Photovoltaic Panel With Ventilated Box Heat Recovery
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Solution Overview
Problem
Photovoltaic panels face efficiency drops due to temperature increases, with existing cooling solutions being complex, inefficient, or incompatible with simultaneous thermal energy recovery.
Innovation Solution
A photovoltaic panel design incorporating a ventilated box with a heat exchange system that allows air to circulate on the opposite side of the panel, using crosspieces with thermal conduction properties to effectively transfer heat and maintain turbulence for enhanced cooling.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If liquid cooling is used to cool photovoltaic panels, then cooling efficiency is improved, but device complexity and weight increase due to seals and liquid circuits
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces liquid cooling with air cooling by using a ventilated box structure with inlet and outlet openings that allow air to circulate through channels between the photovoltaic cells and the box walls, eliminating the need for liquid circuits and seals while maintaining effective heat dissipation
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses a box-shaped structure with thin walls that act as heat exchange surfaces, allowing thermal energy to be transferred from the photovoltaic cells to the circulating air without requiring complex sealing mechanisms or rigid liquid containment structures
2Device complexity
If air cooling with open circulation is used, then device complexity is reduced, but cooling efficiency decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the cooling space into defined channels by creating a box structure with internal partitions and positioning the photovoltaic cells at specific distances from the box walls, organizing the air flow into structured pathways that enhance heat exchange efficiency compared to unorganized open circulation
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a box structure with defined air channels as an intermediary system between the photovoltaic cells and the external environment, mediating the heat transfer process by directing air flow through controlled pathways that maximize thermal contact while maintaining system simplicity
3Temperature
If photovoltaic panel is placed inside thermal sensor panel, then cooling coverage is improved, but assembly complexity and efficiency loss due to additional transparent blade increase
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of placing the photovoltaic panel inside a box as in prior art, the patent inverts the arrangement by fixing the photovoltaic panel to the internal face of the box, allowing the panel to be mounted on the structural element itself rather than being enclosed within it, thereby simplifying assembly and eliminating the need for additional transparent blades
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 improves the electrical efficiency of photovoltaic panels while allowing for simultaneous thermal energy production, reducing heat losses and simplifying assembly and operation.
Implementation Method 1
produce energy in electrical form by means of photovoltaic cells converting photons into electrical current
Implementation Method 2
a flow of air sucked in by the thermal sensor panel circulating on one side of the photovoltaic panel heats up in contact with this latter panel by cooling the panel
Implementation Method 3
using crosspieces with thermal conduction properties to effectively transfer heat
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~5
Figure 6~7
AI summary
The panel (10) has a photovoltaic sensor (20) comprising photovoltaic cells (21) fixed on a heat exchange system i.e. ventilated box (30), used for circulation of coolant. The box has a solid bottom (33), a solid edge (32) and an open upper face (31). The box has an inlet opening and an outlet opening, where gas traverses the box. The sensor is fixed on the edge by the lower face and on a side of the upper face of the box so as to create closed volume of the box. A crosspiece has a core and a base plate fixed to a lower face (23) of the sensor by an upper face of the sole.