Frameless Solar Module Assembly With Profiled Substrate Cooling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional solar module assembly methods using metal frames reduce the active surface area for energy conversion due to masked regions and hinder convective cooling, leading to increased module temperature and decreased efficiency.
Innovation Solution
The solar module design features a second substrate with parallel profiles on its lower face, allowing for adhesive bonding and a locking mechanism with ribbed profiles for improved mechanical coupling and convective airflow, maximizing the active surface area and facilitating cooling.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If modules are assembled using conventional metal frames with U-sections, then mechanical assembly and structural rigidity are achieved, but the active surface area is reduced due to masked regions
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts and removes the conventional metal frame structure from the module assembly. Instead of using traditional U-section metal frames that mask peripheral regions, the patent employs a frameless design where modules are directly assembled edge-to-edge, eliminating the masking effect and maximizing active surface area while maintaining structural integrity through alternative bonding methods
Solution Approach 2:
The invention merges the mechanical assembly function directly with the substrate edges by creating integrated bonding structures. The substrates themselves are designed to provide both structural support and electrical functionality, combining what were previously separate components (frame and active surface) into a unified structure where the entire surface contributes to energy conversion
2Power
If modules are assembled edge to edge along facing metal parts to form high-power conversion surfaces, then power conversion surface area is increased, but module temperature increases due to hindered convective cooling
Solution Approach 1:
The invention removes the metal frame components that were blocking convective airflow paths. By eliminating these vertical metal structures, natural convection currents can flow freely between and around modules, providing passive cooling without requiring additional spacing, thus maintaining high power conversion surfaces while enabling effective thermal management
Solution Approach 2:
The module design enables self-cooling through natural convection currents that arise automatically when modules are assembled edge-to-edge without metal frames. The air flow patterns are generated by the temperature differences themselves, creating a self-regulating cooling mechanism that operates without external intervention or additional structural elements
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 enhances the surface area-to-active area ratio and promotes convective cooling, thereby improving the efficiency and thermal management of solar modules.
Implementation Method 1
at least one functional layer based on an absorber material for converting light energy into electrical energy
Implementation Method 2
the temperature of the modules increases due to being heated by the sun, the vertical parts of the superstructure being deleterious to establishing a convective air current needed for cooling
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to an element capable of collecting light, including a first substrate having a glass function and forming a cover, and a second substrate forming a support, the substrates sandwiching between two electrode-forming conductive layers at least one functional layer based on an absorber material for converting light energy into electrical energy, the second substrate provided on its lower face with a plurality of profiles oriented parallel to one of the sides of the element.