Goods & Services

Apparatus for converting thermal energy from a photovoltaic system into heat, hot water, or electrical energy; hybrid thermal and photovoltaic system for converting sunlight and thermal energy into heat, electrical energy and/or hot water.

Abstract

A hybrid photovoltaic-thermal system provides co-generation of electrical energy and thermal energy. Electrical energy is efficiently generated by photovoltaic panels that are cooled by heat exchangers attached thereto, and the cooling of the photovoltaic panels improves the energy output efficiency of the photovoltaic panels. The heat exchangers flow fluid through its channels, and the fluid collects heat from the photovoltaic panels to which the heat exchangers are attached. The heated fluid is then received at and stored in a thermal battery. The thermal battery can be a fluid tank that encourages the fluid to retain the heat collected from the photovoltaic panels. The thermal battery can then supply the heated fluid to thermal loads as thermal energy.

IPC Classes  ?

• H02S 10/10 - PV power plantsCombinations of PV energy systems with other systems for the generation of electric power including a supplementary source of electric power, e.g. hybrid diesel-PV energy systems
• F24S 10/55 - Solar heat collectors using working fluids the working fluids being conveyed between plates with enlarged surfaces, e.g. with protrusions or corrugations
• F24S 60/30 - Arrangements for storing heat collected by solar heat collectors storing heat in liquids
• H02S 40/44 - Means to utilise heat energy, e.g. hybrid systems producing warm water and electricity at the same time

Abstract

A hybrid photovoltaic-thermal system provides co-generation of electrical energy and thermal energy. Electrical energy is efficiently generated by photovoltaic panels that are cooled by heat exchangers attached thereto, and the cooling of the photovoltaic panels improves the energy output efficiency of the photovoltaic panels. The heat exchangers flow fluid through its channels, and the fluid collects heat from the photovoltaic panels to which the heat exchangers are attached. The heated fluid is then received at and stored in a thermal battery. The thermal battery can be a fluid tank that encourages the fluid to retain the heat collected from the photovoltaic panels. The thermal battery can then supply the heated fluid to thermal loads as thermal energy.

IPC Classes  ?

• H02S 40/44 - Means to utilise heat energy, e.g. hybrid systems producing warm water and electricity at the same time
• H01L 31/052 - Cooling means directly associated or integrated with the PV cell, e.g. integrated Peltier elements for active cooling or heat sinks directly associated with the PV cells
• F24S 60/30 - Arrangements for storing heat collected by solar heat collectors storing heat in liquids

Abstract

A hybrid photovoltaic-thermal system provides co-generation of electrical energy and thermal energy. Electrical energy is efficiently generated by photovoltaic panels that are cooled by heat exchangers attached thereto, and the cooling of the photovoltaic panels improves the energy output efficiency of the photovoltaic panels. The heat exchangers flow fluid through its channels, and the fluid collects heat from the photovoltaic panels to which the heat exchangers are attached. The heated fluid is then received at and stored in a thermal battery. The thermal battery can be a fluid tank that encourages the fluid to retain the heat collected from the photovoltaic panels. The thermal battery can then supply the heated fluid to thermal loads as thermal energy.

IPC Classes  ?

• H02S 10/10 - PV power plantsCombinations of PV energy systems with other systems for the generation of electric power including a supplementary source of electric power, e.g. hybrid diesel-PV energy systems
• F24S 10/55 - Solar heat collectors using working fluids the working fluids being conveyed between plates with enlarged surfaces, e.g. with protrusions or corrugations
• F24S 60/30 - Arrangements for storing heat collected by solar heat collectors storing heat in liquids
• H02S 40/44 - Means to utilise heat energy, e.g. hybrid systems producing warm water and electricity at the same time

Abstract

Systems and methods for cooling solar panels and recovering energy therefrom are disclosed. In one aspect, the system includes at least one solar panel configured to convert at least a portion of incident light into electrical energy. The system also includes a first loop including a heat exchanger configured to receive a first working fluid and circulate the working fluid in proximity to the solar panel so as to extract heat from the solar panel into the working fluid. The system further includes a second loop including an electricity generator configured to receive a second working fluid and generate electricity based on enthalpy of the second working fluid. The first loop and the second loop are configured to transfer heat from the first working fluid to the second working fluid.

IPC Classes  ?

• F01D 15/10 - Adaptations for driving, or combinations with, electric generators
• F03G 6/06 - Devices for producing mechanical power from solar energy with solar energy concentrating means
• F01K 25/10 - Plants or engines characterised by use of special working fluids, not otherwise provided forPlants operating in closed cycles and not otherwise provided for using special vapours the vapours being cold, e.g. ammonia, carbon dioxide, ether

Abstract

Systems and methods for cooling solar panels and recovering energy therefrom are disclosed. In one aspect, the system includes at least one solar panel configured to convert at least a portion of incident light into electrical energy and a pump configured to receive and regulate the flow of a working fluid. The system further includes a heat exchanger configured to receive the working fluid from the pump and circulate the working fluid in proximity to the solar panel so as to extract heat from the solar panel into the working fluid such that the working fluid undergoes a phase change from liquid to gas. The solar panel temperature control system is configured to cycle the working fluid via an Organic Rankine Cycle.

IPC Classes  ?

• H02S 40/44 - Means to utilise heat energy, e.g. hybrid systems producing warm water and electricity at the same time
• H01L 31/052 - Cooling means directly associated or integrated with the PV cell, e.g. integrated Peltier elements for active cooling or heat sinks directly associated with the PV cells
• F24J 2/42 - Solar heat systems not otherwise provided for
• F01K 25/08 - Plants or engines characterised by use of special working fluids, not otherwise provided forPlants operating in closed cycles and not otherwise provided for using special vapours