Photovoltaic Panel Microclimate With Thermoelectric Power Recovery
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing photovoltaic panels achieve low efficiency (up to 30%) due to high raw material costs and complex production cycles, and there is a need for a cost-effective method to increase efficiency without replacing existing panels.
Innovation Solution
An integrative system comprising transparent panels (PIIR) with thermoelectric transducers and mirrors to capture solar heat and convert it into electrical energy, enhancing efficiency by creating a greenhouse-like microclimate and using the Seebeck effect.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If high quality semiconductor material and complex production cycles are used, then photovoltaic panel efficiency is improved, but raw material costs and production costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines photovoltaic panels with transparent insulating panels to form an integrated system. This merging allows the system to simultaneously generate electricity and trap heat through the greenhouse effect, increasing overall energy efficiency without requiring higher quality or more expensive photovoltaic materials.
Solution Approach 2:
The integrated system performs multiple functions: the photovoltaic panel generates electricity while the transparent panel traps heat and creates a greenhouse effect. This multi-functionality increases energy efficiency without increasing photovoltaic material costs, as the heat trapping function is provided by the transparent panel.
2Productivity
If high quality semiconductor material is used, then photovoltaic panel efficiency is improved, but raw material purchasing costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines photovoltaic panels with transparent insulating panels to form an integrated system. This merging allows the system to simultaneously generate electricity and trap heat through the greenhouse effect, increasing overall energy efficiency without requiring higher quality or more expensive photovoltaic materials.
3Productivity
If the production cycle complexity is increased, then photovoltaic panel efficiency is improved, but energy consumption in production increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines photovoltaic panels with transparent insulating panels to form an integrated system. This merging allows the system to simultaneously generate electricity and trap heat through the greenhouse effect, increasing overall energy efficiency without requiring higher quality or more expensive photovoltaic materials.
4Device complexity
If conventional photovoltaic panels are used, then simplicity is maintained, but efficiency is limited to around 30%
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines photovoltaic panels with transparent insulating panels to form an integrated system. This merging allows the system to simultaneously generate electricity and trap heat through the greenhouse effect, increasing overall energy efficiency without requiring higher quality or more expensive photovoltaic materials.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the operational parameters of the photovoltaic system by trapping heat in the interstitial space between panels. This temperature increase improves the efficiency of heat-to-electricity conversion in thermoelectric generators without requiring changes to the photovoltaic panel structure or materials.
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 system increases electrical energy output by combining photovoltaic and thermoelectric currents, extending panel lifetime and reducing costs by leveraging existing panels with improved efficiency and reduced material dependency.
Implementation Method 1
In this microclimate, due to the characteristic of transparency of the material of the PIIR integrative panel, a temperature increase occurs, due to the greenhouse effect in the same microclimate.
Implementation Method 2
Said heat is then collected by at least a thermoelectric transducer, which transforms the heat in the space of the microclimate into electrical energy, according to the known Seebeck effect.
Implementation Method 3
one of the main objects has been that of obtaining high efficiency in the transformation of solar energy into electrical energy
Data Source
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AI summary
System (1) for increasing the energy efficiency of photovoltaic panels (2), in which an integrative panel (3) for increasing the energy efficiency is coupled in the system (1) to a photovoltaic panel (2), where the integrative panel (3) is composed of a material transparent to sunlight and has an upper surface turned towards the sunlight source and a lower surface turned towards the photovoltaic panel (2), in a manner such that the space, called microclimate (11), formed between integrative panel (3) and photovoltaic panel (2) is heated due to the effect of light and heat trapped inside it. The system (1) also comprises: - thermoelectric transducers (5) integrated in the integrative panel (3), to transform the heat of the microclimate (11) into electrical current (Ip), - means (6) for collecting such heat conversion electrical current (Ip) and conveying it to an current adder (7), and - means (8) for collecting a photovoltaic electrical current (Ib) from the photovoltaic panel (2) and conveying it towards said current adder (7), - the current adder (7), by adding the photovoltaic current (Ib) to the heat conversion current (Ip), for increasing the efficiency of the system (1) with respect to that of the photovoltaic panel (2) alone with the same intensity of incident solar radiation.