Hole-Through Laminate Mounting Supports to Avoid PV Edge Shading
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional mounting techniques for photovoltaic laminates are expensive, bulky, and can impede radiation collection and cooling, leading to reduced efficiency in solar energy conversion.
Innovation Solution
A hole-thru-laminate mounting support using a pedestal with aligned holes and bolts or pins to secure the laminate, allowing for direct coupling without edge securing, which minimizes shading and interference with cooling mechanisms.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional mounting techniques using edge securing with glue or physical clamping are used, then the photovoltaic laminate is securely mounted, but the mounting structure becomes expensive and bulky
Solution Approach 1:
The mounting structure is divided into separate functional elements: a mounting bracket with mounting holes and a separate fastening mechanism with bolts or pins. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently, reducing overall complexity while maintaining secure mounting through the distributed fastening points.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a mounting bracket as an intermediary component between the photovoltaic laminate and the mounting surface. This bracket with its integrated holes serves as a mediator that simplifies the mounting process by providing pre-defined attachment points, eliminating the need for complex edge securing mechanisms.
2Reliability
If conventional edge securing mounting techniques are used, then the photovoltaic laminate is securely mounted, but radiation collection and cooling are impeded, leading to reduced efficiency
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the mounting function from the edge securing mechanism and relocates it to the back of the photovoltaic laminate through the mounting bracket. This extraction allows the front surface of the laminate to remain completely clear, maximizing radiation collection area and preventing any shading or cooling impedance that would occur with edge-mounted hardware.
Solution Approach 2:
The mounting system transitions from two-dimensional edge securing (at the perimeter) to three-dimensional back mounting (through the thickness of the laminate). By moving the mounting points to the back surface and using vertical fasteners, the system maintains security while preserving the entire front surface for optimal radiation collection and airflow for cooling.
3Quantity of substance
If photovoltaic laminate is made with reduced glass thickness to reduce material costs, then material costs are reduced, but the laminate becomes more fragile and harder to mount
Solution Approach 1:
The mounting bracket with its integrated holes and fastening mechanism provides beforehand cushioning support for the reduced-thickness laminate. By distributing the mechanical loads through multiple pre-positioned fastening points, the system compensates for the reduced inherent strength of thinner glass, allowing cost-effective thin-glass designs to be successfully deployed.
Data Source
AI summary
A mounting support for a photovoltaic module is described. The mounting support includes a pedestal having a surface adaptable to receive a flat side of a photovoltaic module laminate. A hole is disposed in the pedestal, the hole adaptable to receive a bolt or a pin used to couple the pedestal to the flat side of the photovoltaic module laminate.