PV Thermal Collector Housing for Solar Panel Cooling
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing solar panel systems are complex and expensive, failing to maximize heat transfer surface area and electrical efficiency when used with commercially available photovoltaic panels.
Innovation Solution
A hermetically sealed housing made of high thermally conductive material is mated with the rear of a photovoltaic panel, serving as a thermal collector and conduit for liquid heat transfer, using thermal grease or pads for efficient heat conduction and protection, with a unique flow pattern to enhance installation and maintenance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of energy
If a hermetically sealed housing with high thermally conductive material is used to mate with the photovoltaic panel, then heat transfer efficiency is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The housing is designed to merge multiple functions into a single integrated structure: it provides hermetic sealing, serves as a thermal collector, acts as a fluid conduit, and attaches to the photovoltaic panel. This consolidation improves heat transfer efficiency while avoiding the complexity of multiple separate components.
Solution Approach 2:
The housing structure performs multiple functions simultaneously: it seals the system hermetically, conducts heat from the photovoltaic panel, channels fluid flow for cooling, and provides mechanical attachment. This multi-functionality resolves the contradiction by achieving high heat transfer efficiency without adding proportional complexity.
2Loss of energy
If thermal grease or pads are used between the housing and photovoltaic panel, then heat conduction is improved, but manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Thermal grease or pads are introduced as intermediary materials between the housing and photovoltaic panel to enhance heat conduction. These materials fill microscopic gaps and improve thermal contact, resolving the heat conduction issue while maintaining relatively simple manufacturing processes.
Solution Approach 2:
The use of thermal grease or pads represents a simple, inexpensive additive that provides significant heat conduction improvement without requiring complex manufacturing changes. These materials are easily applied and replaceable, maintaining ease of manufacture.
3Device complexity
If the housing serves as both thermal collector and fluid conduit, then device complexity is reduced, but manufacturing precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The housing integrates the thermal collection function and fluid conduit function into a single component. This merging reduces the total number of parts and simplifies the overall device structure, while the manufacturing precision requirements are managed through standardized production techniques for sealed channels.
Solution Approach 2:
The housing utilizes gaskets and flexible sealing elements to achieve hermetic sealing without requiring extremely tight tolerances in the rigid structure. This approach allows the integrated design to meet manufacturing precision requirements through a combination of rigid and flexible components.
4Productivity
If photovoltaic panel is cooled to improve electrical efficiency, then energy conversion efficiency is improved, but additional energy is required for cooling fluid circulation
Solution Approach 1:
The system converts the waste heat generated by the photovoltaic panel, which would otherwise be lost, into useful thermal energy for heating applications. The cooling fluid absorbs this waste heat to improve electrical efficiency, and the heated fluid provides beneficial thermal energy, effectively converting a harmful waste product into a useful resource.
Solution Approach 2:
The system merges the cooling function (necessary for electrical efficiency) with the heating function (useful thermal energy output) into a single hybrid system. The same fluid circulation that cools the photovoltaic panel simultaneously provides hot water or space heating, making the energy used for fluid circulation productive rather than wasteful.
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 improves electrical efficiency by approximately 0.4% per degree C cooling and increases thermal energy collection by 195% without altering the collector area, making the system more versatile and cost-effective.
Implementation Method 1
A hermetically sealed housing made of high thermally conductive material is mated with the rear of a photovoltaic panel, serving as a thermal collector and conduit for liquid heat transfer
Implementation Method 2
Open channels behind the thermally conductive surface carry fluid in contact with the top thermally conductive surface for removing heat from the photovoltaic panel
Implementation Method 3
Thermal grease or thermal pads may be used between the top thermally conductive surface and the photovoltaic panel to both conduct heat and protect the two surfaces
Data Source
AI summary
A supplemental solar energy collection system including a photovoltaic panel which converts incident radiation into electricity. A housing includes a top thermally conductive surface mated with the photovoltaic panel and serving as a thermal collector. Open channels behind the thermally conductive surface carry fluid in contact with the top thermally conductive surface for removing heat from the photovoltaic panel.