Solar energy system
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current solar energy systems face inefficiencies in heat transfer and high costs, limiting their market growth and overall performance in generating both heat and electricity.
Innovation Solution
The use of photovoltaic cells in conjunction with solar panels featuring thin, heat-conductive metal plates with spiral indentations to enhance heat transfer by creating turbulence and optimizing fluid flow, allowing for improved thermal efficiency and cost-effective production.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of energy
If conventional solar panels are used for heat transfer, then the system can generate heat and electricity, but the thermal efficiency is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces spiral indentations on the inner surface of the transparent cover plate, creating curved flow paths that induce fluid rotation and turbulence. This curvature transforms the linear flow into a rotational pattern, enhancing heat transfer between the fluid and the photovoltaic cells, thereby improving thermal efficiency while maintaining productivity
Solution Approach 2:
The spiral indentations create dynamic fluid motion through turbulence and rotation rather than static or laminar flow. This dynamic flow pattern increases the heat exchange rate between the fluid and the photovoltaic cells, resolving the contradiction between energy loss and heat transfer efficiency
2Loss of energy
If hybrid solar panels with enhanced features are used, then thermal efficiency improves, but manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The spiral indentations are localized features on the transparent cover plate rather than requiring complex overall structural changes. This local modification approach allows standard manufacturing processes to be used with minimal additional complexity, improving thermal efficiency without significantly increasing manufacturing cost
Solution Approach 2:
The invention modifies the geometric parameters of the transparent cover plate by adding spiral indentations with specific dimensions and patterns. These parameter changes enhance heat transfer performance while maintaining compatibility with existing manufacturing capabilities, avoiding excessive cost increases
3Loss of energy
If photovoltaic cells are affixed to metal plates, then heat conduction improves, but the complexity of assembly increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the transparent cover plate with the metal plate into a single integrated structure where the photovoltaic cells are affixed directly to the metal plate surface. This merging eliminates separate assembly steps for mounting the cover and the cells, reducing assembly complexity while maintaining effective heat conduction through the metal plate
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
This design enhances thermal efficiency by 10% compared to similar PV cell systems, increasing annual electricity production while being easy to manufacture and assemble, thus addressing cost and efficiency issues.
Implementation Method 1
The solar panels heat the fluid that passes through a turbulence channel formed between thin, planar plates
Implementation Method 2
use of photovoltaic cells in conjunction with solar panels made up of a 'bladder' of thin plates of a metal material, such as aluminum, to capture energy (heat) during co-generation of electricity
Implementation Method 3
a first, generally planar plate 18 comprised of a heat conductive material, a second, generally planar plate 20 comprised of a heat conductive material
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
A modular, solar energy system comprising one or more modular solar panels. The solar panels include a pair of general planar, plates that are secured together to form a narrow channel therebetween for the circulation of a liquid. The solar panels have header assemblies affixed to opposite edges thereof and which control the entry of liquid into the channel and the exit therefrom. The inlet header assembly has a plurality of nozzles that are adjustable in size to control flow therethrough while the outlet header assembly has elongated nozzles to receive flow or liquid from the channel. The plates are preferably constructed of aluminum and one plate has a photovoltaic cell affixed thereto to face the sun and the other plate has a plurality of indentations that enhance the heat transfer characteristics with respect to the liquid flowing though the channel between the plates.