Hybrid Solar Panel Layout for Combined Thermal and Electrical Output
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current solar energy technologies do not provide an economical source of both thermal and electrical energy that can be efficiently utilized in households, as they either focus on thermal energy or electrical energy separately, lacking a comprehensive solution for simultaneous energy production.
Innovation Solution
A solar power panel design incorporating a synthetic molded enclosure with segmented partitions for thermal energy capture and a photovoltaic panel for electrical energy generation, allowing for standalone or linked configurations to maximize energy production, utilizing a cost-effective manufacturing process that reduces silicon cell demand.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If separate solar panels are used for thermal energy and electrical energy, then each panel can be optimized for its specific function, but the overall system complexity increases and space requirements multiply
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines thermal energy collection and electrical energy generation into a single integrated solar panel system. The photovoltaic cells are mounted on the transparent encapsulant of a solar thermal collector, allowing both functions to operate simultaneously within one device structure, thereby reducing system complexity while maintaining manufacturing optimization
Solution Approach 2:
The integrated solar panel serves multiple functions: the transparent encapsulant acts as both the protective cover for photovoltaic cells and the transparent cover for the solar thermal collector, while the photovoltaic cells generate electricity and the blackened plate collects thermal energy. This multi-functionality reduces the number of separate components needed
2Productivity
If photovoltaic cells are added to solar thermal collectors, then electrical energy is generated simultaneously, but the amount of sunlight reaching the thermal collector is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The photovoltaic cells are mounted on the transparent encapsulant surface, utilizing the vertical dimension above the blackened plate. This arrangement allows sunlight to first pass through the transparent encapsulant to reach the photovoltaic cells, with unused light then continuing to the blackened plate for thermal collection, effectively using different spatial layers to minimize energy loss
3Ease of manufacture
If the transparent encapsulant is used as the transparent cover, then manufacturing costs are reduced, but the structural integrity and protection of components must be maintained
Solution Approach 1:
The transparent encapsulant is made from a composite or specially formulated material that combines optical transparency with mechanical strength and environmental durability. This allows it to serve as both the protective cover and the mounting surface for photovoltaic cells while maintaining structural integrity and providing adequate protection against ambient conditions
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 enables efficient production of both thermal and electrical energy, reducing energy losses and costs, with configurations providing 8%-40 watts of electrical energy and up to 500 watts of thermal energy per panel, while allowing for scalable energy production by linking panels.
Implementation Method 1
a transparent panel disposed on the synthetic molded enclosure. The transparent panel is adapted to insulate the thermal energy contained within the power panel enclosure
Implementation Method 2
The enclosure has a one or more segmented partitions adapted to form liquid pathways for channeling a liquid through the pathways when said transparent panel is disposed on the segmented partitions thereby forming a liquid boundary in proximate contact with the segmented partitions and with the liquid in the enclosure. The partitions provide for a designed flow of liquid on the surface of the power panel enclosure maximizing the capture of thermal energy from the sun
Implementation Method 3
a photovoltaic panel for generating electrical power disposed between the synthetic molded enclosure and the transparent panel
Implementation Method 4
typically a flat plate is blackened on the front to improve absorption of solar radiation and is arranged with its blackened surface facing the sun and sloped at a suitable angle to optimize the energy collected. A series of tubes is secured to the panel, and water to be heated is circulated through these tubes to extract the heat received by the panel
Data Source
Figure 1~1A
Figure 2~3
Figure 3A
AI summary
A power panel designed to incorporate a means of both thermal energy production and electrical energy production from the solar energy produced by the sun. The power panel comprises: a synthetic molded enclosure comprising a solar radiation top surface, bottom surface and sidewalls; and a transparent panel disposed on said synthetic molded enclosure. The transparent panel is adapted to insulate the thermal energy captured by the liquid circulating in the enclosure. The enclosure includes a plurality of segmented partitions adapted to form liquid pathways for channeling a liquid through the enclosure when the transparent panel is disposed on the segmented partitions thereby forming a liquid boundary in proximate contact with the segmented partitions and with the liquid in said enclosure. The power panel can also generate electrical power by incorporating a solar panel disposed between the enclosure and the transparent panel, wherein the solar panel forms a liquid boundary for the liquid circulating in the synthetic enclosure.