Modular Solar Panels with Heat Exchange

Abstract

A photovoltaic module with photovoltaic cell and a heat sink. The heat sink is attached on a side of the cell opposite to the light-receiving side of the photovoltaic cell. The heat sink can remove heat caused by light absorbed by the photovoltaic cell but not converted to electricity as well as heat generated by resistance to high current passing through electrodes of the photovoltaic cell. A photovoltaic module formed of such cells can exhibit greater energy conversion efficiency as a result of the ability to dissipate the heat. A method of making a solar module involves e.g. laminating a heat sink to a photovoltaic cell.

1 . A system for cooling a set of photovoltaic cells located in a photovoltaic module, the system comprising:
 a heat sink base configured to draw heat from said photovoltaic cells; and   a plurality of protrusions attached to said heat sink base in a pattern, said protrusions forming a first set of channels parallel with a first axis, said pattern including a set of discontinuities, said discontinuities forming a second set of channels;   wherein all of said channels in said second set of channels are non-orthogonal to said first axis.   
     
     
         2 . The system of  claim 1 , further comprising a thermal interface layer between said heat sink base and said photovoltaic cells. 
     
     
         3 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein said photovoltaic module is a non-concentrating photovoltaic module. 
     
     
         4 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein said channels in said second set of channels are herringbone shaped. 
     
     
         5 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein said protrusions are one of pyramids, cylinders, square pegs, and cones. 
     
     
         6 . A photovoltaic module with a set of photovoltaic cells comprising:
 a heat sink base configured to heat from said photovoltaic cells;   a plurality of heat dissipating shapes attached to said heat sink base in a pattern, said plurality of heat dissipating shapes forming a first set of channels being parallel to each other along an axis; and   a second set of channels formed by a set of discontinuities in said pattern, said second set of channels having at least one channel;   wherein said second set of channels are not parallel to said axis, and are non-orthogonal to said axis.   
     
     
         7 . The module of  claim 6 , further comprising a thermal interface layer between said heat sink base and said photovoltaic cells. 
     
     
         8 . The module of  claim 7 , wherein said heat sink base and said heat dissipating shapes comprise the same material. 
     
     
         9 . The module of  claim 6 , wherein said heat dissipating shapes are one of pyramids, cylinders, square pegs, and cones. 
     
     
         10 . The module of  claim 6 , wherein said second set of channels are herringbone shaped. 
     
     
         11 . The module of  claim 6 , wherein said photovoltaic module is a non-concentrating photovoltaic module. 
     
     
         12 . The module of  claim 10 , wherein:
 said photovoltaic module is configured to be mounted on a rooftop; and   said axis is perpendicular to a ridgeline of said rooftop when said photovoltaic module is mounted on said rooftop.   
     
     
         13 . A photovoltaic module with a set of photovoltaic cells comprising:
 a heat sink base configured to heat from said photovoltaic cells;   a plurality of protrusions attached to said heat sink base, said protrusions being parallel to each other along an axis, and said protrusions being segmented by a plurality of discontinuities; and   a set of direct air escape and entry channels formed by said plurality of discontinuities, said set of direct air escape and entry channels having at least one channel;   wherein said set of direct air escape and entry channels are not parallel to said axis, and are non-orthogonal to said axis.   
     
     
         14 . The module of  claim 13 , further comprising a thermal interface layer between said heat sink base and said photovoltaic cells. 
     
     
         15 . The module of  claim 13 , wherein said set of direct air escape and entry channels are herringbone shaped. 
     
     
         16 . The module of  claim 13 , wherein said photovoltaic module is a non-concentrating photovoltaic module. 
     
     
         17 . The module of  claim 13 , wherein said heat sink base is in thermal communication with an unexposed surface of said photovoltaic cells. 
     
     
         18 . The module of  claim 17 , wherein said photovoltaic module is a non-concentrating photovoltaic module. 
     
     
         19 . The module of  claim 18 , wherein said heat sink base and said protrusions comprise the same material. 
     
     
         20 . The module of  claim 17 , wherein said protrusions are one of pyramids, cylinders, square pegs, and cones.