This application claims priority to and the benefit of Korean Patent Application No. 10-2018-0081734, filed in the Korean Intellectual Property Office on Jul. 13, 2018, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.
The present disclosure relates to a solar power generator and a solar power generating blind, and more particularly to a solar power generator and a solar power generating blind having an improved structure and thus applicable to various devices or locations.
In general, a solar power generator can include a solar cell module in which a plurality of solar cells are connected in series or in parallel and packaged. A typical solar cell module has a flat structure in which a plurality of solar cells are arranged in one direction and in a direction intersecting the same in one body having a large area so as to produce a desired output. A solar cell module having a flat plate structure or a solar power generator including the same may not be installed in a narrow area and has no aesthetic characteristic.
Recently, a solar power generator having various structures other than a flat plate structure has been proposed. For example, a solar power generator is proposed in which a solar cell module is placed on each slat of a blind, and the modules are electrically connected to each other.
However, since the solar power generator applied to the blind has a spatial restriction due to its shape and installation location, there is a limit to the number of solar cell modules that can be mounted on each blind slat. Thus, because of the limited voltage that can be generated in each slat, a plurality of slats are connected in series to generate the voltage required to start the inverter of the solar power generator. Thus, when the plurality of slats are connected in series, a bypass diode is required to prevent one blind from stopping the generation of another blind due to the shadow or the like from the one blind. However, in the solar power generator applied to the blind, when an junction box equipped with the bypass diode is separately provided, it is difficult to stably install the generator because the total weight thereof is heavy. Further, the connection structure thereof with the junction box becomes complicated. The blind operation may not be smooth, or the appearance thereof can be deteriorated.
The present disclosure is to provide a solar power generator having a solar cell module-mounted plate having a long structure extending in one direction rather than a flat structure, in which the power generator can be applied to various devices or locations and has excellent aesthetic characteristics. In this connection, the present disclosure is to provide a solar power generator that does not have a bypass diode and a junction box for the diode, thus to have the simplified structure. In this connection, the present disclosure is to provide a solar power generator in which the number and arrangement of the solar cell module-mounted plate, the solar cell modules mounted on the plate, and the solar cells of the solar cell module can be adjusted to remove the bypass diode and the junction box for the diode and thus to achieve a small volume and excellent aesthetic characteristics.
In particular, the present disclosure is to provide a solar power generating blind capable of generating solar power while excellently performing a blind function to block or control external light.
In one aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a solar power generator having a structure that can be applied to various devices and locations, wherein the generator includes a plurality of solar cell module-mounted plates, each plate having an elongate shape extending in a first direction, where the plates are connected in parallel with each other, wherein each of the solar cell module-mounted plates includes: an elongate plate extending in the first direction; and a plurality of solar cell modules mounted on the elongate plate; wherein each of the solar cell modules includes a plurality of solar cells. In one implementation, the solar cell has a rear-face electrode structure, wherein each of the solar cell modules includes a circuit board, a circuit sheet, a circuit unit having a pattern defined thereon for serially connecting the plurality of solar cells to each other.
In one implementation, the solar power generator is used as a blind including each solar cell module-mounted plate as a slat thereof.
In one implementation, the solar cell has an area of 100 mm2 to 2120 mm2, wherein the solar cell module-mounted plate includes 14 to 60 solar cells.
In one implementation, the generator further comprises an inverter for converting direct current generated from the solar cell module-mounted plate or the solar cell modules mounted on the solar cell module-mounted plate into alternate current, wherein a total output voltage from the plurality of solar cells located on each solar cell module-mounted plate is higher than a starting voltage for the inverter.
In one implementation, the solar cell module-mounted plate is connected to the inverter without a bypass diode.
In one implementation, a total output voltage from the plurality of solar cells located on each solar cell module-mounted plate is 15V or greater.
In one implementation, the solar cell has a long side and a short side, wherein the long side of the solar cell extends in a second direction intersecting the first direction. The plurality of solar cells can be connected to each other in the first direction via the pattern of the circuit board.
In one implementation, the pattern of the circuit board can be formed over the first and second solar cells adjacent to each other in the first direction among the plurality of solar cells.
In one implementation, the circuit board is located on one face of each of the plurality of solar cells, wherein the solar cell module further includes a cover member located on an opposite face of the plurality of solar cells, and a sealing member positioned between the plurality of solar cells and the cover member.
In one implementation, in the solar cell module-mounted plate, each solar cell module includes a plurality of solar cell modules connected in series to each other.
In one implementation, the solar cell module is connected to an adjacent solar cell module or to an external circuit via a conductive connector.
In one aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a solar power generating blind device including a plurality of slats, each slat having an elongate shape extending in a first direction, where the slats are connected in parallel with each other, wherein each of the slats includes: an elongate plate extending in the first direction; and a plurality of solar cell modules mounted on the elongate plate; wherein each of the solar cell modules includes: a plurality of solar cells, each having a rear-face electrode structure; and a circuit board, a circuit sheet, or a circuit unit for connecting the plurality of solar cells in series to each other.
According to this embodiment, the solar cell module including the plurality of solar cells having a rear-face electrode-type structure and the circuit board connecting the plurality of solar cells to each other is provided on the solar cell module-mounted plate. Thus, the solar cell module-mounted plate having a very small thickness and extending in the first direction can be formed. Accordingly, the generator can have almost the same shape or structure as a conventional general blind while including the solar cell or the solar cell module. As a result, the solar power generator can sufficiently perform its role and improve the aesthetic characteristics.
In particular, in this embodiment, the plurality of solar cells, each having a predetermined area are provided on the solar cell module-mounted plate so that the inverter can be started up using a voltage generated from one solar cell module-mounted plate. Thus, the plurality of solar cell module-mounted plates connected in parallel to each other and may not have the bypass diode. This eliminates the bypass diode and junction boxes, thus, simplifying the structure of the generator and minimizing volume thereof. The plurality of solar cell module-mounted plates can be provided to have a desired sufficient power. Therefore, the solar power generator can be formed into various structures, such that the generator can be applied to various positions, various purposes, and various devices.
For simplicity and clarity of illustration, elements in the figures are not necessarily drawn to scale. The same reference numbers in different figures denote the same or similar elements, and as such perform similar functionality. Furthermore, in the following detailed description of the present disclosure, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the present disclosure. However, it will be understood that the present disclosure can be practiced without these specific details. In other instances, well-known methods, procedures, components, and circuits have not been described in detail so as not to unnecessarily obscure aspects of the present disclosure. Examples of various embodiments are illustrated and described further below. It will be understood that the description herein is not intended to limit the claims to the specific embodiments described. On the contrary, it is intended to cover alternatives, modifications, and equivalents as can be included within the spirit and scope of the present disclosure as defined by the appended claims.
The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of the present disclosure. As used herein, the singular forms “a” and “an” are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. It will be further understood that the terms “comprises”, “comprising”, “includes”, and “including” when used in this specification, specify the presence of the stated features, integers, operations, elements, and/or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, operations, elements, components, and/or portions thereof. As used herein, the term “and/or” includes any and all combinations of one or more of the associated listed items. Expression such as “at least one of” when preceding a list of elements can modify the entire list of elements and may not modify the individual elements of the list. It will be understood that, although the terms “first”, “second”, “third”, and so on can be used herein to describe various elements, components, regions, layers and/or sections, these elements, components, regions, layers and/or sections should not be limited by these terms. These terms are used to distinguish one element, component, region, layer or section from another element, component, region, layer or section. Thus, a first element, component, region, layer or section described below could be termed a second element, component, region, layer or section, without departing from the spirit and scope of the present disclosure.
It will also be understood that when a first element or layer is referred to as being present “on” or “beneath” a second element or layer, the first element can be disposed directly on or beneath the second element or can be disposed indirectly on or beneath the second element with a third element or layer being disposed between the first and second elements or layers. It will be understood that when an element or layer is referred to as being “connected to”, or “coupled to” another element or layer, it can be directly on, connected to, or coupled to the other element or layer, or one or more intervening elements or layers can be present. In addition, it will also be understood that when an element or layer is referred to as being “between” two elements or layers, it can be the only element or layer between the two elements or layers, or one or more intervening elements or layers can also be present.
Hereinafter, a solar power generator according to an embodiment of the present disclosure will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.
Referring to
For example, the solar power generator 100 according to the present embodiment has a louver type structure. In this case, the plurality of solar cell module-mounted plates 10 are partially or wholly overlapped. Thus, the solar power generator 100 can be used as a solar power generating blind in which the plurality of solar cell module-mounted plates 10 are applied to a manual or automatic blind which can adjust a length thereof, light quantity and so on. In this connection, each solar cell module-mounted plate 10 of the solar power generator 100 can act as a respective slat or blade of the blind.
More specifically, referring to
In this embodiment, the plurality of solar cell module-mounted plates 10 can be arranged in the second direction intersecting the first direction. In this connection, the plurality of solar cell module-mounted plates 10 arranged in the direction perpendicular to the first direction can be connected in parallel with each other. That is, first electrodes (reference numeral 316a in
In this embodiment, each solar cell module-mounted plate 10, more specifically, a plurality of solar cell modules 30 connected in series to each other and mounted on each solar cell module-mounted plate 10 can generate a voltage larger than a starting voltage for starting the inverter 40. This will be described in more detail later. Accordingly, even when only one solar cell module-mounted plate 10 can generate a voltage although the solar cell module-mounted plates 10 are connected in parallel to each other, the inverter 40 can be started. Thus, even when some of the solar cell module-mounted plates 10 do not work due to shadows, the power generation of the corresponding solar cell module-mounted plates 10 is halted but the remaining solar cell module-mounted plates 10 can generate electricity to maximize the generation amount. Accordingly, it is not necessary to provide a bypass diode, which is essential when the plurality of solar cell module-mounted plates are connected in series to each other. Accordingly, the bypass diode and the junction box for the bypass diode are not required. As shown in
In this embodiment, the solar cell module 30 can be fixed to the solar cell module-mounted plate 10 by various methods, structures, schemes and the like.
Hereinafter, one solar cell module 30 included in the solar cell module-mounted plate 10 will be described in detail with reference to
Referring to
In this embodiment, each of the plurality of solar cells 310 have a rear-face electrode type structure in which the first electrode 316a and the second electrode 316b connected to a conductive region and having opposite polarities or conductive types to each other are disposed on the rear face of each of the respective solar cells 310 (that is, a face contacting the circuit board 320). In this connection, the solar cell 310 can have a long side and a short side. The long side of the solar cell 310 extends in the y-axis direction as the second direction that intersects with the first direction in which the solar cell module-mounted plate 10 or the solar cell module 30 extends. The short side of the solar cell 310 extends in the first direction. The plurality of solar cells 310 can be arranged in the first direction. As described above, the plurality of solar cells 310 can be provided to maximize the voltage generated from the solar cell module 30 including the plurality of solar cells or the solar cell module-mounted plate 10. Although the neighboring solar cells 310 are shown as being in contact with each other in
In each solar cell 310, each of the first electrode 316a and the second electrode 316b can extend along the short side direction or the first direction of the solar cell 310. A first connection portion CP1 can be located on one side (a left side) to the first electrode 316a in the short side direction. A second connection portion CP2 can be located on the other side (right side) to the second electrode 316b in the short side direction. The connection portion CP can include various materials capable of electrically and/or physically connecting the first and second electrodes 316a and 316b to a pattern 322 of the circuit board 320. In this connection, an insulating member for insulation (not shown) can be further provided on the other side to the first electrode 316a and the one side to the second electrode 316b in the short side direction which does not participate in connection with the circuit board 320.
The solar cell 310 is fixed to the circuit board 320. The circuit board 320 includes a pattern 322 for connecting the plurality of solar cells 310 in series to each other. The plurality of solar cells 310 included in each solar cell module 30 are electrically connected to each other in the first direction via the pattern 332. More specifically, a plurality of patterns 332 are provided on one face (i.e., front-face) of the circuit board 320 on which the plurality of solar cells 310 are fixed. Each pattern 332 can include a first pattern 322a connected to a first electrode 316a or a first connection portion CP1 and a second pattern 322b connected to a second electrode 316b or a second connection portion CP2. In each pattern 322, the first pattern 322a can be connected to the first electrode 316a or the first connection portion CP1 of the first solar cell of the plurality of solar cells 310, while the second pattern 322b can be connected to the second electrode 316b or the second connection portion CP2 of the second solar cell adjacent to the first solar cell. That is, each pattern 322 can be formed across the first and second solar cells adjacent to each other in the first direction. When this connection structure is repeated, the plurality of solar cells 310 can be connected in series to each other.
On the other face of the circuit board 320, that is, the rear-face thereof, a pad 324 for connection to another solar cell module 30, more specifically, a circuit board 320 included in another solar cell module 30 can be disposed. The pad 324 is electrically connected to the pattern 322 located on the front-face. The pad 324 is disposed on one side in the first direction and includes a first pad 324a electrically connected to the first electrode 316a or the first pattern 322a and a second pad 324b electrically connected to the second electrode 316b or the second pattern 322b.
In the drawings and the description, it is illustrated that each solar cell 310 is provided only with the first connection portion CP1 constituting one column in the second direction and a second connection portion CP2 constituting one column in the second direction. However, the present disclosure is not limited thereto. Accordingly, each solar cell 310 can have the first connection portion CP1 that constitutes a plurality of columns and/or the second connection portion CP2 that constitutes a plurality of columns. In this case, the columns of the first connection portions CP1 and the columns of the second connection portions CP2 can be alternately arranged in the first direction. In this connection, the pattern 322 of the circuit board 320 can have various connection structures by which the first electrode 316a or the first connection portion CP1 of the first solar cell of the plurality of solar cells 310 and the second electrode 316b or second connection portion CP2 of the second solar cell adjacent to the first solar cell can be connected to each other.
Known various materials for the cover member 330 can be used. For example, a resin or a film having transparency can be used. Thus, the weight of the solar cell module 30 can be reduced, so that the module can be stably installed in the blind. The sealing member 340 can employ various materials that can prevent moisture and oxygen from entering the solar cells and chemically combine the elements of the solar cell module 30. For example, the sealing member 340 can be made of an ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymer resin (EVA), polyvinyl butyral, a silicone resin, an ester-based resin, an olefin-based resin, or the like.
The solar cell module 30 according to the present embodiment has the circuit board 320 on one face thereof. The circuit board 320 can be fixed onto the elongate plate 20, so that no separate cover member is used to cover the rear face. However, a separate cover member and sealing member can be located on the rear face of the solar cell module 30. Although the circuit board 320 is fixed to the separate elongate plate 20 in the present embodiment, it is possible that the separate elongate plate 20 is not provided and the circuit board 320 serves as the elongate plate and the elongate plate 20 is not omitted.
The plurality of solar cell modules 30 as described above can be connected in series to each other on each solar cell module-mounted plate 10. In this case, the length of each solar cell module 30 is not excessively increased to improve the stability of each solar cell module 30 while the plurality of solar cells 310 are provided to maximize the voltage that can be generated from the solar cell module-mounted plates 10. The plurality of solar cell modules 30 provided in each solar cell module-mounted plate 10 can be connected in series to each other via various schemes, structures, etc. An example thereof will be described in detail with reference to
Referring to
In the above-described embodiment, the plurality of solar cell modules 30 adjacent to each other in the first direction are connected in series to each other in one solar cell module-mounted plate 10 extending in the first direction, and the plurality of solar cell module-mounted plates 10 are connected in parallel to each other and then are connected to the inverter 40. However, the present disclosure is not limited to this configuration. Therefore, as shown in
According to the present embodiment, each solar cell module-mounted plate 10 has a plurality of solar cells 310 having a relatively small area, such that the output voltage of the plurality of solar cells 310 located on each solar cell module-mounted plate 10 can be greater than the starting voltage for the inverter 40. For example, each solar cell module-mounted plate 10 is provided with 14 to 60 (e.g., greater than 22) solar cells 310, each having an area of 100 mm2 to 2120 mm2 and thus generates a voltage (for example, a voltage of 15 V or greater) required for starting the inverter 40. For example, each solar cell module-mounted plate 10 can have an area of 400 mm2 to 424 mm2. A current in each solar cell module-mounted plate 10 can be lower than or equal to 0.17 amperes. However, the present disclosure is not limited to this configuration. Even when the starting voltage for the inverter 40 changes in accordance with the power generation of the inverter 40, it can suffice when the output voltage from the plurality of solar cells 310 of each solar cell module-mounted plate 10 is larger than the starting voltage for the inverter 40. Accordingly, the plurality of solar cell module-mounted plates 10 can be connected in parallel to each other, such that a separate bypass diode is not provided. In this connection, a block diode can be provided as needed. However, the block diode may not be provided. Further, the voltage required for each solar cell module-mounted plate 10 can be easily adjusted by adjusting the area and number of the solar cell 310, thereby greatly improving the degree of freedom of design. Conventionally, when the current is large, a problem such as hot spot due to current concentration can occur. For this reason, the bypass diode is required for each solar cell module-mounted plate 10. However, in this embodiment, even when the output loss due to the lowering of the current flowing through each solar cell module-mounted plate 10 is taken into consideration, the current can be lowered and the bypass diode may not be provided.
According to the present embodiment, the solar cell module 30 including a plurality of solar cells 310 having a rear-face-electrode-type structure and a circuit board 320 for connecting the plurality of solar cells 310 to each other is provided on a solar cell module-mounted plate 10. Thus, the solar cell module-mounted plate 10 having a very small thickness and extending in the first direction can be formed. Accordingly, the solar power generator can have almost the same shape or structure as the conventional general blind while having the solar cell 310 or the solar cell module 30. As a result, the solar power generator 100 can sufficiently perform its role and have the improved aesthetic characteristics.
Particularly, in this embodiment, a plurality of solar cells 310, each having a predetermined area are provided on the solar cell module-mounted plate 10. Thus, the inverter 40 can be started by the voltage generated from one solar cell module-mounted plate 10. Thus, the plurality of solar cell module-mounted plates 10 can be connected in parallel to each other and thus the present solar power generation may not have the bypass diode. That is, photoelectric conversion is performed using each solar cell module-mounted plate 10 as a basic unit. Thus, when the shadows, defects, etc. occur, the photoelectric conversion of the corresponding solar cell module-mounted plate 10 subjected to the effect thereof is not performed, but the photoelectric conversion is performed in the other solar cell module-mounted plates 10. As a result, it is possible to effectively reduce problems such as reduction in power generation amount caused by shadows, defects, and hot spots. Eliminating the bypass diode and junction box can allow the structure of the generator to be simplified and allow the volume thereof to be minimized. In the solar power generator 100, the plurality of solar cell module-mounted plates 10 can be provided to provide a desired output. Accordingly, the solar power generator 100 can be formed in various structures, and thus can be applied to various positions, various purposes, and various devices.
In this embodiment, the solar cell 310 can be formed of a silicon crystalline solar cell. Then, each solar cell 310 can have a good generation amount. However, the present disclosure is not limited to this configuration. Therefore, the solar cell 310 can have various shapes or structures such as a thin film solar cell, a semiconductor compound solar cell, a dye-sensitized solar cell, and an amorphous solar cell.
For example, the plurality of solar cell module-mounted plate 10 or the solar power generator 100 according to the present embodiment has a louver-like structure in which a plurality of solar cell module-mounted plates 10 can be partially or entirely overlapped with each other for adjusting the length of the blind or amount of light when the solar power generator 100 is applied to the manual or automatic blind. As another example, a plurality of solar cell module-mounted plate 10 or solar power generator 100 according to the present embodiment can be attached to a verandah, a railing, or the like. In this case, the plurality of solar cell module-mounted plates 10 are installed to have a predetermined inclination on the bottom surface or the vertical surface thereto, so that light incidence can be smoothly performed in a small space. However, the present disclosure is not limited thereto. The plurality of solar cell module-mounted plates 10 can be installed so as to be oriented in a direction perpendicular to the bottom surface. In such a structure, a fixing unit for installing the plurality of solar cell module-mounted plates 10 or a solar power generator 100 on the veranda, railing, or the like can be used. The fixing unit can have various constructions.
In the above description, it is exemplified that a separate junction box is not provided. However, the present disclosure is not limited thereto. Therefore, the junction box can be separately provided. The junction box can be installed at the same location as or adjacent to the plurality of solar cell module-mounted plates 10, or can be installed at a different location therefrom and can be electrically connected to the plurality of solar cell module-mounted plates 10.
The features, structures, effects and the like according to the above description are included in at least one embodiment of the present disclosure, and are not necessarily limited to only one embodiment. Further, the features, structures, effects, and the like illustrated in the embodiments can be combined with those of other embodiments or can be modified by other persons skilled in the art to which the embodiments belong. Accordingly, all such combinations and modifications are to be construed as being included within the scope of the present disclosure.
Number | Date | Country | Kind |
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10-2018-0081734 | Jul 2018 | KR | national |