PHOTOVOLTAIC AND THERMAL SOLAR PANEL

Abstract

A hybrid solar panel including at least one single-piece section resulting from extrusion, the section including a wall forming the aforementioned bottom and top faces of the heat exchanger, and the section includes: a plurality of longitudinal fins extending substantially perpendicularly from the bottom face of the heat exchanger or from the aforementioned wall, andat least one portion of the circulation pipe directly connected to the bottom face of the heat exchanger or to the aforementioned wall, the portion of the circulation pipe extending substantially parallel to the longitudinal fins.

Claims

1-16. (canceled)

17. A hyrbrid solar panel comprising: a photovoltaic module including a front face and a rear face, a heat exchanger configured for dissipating thermal energy coming from the photovoltaic module, including a bottom face and a top face, said top face disposed facing the rear face of the photovoltaic module, the heat exchanger further including at least one circulation pipe configured for transporting a heat-transfer fluid and two manifolds, one inlet and the other outlet, respectively for introducing and discharging the heat-transfer fluid circulating in the circulation pipe, a rigid frame framing the photovoltaic module and the heat exchanger, at least one elastic element adapted to exert a compression force against the bottom face of the exchanger so that said exchanger is pressed against the rear face of the photovoltaic module, the elastic element pushes against at least one support element, said support element connected with the frame so that at least a part of the compression force exerted by the elastic element on the support element is absorbed by said frame, the support element is disposed under the exchanger and extends in the width and/or the length of said exchanger, wherein that the heat exchanger comprises at least one single-piece section resulting from extrusion, said section comprising a wall forming the aforementioned bottom and top faces of the heat exchanger, and said section includes: a plurality of longitudinal fins extending substantially perpendicularly from the aforementioned wall, and at least one portion of the circulation pipe directly connected to the aforementioned wall, the portion of the circulation pipe extending substantially parallel to the longitudinal fins.

18. The hybrid solar panel according to claim 17, wherein the wall of the section is interrupted and forms a square or rectangle.

19. The hybrid solar panel according to claim 17, wherein the wall of the section is extended by a closure counter-wall so as to define a plurality of circulation pipe portions.

20. The hybrid solar panel according to claim 17, wherein the aforementioned single-piece section is made from aluminium.

21. The hybrid solar panel according to claim 17, wherein said panel includes at least two support elements disposed under the exchanger, said support elements in the form of bars installed at regular intervals in the length and/or width of said exchanger.

22. The hybrid solar panel according to claim 21, wherein the support elements comprises metal bars secured at the two opposite ends thereof to the rigid frame.

23. The hybrid solar panel according to claim 17, wherein the aforementioned manifolds are made from copper or aluminium.

24. The hybrid solar panel according to claim 17, wherein the section comprises at least two circulation pipe portions.

25. The hybrid solar panel according to claim 17, wherein the aforementioned circulation pipe is secured to the manifolds by a coupling portion secured to said manifolds, said coupling portion also being secured to the circulation pipe, the attachments being mechanical, by force-fitting, and/or welded.

26. The hybrid solar panel according to claim 24, wherein the coupling portion is made from aluminium, brass or copper or an alloy based on copper and brass, or stainless steel.

27. The hybrid solar panel according to claim 24, wherein the coupling portion is angled so that the two manifolds are disposed so as to entirely lie outside the interior space formed by the aforementioned rigid frame, and the two manifolds project beyond the plane containing the internal face of the rigid frame.

28. The hybrid solar panel according to claim 24, wherein the coupling portion extends substantially linearly so that the two manifolds are disposed so as to entirely lie inside the interior space formed by the aforementioned rigid frame, so as not to project beyond the plane containing the internal face of the rigid frame.

29. The hybrid solar panel according to claim 17, wherein the aforementioned elastic element consists of a metal blade undulating in an shape, and mechanically secured pressed on or against the wall of the section.

30. The hybrid solar panel according to claim 17, wherein the manifolds are connected to an inter-panel coupling module allowing coupling of the exchangers of a plurality of hybrid solar panels.

31. The hybrid solar panel according to claim 17, wherein said panel comprises a plurality of elastic elements distributed in the length of each support element.

32. The hybrid solar panel according to claim 17, wherein the heat exchanger comprises a plurality of aforementioned sections disposed alongside one another.

33. The hybrid solar panel according to claim 25, wherein the coupling portion is angled so that the two manifolds are disposed so as to entirely lie outside the interior space formed by the aforementioned rigid frame, and the two manifolds project beyond the plane containing the internal face of the rigid frame.

34. The hybrid solar panel according to claim 25, wherein the coupling portion extends substantially linearly so that the two manifolds are disposed so as to entirely lie inside the interior space formed by the aforementioned rigid frame, and do not to project beyond the plane containing the internal face of the rigid frame.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

[0061] Further advantages and features of the invention will emerge more clearly on reading the description of a preferred embodiment hereinafter, with reference to the appended drawings, made by way of indicative and non-limiting examples and wherein:

[0062] FIG. 1 is a schematic representation in cross section of the various layers forming the photovoltaic module.

[0063] FIG. 2 is a schematic view from the rear of the hybrid solar panel on which support elements, elastic elements and the rigid frame can in particular be seen.

[0064] FIG. 3 is a schematic view in cross section, along the cross section of the plane B visible on FIG. 2, on which the interaction of the section according to the invention with a support element and the photovoltaic module can be seen.

[0065] FIG. 4 is a schematic view in cross section, along the cross section of the plane B visible on FIG. 2, on which only the heat exchanger according to the invention can be seen.

[0066] FIG. 5 is a schematic view on which the rear of the hybrid solar panel according to the invention can be seen.

[0067] FIG. 6 is a figure identical to FIG. 5 on which precisely the pipes or portions of pipe connecting on both sides the inlet and outlet or discharge manifolds can be seen.

[0068] FIG. 7 is a view of a portion of a section on which in particular a support element constraining three elastic elements acting under pressure on the bottom face of the section can be seen.

[0069] FIG. 8a is a schematic profile view of an elastic element according to the invention.

[0070] FIG. 8b is a schematic perspective view of an elastic element according to the invention.

[0071] FIG. 9 is a schematic view of a manifold, inlet or outlet, according to a first embodiment wherein angled couplings are provided for connecting said manifold to each pipe or portion of pipe of the heat exchanger.

[0072] FIG. 10 is a schematic view in cross section of an angled coupling according to this first embodiment.

[0073] FIG. 11 is a schematic view of a manifold, inlet or outlet, according to a second embodiment wherein linear couplings are provided for connecting said manifold to each pipe or portion of pipe of the heat exchanger.

[0074] FIG. 12 is a schematic view of an inter-panel coupling module for connecting a heat exchanger of a first panel to a heat exchanger of a second panel.

[0075] FIG. 13 is a schematic view in cross section of a support element.

[0076] FIG. 14 is a schematic representation of a variant embodiment of the single-piece section and of the fins extending over said section.

[0077] FIG. 15 is another representation of the variant illustrated on [FIG. 14] wherein the fins are modified.

DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

[0078] The solar panel P that is the object of the invention is a hybrid panel, i.e. it is capable of simultaneously producing electrical energy and thermal energy. It is intended to be used alone or in combination with other similar panels, so that the electrical and thermal energy that it produces can be used by a dwelling or an energy system.

[0079] Referring in particular to FIGS. 1 to 3, the solar panel P includes a photovoltaic module 1 having a front face 12 and a rear face 11. The front face 12 is left free so that it can receive solar radiation. Approximately 80% of the solar energy received is dissipated in the panel P. The presence of a heat exchanger 2 placed facing the rear face 11 of the photovoltaic module 1 makes it possible to recover the heat accumulated or dissipated in the photovoltaic module 1.

[0080] On FIG. 1, the photovoltaic module 1 includes at least one, and advantageously a plurality of photovoltaic elements 1a placed in one and the same plane. These are electrically connected together, in series or in parallel, and are generally encapsulated, for example in a thermoplastic polymer 1b, 1c such as ethylene vinyl acetate (EVA) or silicone, to form the photovoltaic module 1. The front face 12 of the photovoltaic module 1 exposed to radiation is covered by a transparent sheet 1d, such as for example a sheet of glass.

[0081] A layer 1e of electrically insulating material called a backsheet is added to the rear face 11 of the photovoltaic module 1. This layer 1e fulfils, in addition to electrical insulation, a function of sealing between the photovoltaic module 1 and the heat exchanger 2. This layer 1e can, for example, be a film of polyvinyl fluoride or a sheet of glass, and prevents rain and/or moisture from the ambient air coming into direct contact with the photovoltaic module 1, thus preventing any electrical problem, such as for example false contacts or short-circuits.

[0082] If a non-metallic heat exchanger is envisaged, or at least the parts in contact with the photovoltaic module as non-metallic, it is however possible to omit the layer 1e of electrically insulating material. In this particular case, the rear face 11 is formed by the encapsulation layer 1b. The function of sealing and electrical insulation is then assumed by the heat exchanger 2, which then covers the entire surface of the photovoltaic module 1.

[0083] These various elements 1a, 1b, 1c, 1d, 1e are stacked in the form of a sandwich and are generally held together by the encapsulator, in general via cross-linking by a hot-rolling method.

[0084] The heat exchanger 2 is located under the photovoltaic module 1 so as not to form an obstacle to the solar radiation.

[0085] The exchanger is preferentially in direct contact with the backsheet. However, in the embodiment shown on FIG. 4, a layer 7 of viscous and/or malleable material is added and inserted between the rear face 11 of the photovoltaic module 1 and the top face 21a of the heat exchanger 2.

[0086] The use of a viscous and/or malleable material 7 makes it possible to keep the photovoltaic module 1 and the heat exchanger 2 in contact despite any deformation is of the latter, while preventing the presence of air between these two elements. The thickness of the layer 7 can vary from 0.1 mm to 1 cm (centimetre), preferably less than 1 mm, so as to have a fine layer 7 allowing heat to pass despite the fact of using a thermally insulating material. The material used is preferentially a gel, but may also be in the form of a viscoelastic material, a glue, a polymer, or any other form suiting a person skilled in the art.

[0087] The heat exchanger 2 includes three main zones: an inlet zone ZA for the cooling fluid, a heat exchange zone ZE and a zone ZV for discharging said fluid. The photovoltaic module 1 is preferentially positioned facing the exchange zone ZE but may also be located at least partially above the inlet ZA and discharge ZV zones. The exchange zone ZE may for example represent from 70% to 100%, preferentially at least 85% or even at least 95%, of the surface of the photovoltaic module 1.

[0088] The cooling fluid, which may consist typically of glycolated water, circulates in the heat exchanger 2 in order to recover the calories coming from the photovoltaic module 1. It is conveyed by means of a supply circuit and always circulates in the same direction in the exchanger 2, from the inlet zone ZA to the discharge zone ZV passing through the heat exchange zone ZE.

[0089] The heat exchanger 2 is composed of a rectangular, or even square, wall 33 and manifolds 3a, 3b. The manifolds 3a, 3b form respectively the inlet ZA and discharge ZV zones, whereas the exchange zone ZE is formed by the section or sections 30.

[0090] The hydraulic diameter of the manifolds 3a, 3b is advantageously greater than that of the pipes or portions of pipe 31 so that the pressure drop thereof is less than that of the pipes 31. Thus, when the cooling fluid arrives in the inlet zone ZA, it will first fill the latter before entering the pipes 31. Likewise, the fluid will be able to be discharged without constraint in the discharge zone ZV. The fluid will thus circulate in the pipes 31, homogeneously, without a preferential circuit and throughout the heat exchange zone ZE.

[0091] As illustrated on FIGS. 3 and 4, the heat exchanger 2 does not project beyond the plane C formed by the rigid square 6, i.e. the line or plane C joining the bottom lateral ends of the frame 6 on the side where the heat exchanger 2 is secured.

[0092] Thus the support element or elements 4 are secured at their opposite ends directly or indirectly to the rigid frame 6. This or these support elements 4 advantageously do not project beyond the plane or line C, in other words these support elements 4 to not protrude out of the frame 6.

[0093] If the panel P is considered as from the photovoltaic module 1 that is placed above all the other elements, the photovoltaic module 1 then optionally the layer 7 and then the heat exchanger 2 are found in this order. If only the heat exchanger 2 is considered, there are found above the wall 33 directly in contact with the layer 7 and/or the rear face 11 of the photovoltaic module 1, then the fins 32 and the pipe or portion of pipe 31, optionally one or more elastic elements 15 and finally the support element 4 that forces the elastic element or elements 15 to press the section 30 against the photovoltaic module 1 so that the exchange zone ZE is continuous.

[0094] FIGS. 4 to 6 also illustrate one or more junction boxes 40 intended to recover the electrical energy recovered or generated by the photovoltaic module 1. These junction boxes 40 are advantageously located at a distance in particular from the pipe or from the portion of pipe 31 so that there is no risk of contact between these boxes 40 and a pipe 31 in which a fluid is circulating.

[0095] One particularity of the hybrid solar panel according to the invention lies in the heat exchanger 2 and the modularity thereof, namely the fact that the heat exchange zone ZE of the heat exchanger 2 is formed by a single-piece section, resulting from extrusion, including both the pipe or portion of pipe 31 and the heat dissipating means, i.e. the fins 32. In doing this, the heat dissipating means 32, the wall 33 and the pipe or portion of pipe 31 form a single homogeneous assembly, made from a single material.

[0096] According to one interpretation, the heat exchanger 2 according to the invention is like a harp through the parallel alignment of the heat dissipating means 32 and the pipe 31 between the two manifolds 3a, 3b extending perpendicularly to said means 32 and to said pipe 31.

[0097] One important aspect of the heat exchanger 2 according to the invention lies in the mechanical nature of the thermal-energy dissipating means 32, i.e. this means 32 consists of a passive structural element not requiring any energy to be used. This thermal-energy dissipating means 32 operates essentially by thermal conduction through the material of the section 30.

[0098] FIG. 6 illustrates more precisely the path of the heat-transfer fluid in the pipe or portion of pipe 31. In this example embodiment, six sections 30 are necessary for covering the heat exchange zone ZE and each section 30 includes two pipes or portions of pipe 31. The junction boxes 40 are positioned or located between two sections 30, a space without wall 33 being dedicated to these junction boxes 40.

[0099] According to another formulation, one advantageous particularity of the invention lies in the fact that the pipes or portions of pipe 31 extend parallel to the thermal-energy dissipating means 32.

[0100] The support element 4 is advantageously secured to the rigid frame 6, either directly or indirectly via a fixed element connected to the frame 6. The latter solution illustrates the accompanying FIG. 7.

[0101] FIGS. 8a and 8b illustrate an implementation of the elastic element 15 consisting here of a blade substantially in an omega having a certain elasticity. This metal blade is advantageously metallic, for example consisting of a metal sheet, having a thickness of 1 mm to 10 mm, preferably from 1 mm to 3 mm. These strips or blades 15 thus include two relatively flat ends intended to come to rest on the bottom surface 21b of the wall 33 of the section 30. These blades or strips 15 advantageously have a width slightly less than the inter-fin space, i.e. the distance between two contiguous fins. Thus the prime function of these elastic elements 15 is to ensure, in cooperation with the support elements 4, the constant pressing of the heat-exchange wall 33 against the photovoltaic module 1.

[0102] These elastic elements 15 are advantageously forcibly inserted at at least one of their flat ends on the wall 33.

[0103] This is because the elements 15 advantageously include lugs or protuberances 16 intended to come to be pressed against the fins 32. In doing this, the elastic element 15 is mechanically secured-without any other forceby simple contact or friction with or against the section 30. Advantageously, only one end of the elastic element 15 is thus secured with these lateral protuberances/lugs 16 so as to be able to deform elastically under the action of the support element.

[0104] These elastic elements 15 can otherwise be glued at at least one of the flat ends thereof on the wall 33 by means of a scotch or any other similar means allowing securing of the elastic element 15.

[0105] FIGS. 9 and 10 illustrate an implementation of the invention with regard to the production of the manifolds 3a, 3b and of the connections thereof with the pipes or proportions of pipe 31. On these two figures, the manifolds 3a, 3b are located outside the plane C defined by the bottom lateral limits of the rigid frame 6. Because of this, the connection between the pipes or portions of pipe 31 and the manifolds 3a, 3b consist of an angled coupling 35 forming an arc of a circle of about or approximately 90.

[0106] This angled coupling 35 is firstly welded to the manifolds 3a, 3b and secondly secured by force-fitting to the end of the pipe or portion of pipe 31 of the section 30. A gasket provides the seal for this mechanical securing by force-fitting. The manifolds 3a, 3b are connected to an inter-panel coupling 50 for circulation of the heat-transfer fluid between all the heat exchangers 2 of the various panels P when the system comprises a plurality of panels P according to the invention.

[0107] In a version that is an alternative to the implementation shown on FIGS. 9 and 10, provision can also be made for the manifolds 3a, 3b to be present in the plane C or in other words not projecting outside this plane C. This embodiment is visible in FIG. 11.

[0108] In this implementation, the couplings 36 are linear, i.e. these couplings 36 extend linearly from one of the manifolds 3a or 3b as far as the end of a pipe or of a portion of pipe 31. Each manifold 3a, 3b includes at its two ends an angled end piece that makes it possible to connect said end of the manifolds 3a or 3b to the inter-panel coupling 50.

[0109] As illustrated on FIG. 13, the support element 4 advantageously consists of a hollow or void metal section. This support element 4 advantageously has a cross-section defining an eight or in other words two continuous rectangular cross sections. Such a configuration of the support element 4 confers thereon optimum mechanical strength so as not to project from this plane C despite the elastic compression stresses, great lightness and a certain elasticity. Advantageously, this support element 4 is made from aluminium.

[0110] FIGS. 14 and 15 illustrate a variant embodiment of the section 30. According to this variant, the section 30 comprises, apart from the wall 33, a closure counter-wall 60 to form circulation pipes 31 for the heat-transfer fluid. This closure counter-wall 60 extends from the wall 33, or in other words the wall 33 is extended by this closure counter-wall 60 so as to form a plurality of circulation pipes 31. Advantageously, each section 30 comprises over its entire width a plurality of circulation pipes 31, which enables the heat-transfer fluid to circulate in the immediate vicinity of the photovoltaic module 1, like the implementation shown on FIG. 7. Thus, in this variant, the heat-transfer fluid circulates over the entire cross-section of contact of the section 30 with the photovoltaic module 1, which further optimises the caloric/thermal exchanges between the photovoltaic module 1 and the heat-transfer fluid.

[0111] In this variant, as illustrated on these FIGS. 14 and 15, the fins 32 consist of elements with a linear section or forming a triangle or other polygon, or fins undulating or with offset. In the latter case, when the fins 32 have a triangular cross-section or in an accordion, the fins 32 are advantageously obtained independently of the wall 33 and of its closure counter-wall 60, but they 32 are then brazed or welded or assembled by other known techniques (glued, screwed, riveted, clinched, etc) to the latter 33, 60 so as to form a single-piece structure.

[0112] It should be noted that, in general terms, the section 30 is obtained, with its fins 32, in accordance with a manufacturing method in one step, either by extrusion or coextrusion, or then the single-piece section 30 is obtained by following two manufacturing/assembly steps: a first step of production by extrusion of a part of the wall 33, optionally of its closure counter-wall 60, and secondly of the fins 32, and then a second step of welding, brazing or other known mechanical/chemical assembly methods (glueing, screwing, riveting, clinching, etc) of the fins 32 to the wall 33 or its closure counter-wall 60. Solely in the context of the variant embodiment of the section 30 shown on FIGS. 14 and 15, more particularly in the case of FIG. 15, it can optionally be envisaged, in place of an extrusion or coextrusion, the manufacture or the obtaining of the fins 32 by rolling, drawing and/or bending, these next being welded/brazed/assembled on the closure counter-wall 60. In the latter case, the section 30 is essentially obtained by extrusion and, once the fins 32 have been welded/brazed/assembled on the closure counter-wall 60, the section 30 in its totality (wall 33, closure counter-wall 60 and fins 32) does indeed form a single-piece assembly.

[0113] It should also be noted here that, in the context of the present invention, the expression extending from the wall 33 in relation to the fins 32 means, solely for this variant embodiment of the section 30 shown on FIGS. 14 and 15, by means of the closure counter-wall 60 prolonging or extending from the wall 33. In other words, specifically in this embodiment, the fins 32 extend indirectly from the wall 33, i.e. via the closure counter-wall 60.

[0114] Although the invention has been described in connection with several particular embodiments, it is obvious that it is in no way limited thereto and that it comprises all of the technical equivalents of the described means as well as their combinations if these fall within the scope of the invention.

[0115] The arrangement of the various elements and/or means and/or steps of the invention, in the embodiments described above, should not be understood as requiring such an arrangement in all the implementations. In any case, it will be understood that various modifications may be made to these elements and/or means and/or steps, without deviating from the spirit and the scope of the invention. In particular: [0116] There may or may not be a layer 7, preferably without the layer 7, between the photovoltaic module and the heat exchanger 2, [0117] the wall 33 of the section 30 has a thickness of between 0.3 mm (millimetres) and 8 mm, preferably between 0.5 mm and 3 mm, [0118] the elastic elements 15 for pressing the wall 33 against the photovoltaic module 1 may be different from those mentioned above, both in form, in nature and in dimensions, [0119] in the photovoltaic module 1, the glass 1d may be replaced by a material called frontsheet, transparent, flexible, resistant to ultraviolet, based for example on fluoropropylene such as tetrafluoroethylene or ETFE, [0120] the layers 1b, 1c of encapsulating material are not necessarily the same, or even may not exist.

[0121] The use of the verb include, comprise or contain and of its conjugated forms does not exclude the presence of other elements or other steps than those set out in a claim.

[0122] In the claims, any reference sign between parentheses should not be interpreted as a limitation of the claim.