Solar Cell Module Reflector for Angular Light Collection

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional solar cells installed in a plane configuration suffer from reduced light collecting efficiency when solar light is irradiated at an angle, leading to ineffective utilization of solar energy due to reflection.

Innovation Solution

A solar cell module apparatus with a reflector on its light incident surface is designed to reflect and re-reflect light back onto the light absorbing layer, enhancing photoelectric conversion efficiency.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If solar cell is installed in plane configuration, then light collecting efficiency is increased when solar light is irradiated at right angle, but light collecting efficiency is rapidly reduced when solar light is irradiated at lateral side

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvelight collecting efficiencyVSAvoidangular adaptability

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a vertical dimension by positioning a reflector beneath the solar cell at a specific distance, transforming the originally two-dimensional plane configuration into a three-dimensional structure. This allows light incident from lateral angles to be reflected back onto the light-absorbing layer, effectively adding a depth dimension to light collection and improving angular adaptability while maintaining right-angle efficiency.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Ease of manufacture

If solar cell is installed in plane configuration, then simple structure is maintained, but solar light is reflected from lateral side leading to ineffective utilization

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestructural simplicityVSAvoidlight energy loss

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The patent converts the harmful effect of lateral light reflection, which originally caused energy loss, into a beneficial effect by using a reflector to redirect this reflected light back onto the light-absorbing layer. The reflected light that would have been wasted is now reused, transforming energy loss into additional photoelectric conversion opportunity while maintaining relatively simple structural addition.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

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 reflector effectively traps and re-reflects light, thereby improving the photoelectric conversion efficiency of the solar cell module.

Implementation Method 1

a reflector provided on a light incident surface of the light absorbing layer to reflect a light, which has been reflected from the light absorbing layer, toward the light absorbing layer

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectReflection: Reflection

Data Source

PatentUS9842950B2Solar cell module apparatus and method of fabricating the same

Publication Date: 2017.12.12 LG INNOTEK CO LTD

AI summary

Disclosed are a solar cell module apparatus and a method of fabricating the same. The solar cell module apparatus includes a light absorbing layer, and a reflector provided on a light incident surface of the light absorbing layer to reflect a light, which has been reflected from the light absorbing layer, toward the light absorbing layer.