an encapsulating material on the bottom of a mold; placing a substrate made of bio-based material on top of said first volume, the thickness of said bio-based material being between 2 mm and 50 mm; arranging one or more photovoltaic cells on the upper surface of the substrate; placing a second volume of an encapsulating material on top of the photovoltaic cells and the upper surface of the substrate; placing a third volume of an encapsulating material inside the mold around the substrate; closing the mold; heating said encapsulating materials so as to fuse the three volumes together to form a hermetic envelope around the substrate and the cells; cooling said encapsulating materials;extract the photovoltaic panel, encapsulated on all sides, from the mold.

[0007] Advantageously, in order to obtain a monolithic and highly resistant encapsulation through efficient fusion of the different encapsulation volumes, the first, second and third volumes encapsulation materials can be made of the same material, or at least of similar materials that can mix well during the melting stage.

[0008] For example, the materials of the three volumes could include polyolefins with certain variations in composition. For example, the second volume could include a polyolefin equivalent to that of the first and third volumes, additionally containing pigments or particles used to modulate the optical properties of said second volume, which acts as the frontsheet of the photovoltaic panel.

[0009] According to an advantageous embodiment, the cells can be glued to the substrate, for example, by means of a double adhesive strip.

[0010] Alternatively, a fourth layer of encapsulation material can be placed between the top surface of the bio-based substrate and the photovoltaic cells. This fourth layer can serve to fix the cells to the substrate. By fusing with the second and / or third encapsulation layers, this fourth layer can also contribute to the rigidity and mechanical stability of the photovoltaic panel.

[0011] Advantageously, the fourth layer of encapsulation material can be made of the same material, or at least a material similar to that of the second and / or third encapsulation volume, which can mix well during the melting step.

[0012] These goals are also achieved by means of a photovoltaic panel comprising: a substrate made of bio-based material with a thickness between 2mm and 50mm; one or more photovoltaic cells on the upper face of the substrate; an encapsulation enveloping said substrate and said photovoltaic cells on all sides.

[0013] The thickness of the bio-based substrate can most advantageously be between 10 mm and 50 mm. This thickness is greater than that of conventional glass or polymer substrates; however, in terms of weight and environmental footprint, the bio-based substrate is advantageous. Furthermore, in combination with encapsulation on all sides, these substrate thicknesses of bio-based material can guarantee the rigidity of the panels, even those with a large surface area, for example, 1 m². 2and more, like the solar panels typically used on buildings and infrastructure.

[0014] The encapsulation may include a front sheet on the front face, formed from the second volume.

[0015] The encapsulation material used for the second volume can be treated, for example textured or colored, differently from the encapsulation material used for the first and third volumes. This facilitates certification of the front sheet for applications where certification is required.

[0016] The encapsulation material used for the second volume can be different from the encapsulation material used for the first and third volumes. This also facilitates certification of the front sheet for applications where certification is required, or provides other properties to the front sheet subjected to significant climatic and environmental stresses.

[0017] The material of the second volume, and / or its treatment, can be chosen according to its transparency in the spectral bands useful for the cells, the possibility of structuring it, reducing reflections, or coloring it, and / or its resistance to mechanical, physical or chemical aggressions, for example.

[0018] In the context of this application, bio-based materials are defined as materials composed of at least 80% by mass of organic matter of microbial, plant, animal, or fungal origin. Bio-based materials include, for example, cellulose-based materials (wood, paper, cardboard), organic textiles, plant fibers (such as hemp, flax, etc.), micromaterials, etc.

[0019] In a preferred embodiment, the bio-based material comprises at least 95% by mass of organic matter, the remainder being able to include varnishes or hydrophobic or flame-retardant treatments, for example.

[0020] In a preferred embodiment, the bio-based material is made from cellulose fibers, preferably from paper or cardboard, preferably from structured cardboard, preferably honeycomb.

[0021] The substrate may, for example, consist of a honeycomb or pleated cardboard core with two sheets of paper or cardboard on the top and bottom.

[0022] The advantage of a wood or cardboard substrate is that it offers relatively high rigidity despite its low density, allowing for the production of lightweight panels. Furthermore, the environmental impact of this material is reduced, particularly the embodied energy required for its production. Finally, paper and cardboard are easily recyclable through well-established recycling channels.

[0023] The photovoltaic panel is preferably without a glass layer, which reduces its weight and ecological footprint, while also reducing the risk in case of breakage.

[0024] During manufacturing, the first and second volumes of the encapsulation material can be supplied in the form of sheets.

[0025] The fourth volume can be brought in sheet form.

[0026] The third encapsulation volume can be provided in the form of granules, a prefabricated frame, or an extruded strip.

[0027] The different encapsulation volumes can be fused into a monolithic volume by melting them simultaneously in a heated chamber.

[0028] The second encapsulation volume (frontsheet) can be assembled by lamination during the same step of the process.

[0029] The first, second, and fourth volumes have virtually no structural mechanical function; they are preferably made with a reduced thickness, for example, between 180 and 1000 microns. This reduces weight and environmental impact, while maximizing transparency. These volumes also serve as a barrier against moisture, oxygen, and UBVS, as well as providing electrical insulation.

[0030] The third layer surrounding the substrate preferably serves a structural mechanical function, protecting the substrate's relatively fragile edges from moisture while increasing the overall rigidity. It should therefore ideally be between 2 and 20 mm thick. To this end, the gap between the substrate's side walls and the mold is also preferably between 2 and 20 mm, so that the third layer forms a rigid frame around the substrate once it has cooled.

[0031] The encapsulation material and the top sheet material can be a polyolefin, for example polyethylene, polypropylene, ethylene vinyl acetate (EVA), ionomer, or other thermoplastic and / or composite material. The material is chosen to provide high stability to the solar cells against damage. External climatic conditions. Furthermore, their melting point is between 130 and 200°C, well below the temperature at which cardboard ignites. It is therefore possible to melt it around the substrate and fuse the different volumes together without destroying the substrate.

[0032] The top sheet of the panel can be advantageously textured, in order to diffuse light, reduce losses by reflection, and offer an anti-reflective effect.

[0033] This texturing can be achieved during molding, thanks to a texture of shape complementary to the desired texture on the inner face of the mold.

[0034] The photovoltaic cells can be bonded to the substrate, preferably using the encapsulation material sheet (fourth volume) placed between the substrate and the photovoltaic cells. This sheet can be fused with the other volumes of the encapsulation material.

[0035] The resulting photovoltaic panel can be mounted vertically on a noise barrier, fence, guardrail, or palisade, for example. Its light weight makes it ideal for these vertical applications where mounting heavier, conventional panels is difficult.

[0036] The photovoltaic panel thus produced can also be applied to any fixed structure of a building, for example against a wall, on a roof, a carport, etc.

[0037] The resulting photovoltaic panel can be recycled. The encapsulation can be removed by tearing and pulling it off. The substrate and cells can then be easily extracted and separated for individual recycling. Brief description of the figures

[0038] Examples of implementation of the invention are given in the description illustrated by the accompanying figures, in which: • Figure 1 illustrates a cross-sectional view of an example of a photovoltaic panel according to the invention; • Figure 2 illustrates a perspective view of an example of a mold that can be used in the manufacturing process of the invention. Example(s) of an embodiment of the invention

[0039] An example of a photovoltaic panel according to the invention is shown in cross-section in Figure 1. The front face of the panel, intended to receive light, is on the left of the figure; the rear face is on the right. It is constructed around a substrate made of a bio-based material 2, which provides its rigidity. The substrate 2 is advantageously made of cardboard and preferably comprises a honeycomb or pleated structure sandwiched between two sheets of paper or cardboard. This structure gives it high rigidity and compressive strength, while remaining lightweight.

[0040] The surface area of ​​the substrate, and therefore that of the panel, can be any size. However, the invention is particularly well-suited to panels used outdoors, for example, to power households, workshops, a battery, or to be fed back into the electrical grid. In a preferred embodiment, its surface area is therefore between 0.5 m² 2 and 3m 2 The panel can have the usual dimensions for photovoltaic panels (approximately 1.7 meters x 1 meter). The nominal power of the photovoltaic panel is preferably between 100W and 1000W.

[0041] The substrate can be treated, for example, with a varnish or other fire-retardant and / or hydrophobic product.

[0042] At least some surfaces of the substrate can be painted or otherwise colored. A painted front surface is useful, for example, in roadside applications to reduce glare for drivers. Printing can also be decorative or for advertising purposes.

[0043] Photovoltaic cells 3 are mounted on the front face of the substrate 2. The cells have, for example, a rectangular or octagonal surface, with main sides of a width between 5 and 20cm. They have a photosensitive active layer made of a semiconductor material, for example silicon or other.

[0044] The panel preferably comprises several 3 photovoltaic cells electrically connected to each other.

[0045] The entire assembly is encapsulated and protected from moisture, ultraviolet radiation, and dust by a monolithic encapsulation covering all its faces. The rear face is protected by a sheet 40 forming a first layer of encapsulation material that adheres to the back of the substrate 2. The front face is protected by a sheet 41 forming a second layer of encapsulation material that adheres directly to the photovoltaic cells 3 and to the front face of the substrate 2, or to the intermediate sheet 43 (fourth layer) described later. The thickness of these sheets 40, 41, and 43 is preferably between 180 and 1000 microns.

[0046] The lateral faces of the photovoltaic panel 1 are protected by a frame 42 forming a third encapsulation volume and preferably made of the same material as the sheets 40, 41, and 43. This frame preferably has a greater thickness than the sheets 40, 41, and 43, for example, a thickness between 2 and 20 mm. It offers a mechanical protection and protection against moisture and dust of the lateral faces of substrate 2 and cells 3. It also helps to stiffen the whole assembly.

[0047] The four volumes 40, 41, 42 and 43 are fused together so that the encapsulation forms a monolithic whole all around the substrate 2. The second volume 41 (front face) can be fused or in any case laminated to the third volume 42, so that the four volumes form a monolithic whole all around the photovoltaic panel 1. Through holes (not shown) are advantageously provided on the rear face or on the edge of the panel, in order to pass electrical wires allowing the cells to be connected to an inverter, another panel or a consumer.

[0048] The photovoltaic cells 3 are attached to the substrate 2, for example by bonding, for example using double-sided adhesive. In the described embodiment, they are attached to the substrate by a sheet of encapsulating material 43 which adheres both to the substrate 2 and to the rear face of the cells 3 and the sheet 41. The material of the sheet 43 is preferably the same as that of the volumes 40, 41, and 42. This sheet is preferably fused to the volume 42 along its edge and to the sheet 41 on part of its front face. The thickness of this sheet is preferably between 180 and 1000 microns.

[0049] The encapsulation material and the front panel material 41 are chosen to resist temperature variations, water, water vapor, oxygen, and UV exposure. It can be transparent to allow light to pass to the cells 3. However, a colored material, which only allows a portion of the incident light to pass through within a given spectral band, can also be used.

[0050] The front face of sheet 41 can be textured in order, for example, to diffuse incident light and / or to avoid reflections which reduce efficiency while risking dazzling observers.

[0051] The photovoltaic panel 1 described as an example can be manufactured by rolling and molding in a mold 5 such as that illustrated in Figure 2. The mold has a base 52, a frame 50 and a cover 51. These materials can be made of metal; the internal faces can be coated with Teflon® to facilitate demolding.

[0052] Elements 50, 51, and 52 can be aligned during molding by means of holes 500 in one of the elements, here in the frame 50, which work with protruding portions in another element, for example, on the base or lid. The alignment elements 500 can be arranged to ensure that the textures on the front face of the panel are correctly oriented. It is also possible to integrate the base 52 and the frame 50 into a single, non-removable assembly.

[0053] For manufacturing, the frame 50 is first mounted on the base 52. A sheet of encapsulating material 40 is then placed on the base 52, so as to cover the entire base inside the frame.

[0054] The substrate 2, made of a bio-based material such as cardboard, is then stacked on top of the sheet 40. The intermediate sheet 43, or other fastening means, is placed on top of this substrate, and then the photovoltaic cells 3 are placed on this sheet or these fastening means. The photovoltaic cells are electrically connected to each other before or after being placed in the mold. The connecting wires to this cell assembly preferably pass through the substrate 2 and the back sheet 40, via pre-prepared holes (not shown). The holes in the back sheet 40 seal around the wires during the melting of the back sheet, thus ensuring a watertight seal.

[0055] The front encapsulation sheet 41 is finally placed over the cells, and the third encapsulation volume 42 is inserted between the lateral sides of the substrate and the frame 50, for example in the form of granules, an extruded strip, or a prefabricated frame. The mold lid 51 is then closed. The inner face of this lid can be structured to print a texture on the front face of photovoltaic panel 1.

[0056] The mold may include a suction inlet (not shown) to remove residual air from the mold. After this optional suction, the assembly is placed in a heating chamber at a temperature between 130 and 200°C to melt the encapsulating material and fuse volumes 40 to 43.

[0057] After cooling, mold 5 is opened and photovoltaic panel 1 can be extracted. The connecting wires then need to be freed from the back or edge of the panel.

[0058] The process of the invention can also be adapted to the manufacture of bifacial photovoltaic panels. In this case, it is possible to provide photovoltaic cells also on the rear face of the substrate 2, and then to encapsulate together the photovoltaic cells of the front face and those of the rear face.

Claims

Demands 1. A method for manufacturing a photovoltaic panel (1), comprising the following steps: placing a first volume (40) of an encapsulation material on the bottom of a mold (5); placing a substrate (2) of bio-based material on top of said first volume (40), the thickness of said bio-based material being between 2mm and 50mm; arranging one or more photovoltaic cells (3) on the upper face of the substrate (2); placing a second volume (41) of an encapsulation material on top of the photovoltaic cells (3) and the upper face of the substrate (2); placing a third volume (42) of an encapsulation material inside the mold (5) all around the substrate (2); closing the mold (5); heating said encapsulation materials so as to fuse the three volumes (40, 41, 42) so as to form a hermetic envelope around the substrate (2) and the cells (3); cool the said encapsulation materials;extract from the mold (5) the photovoltaic panel encapsulated on all its faces.; 2. Method according to claim 1, wherein said first, second and third volumes (40, 41, 42) comprise the same encapsulation material, so as to obtain a photovoltaic panel encapsulated on all its faces in a monolithic manner.

3. Method according to any one of claims 1 or 2, wherein said photovoltaic cells (3) are glued onto the substrate (3).

4. A method according to claim 1 or 2, wherein a fourth volume (43) of an encapsulation material is disposed between the substrate and the photovoltaic cells before the step of arranging said cells, so that the fourth volume (43) is fused with the second (41) and / or with the third volume (42) during said heating step.

5. Method according to claim 4, wherein the fourth volume (43) and at least one of said second and third volumes (41, 42) comprise the same encapsulation material.

6. A method according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the first volume (40) and the second volume (41) of the encapsulation material are supplied in the form of sheets, and wherein the third volume (42) of encapsulation is supplied in the form of granules, a prefabricated frame, or an extruded strip.

7. Method according to claim 4, the fourth volume (43) being supplied in sheet form.

8. A method according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the gap between the side walls of the substrate (2) and the mold (5) is between 2mm and 20mm, so that the third volume (42) forms a rigid frame all around the substrate once cooled.

9. A method according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the bio-based substrate (2) is based on cellulose fibers, for example from paper or cardboard.

10. A method according to claim 9, wherein the bio-based substrate (2) comprises a structured cardboard, for example alveolar.

11. A method according to any one of claims 1 to 10, wherein at least one of said encapsulation materials, preferably each of said encapsulation materials, comprises polymers, preferably thermoplastics, or thermosets.

12. A method according to claim 11, wherein at least one of said encapsulation materials, preferably each of said encapsulation materials, comprises polymers, preferably thermoplastics, for example a polyolefin, or thermosets.

13. A method according to any one of claims 1 to 12, comprising a texturizing step of the front face of the encapsulation material (41) during its molding.

14. Photovoltaic panel (1) comprising: a substrate (2) made of bio-based material with a thickness between 2mm and 50mm; one or more photovoltaic cells (3) on the upper face of the substrate (2); and an encapsulation (40, 41, 42) enveloping said substrate and said photovoltaic cells on all faces.

15. Photovoltaic panel according to claim 14, the thickness of said encapsulation against the upper face and against the lower face of the panel being less than 1 mm, and the thickness of said encapsulation all around said substrate being between 2 and 20 mm so as to form a rigid frame.

16. Photovoltaic panel according to any one of claims 14 to 15, wherein the bio-based substrate (2) is based on cellulose fibers, for example from paper or cardboard.

17. Photovoltaic panel according to claim 16, wherein said bio-based substrate comprises a structured cardboard, for example honeycomb.

18. Photovoltaic panel according to any one of claims 14 to 17, wherein the encapsulation (40, 41, 42) comprises a polyolefin.

19. Photovoltaic panel according to any one of claims 14 to 18, the front face of the encapsulation (41) being textured.

20. Photovoltaic panel according to any one of claims 14 to 19, comprising an additional encapsulation layer (43) between said substrate (2) and said photovoltaic cells (3).

21. Use of a photovoltaic panel according to any one of claims 14 to 20 on a fixed structure of a construction such as a building or carport.

22. Use of a photovoltaic panel according to any one of claims 14 to 20, hung in a vertical position on a constructed infrastructure such as a noise barrier, a barrier, a guardrail, or a palisade.

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