Enhanced solar panels, liquid delivery systems and associated processes for solar energy systems

• US 9,200,818 B2
• Filed: 08/12/2010
• Issued: 12/01/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 08/14/2009
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Accurate Solar Power, Llc
• Original Assignee: Newdoll Enterprises LLC
• Inventors: Newdoll, Ronald M., Shaver, Argil E. II
• Primary Examiner(s): Carrillo, Bibi
• Application Number:
  US13/389,951
• Publication Number:
  US 20120138123A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,937 Days
• Field of Search: 134/18, 134/34, 134/36, 134/42
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: B08B 1/145 Swabs
• CPC Class Codes: B08B 3/00 Cleaning by methods involving the use or presence of liquid or steam B08B9/00 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B08B 3/02 Cleaning by the force of jets or sprays
• CPC Class Codes: B08B 3/024 Cleaning by means of spray elements moving over the surface to be cleaned
• CPC Class Codes: B08B 3/04 Cleaning involving contact with liquid
• CPC Class Codes: B08B 7/0064 by temperature changes
• CPC Class Codes: B08B 7/0092 by cooling
• CPC Class Codes: F03B 15/00 Controlling controlling in general G05 ; regulation of plants characterised by the use of siphons F03B13/086
• CPC Class Codes: F24S 40/20 Cleaning; Removing snow
• CPC Class Codes: H01L 31/02021 for solar cells electrical connection means, e.g. junction boxes, specially adapted for structural association with photovoltaic modules H02S40/34
• CPC Class Codes: H02S 40/10 Cleaning arrangements
• CPC Class Codes: H02S 50/10 Testing of PV devices, e.g. of PV modules or single PV cells testing of semiconductor devices during manufacturing H01L22/00
• CPC Class Codes: Y02E 10/40 Solar thermal energy, e.g. solar towers
• CPC Class Codes: Y02E 10/50 Photovoltaic [PV] energy
• CPC Class Codes: Y02E 10/56 Power conversion systems, e.g. maximum power point trackers

Abstract

Fluid delivery systems and related structures and processes are provided, such as for use with water, treated water, and/or a cleaning solution, for any of cleaning, cooling or any combination thereof, for one or more solar panels in a power generation environment. Enhanced coatings are provided for the incident surface of solar panels, such as to avoid build up of dirt, scale, or other contaminants, and/or to improve cleaning performance. Reclamation, filtration, and reuse structures are preferably provided for the delivered fluid, and seal structures may preferably be implemented between adjoining panels, to minimize loss of the delivered water or cleaning solution. The fluid delivery system may preferably be linked to an automated control system, such as but not limited to integrated DMPPT modules and related systems.

Claims

1. A process for maintaining operation of a solar panel system comprising a plurality of solar panels, comprising:

providing a delivery mechanism for distributing a liquid over an outer surface of at least a portion of the solar panels;

correspondingly tracking operating parameters comprising temperature, voltage, and power at each of the solar panels;

sending data signals to a server from each of the corresponding solar panels, wherein the data signals correspond to the tracked parameters;

the server receiving said data signals and using said tracked parameters to monitor efficiency and temperature of one or more of the solar panels;

sending a control signal from the server to the delivery mechanism when the monitored efficiency is less than or equal to an efficiency setpoint; and

controllably operating the delivery mechanism in response to the control signal;

wherein the delivery mechanism is activated for cleaning of the solar panels;

independently of the step of sending a control signal from the server to the delivery mechanism when the monitored efficiency is less than or equal to an efficiency setpoint, sending a control signal from the server to the delivery mechanism when the monitored temperature exceeds a temperature setpoint;

controllably operating the delivery mechanism in response to the control signal;

wherein the delivery mechanism is activated for cooling of the solar panels.

2. The process of claim 1, wherein the liquid comprises water.

3. The process of claim 1, wherein the solar panels have an upper incident surface for receiving incoming light, and wherein any of a hydrophilic or hydrophobic layer is applied to the upper incident surface of one or more of the solar panels.

4. The process of claim 1, wherein the solar panels have an upper incident surface for receiving incoming light, and wherein one or more of the solar panels further comprise an interference layer over the upper incident surface to promote light penetration toward the incident surface.

5. The process of claim 2, wherein the liquid further comprises a cleaning solution.