Solar Cell Panel Colored Cover with Oxide Ceramic Layers

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Solution Overview

Problem

Solar cell panels with building integrated structures face challenges in achieving an aesthetically pleasing appearance and high output while preventing glare phenomena, as conventional methods result in reduced light transmittance and uneven color distribution, leading to decreased efficiency and unsatisfactory visual appeal.

Innovation Solution

A solar cell panel design featuring a first cover member with a base member and a colored portion formed of oxide ceramic composition, where the colored portion has a lower light transmittance than the base member, comprising multiple layers with different colors and structures to achieve uniform light transmittance and prevent glare, with a background layer enhancing color clarity and brightness.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Shape

If a colored film or thick layer is used to color the solar cell panel, then the aesthetic appearance is improved, but the light transmittance is reduced and output is greatly reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveaesthetic appearanceVSAvoidoutput
Core Design Contradiction:
ShapeVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies local quality by using a transparent resin layer selectively positioned at specific regions (inactive areas, edges, or portions not overlapping solar cells) rather than uniformly across the entire panel. This allows coloring only where it does not interfere with light transmission to active solar cell areas, thus improving aesthetics without significantly reducing output.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The patent uses a thin transparent resin layer instead of thick opaque coatings. This thin film approach allows the colored layer to provide aesthetic enhancement while maintaining sufficient light transmittance to the solar cells, avoiding the output reduction associated with thick colored layers.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

2Ease of manufacture

If a single colored layer is used to color the solar cell panel, then the manufacturing process is simplified, but the color uniformity and aesthetic property are deteriorated

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemanufacturing simplicityVSAvoidcolor uniformity
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSShape

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the colored structure into multiple layers with different colors or transmittances. This multi-layer approach allows for better color uniformity and aesthetic properties while still being manufacturable through sequential application of different resin layers or incorporation of pigments in specific layers.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent employs composite materials by combining transparent resin with pigments or dyes in specific layers. This creates a composite structure that achieves uniform color distribution and aesthetic enhancement while maintaining the functional transparency needed for light transmission.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

3Shape

If portions with different colors are used in the solar cell panel, then the aesthetic property is improved, but the light transmittance becomes non-uniform and light incidence to solar cells is uneven

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveaesthetic propertyVSAvoidlight transmittance uniformity
Core Design Contradiction:
ShapeVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies local quality by positioning differently colored or translucent layers in specific regions that do not overlap with active solar cells. This allows aesthetic diversity through multiple colors while ensuring that all light reaching the solar cells passes through uniform transparent regions, maintaining even light incidence and manufacturing precision.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

4Adaptability or versatility

If the solar cell panel is installed on a vertical wall, then the building integration is achieved, but a glare or glaring phenomenon occurs due to the glass substrate

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvebuilding integrationVSAvoidglare phenomenon
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses color changes by incorporating pigmented or colored transparent resin layers that can alter the optical properties of the panel. These colored layers reduce glare by absorbing or filtering specific wavelengths of light while maintaining aesthetic appeal and building integration capability on vertical walls.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #32Color changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces a transparent resin layer as an intermediary between the glass substrate and the external environment. This intermediary layer acts as a glare-reducing element that can be colored or translucent, mediating the interaction between sunlight and the solar cell panel to reduce glaring effects while preserving building integration.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

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 effectively improves the aesthetic appeal and output of solar cell panels by ensuring uniform light transmittance and preventing glare, while maintaining high photoelectric conversion efficiency and stability, even when multiple colors are used, thus enhancing the reliability and appearance of the panels.

Implementation Method 1

a colored portion 114 having a light transmittance lower than a light transmittance of the base member 112 and constituting a colored area

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectLight absorption: Absorption (EM radiation)

Implementation Method 2

the colored portion 114 includes at least two layers 114c, 114d each formed of an oxide ceramic composition and having different colors or different light transmittances

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectLight scattering: Scattering

Data Source

PatentEP3537485B1Solar cell panel
Publication Date: 2022.10.12 LG ELECTRONICS INC
  • EP3537485B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3537485B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3537485B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A solar cell panel (100) can include a solar cell (150); a sealing member (130) for sealing the solar cell; a first cover member (110) disposed on the sealing member at one side of the solar cell; and a second cover member (120) disposed on the sealing member at another side of the solar cell, in which the first cover member includes a base member (112) and a colored portion (114) having a light transmittance lower than a light transmittance of the base member and constituting a colored area, and the colored portion includes at least two layers (1140, 1142) each formed of an oxide ceramic composition and having different colors or different light transmittances.