Charge Relay Enhancer for Solar Cell Electron Loss Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Solar cells experience significant energy loss due to reflection and internal resistance, resulting in a low conversion efficiency of incident light energy into electrical energy, and conventional methods fail to relay electrons from solar cells to chargers without substantial loss.
Innovation Solution
A charge relay enhancer system comprising two charge induction and pumping devices and a charge pathway selecting device, which alternately induce and pump charges using power voltages of different polarities, maximizing the relay of electrons from solar cells to charging devices.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of energy
If conventional solar cell structure with glass or epoxy resin surface is used, then manufacturing is simple and durable, but reflection loss is high (about 10%)
Solution Approach 1:
The patent converts the harmful reflection effect into a beneficial one by using a reflective layer at the back of the solar cell to reflect transmitted light back into the active layer, increasing the probability of photon absorption and electron-hole pair generation. This transforms the normally wasted reflected light into useful energy conversion.
2Loss of energy
If anti-reflection coating is applied to reduce reflection loss, then energy conversion efficiency improves, but manufacturing complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediate reflective layer as a mediator between the solar cell active layer and the encapsulation structure. This reflective layer serves as an optical intermediary that redirects light back into the active layer, achieving reduced reflection loss without requiring complex anti-reflection coatings on the front surface.
3Loss of energy
If electrical energy is relayed through conventional pathways from solar cell to charger, then system is simple, but electron loss is considerable due to internal resistance
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the charge relay function into multiple independent components: a first charge induction and pumping device, a second charge induction and pumping device, and a charge pathway selecting device. These segmented components work in alternating phases to pump electrons through different pathways, reducing the impact of internal resistance and preventing electron loss.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs periodic action by alternating the operation of the first and second charge induction and pumping devices. While one device is pumping electrons through a particular pathway, the other device is in a different operational state, creating a periodic cycle that continuously moves electrons through the system with minimized resistance losses.
4Productivity
If solar cell converts light to electrical energy, then renewable energy generation is achieved, but conversion efficiency is reduced by reflection and resistance losses
Solution Approach 1:
The patent converts the harmful effect of transmitted light (which would otherwise be lost) into a beneficial effect by using the reflective layer to redirect this light back into the active layer, increasing the opportunity for energy conversion and reducing overall energy loss.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent ensures continuity of useful action by creating a closed-loop optical path through the reflective layer, where light that passes through the active layer is reflected back rather than being lost. This continuous circulation of light maximizes the probability of photon absorption and maintains continuous energy conversion activity.
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 system effectively maximizes the efficiency of relaying charges produced in solar cells to charging devices, reducing energy loss and enhancing overall conversion efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
A solar cell uses a photoelectric effect that involves converting light energy of the sun into electrical energy. The photoelectric effect has been derived while searching for the reasons why electrons are generated from a metal plate that is exposed to light
Data Source
AI summary
A charge relay enhancer used in relaying a charge produced in a solar cell to a charger, and a solar cell system including the charge relay enhancer. The charge relay enhancer includes: a charge induction and pumping device inducing a charge by using a power voltage from among two power voltages of different polarities selected in response to a control signal, and pumping the induced charge; and a charge pathway selecting device relaying the charge input to an input terminal via two input/output terminals, to the charge induction and pumping device, receiving the charge pumped by the charge induction and pumping device via the two input/output terminals, and outputting the charge to an output terminal. Accordingly, as charges produced in a solar cell may be relayed to a charging device as much as possible, efficiency of relaying charges produced in the solar cell to the charging device may be maximized.