PHOTOVOLTAIC ROADWAY ASSEMBLY

Abstract

The invention is directed to a photovoltaic roadway assembly, to the use of a primer layer comprising thermally reversible crosslinks, to a method of assembling a photovoltaic roadway assembly, and to a method of replacing at least part of a top layer in a photovoltaic roadway.

The photovoltaic roadway assembly of the invention comprises a support, one or more photovoltaic modules assembled to said support, and a top layer, said top layer being attached to said one or more photovoltaic modules with a primer layer, wherein said primer layer comprises at least one organic polymer with thermally reversible crosslinks.

Claims

1. A photovoltaic roadway assembly comprising a support, one or more photovoltaic modules assembled to said support, and a top layer, said top layer being attached to said one or more photovoltaic modules with a primer layer, wherein said primer layer comprises at least one organic polymer with thermally reversible crosslinks.

2. The photovoltaic roadway assembly of claim 1, wherein the thermally reversible crosslinks are based on a reversible Diels-Alder reaction.

3. The photovoltaic roadway assembly of claim 2, wherein the reversible Diels-Alder reaction comprises a reaction between furan groups and maleimide groups.

4. The photovoltaic roadway assembly of claim 1, wherein the at least one organic polymer comprises one or more selected from an epoxy, an acrylate, or a polyester-urethane.

5. The photovoltaic roadway assembly of claim 3, wherein the maleimide groups are provided in the form of a bismaleimide crosslinker.

6. The photovoltaic roadway assembly of claim 5, wherein said bismaleimide crosslinker comprises one or more selected from the group consisting of N,N-1,3-phenylene bismaleimide, N,N-ethylene bismaleimide, N,N-(4-methyl-meta-phenylene)-bismaleimide, 1,1-(methylenedi-4,1-phenylene)-bismaleimide, N,N-4,4-(diphenylmethane)bismaleimide, polyphenylmethanebismaleimide, N,N-meta-phenylene-bismaleimide, N,N-para-phenylene-bismaleimide, N,N-4,4-biphenylene-bismaleimide, N,N-4,4-(diphenyl ether)-bismaleimide, N,N-4,4-(diphenyl sulphide)-bismaleimide, N,N-meta-phenylenebismaleimide, N,N-4,4-diphenylsulphone-bismaleimide, N,N-4,4-dicyclohexylmethane-bismaleimide, N,N-,-4,4-dimethylenecyclohexane-bismaleimide, N,N-meta-xylylene-bismaleimide, N,N-para-xylylene-bismaleimide, N,N-4,4-(1,1-diphenylcyclohexane)-bismaleimide, N,N-4,4-diphenylmethane-bischloromaleimide, N,N-4,4-(1,1-diphenylpropane)-bismaleimide, N,N-4,4-(1,1,1-triphenylethane)-bismaleimide, N,N-4,4-triphenylmethane-bismaleimide, N,N-3,5-triazole-1,2,4-bismaleimide, N,N-dodecamethylene-bismaleimide, N,N-(2,2,4-trimethylhexamethylene)-bismaleimide, N,N-4,4-benzophenone-bismaleimide, N,N-pyridine-2,6-diyl-bismaleimide, N,N-naphthylene-1,5-bismaleimide, N,N-cyclohexylene-1,4-bismaleimide, N,N-5-methylphenylene-1,3-bismaleimide, and N,N-5-methoxyphenylene 1,3-bismaleimide.

7. The photovoltaic roadway assembly of claim 3, wherein a molar ratio between maleimide groups and furan groups is in the range of 0.6-1.2.

8. The photovoltaic roadway assembly of claim 3, wherein a molar ratio between maleimide groups and furan groups is in the range of 0.7-1.1.

9. The photovoltaic roadway assembly of claim 3, wherein a molar ratio between maleimide groups and furan groups is in the range of 0.8-1.0.

10. The photovoltaic roadway assembly of claim 1 wherein said top layer is an anti-skid layer.

11. (canceled)

12. (canceled)

13. (canceled)

14. A method of assembling a photovoltaic roadway assembly, comprising assembling one or more photovoltaic modules onto a support, and attaching a top layer onto said one or more photovoltaic modules with a primer layer, wherein said primer layer comprises thermally reversible crosslinks.

15. The method of claim 14, wherein said primer layer comprises at least one organic polymer with thermally reversible crosslinks.

16. The method of claim 14, wherein the primer layer is applied by applying a non-crosslinked organic polymer, and thereafter adding a crosslinking agent.

17. A method of replacing at least part of a top layer in the photovoltaic roadway assembly of claim 1, comprising heating the primer layer to a temperature at which at least part of the thermally reversible crosslinks cleave and thereby debonding at least part of the top layer, removing a debonded part of the top layer thereby creating an exposed location, and bonding a fresh top layer to the exposed location by cooling the primer layer to temperature at which thermally reversible crosslinks reform.

18. The method of claim 17, wherein heating the primer layer to a temperature at which at least part of the thermally reversible crosslinks cleave comprises heating to a temperature in the range of 75-120 C.

19. The method of claim 17, wherein heating the primer layer to a temperature at which at least part of the thermally reversible crosslinks cleave comprise heating to a temperature in the range of 85-110 C.

20. The method of claim 17, wherein said heating comprises induction heating of a metal part that is comprised in one or more of the photovoltaic modules.

21. The method of claim 17, wherein said heating comprises reversing the current in the photovoltaic modules.

Description

[0045] The invention can be further illustrated by the following exemplary description of the production of photovoltaic roadway assembly.

[0046] First, a photovoltaic module is made. Photovoltaic material (CSi, thin film etc.) is produced. This can be in discrete sections (C-Si, thin film) or be a roll of material (flexible thin film). The first is connected in series via bus-bars or conducting foils. The last may be interconnected through a process called back end processing where a P1-P2-P3 scribe put sections of the foil in series. Bypass diodes may be introduced to improve shading tolerance and to protect the cells. This assembly is laminated into a module with the help of encapsulants (ethylene vinyl acetate (EVA), polyoxyethylene (POE), polyvinylbutyral (PVB), silicon) and materials preventing moisture, oxygen, CO.sub.2, etc. ingress towards the cell material. These materials can be metals, glass, (coated) foils etc. Electric connections to the exterior of the module are made to be able to connect these.

[0047] Then, the following steps are made. These steps can be performed in different order. [0048] Application of primer layer with reversible properties on the front sunny side of the photovoltaic module. This can be done through rolling, spraying, brushing. Application and/or curing of primer layer may take place at elevated temperatures. [0049] Application of anti-skid layer on top of the primer layer. This can be done through rolling, spraying, brushing, casting. This can also be done in multiple steps with curing in between the steps. Application and/or curing of anti-skid layer may take place at elevated temperatures. But below temperatures when the reversibility is triggered. Preferably, this is done in a factory, but on site production is also an option. [0050] Application of mounting construction to the photovoltaic module with or without the primer layer and/or anti-skid layer. This mounting construction can be a rigid construction such as a metal or polymer frame but can also be flexible material such as a foil, metal sheet, woven (fibrous) material. One or more photovoltaic modules may be combined on one mounting construction. This application is typically done with adhesives. This mounting construction can contain electrical interconnections, connecting e.g. the modules to an electronic device, which might be integrated in the mounting construction. [0051] Application of the construction described above (module, mounting construction) to a rigid material, being able to transfer the loads from the traffic to the earth below with minimal deformation to ensure a safe road and a robust construction. This can be concrete, asphalt, etc. In the case of concrete this can be done by mechanical fixing and/or bonding (via adhesives) in a factory where elements are produced, in the case of asphalt bonding (via adhesives) on site is proposed. [0052] If prefabricated: the elements are placed on a foundation. [0053] Electrical connections are made, connecting the modules to the grid or to appliances through electrical components such as DC-DC inverters, DC-AC inverters, bus-bars, diodes, circuit breakers, these components can be placed in the modules, in the mounting system, in a separate construction such as a cable duct next to the road or in the earth next to the road.

[0054] The invention has been described by reference to various embodiments, and methods. The skilled person understands that features of various embodiments and methods can be combined with each other.

[0055] All references cited herein are hereby completely incorporated by reference to the same extent as if each reference were individually and specifically indicated to be incorporated by reference and were set forth in its entirety herein.

[0056] The use of the terms a and an and the and similar referents in the context of describing the invention (especially in the context of the claims) are to be construed to cover both the singular and the plural, unless otherwise indicated herein or clearly contradicted by context. The terms comprising, having, including and containing are to be construed as open-ended terms (i.e., meaning including, but not limited to) unless otherwise noted. Recitation of ranges of values herein are merely intended to serve as a shorthand method of referring individually to each separate value falling within the range, unless otherwise indicated herein, and each separate value is incorporated into the specification as if it were individually recited herein. The use of any and all examples, or exemplary language (e.g., such as) provided herein, is intended merely to better illuminate the invention and does not pose a limitation on the scope of the invention unless otherwise claimed. No language in the specification should be construed as indicating any non-claimed element as essential to the practice of the invention. For the purpose of the description and of the appended claims, except where otherwise indicated, all numbers expressing amounts, quantities, percentages, and so forth, are to be understood as being modified in all instances by the term about. Also, all ranges include any combination of the maximum and minimum points disclosed and include any intermediate ranges therein, which may or may not be specifically enumerated herein.

[0057] Preferred embodiments of this invention are described herein. Variation of those preferred embodiments may become apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art upon reading the foregoing description. The inventors expect skilled artisans to employ such variations as appropriate, and the inventors intend for the invention to be practiced otherwise than as specifically described herein. Accordingly, this invention includes all modifications and equivalents of the subject-matter recited in the claims appended hereto as permitted by applicable law. Moreover, any combination of the above-described elements in all possible variations thereof is encompassed by the invention unless otherwise indicated herein or otherwise clearly contradicted by context. The claims are to be construed to include alternative embodiments to the extent permitted by the prior art.

[0058] For the purpose of clarity and a concise description features are described herein as part of the same or separate embodiments, however, it will be appreciated that the scope of the invention may include embodiments having combinations of all or some of the features described.

[0059] The invention will now be further illustrated by means of the following schematic example, which is not intended to limit the scope in any manner.

[0060] A schematic example of a photovoltaic roadway assembly of the invention is shown in FIG. 1. The embodiment in this figure comprises photovoltaic module 1 that is attached onto a support 4 (such as a concrete support) using an optional underlying carrier layer 3 and an optional adhesion layer 7. On top of the photovoltaic module is a top layer 5 that is attached to the photovoltaic module 1 with a primer layer 2. In accordance with the invention, primer layer 2 comprises at least one organic polymer with thermally reversible crosslinks. The top layer 5 in the example shown in FIG. 1 is provided with surface frictional elements 6 in its upper (sun-facing) surface.