JP6038466B2 - Solar panel cooling system - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a cooling device for preventing a decrease in output of a solar cell panel.

Power generation using solar cell panels has become widespread for heat island countermeasures and CO ₂ reduction. However, when the temperature of the solar cell inside the solar battery panel rises, the power generation efficiency deteriorates and the output decreases. Therefore, as shown below, various methods for cooling the solar cell panel have been proposed.

  Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2011-146442 shown as Patent Document 1 discloses a system for cooling water by jetting water on the front and back surfaces of a solar cell panel. Similarly, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2011-181772 shown as Patent Document 2 discloses a system that intermittently supplies rainwater to the surface of a solar cell panel to cool it.

  Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 5-29985 shown as Patent Document 3 discloses a system for cooling by disposing a liquid supply member that sucks up water using a capillary phenomenon on the back surface of a solar cell panel. Similarly, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. Sho 62-101086 shown as Patent Document 4 discloses a system for cooling by arranging a fibrous cooling member on the back surface of a solar cell panel. Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2000-22193 shown as Patent Document 5 discloses a system for cooling by disposing a cooling member made of synthetic fiber on the back surface of a solar cell panel. Furthermore, LIXIL News Release “Non-Patent Document 1” “Verification study of new environmental material“ water-retaining ceramics ”for the purpose of improving power generation efficiency by solar cell cooling Industry-government-academia joint research for expanding renewable energy “Start” discloses a system in which water-retaining ceramics is placed on the back surface of a solar cell panel and cooled.

  JP 2006-232940 shown as Patent Document 6 discloses a solar battery in which a heat storage material is disposed on the back surface of a solar battery cell and the solar battery cell is cooled by using a heat storage material that is radiated and cooled at night. A battery panel is disclosed. Similarly, in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2005-241079 shown as Patent Document 7, a cooling unit having a cooling pipe is provided on the back surface of the power generation cell, and a cooling medium generated by the heat pump unit is caused to flow through the cooling pipe, thereby generating the power generation cell. A solar power generation apparatus that cools the battery is disclosed.

  In addition, as described in Non-Patent Document 2, it is described in “Special Seminar & Touring Introduction of Advanced Next-Generation Plant Factory” (October 12, 2011 Japan Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Society Kinki District Business Promotion Committee) As described above, there is also known a system in which a greening facility is placed on the back surface of a solar cell so that the cold air that has been latently cooled by the greening facility is taken into an air conditioning inlet of an air conditioning outdoor unit.

JP 2011-146442 A JP 2011-181772 A Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 5-29985 Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 62-101086 JP 2000-22193 A JP 2006-232940 A JP 2005-241079 A

LIXIL News Release “Started empirical research on new environmental material“ water-retaining ceramics ”for the purpose of improving power generation efficiency through solar cell cooling Industry-government-academia joint research started to expand renewable energy” http://inax.lixil .co.jp / company / news / 2011 / 060_eco_0325_782.html Special Seminar & Tour Introduction of the next generation plant factory (October 12, 2011 Japan Society of Refrigerating and Air Conditioning Kinki Area Business Promotion Committee)

  However, as in Patent Documents 1 and 2, a large amount of cooling water is required to cool the solar cell panel only with running water. Moreover, when a large amount of cooling water is sprayed on the surface of the solar cell panel, the amount of flowing down increases, and the cooling water remains on the panel surface, causing light to diffusely reflect, which may cause a decrease in power generation efficiency. In addition, when rainwater or industrial water is used as cooling water, the panel surface tends to become dirty, and maintenance frequency increases.

  In particular, the structure in which the cooling water flows between the solar cell panel and the roofing material (wall surface) as in Patent Document 1 has a poor cooling effect because the ventilation of the flow path is poor and the evaporation of the cooling water cannot be used. End up. In this case, a method of forcibly ventilating with a fan or the like is also conceivable, but in that case, power is required as a cooling system. In addition, it is necessary to take measures against water leakage on the bottom surface of the water flow path such as roofing material.

  Moreover, in order to install a water retaining member on the back surface of the solar cell panel as in Patent Documents 3, 4, 5 and Non-Patent Document 1, for example, a method of attaching the water retaining member to the panel back surface, or a water retaining member on the panel back surface A method of installing a container to be stored can be considered. However, when the water retaining member is attached to the back surface of the panel, labor is required for maintenance such as replacement of the water retaining member. Further, when the water retaining member is stored in the container on the back surface of the panel, the cooling efficiency is likely to be lowered.

  Moreover, when a solar cell panel is cooled using a heat storage material or a cooling pipe as in Patent Documents 6 and 7, since cooling with only sensible heat is required, a large-capacity heat storage material or cooling medium is required, and the latent heat of evaporation There is a disadvantage that the cooling capacity is inferior compared to the cooling using the.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above points, and an object of the present invention is to provide a solar panel cooling device that can perform cooling with high capacity using the latent heat of vaporization of cooling water and has excellent maintainability. Yes.

In order to achieve the above object, according to the present invention, there is provided a cooling device for a solar battery panel, a cooling water tank disposed below the solar battery panel, and a cooling water tank disposed in the cooling water tank. A water retention member that permeates and retains the supplied cooling water, the solar cell panel is inclined, the cooling water tank is divided into a plurality of water tank parts, and each of the water tank parts is a part of the solar cell panel. Cooling evaporated on the surface of the water retention member by being arranged in steps with different heights according to the inclination, and by forming a gap between the lower surface of the solar cell panel and the upper surface of the water retention member A cooling device for a solar cell panel is provided in which the air in the gap is cooled to a low temperature by the latent heat of evaporation of water and the solar cell panel is cooled.

In this cooling device, between the respective water tank portions which are divided into a plurality, by changing the height gap portion corresponds to the respective water tank portion, provided respectively along the gradient of the solar panel May be. Moreover, you may have the water supply path which supplies the cooling water in the said cooling water tank directly to the said solar cell panel.

  According to the present invention, the air existing in the gap between the lower surface of the solar cell panel and the upper surface of the water retention member is cooled to a low temperature by the latent heat of evaporation of the cooling water evaporated on the surface of the water retention member, Since the solar cell panel is cooled by the above, it is possible to perform cooling with high capacity using latent heat of vaporization. Moreover, since the water retention member is installed away from the solar cell panel, the water retention member can be exchanged irrespective of the solar cell panel, and the maintainability is excellent.

It is explanatory drawing of the schematic structure of the cooling device concerning embodiment of this invention. It is explanatory drawing of the schematic structure of the cooling device concerning embodiment of this invention by which the cooling fin was attached to the lower surface of a solar cell panel. A schematic configuration of the cooling device according to the embodiment of the present invention is provided with a drainage channel for flowing water from the solar cell panel to the cooling water tank and a water supply channel for supplying cooling water from the cooling water tank to the solar cell panel. It is explanatory drawing.

  Embodiments of the present invention will be described below. In addition, in this specification and drawing, about the component which has the substantially same function structure, duplication description is abbreviate | omitted by attaching | subjecting the same code | symbol.

  As shown in FIG. 1, in the cooling device A according to the embodiment of the present invention, the solar cell panel 3 is inclined and supported by the support columns 1 and 2. A cooling water tank 6 divided into a plurality of water tank parts 5 is disposed below the solar cell panel 3. Each tank 5 is arranged at a different height in accordance with the inclination of the solar cell panel 3, and in the example shown in FIG. 1, it gradually decreases toward the left in the figure (in the figure). The height of each water tank 5 is set in a step shape so that it gradually increases toward the right.

  A water supply tray 10 is provided on the upper right side of these water tank portions 5. And the cooling water a is supplied from this water supply tray 10 to the water tank part 5 in the highest position. In addition to clean water, industrial water or the like is also used as the cooling water a. The cooling water a supplied to the water tank 5 at the highest position is supplied to the water tank 5 arranged at the next highest position, and thereafter the water tank arranged at the next height position in the same manner. The cooling water a is supplied to the part 5, and the cooling water a is supplied to the leftmost water tank part 5 arranged at the lowermost part. Thus, the cooling water a supplied from the water supply tray 10 is supplied to all of the plurality of water tank units 5.

  A water retention member 11 is provided in each water tank section 5. The water retaining member 11 is made of a material having a property of retaining and evaporating the cooling water a such as water retaining ceramics, plant cells such as sphagnum moss, sand moss, and the like. As described above, the cooling water a supplied into each water tank unit 5 penetrates into the water retaining member 11 disposed in each water tank unit 5, thereby cooling the water retaining member 11 in each water tank unit 5. Water a is retained.

  A gap 12 is formed between the lower surface of the solar cell panel 3 and the upper surface of the water retaining member 11 disposed in each water tank section 5. Air b flows into the gap 12 through the space between the columns 1 and 2 from the outside (here, the outdoor open space), and the air b can flow out from the gap 12 to the outside.

  Moreover, between the water tank parts 5 divided into a plurality, gaps 15 are respectively provided along the gradient of the solar cell panel 3 at different heights corresponding to the water tank parts 5. The air b below each water tank 5 (cooling water tank 6) (flowed from the open space outside the room) can flow into the gap 12 through these gaps 15.

  In the cooling device A configured as described above, since the water retaining member 11 disposed in each water tank unit 5 is in a state of retaining the cooling water a, the cooling water a is formed on the surface of the water retaining member 11. The air b in the gap 12 between the solar cell panel 3 and the water retaining member 11 becomes low temperature due to evaporation and the latent heat of evaporation of the cooling water a. And the solar cell panel 3 is cooled by the air b which became low temperature in this way. Thereby, the temperature rise of the solar cell panel 3 is avoided, and the output reduction is prevented. For example, by installing a water retaining member 11 of a porous body such as a water retaining ceramic having rapid and strong water absorption and appropriate evaporability in each water tank portion 5, the air b in the gap 12 can be effectively cooled to a low temperature. The solar cell panel 3 can be cooled.

  On the other hand, when the solar cell panel 3 is cooled, the temperature of the air b in the gap 12 between the solar cell panel 3 and the water retention member 11 rises. However, the air b whose temperature has risen in this way rises in the gap 12 along the lower surface of the solar cell panel 3 by natural convection due to the reduced specific gravity, and the air b flows out from the right end of the gap 12 to the outside. On the other hand, when the air b flows out from the gap 12 in this way, it is freshly introduced into the gap 12 from the outside through the left end of the gap 12 or the gap portion 15 formed between the water tank portions 5 so as to compensate for it. Fresh low-temperature air b flows in. Thus, the temperature rise of the air b in the gap 12 is avoided. Then, the fresh air b flowing into the gap 12 from the outside promotes the evaporation of the cooling water a on the surface of the water retention member 11, and is in the gap 12 between the solar cell panel 3 and the water retention member 11 due to the latent heat of evaporation. The air b becomes low temperature. And the solar cell panel 3 is efficiently cooled by the air b which became low temperature, and the output fall of the solar cell panel 3 is prevented.

  In addition, according to this cooling device A, since the water retention member 11 is disposed in each water tank portion 5 disposed away from the lower surface of the solar cell panel 3, the water retention is independent of the solar cell panel 3. The member 11 can be exchanged, and the maintenance is excellent. Moreover, since the replacement | exchange operation | work can be carried out by the tray system for each water tank part 5 unit, it becomes possible to use plant cells, such as sphagnum moss and snags, which have a high cooling effect and are light and highly maintainable, as the water retention member 11. The plant cell has a high cooling effect due to its high evaporation performance and water retention performance, is excellent in weather resistance, and is light in weight compared to general water retention ceramics, which is advantageous in terms of cost of the housing and support material, etc. There is an advantage as a water retention material. Furthermore, since it is only necessary to install the water tank part 5 and the water retaining member 11 away from the lower surface of the solar cell panel 3, additional installation to the existing solar power generation facility is easy.

  Next, in the cooling device B according to the embodiment of the present invention shown in FIG. 2, the cooling fins 20 are attached to the lower surface of the solar cell panel 3. Further, in this cooling device B, another water tank 21 is provided further below the cooling water tank 6 divided into a plurality of water tank portions 5, and the cooling water a is permeated into the other water tank 21. A water retaining member 22 having the property of retaining water is provided. In addition, the other cooling water tank 21 is supplied with excess cooling water a that has flowed down the plurality of water tank portions 5, so that the water holding member 22 in the water tank 21 also holds the cooling water a. The width and depth of another water tank 21 are large enough to include all installed water tank parts 5 in plan view. In other words, the other aquarium 21 has a size that accepts the overflow of each water tank portion 5 and the dripping of scattered water, and is installed as a panel water tank on a waterproof roof slab.

  According to the cooling device B shown in FIG. 2, similarly to the cooling device A shown in FIG. 1, the latent heat of evaporation of the cooling water a evaporated on the surface of the water retaining member 11 disposed in each water tank section 5 is low. The solar battery panel 3 is cooled by the air b which becomes, and the output fall is prevented. Moreover, the water retaining member 11 arranged in each water tank section 5 can be replaced regardless of the solar cell panel 3, and is excellent in maintainability.

  In addition, according to the cooling device B shown in FIG. 2, since the cooling fins 20 are attached to the lower surface of the solar cell panel 3, heat exchange with the air b which has become low temperature due to latent heat of evaporation is promoted, and The cooling effect of the battery panel 3 can be enhanced. Also, below the cooling water tank 6, cooling using the latent heat of evaporation is performed on the surface of the water retaining member 22 in the water tank 21, and the air b thus cooled passes between the water tank parts 5 and is in the gap 12. Flow into. As a result, the air b in the gap 12 between the solar cell panel 3 and the water retention member 11 is further cooled, and the solar cell panel 3 can be cooled more efficiently.

  Next, in the cooling device C according to the embodiment of the present invention shown in FIG. 3, a single cooling water tank 30 is arranged below the solar cell panel 3 in the same manner as the water tank 21 shown in FIG. Yes. The cooling water a is stored in the cooling water tank 30, and the cooling water tank 30 has a property of retaining water by infiltrating the cooling water a such as water retaining ceramics, plant cells such as sphagnum moss and sand moss. A water retaining member 31 made of a material having the same is provided.

  A gap 32 is formed between the lower surface of the solar cell panel 3 and the upper surface of the water retaining member 31 disposed in the cooling water tank 30. Air b can flow into the gap 32 from the outside, and air b can flow out of the gap 32 to the outside.

  In this cooling device C, a drainage channel 35 for flowing water (rain water c or cooling water a as will be described later) into the cooling water tank 30 from the lowermost part of the solar cell panel 3 installed at an inclination, and the cooling water tank 30. A water supply path 36 is provided for supplying the cooling water a to the top of the solar cell panel 3. A water supply pump 37 for pumping the cooling water a is provided in the water supply path 36.

  In the cooling device C shown in FIG. 3, rainwater c that has flowed down the top surface of the solar cell panel 3 during rainy weather is supplied into the cooling water tank 30 through the drainage channel 35, so that the rainwater c is used as the cooling water a. Can be economical. If the rain water c is insufficient, the cooling water a such as industrial water is supplied into the cooling water tank 30. In this way, the cooling water a (including rain water c) stored in the cooling water tank 30 evaporates on the surface of the water holding member 31 disposed in the cooling water tank 30, and the solar cell panel 3 and the water holding member in the cooling water tank 30. Since the air in the gap 32 formed with 31 becomes a low temperature due to latent heat of evaporation, the solar cell panel 3 is effectively cooled, similarly to the cooling devices A and B shown in FIGS. Output reduction is prevented. In addition, the water retaining member 31 disposed in the cooling water tank 30 can be exchanged irrespective of the solar cell panel 3, and is excellent in maintainability.

  In addition, according to the cooling device C shown in FIG. 3, the evaporation of the cooling water a is promoted by the evaporation performance of the water retaining member 31, and the temperature of the cooling water a is decreased by removing heat from the evaporation, thereby cooling effect. Will improve. In this case, as the open area of the cooling water tank is increased and the installation area of the water retaining member 31 is increased, the amount of evaporation of the cooling water a increases, and more heat is taken away, thereby increasing the temperature of the cooling water a. Can be reduced. The single cooling water tank 30 may have a plurality of partitioned cells. Further, the water pump 37 is operated, and the low-temperature cooling water a stored in the cooling water tank 30 is supplied from the water supply channel 36 to the uppermost part of the solar cell panel 3 to flow down, so that the solar cell panel 3 is cooled. It is also possible to cool directly. Thereby, two effects of cooling by latent heat of evaporation and cooling by contact with the cooling water a are obtained. In this case, the method of supplying the cooling water a to the solar cell panel 3 is a surface water spraying method, a method of providing a cooling water a flow path such as a pipe on the back of the panel, and contacting the cooling water a directly on the back of the panel. Various methods such as a method of allowing the cooling water a to permeate the water retaining material can be adopted. In the system in which a cooling water a flow path such as a pipe is provided on the back of the panel and the cooling water a is in direct contact with the back of the panel, the back of the panel is exposed from between the pipes even in a configuration having a flow path on the entire back of the panel. It may be the configuration. Even in the case of a configuration with pipes (flow paths) on the entire back surface of the panel, the cooling water flowing through the pipe is cooled by cooling the pipe with latent heat of evaporation, so the back surface of the panel is indirectly cooled by latent heat of evaporation. can do. When the panel back surface is exposed from between the pipes, the pipe is cooled by the latent heat of evaporation together with the exposed panel back surface, and the cooling water flowing in the pipe can be cooled.

  As mentioned above, although an example of the preferred embodiment of this invention was demonstrated, this invention is not limited to the form shown here. For example, the water retaining members 11, 22, and 31 can use various materials having a property of retaining the cooling water a by infiltrating the cooling water a, such as cloth, fibers, and sponges, as well as water retaining ceramics and plant cells. The cooling water a is not limited to industrial water or clean water.

  The present invention is useful for photovoltaic power generation.

A, B, C Cooling device a Cooling water b Air c Rain water 1, 2 Support column 3 Solar cell panel 5 Water tank 6 Cooling water tank 10 Water supply tray 11 Water retaining member 12 Crevice 15 Cavity 20 Cooling fin 21 Water tank 22 Water retaining member 30 Cooling water tank 31 Water retaining member 32 Clearance 35 Drainage channel 36 Water supply channel 37 Water supply pump

Claims (3)

A solar panel cooling device,
A cooling water tank disposed below the solar cell panel, and a water retention member that is disposed in the cooling water tank and permeates the cooling water supplied to the cooling water tank,
The solar cell panel is disposed at an inclination,
The cooling water tank is divided into a plurality of water tank parts, and each of the water tank parts is arranged in a step shape with different heights according to the inclination of the solar cell panel,
By forming a gap between the lower surface of the solar cell panel and the upper surface of the water retention member, the air in the gap is cooled to a low temperature by the latent heat of evaporation of the cooling water evaporated on the surface of the water retention member. A cooling device for a solar battery panel, wherein the battery panel is cooled.   Between each of the water tank parts divided into a plurality, a gap part is provided corresponding to each water tank part, and is provided along the gradient of the solar cell panel, respectively. The cooling device for a solar cell panel according to claim 1.   3. The solar cell panel cooling device according to claim 1, further comprising a water supply channel that directly supplies the cooling water in the cooling water tank to the solar cell panel. 4.

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