SOLAR PANEL

FIELD AND BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention, in some embodiments thereof, relates to a solar panel and, more particularly, but not exclusively, to a construction thereof and method of use to increase the efficiency of such a solar panel.

In the last three decades major thermal improvements have been added to the building envelope in European countries in order to enhance energy conservation and mainly to reduce heating demands. However, some of these measures had an adverse effect on the indoor air quality.

Photovoltaic (PV) technology has been developed in order to provide clean energy. Its efficiency is still limited to less than 15%. Moreover, PV panels produce large amounts of heat ( up to 800 W/m ² ) that increase their temperature and lower their efficiency.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present embodiments seek to provide building panels for a building envelope which include solar power generation and which meet additional energy conservation demands. According to an aspect of some embodiments of the present invention there is provided a facing panel for a building, comprising: a first glazing layer, a second glazing layer, an interior defined between said first glazing layer and said second glazing layer, and solar electricity generating cells located within said panel. In an embodiment, said cells are movably mounted.

In an embodiment, shading elements are movably mounted within said panels. In an embodiment, both the cells and shading elements are movably mounted together on a curtain located within said panel. In an embodiment, said solar electricity generating cells have an optimal operating temperature; and the panel further comprises a circulation mechanism for

circulating coolant around said electricity generating cells, thereby to retain said cells substantially at said optimal operating temperature.

In an embodiment, said circulation mechanism is externally connectable to neighboring panels for circulating coolant between said panels. In an embodiment, said coolant comprises air.

In an embodiment, said coolant comprises water.

An embodiment may be connectable to other panels to provide a closed circuit for said water, said closed circuit comprising a heat exchanger for cooling said coolant and supplying heat to said building. An embodiment may be connectable to other panels to provide an open circuit for said water, thereby to supply warmed water to said building.

According to a second aspect of the present invention there is provided a facing arrangement for a building, the facing arrangement comprising a plurality of panels, respective panels thereof comprising: a first glazing layer, a second glazing layer, an interior defined between said first glazing layer and said second glazing layer, and solar electricity generating cells located within respective panels. In an embodiment, said solar cells are movably mounted within said panels.

In an embodiment, shading elements are movably mounted within said panels.

In an embodiment, said solar cells are mounted with shading elements in a sliding unit located within said facing arrangement.

In an embodiment, said solar electricity generating cells have an optimal operating temperature; and the arrangement further comprises a circulation mechanism for circulating coolant around said electricity generating cells, thereby to retain said cells substantially at said optimal operating temperature.

In an embodiment, said circulation mechanism is externally connectable for supplying said coolant to said building. In an embodiment, said circulation mechanism is integrated with at least one of building heating services and building air conditioning services.

The invention extends in various embodiments to a building faced using the panels or arrangements described herein.

According to a third aspect of the present invention there is provided a facing panel for a building, comprising: a first glazing layer, an interior defined between said first glazing layer and said second glazing layer, solar electricity generating cells located within said panel, and a cooling arrangement for cooling said solar electricity generating cells.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention there is provided a facing panel for a building, comprising: a first glazing layer, an interior defined between said first glazing layer and said second glazing layer, solar electricity generating cells movably located within said panel.

Unless otherwise defined, all technical and/or scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which the invention pertains. Although methods and materials similar or equivalent to those described herein can be used in the practice or testing of embodiments of the invention, exemplary methods and/or materials are described below. In case of conflict, the patent specification, including definitions, will control. In addition, the materials, methods, and examples are illustrative only and are not intended to be necessarily limiting.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Some embodiments of the invention are herein described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings. With specific reference now to the drawings in detail, it is stressed that the particulars shown are by way of example and for purposes of illustrative discussion of embodiments of the invention. In this regard, the description taken with the drawings makes apparent to those skilled in the art how embodiments of the invention may be practiced.

In the drawings: FIG. 1 is a simplified schematic diagram showing a building panel according to a first embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a simplified diagram illustrating a detail of the building panel of Fig. 1 ;

FIG. 3 is a simplified diagram showing a further detail of the building panel of

Fig. 1;

FIG. 4 is a view of a prototype panel according to the present embodiments; and FIG. 5 is a simplified schematic diagram showing system output flows.

DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

The present invention, in some embodiments thereof, relates to a solar panel and, more particularly, but not exclusively, to a construction thereof and method of use to increase the efficiency of such a solar panel.

The present embodiments relate to external panels for buildings which contain solar power generation units to provide power for use by the building and which further include features for increasing efficiency thereof or maintaining efficiency thereof in changing circumstances. Thus the embodiments may include features that maintain the solar generation plant at substantially optimal temperature by cooling. Fluid used for cooling can then be reused in the building.

Before explaining at least one embodiment of the invention in detail, it is to be understood that the invention is not necessarily limited in its application to the details of construction and the arrangement of the components and/or methods set forth in the following description and/or illustrated in the drawings. The invention is capable of other embodiments or of being practiced or carried out in various ways.

Referring now to the drawings, Figure 1 illustrates a four part facing panel 10 for use in facing or external cladding for a building. The four part panel comprises transparent parts 12 and opaque parts 14. The transparent parts 12 include inner 16 and outer 18 glazing layers which define an interior space between them. Photovoltaic cells are located within the panels.

The photovoltaic cells may be movable inside the panels, and shading elements may also be provided. The shading elements may also be movable and in one embodiment the shading elements are integrated with the photovoltaic elements for a strong sunlight setting in which the building is shaded and solar power is generated.

In an embodiment a sliding arrangement 19 is provided for mounting the photovoltaic cells. Thus the cells can be moved in and out of position.

In addition a sliding arrangement may be provided for shading elements. Thus shades can be moved in and out of position at will. In a further embodiment the shading elements and photovoltaic elements may be integrated so that in bright sunlight the interior can be shaded, with the photovoltaic cells positioned in front of the shades to trap sunlight for interior lighting.

The sliding element may be provided per panel so that individual windows of the building have curtains that can be raised and lowered.

Some of the panels may open as windows. Dotted lines 20 indicate such an open position. Support arms 22 provide mechanical support to the panel parts.

The solar electricity generating cells have an optimal operating temperature, typically 25 degrees centigrade, although they remain fairly close to optimal at up to temperatures in excess of 40 degrees, say 45 degrees centigrade. Reference is now made to Fig. 2, which shows that the panel 10 thus includes a circulation mechanism for circulating coolant around the electricity generating cells to cool the cells in use and retain the cells substantially within the 25 to 40 degree operating range. Reference numeral 30 indicates a fluid inlet/outlet and reference numeral 32 indicates cooling jackets in which cooling fluid flows around photovoltaic cells in order to cool them.

The circulation mechanism is externally connected to neighboring panels for circulating coolant between the panels. The coolant may be any coolant fluid including air or water.

In one embodiment, for cold climates where freezing in winter is an issue, the coolant may be water treated with antifreeze. In this case a closed circuit is provided for the coolant to circulate through the panels. The used coolant is supplied to a heat exchanger 6, where it gives up its heat so that it can be reused. Heat is recovered from the heat exchanger for use in the building services. Thus water may be heated for the building hot water services, or air may be heated for building heating services.

In warmer environments, where freezing is not an issue, the heat exchanger may be dispensed with and the coolant water may be supplied directly to the building as hot water. Depending on the temperature required, the coolant water may be used at the temperature supplied or supplemental heating may be applied thereto. Either way considerable energy is saved.

Reference is now made to Fig. 3 which is a schematic diagram showing a detail of construction of a corner module linking two panels 10. Two panels 10 are linked by a corner unit 35, which is typically set at right angles but may be at any other angle that the building architecture requires. Fig. 4 illustrates a four part panel in which one part is a double glazed window and the others are opaque.

The panels may be used to provide a facing for a building. The coolant system of the panels is integrated into the building services so that warm air or water can be provided to the building services. The panels 10 are based on combined cycle photovoltaic technology, meaning photovoltaic cells which are maintained in an optimal temperature range and from which additional energy is recovered from the coolant. Within these panels the photovoltaic cells are mounted on Hybrid Solar Curtain Walls, hereinafter referred to as HSCW. The panels replace conventional facings of the building envelope, and provide an integral solution to energy generation and cooling. The curtains may be transparent or opaque HSCW to provide either sunlight or shade as required. Electrical power is provided at optimal efficiency from the photovoltaic cells due to their temperature control. Also preconditioned ventilation or heating air can be supplied to the building spaces, and alternatively or additionally hot water may be supplied. Additional savings to the building energy costs may be supplied by optimized delivery of day-lighting, and by summer shading. The air and/or water circulated through the system removes the excessive heat produced by the CIS PV cells, keeping the PV panel at an optimal temperature for maximal efficiency, as explained, while utilizing the produced heat for simultaneous space climate control and indoor air quality maintenance. The tiles themselves may include double glazing as explained. Opaque parts of the curtain, or opaque curtains, participate in the cooling effect.

As mentioned, the photovoltaic cells are provided in panels. The photovoltaic panels are provided in the sliding curtain, a long horizontal curtain that closes to provide electricity and shade. However, when opened, the curtain allows sunshine in. Ventilation currents may be set up by air columns in the curtain, in which cold air generated during the cooling tends to drift downwards and hot air generated by solar

radiation tends to drift upwards. These air currents are then made available to the building.

Reference is now made to Fig. 5, which is a simplified diagram illustrating the various outputs of a hybrid solar wall according to an embodiment of the present invention. Curtain 50 produces hot air at the top 52 and cold air at the bottom 54. Hot air may be used for heating and cold air may be supplied to air conditioning plant 56 for cooling. Hot water may be extracted from the coolant and electricity may be used directly or stored in electricity storage 58.

The terms "comprises", "comprising", "includes", "including", "having" and their conjugates mean "including but not limited to". This term encompasses the terms "consisting of and "consisting essentially of.

As used herein, the singular form "a", "an" and "the" include plural references unless the context clearly dictates otherwise.

It is appreciated that certain features of the invention, which are, for clarity, described in the context of separate embodiments, may also be provided in combination in a single embodiment. Conversely, various features of the invention, which are, for brevity, described in the context of a single embodiment, may also be provided separately or in any suitable subcombination or as suitable in any other described embodiment of the invention. Certain features described in the context of various embodiments are not to be considered essential features of those embodiments, unless the embodiment is inoperative without those elements.

Although the invention has been described in conjunction with specific embodiments thereof, it is evident that many alternatives, modifications and variations will be apparent to those skilled in the art. Accordingly, it is intended to embrace all such alternatives, modifications and variations that fall within the spirit and broad scope of the appended claims.

All publications, patents and patent applications mentioned in this specification are herein incorporated in their entirety by reference into the specification, to the same extent as if each individual publication, patent or patent application was specifically and individually indicated to be incorporated herein by reference. In addition, citation or identification of any reference in this application shall not be construed as an admission

that such reference is available as prior art to the present invention. To the extent that section headings are used, they should not be construed as necessarily limiting.