Reflective Mesh Heat Sink for Bi-Facial Solar Panel Cooling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing heat dissipation solutions for solar panels, particularly bi-facial panels, are difficult to adapt and often require energy or fluid supply, making them unsuitable for areas like desert regions, and struggle to maintain efficiency across various panel types without modification.
Innovation Solution
A heat sink with high thermal conductivity metallic rods arranged in a tridimensional mesh pattern on the back side of bi-facial photovoltaic modules, featuring a reflective surface to minimize shadow and enhance solar ray reflection, while being adaptable to different panel types without external supply.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If active heat dissipation solutions (liquid spraying, air ventilation, fluid circulation) are used, then heat dissipation efficiency is improved, but device complexity and requirement for energy/fluid supply increases
Solution Approach 1:
The heat sink operates passively without requiring external energy or fluid supply. It uses natural convection and radiation to dissipate heat from the solar panel, making the system self-sufficient and suitable for remote locations without infrastructure.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces active mechanical heat dissipation systems (pumps, fans, spray systems) with a passive thermal conduction-based heat sink that relies on inherent thermal properties of materials and natural heat transfer mechanisms.
2Temperature
If conventional heat dissipation elements are used, then heat dissipation is achieved, but adaptability to bi-facial solar panels is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The heat sink extends in the vertical dimension above the panel surface, creating a three-dimensional structure that dissipates heat without blocking the back surface of the bi-facial panel. This allows solar rays to reach the back side while heat is conducted away through the vertical fins.
Solution Approach 2:
The heat sink design is universally applicable to different types of solar panels including bi-facial configurations. It performs both heat dissipation and maintains optical transparency to allow the panel to function in its intended environment without requiring panel-specific modifications.
3Temperature
If heat dissipation elements are added to solar panels, then temperature control is improved, but shadow coverage and light reflection are worsened
Solution Approach 1:
The heat sink is divided into multiple discrete vertical rods or fins arranged in a grid pattern, creating open spaces between them. This segmentation allows solar radiation to pass through the structure and reach the back surface of the panel while the individual elements provide sufficient surface area for heat dissipation.
Solution Approach 2:
The heat sink structure is designed with varying local properties - the vertical fins provide high thermal conductivity and surface area for heat dissipation, while the spaces between fins maintain optical transparency. The structure optimizes both thermal and optical properties in different spatial locations.
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
Effectively dissipates heat from bi-facial solar panels, maintaining efficiency and allowing reflected solar rays to be converted into electricity, even in areas without energy supply, with minimal impact on panel adaptation and shadow coverage.
Implementation Method 1
the heat sink comprises a plurality of rods having a thermal conductivity higher than 10 W·m−1·K−1 and arranged as a mesh configured to be in contact with the back side of the bi-facial photovoltaic module
Implementation Method 2
the rods comprise a reflective surface configured for reflecting solar rays in a specular manner
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention refers to a heat sink (5) for bi-facial photovoltaic modules (3) configured to be secured to the back side (3b) of at least one bi-facial photovoltaic module (3) wherein the heat sink (5) comprises a plurality of rods (11) having a thermal conductivity higher than 10 W·m−1·K−1 and arranged as a mesh configured to be in contact with the back side (3b) of the bi-facial photovoltaic module (3).