Solar Module Homogeneous Color via Segmented Dot Grids
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Solar modules struggle to achieve a homogeneous color impression while maintaining efficiency, as colored designs often result in reduced electrical output and visible contrasts between active and inactive areas, and existing solutions are complex, expensive, or directionally dependent.
Innovation Solution
A thin-film solar module with a composite pane structure featuring a front covering and back substrate bonded by a thermoplastic layer, where optically active zones are covered by a first dot grid and optically inactive zones by a second dot grid, both applied using conventional printing techniques, to achieve a uniform color impression with minimal efficiency loss.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Shape
If a solar module is designed colored to produce a specific color impression in the human eye, then the aesthetic appearance is improved, but the intensity of light absorbed in the optically active semiconductor is reduced, thereby reducing electrical output and efficiency
Solution Approach 1:
The solar module surface is segmented into multiple optically active zones with different color impressions (first, second, third, and fourth color impressions). Each zone can have different aesthetic characteristics while all remaining optically active for power generation. This segmentation allows the module to display multiple colors simultaneously without sacrificing overall efficiency, as each colored zone independently converts light to electricity.
Solution Approach 2:
Different regions of the solar module are assigned different local color qualities (first, second, third, fourth color impressions) to create aesthetic variety. Each local zone maintains its specific color characteristics while preserving photovoltaic functionality. This local differentiation allows aesthetic customization without requiring a uniform color design that would limit light absorption across the entire module surface.
2Shape
If the solar module surface is made optically homogeneous to provide uniform color impression, then aesthetic appearance is improved, but the ability to distinguish functional zones (active and inactive areas) is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The module surface is divided into multiple optically active zones that can be distinguished by their different color impressions. These segmented zones maintain functional information through color differentiation while collectively creating a heterogeneous overall appearance. The segmentation allows simultaneous achievement of zone distinction and aesthetic variety, as each zone's color serves both aesthetic and functional identification purposes.
3Ease of manufacture
If conventional printing techniques are used to apply dot grids for color design, then ease of manufacture and cost are improved, but the precision and uniformity of color application may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The color design is implemented through segmented dot grids rather than continuous color fields. This segmentation tolerates variations inherent in conventional printing techniques, as individual dots can be applied with standard printing precision. The dot-based approach converts a continuous color uniformity requirement into a discrete pattern that is more forgiving of manufacturing variations, thereby enabling the use of cost-effective conventional printing methods.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention uses dot grids that replicate color impressions through patterns of discrete dots rather than requiring precise continuous color application. This copying approach through dot patterns allows conventional printing techniques to achieve acceptable color uniformity, as the dot pattern can mask minor printing variations and still produce the desired color effect when viewed from normal distances.
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 provides a solar module with a homogeneous color impression across the entire module, reducing contrast and directional dependency, and is economically producible using conventional methods with minimal impact on efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
Solar module with solar cells (16) electrically connected in series for photovoltaic energy generation
Implementation Method 2
a composite pane structure with a front covering and a back substrate which are fixedly bonded to one another by a thermoplastic intermediate layer
Data Source
AI summary
A solar module with solar cells comprising a front covering with an outer and an inner surface and further comprising optically active zones with a first color, and optically inactive zones having a second color different from the first color. The front covering having a first dot grid covering the optically active zones, the first dot grid having a large number of opaque colored dots that have a third color different from the first color, wherein addition of the first color and the third color yields an additive color. The front covering having a second dot grid covering a optically inactive zone, the second dot grid having opaque colored dots having a fourth color different from the second color, wherein addition of the second color and the fourth color yields an additive color, wherein the third color and the fourth color are selected for a calculated color deviation.