Frameless Photovoltaic Module Design for Architectural Integration
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Solution Overview
Problem
The solar industry faces challenges in reducing system costs due to high material and manufacturing costs, low solar module efficiency, and the limited scale of solar power development, primarily because conventional photovoltaic modules rely on expensive semiconductor materials and require structural frames for rigidity, which complicates integration into architectural applications.
Innovation Solution
A frameless photovoltaic module design utilizing optically transparent substrates with PV cells sandwiched between them, sealed with flexible materials to provide structural rigidity and environmental protection, eliminating the need for external frames and allowing for easier integration into architectural structures.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If a structural frame is used to provide rigidity and mechanical attachment, then structural integrity is improved, but manufacturing cost and device complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the structural frame from the PV module design, extracting this component entirely. The frameless design relies on the inherent strength of the glass substrates and the bonding of encapsulants to provide structural integrity, thereby reducing manufacturing cost and simplifying the module structure while eliminating the need for frame attachment operations
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges the structural support function into the glass substrates and encapsulant materials themselves. The front glass substrate, back glass substrate, and edge seal collectively provide both environmental protection and structural rigidity, eliminating the need for a separate frame structure and reducing overall device complexity
2Ease of operation
If a structural frame is used for mechanical attachment, then ease of installation is improved, but integration into architectural structures becomes more difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The frameless design with glass substrates and edge seals provides multi-functional capability, serving both as environmental protection barriers and as mounting surfaces. The flat, frameless edges can be directly integrated into various architectural structures such as windows, skylights, and building facades, offering universal adaptability across different architectural applications while maintaining installation ease through simplified attachment methods
3Power
If conventional semiconductor materials are used in PV cells, then energy conversion efficiency is improved, but material cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the material composition parameters of the PV cells by incorporating metal nanoparticles (such as silver, aluminum, or their alloys) into the semiconductor structure. These nanoparticles serve as plasmonic resonators that enhance light absorption and exciton generation, thereby improving energy conversion efficiency while using lower quantities of expensive semiconductor materials like silicon
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates composite PV cell structures by combining conventional semiconductor materials with metal nanoparticle composites. The semiconductor layer is integrated with metal nanoparticle layers or coatings, forming a composite material system that leverages the electrical properties of semiconductors and the plasmonic properties of metals to achieve high efficiency at reduced material costs
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
This design significantly reduces module costs, enhances structural integrity, and facilitates architectural applications by eliminating the need for frames, while optimizing solar energy harvesting through improved light transmission and energy conversion efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
a first flexible sealing material sealably connecting the first and second substrates around a perimeter of the module
Implementation Method 2
photovoltaic (PV) conversion of solar radiation
Data Source
AI summary
A photovoltaic module employing an array of photovoltaic cells disposed between two optically transparent substrates such as to define a closed-loop peripheral area of the module that does not contain a photovoltaic cell. The module is sealed with a peripheral seal along the perimeter; and is devoid of a structural element affixed to an optically transparent substrate and adapted to mount the module to a supporting structure. The two substrates may be bonded together with the use of adhesive material and, optionally, the peripheral seal can include the adhesive material. The module optionally includes diffraction grating element(s) adjoining respectively corresponding PV-cell(s).