Solar Cell Unit Thermal Management via Segmented Contacts
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing solar cell technologies face challenges in cost-effectiveness and overheating issues, particularly at high temperatures, and require complex electrical connections that can lead to short circuits and inefficient heat removal.
Innovation Solution
A solar cell unit design featuring a semiconductor body with distinct terminal contacts for improved thermal coupling and a secondary optical element with a one-sided contact arrangement, allowing for efficient heat dissipation and preventing short circuits through a meandering series connection without crossing electrical elements.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If conventional solar cell designs are used, then manufacturing is simpler, but overheating occurs and thermal management is poor
Solution Approach 1:
The semiconductor body is segmented into distinct terminal contact regions (first terminal contact on front surface, second terminal contact on back surface) that are spatially separated. This segmentation allows independent thermal and electrical management of different regions, improving heat dissipation pathways while maintaining electrical functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
Different regions of the semiconductor body are assigned different functional qualities: the first terminal contact region is optimized for electrical contact and light exposure, while the second terminal contact region is optimized for thermal management and electrical connection. This local differentiation enables simultaneous optimization of thermal and electrical performance without compromising overall device simplicity.
2Reliability
If complex electrical connection arrangements are used, then electrical connectivity is achieved, but short circuits occur and reliability decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The electrical connection system is segmented into spatially separated terminal contacts: the first terminal contact is positioned on the front surface away from the optical element, while the second terminal contact is positioned on the back surface. This spatial segmentation eliminates crossing electrical paths, preventing short circuits while maintaining reliable electrical connectivity without requiring complex routing arrangements.
3Ease of manufacture
If material usage is reduced to lower costs, then manufacturing costs decrease, but manufacturing precision and assembly difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The first terminal contact is extracted from the conventional position near the optical element and relocated to a distinct position on the front surface. This extraction eliminates the need for precise positioning relative to the optical element, reducing manufacturing precision requirements while lowering material usage and costs.
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 design enhances thermal management, reduces material usage and manufacturing costs by 15-30%, and ensures reliable electrical connections without crossing, improving the efficiency and reliability of solar cell units in CPV systems.
Implementation Method 1
The secondary optical element has a bottom side and guides light to the front side of the semiconductor body
Implementation Method 2
a semiconductor body, formed as a solar cell
Implementation Method 3
An advantage of the full-surface back-side contacting is that there is good thermal coupling with the carrier to prevent overheating of the solar cell
Data Source
AI summary
A solar cell unit having a semiconductor body formed as a solar cell, whereby the semiconductor body has a front side and a back side, and the solar cell unit has a carrier with a top side and a bottom side, whereby a first contact surface and a second contact surface are formed on the top side, and the first contact surface is spaced apart from the second contact surface and the contact surfaces are metallically conductive and the back side of the semiconductor body is non-positively connected to the top side of the carrier. The solar cell unit has a secondary optical element to guide light to the front side of the semiconductor body, whereby the secondary optical element has a bottom side and the bottom side is non-positively connected to the front side of the semiconductor body.