Electrochromic Cover Element for Photovoltaic Cell Safety and Efficiency
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Solution Overview
Problem
Photovoltaic cell installations pose electrical hazards due to fluctuating illumination and excessive temperature, which affect power generation efficiency and safety during installation and maintenance.
Innovation Solution
A photovoltaic device with a high opacity cover element, potentially made of electrochromic material, is used to control power generation by adjusting opacity in response to electrical fields, ensuring safe installation and maximizing efficiency by operating at or near the maximum power point of the cells.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If photovoltaic cells are installed on roofs during daylight hours, then power generation occurs, but electrical hazards are created for installers
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by pre-attaching opaque cover elements to the photovoltaic cells before installation. This ensures that the cells cannot generate electricity during the installation process, eliminating electrical hazards for installers while allowing work to proceed during daylight hours. The cover elements are removed only after installation is complete and the system is ready for operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses opaque cover elements as an intermediary between the photovoltaic cells and the installation environment. These cover elements physically block light from reaching the cells, preventing power generation during installation while allowing installers to work safely. The cover elements serve as a temporary mediator that is removed once the installation is complete.
2Productivity
If photovoltaic cells are exposed to fluctuating illumination, then power generation varies, but installation and maintenance safety is compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by pre-attaching opaque cover elements to the photovoltaic cells before installation. This ensures that the cells cannot generate electricity during the installation process, eliminating electrical hazards for installers while allowing work to proceed during daylight hours. The cover elements are removed only after installation is complete and the system is ready for operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses opaque cover elements as an intermediary between the photovoltaic cells and the installation environment. These cover elements physically block light from reaching the cells, preventing power generation during installation while allowing installers to work safely. The cover elements serve as a temporary mediator that is removed once the installation is complete.
3Productivity
If photovoltaic cells operate at maximum power point, then efficiency is maximized, but temperature control becomes challenging
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by using electrochromic cover elements that can dynamically adjust their opacity based on real-time conditions. When cell temperature becomes excessive, the electrochromic material can increase its opacity to reduce light absorption and lower cell temperature. When temperature is acceptable, the opacity can be reduced to maximize power generation efficiency. This dynamic adjustment allows the system to optimize between efficiency and temperature control.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies parameter changes by utilizing the electrochromic material's ability to change its optical properties (opacity) in response to electrical signals. By controlling the opacity parameter of the cover element, the system can modulate the amount of light reaching the photovoltaic cells, thereby controlling both power generation and cell temperature through a single controllable parameter.
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 allows for safe installation and maintenance by preventing electrical hazards and optimizing power generation by ensuring the photovoltaic cells operate at their maximum efficiency, balancing power output and cell temperature fluctuations.
Implementation Method 1
the cover element comprising an electrochromic material disposed over the active area of the active face of the photovoltaic element, a first electrode and a second electrode wherein the electrochromic material is disposed between the first electrode and the second electrode
Implementation Method 2
components that convert light energy into electrical energy. Such 'photovoltaic cells' are often made from semiconductor-type materials
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention provides a photovoltaic device having an active face, an active area on the active face and an operating wavelength range; and a cover element attached to the photovoltaic device and disposed over the active area of the active face of the photovoltaic element, the cover element having an opacity of at least about 25%. The present invention also provides photovoltaic systems, arrays, roofs and methods using such photovoltaic devices. In one embodiment of the invention, the photovoltaic device is a photovoltaic roofing element in which a photovoltaic element is integrated with a roofing substrate.