Photovoltaic Modules Incorporating Lateral Heat Removal

• US 20140261682A1
• Filed: 03/12/2014
• Published: 09/18/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 03/12/2013
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: University of Central Florida Research Foundation Inc. (State University System of Florida)
• Original Assignee: University of Central Florida Research Foundation Inc. (State University System of Florida)
• Inventors: Sorloaica, Nicoleta, Reedy, Robert
• Granted Patent: US 10,361,327 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 136/259
• CPC Class Codes: H01L 31/049 Protective back sheets
• CPC Class Codes: H01L 31/0521 using a gaseous or a liquid coolant, e.g. air flow ventilation, water circulation
• CPC Class Codes: H02S 40/425 using a gaseous or a liquid coolant, e.g. air flow ventilation, water circulation
• CPC Class Codes: Y02E 10/50 Photovoltaic [PV] energy

Abstract

In one embodiment, a photovoltaic module includes a stack of layers, the module having an active layer and a planar heat sink positioned within the stack of layers adjacent the active layer, the heat sink being adapted to laterally remove heat from the active layer and the module.

Claims

1. A photovoltaic module comprising a stack of layers, the module comprising:

an active layer; and

a planar heat sink positioned within the stack of layers adjacent the active layer, the heat sink being adapted to laterally remove heat from the active layer and the module.

2. The photovoltaic module of claim 1, wherein the active layer is made of crystalline semiconductor.

3. The photovoltaic module of claim 2, wherein the active layer comprises an n-type semiconductor layer and a p-type semiconductor layer that together form an interface.

4. The photovoltaic module of claim 1, wherein the planar heat sink comprises a thermal conductor layer that includes fluid channels through which a fluid can flow to remove heat via convection.

5. The photovoltaic module of claim 4, wherein the thermal conductor layer comprises an undulating layer that forms the fluid channels.

6. The photovoltaic module of claim 5, wherein the undulating layer varies with a sinusoidal pattern.

7. The photovoltaic module of claim 6, wherein the thermal conductor layer further comprises a planar layer provided on each side of the undulating layer and wherein the undulating layer periodically rises and falls so as to alternately contact the planar layers.

8. The photovoltaic module of claim 5, wherein the undulating layer is made of graphene, graphite, metal, or a metal alloy.

9. The photovoltaic module of claim 5, wherein the undulating layer is made of graphene paper.

10. The photovoltaic module of claim 5, wherein the fluid channels have generally triangular cross-sections.

11. The photovoltaic module of claim 4, wherein the fluid channels extend from one edge of the module to an opposite edge of the module.

12. The photovoltaic module of claim 4, wherein the thermal conductor layer comprises multiple undulating layers that form the fluid channels.

13. The photovoltaic module of claim 12, wherein the fluid channels of each undulating layer extend along the same direction of the module.

14. The photovoltaic module of claim 12, wherein the fluid channels of alternate undulating layers extend along opposite directions of the module.

15. The photovoltaic module of claim 4, wherein the planar heat sink further comprises an electrical insulation layer positioned between the thermal conductor layer and the active layer that electrically isolates the thermal conductor layer from the active layer.

16. The photovoltaic module of claim 15, wherein the planar heat sink further comprises one or more layers of heat-conducting paste provided on the electrical insulation layer.

17. The photovoltaic module of claim 1, wherein the stack of layers further comprises a backplane, wherein the planar heat sink is positioned between the active layer and the backplane.

18. A method for removing heat from a photovoltaic module that comprises a stack of layers, the method comprising:

providing a planar heat sink within the stack of layers of the photovoltaic module; and

laterally removing heat from the module using the planar heat sink.

19. The method of claim 18, wherein laterally removing heat comprises removing heat via convection using fluid channels formed in the planar heat sink.

20. The method of claim 19, wherein the fluid channels are formed by an undulating layer of the planar heat sink.