Assembly with bifacial solar module and light deflection device
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Solution Overview
Problem
Bifacial solar modules face challenges in maximizing sunlight incidence on both sides while maintaining efficiency and minimizing design complexity and costs, with existing methods like optical sunlight redirection and diffraction/holographic methods being limited in effectiveness and applicability.
Innovation Solution
A microstructured light deflection device that uses refraction and reflection to redirect incident sunlight onto the back of bifacial solar modules, achieving broadband light deflection across a wide wavelength range and angular range, integrated into the solar module design to enhance efficiency without additional optical elements.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Illumination intensity
If diffraction or holographic methods are used for light deflection, then light can be redirected to the back of the solar module, but the method is limited to a very narrow wavelength range and angular range
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from diffraction-based methods to refraction-based microstructured light deflection devices. This parameter change in the underlying optical principle enables broadband light deflection across the entire solar spectrum and wide angular ranges, resolving the limitation of narrow wavelength and angular ranges inherent in diffraction methods
2Illumination intensity
If the substrate's radiation efficiency is optimized with reflective surfaces, then more light reaches the substrate, but the amount of light is limited by shading from the solar module itself
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a microstructured light deflection device as an intermediary element positioned between the solar module and the substrate. This device actively redirects sunlight that would otherwise be shaded onto the back of the solar module, effectively mediating the light path to overcome the shading limitation
3Illumination intensity
If the orientation or arrangement of the PV module is changed to allow more light to reach the substrate, then more light reaches the back, but front efficiency is reduced and/or space requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The microstructured light deflection device serves as an intermediary that captures sunlight from directions that would not naturally reach the back of the module and redirects it onto the rear surface. This allows the module to maintain its optimal front-facing orientation for maximum front efficiency while still capturing additional light on the back through the mediating action of the light deflection device
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The solution effectively increases sunlight incidence on the back of bifacial solar modules, enhancing efficiency and reducing costs by achieving high relative transmission and deflection angles, thereby improving overall solar energy harvesting with minimal design modifications.
Implementation Method 1
The arrangement is preferably designed such that the microstructured light deflection device deflects incident sunlight by means of refraction and/or reflection, at least partially and in particular directly, onto the rear side of the bifacial solar module
Implementation Method 2
The arrangement is preferably designed such that the microstructured light deflection device deflects incident sunlight by means of refraction and/or reflection, at least partially and in particular directly, onto the rear side of the bifacial solar module
Data Source
Figure 1a~1b
Figure 2
Figure 3a~3b
AI summary
The invention relates, among other things, to an arrangement comprising a bifacial solar module with a front and a back side and a microstructured light deflection device with a microstructure, wherein the arrangement is designed such that the microstructured light deflection device deflects incident sunlight at least partially and directly to the back side of the bifacial solar module by means of refraction and/or reflection.