FLUID COOLED INTEGRATED PHOTOVOLTAIC MODULE

摘要

A fluid cooled photovoltaic module in which a polymer heat exchanger transfers heat from the photovoltaic module to a circulated fluid. The photovoltaic module is maintained at a cool temperature enabling increased power output while the heat transferred to the circulated fluid can be useful for applications that require heat. A polymer heat exchanger is specifically utilized to achieve a robust design that is cost effective; high performance; easily adaptable to various photovoltaic module types and sizes; compatible with conventional photovoltaic module balance of systems; light weight; resistant to water sanitizers and other chemicals; resistant to lime-scale buildup and heat exchanger fouling; corrosion resistant; easily transported, assembled, installed, and maintained; and leverages high production manufacturing methods.

主权项

1. A fluid cooled photovoltaic module assembly, the assembly comprising:
a photovoltaic module comprising a frame structure, the photovoltaic module comprising a plurality of silicon based cells or thin film based cells, the photovoltaic module comprising a glass aperture region, and a backside region, the photovoltaic module capable of being operable as a stand alone unit, the backside region comprising a backsheet, the backsheet being made of a glass or a polymer back-sheet or a metal material; a polymer based thickness of material comprising a plurality of tubes extending from a first end to a second end; a first manifold coupled to the plurality of tubes on the first end to gather fluid from each of the plurality of fluids; a second manifold coupled to the plurality of tubes on the second end to gather fluid from each of the plurality of fluids; an interface region characterizing the backside region and an upper surface region of the polymer based thickness of material, the interface region being substantially free from any voids or gaps and characterized by a substantially continuous temperature profile between the backside region and the upper surface region; and a mounting assembly configured to press the photovoltaic module to the polymer based thickness of material such that the interface region has the continuous temperature profile.