Photovoltaic Module Groove Structure for Solar Deflector
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing photovoltaic modules with V-grooved concentrators face issues such as limited reflective surface area, mechanical stress on cells due to interconnecting elements, and inefficient lamination due to variable thickness encapsulation, leading to reduced efficiency, reliability, and increased costs.
Innovation Solution
A photovoltaic module design featuring a solar deflector with a groove structure that contains electrical interconnecting elements, providing bilateral or trilateral containment and a polygonal cross-section to accommodate reflective surfaces on both sides of the cells, allowing for efficient solar radiation collection and reduced mechanical stress, along with a transparent, thermoplastic deflector material that maintains optical and mechanical properties during lamination.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by moving object
If V-grooved reflective surfaces are used in photovoltaic modules, then solar radiation collection is improved, but the reflective surface area is limited and mechanical stress on cells increases
Solution Approach 1:
The reflective surface is segmented into multiple planar facets arranged in a polyhedral structure, each facet independently contributing to radiation collection. This segmentation allows maximizing the total reflective area without increasing the footprint, resolving the contradiction between collection efficiency and surface area limitation.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention transitions from two-dimensional V-grooved surfaces to three-dimensional polyhedral structures with multiple inclined facets. This dimensional change enables substantially increased reflective surface area within the same spatial envelope, improving both radiation collection and economic savings.
2Ease of operation
If interconnecting elements are placed on cell edges for electrical connection, then electrical connectivity is achieved, but mechanical stress and micro fissures in cells occur
Solution Approach 1:
The interconnecting elements are extracted from the cell edge position and relocated to run through the underlying regions beneath the cells to the mirror surfaces. This extraction removes the harmful mechanical stress from the cell edges while maintaining electrical connectivity, preventing micro fissures and improving reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The groove structure with bilateral containment means acts as an intermediary channel, guiding interconnecting elements through the underlying regions without direct contact with cell edges. This intermediary pathway eliminates mechanical stress concentration at cell edges while ensuring electrical connection.
3Ease of manufacture
If multiple folds are used in encapsulating material to accommodate V-grooves, then reflective surfaces are contained, but lamination efficiency decreases and production complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The encapsulating material is designed with uniform thickness throughout, eliminating the variable thickness required by V-groove accommodation. This homogeneity enables efficient lamination processes and standard production techniques, improving productivity while maintaining reflective surface containment through the groove structure with bilateral containment means.
4Ease of manufacture
If interconnecting elements exert pressure on cell edges during assembly, then electrical connection is established, but micro fissures and cell breakage occur over time
Solution Approach 1:
The groove structure with bilateral containment means provides a protective pathway for interconnecting elements before they reach the cells. This beforehand cushioning prevents direct pressure contact with cell edges during assembly and operation, eliminating the source of micro fissures and extending the photovoltaic cell life cycle.
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 design enhances solar radiation collection efficiency, reduces mechanical stress on cells, and achieves a thinner encapsulating material thickness, improving module reliability and energy transfer uniformity while minimizing costs and environmental exposure.
Implementation Method 1
the radiation reflected by the reflective surfaces will strike the interface between the front material and the air outside
Implementation Method 2
the radiation reflected by the reflective surfaces will strike the interface between the front material and the air outside at an angle of incidence greater than the critical angle, being thus again reflected by a total internal reflection
Implementation Method 3
photovoltaic cells which are designed for converting the solar radiation received into electricity
Data Source
Figure 1~5
Figure 6~8
Figure 8b~10
AI summary
Photovoltaic module (200) comprising at least one photovoltaic cell (201 ), at least one electrical interconnecting connection (206, 204) and at least one solar deflector (100) the solar deflector (100) comprising a groove for containing at least the one electrical interconnecting connection (206, 204) or the photovoltaic cell (201), the groove having a main direction of extension and comprising at least bilateral containment means of the electrical interconnecting connection (206, 204) or the photovoltaic cell (201) along a direction transversal to the main direction of extension.