Technical Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a module system used for solar panels with PV-TE (Photovoltaic - Thermoelectric) hybrid design for cooling the systems under proper conditions, thereby increasing the efficiency thereof in order to ensure the optimal electricity generation of PV (photovoltaic) systems.

The present invention particularly relates to a module system that is capable of preventing potential interruptions in electricity generation by cleaning surfaces of PV panels from accumulated snow by being mounted thereon, and that is further capable of automatically detecting the presence of snowfall by means of a sensor integrated into a microcontroller board. State of the Art

In recent years, the need for energy has gradually increased around the globe. Depleting fossil fuel resources and global warming and climate change stemming from the harmful effects of these resources on the environment further increased the need for clean energy resources. Due to these reasons, meeting the ever-increasing energy demand by improving the efficiency of renewable energy sources as well as the use thereof have risen to prominence among current study fields.

Nowadays the most commonly used method in producing electrical energy is implemented by burning fossil fuels such as coal. However, the harmful effects of carbon dioxide gas released during the burning of fossil fuels cause global warming. Photovoltaic (PV) systems, being one of the renewable energy technologies, are listed at the top of the energy production options that do not cause any environment-polluting effects.

Factors such as high reliability of solar cells, stable performance increase, reduced manufacturing costs, and the fact that solar cells do not have any fuel expenses are among the reasons rendering the solar energy more appealing as an alternative energy source. As opposed to many advantages brought along by the use of solar energy, however, high installation costs of solar panels and long compensation periods thereof are among the disadvantages introduced by solar energy systems.

The efficiency of solar cells manufactured with the available technology needs improvement and the problems reducing the efficiency of solar energy power plants need to be solved before putting solar energy into use as an alternative energy source to be able to meet the increasing energy need in the world.

The temperature of the solar cell, along with the intensity of solar irradiance received by a solar cell are among the factors affecting the efficiency of solar cells.

Accumulated dirt on the surface of the solar cells due to environmental conditions, and the shading of solar cells (e.g. when the surface of a photovoltaic system gets partially or completely covered with snow during the snow season) are the two main factors affecting the efficiency of solar energy power plants. Heavy snowfall during the winter season reduces electric power production. The snow accumulated on the solar panel surface melts when the panel receives even a small amount of sunlight during snowy weather as the glasses on solar panels are coated with a special chemical substance. Sometimes the accumulated snow drifts by itself due to the slope of solar panels. Otherwise, solar panels need to be cleaned manually by means of manpower or by using an apparatus. The patent document numbered "2017/18167" was examined as a result of the preliminary search conducted in the state of the art. The abstract of the aforementioned patent application discloses; "The present invention relates to a smart solar panel cleaning system and method thereof, wherein said system is capable of deciding which solar panel requires cleaning in order to prevent dust accumulation in solar energy panels and of automatically cleaning the respective solar panel instead of the entirety of the system". The patent document numbered "JP2011077379" was examined as a result of the preliminary search conducted in the state of the art. The invention disclosed in the aforementioned patent document relates to a PV-TE hybrid collector system. The system transfers the waste heat generated in the panel to a fluid by means of circulating the water or a fluidic material through heat-conducting pipes located under the solar panel. Thus, the system may cool the solar panel down and the fluid to which the heat is transferred may be used in generating hot water. However, the system is not capable of generating energy by using said fluid. Furthermore, said patent application discloses no information regarding snow removal.

The patent document numbered "CN103938520" was examined as a result of the preliminary search conducted in the state of the art. The invention disclosed in the aforementioned patent application relates to a snow melting system comprising a heater pet module, used for melting the snow accumulated on solar panels. Moreover, said patent application does not disclose any information regarding a snow sensor.

The patent document numbered ^,, KR101431525" was examined as a result of the preliminary search conducted in the state of the art. The invention disclosed in said patent application relates to a system for snow removal from heat collectors utilized for obtaining hot water by means of solar energy during snow season. The disclosed system removes the snow by running hot water through thermal collectors. However, the present invention disclosed herein does not utilize any fluids for snow removal. The patent document numbered ^,, CN201365210" was examined as a result of the preliminary search conducted in the state of the art. The invention disclosed in the aforementioned patent document relates to a conventional PV-TE hybrid collector system. The system transfers the waste heat generated in the panel to a fluid by means of circulating the water or a fluidic material through heat-conducting pipes located under the solar panel. Thus, the system may cool the solar panel down and the fluid to which the heat is transferred may be used in generating hot water. However, said system is not capable of generating electricity through wastewater.

Many efficiency losses in photovoltaic (PV) systems in the state of the art derive from heating due to solar exposure of solar panels.

The fact that energy production gets interrupted due to shading of panel surfaces during the snow season is one of the major problems of solar systems used in the state of the art. Generally, solar panels work with maximum performance under cold climate conditions. Moreover, solar rays reflected by surfaces created by the snow convey excess solar irradiance to panel surfaces. However, electrical power production sustains drops as solar rays cannot reach photovoltaic cells once the panel surfaces are covered (shading) by accumulated snow.

Problems deriving from the presence of snow are tried to be eliminated by using primitive methods such as sweepers and plowers in the state of the art. Moreover, these sweepers cause various deformations on the surfaces of solar panels due to friction. Some of the systems used in the state of the art are hybrid systems in which a photovoltaic system is combined with a thermal collector comprising water or fluid. Solar cells in these systems are cooled by water circulated within the collector system. This provides for increased efficiency for solar panels as well as allowing for generating hot water. Moreover, a costly system and the fact that the system comprises of extra pieces of equipment reduce the feasibility of the system.

In the state of the art, various snow removal devices are used for removing the snow accumulated on solar panels. These systems utilize large rotary brushes to sweep the snow accumulated on panel surfaces. Such systems, however, raise serious difficulties in terms of operation. It takes a long time for the system to clean each panel one by one. In addition thereto, traveling among panels may be impossible for a machine with a pallet in some specific areas. In such a case, the risk for potential user errors comes into prominence since the machine is operated by an operator.

In the state of the art, there are also electrical systems used for removing snow from solar panels. Such systems directly apply

DC voltage to solar panels by reverse supply and heat photovoltaic cells within the panel. The surface of the solar panel heats up upon heating photovoltaic cells, thereby melting the snow on the surface. However, these systems are determined to shorten the service life of solar panels and damage photovoltaic cells. The fact that these systems consume energy in order to melt the snow on the surface poses serious problems in terms of energy efficiency. Using such systems may cause damage in solar panels and accordingly, give rise to situations in which solar panels are left outside the scope of warranty.

Consequently, the presence of the aforementioned disadvantages in the state of the art and the inadequacy of available solutions necessitated making an improvement in the relevant technical field.

Objects of the Invention The most important object of the present invention is to ensure that a cooling system is used to prevent solar panels from heating due to solar panels' exposure to solar rays. Thus, the surface heat (waste heat) of panels is absorbed by means of a Peltier system having a thermoelectric (TE) material used as a cooler.

Another important object of the present invention is to ensure that the snowfall is automatically detected by means of a sensor attached to a microcontroller. Thus, the heating system is activated automatically when the sensor detects snowfall, and the heating system is deactivated automatically when snowing has stopped.

Yet another object of the present invention is to generate additional electricity by means of TE from the absorbed waste heat. Thus, the efficiency of solar panels is increased by preventing the panels from heating up, and electricity may be generated in two separate ways.

Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a solution to shading problems stemming from heavy snow during the winter season by means of the inventive hybrid PV-TE system. Another object of the present invention is to prevent interruptions in electricity generation by cleaning panel surfaces from accumulated snow.

Another object of the present invention is to ensure that the inventive hybrid system comprises of simple and cost-efficient components. Yet another object of the present invention is to ensure that TE cells used in the inventive system are positioned below the panels in order to provide heat from below, thereby avoiding any potential damages that the solar cells may sustain. Structural and characteristic features of the present invention and all advantages thereof will be understood more clearly by means of accompanying figures and the detailed description provided by making references thereto. Therefore, the respective evaluation should be conducted by taking said figures and the detailed description into consideration.

Description of the Figures

FIGURE 1 illustrates the general view of the inventive system.

FIGURE 2 illustrates the bottom perspective view of the inventive system. FIGURE 3 illustrates the module of the inventive system.

FIGURE 4 illustrates the exploded view of the module of the inventive system.

FIGURE 5 illustrates the front exploded view of the module of the inventive system. FIGURE 6 illustrates the thermoelectric cooler of the inventive system.

FIGURE 7 illustrates the exploded view of the thermoelectric cooler of the inventive system.

FIGURE 8 illustrates the exploded perspective view of the thermoelectric cooler of the inventive system. Reference numerals

100. Module

110. Module Frame

120. Thermoelectric Cooler 121. Cooler Aluminum Profile

122. Thermal Tape

123. Thermoelectric Peltier

124. Thermal Paste

125. Rubber Plate

130. Module Outer Cover Frame

131. Conductive Aluminum Profile

140. Microcontroller Board

150. Snow Detection Sensor

200. Solar Panel Detailed Description of the Invention

In general terms, the inventive system comprises a module (100), a microcontroller board (140) and a snow detection sensor (150) positioned below the solar panel (200).

The module (100) allows for producing electric energy from the waste heat generated by the solar panel (200), and for cooling the solar panel (200). Said module (100) also ensures that the accumulated snow is melted in case there is accumulated snow on the solar panel (200). The module (100) comprises a module frame (110), thermoelectric cooler (120), and a module outer frame

(130). The module frame (110) comprises a plurality of thermoelectric coolers (120). The module outer frame (130) is positioned on the model frame (110). A conductive aluminum profile (131) is positioned on the module outer frame (130). Said conductive aluminum profile (131) is directly in contact with the solar panel (200). Said conductive aluminum profile

(131) ensures that the heat received from the solar panel (200) is transferred to the thermoelectric cooler (120), and it further ensures that the heat received from the thermoelectric cooler (120) is transferred to the solar panel (200).

Said thermoelectric cooler (120) produces electrical energy by receiving the waste heat generated by the PV solar panel (200), and it further ensures the cooling of the solar panel (200). Additionally, it also ensures that the solar panel (200) heats up in order to melt the accumulated snow when there is snow accumulation on the solar panel (200). Thermoelectric coolers (120) located within the module frame (110) comprise of cooler aluminum profile (121), thermal tape (122), thermoelectric Peltier (123), thermal paste (124) and rubber plate (125).

Cooler aluminum profile (121) prevents the thermoelectric Peltier (123) from overheating due to the air received from outside. The channeled structure thereof ensures airflow and ventilation . The aforementioned thermal tape (122) has a structure with a high heat transfer coefficient and prevents any direct contact between the thermoelectric Peltier (123) and the cooler aluminum profile (121) and ensures the heat transfer therebetween.

Thermoelectric Peltier (123) ensures the conversion between electrical energy and thermal energy. While a surface heats up by means of the received electrical energy, another surface cools down. In this case, the thermoelectric Peltier (123) ensures that the thermoelectric cooler (120) melts the accumulated snow on the solar panel (200). Moreover, the thermoelectric Peltier (123) serves as a DC source and generates electricity by means of the temperature differences between both surfaces of the thermoelectric Peltier (123). Worded differently, it generates energy from the inert heat produced by the solar panel (200) when the temperature is high, thereby allowing for cooling the solar panel (200), and heats the solar panel (200) in case there is accumulated snow on solar panels in cold weather.

The thermal tape (124) has a structure with a high heat transfer coefficient and prevents any direct contact between the thermoelectric Peltier (123) and the conductive aluminum profile (131) and ensures the heat transfer therebetween.

The rubber plate (125) serves as a heat absorber and dissipator. In other words, it ensures that the inert heat received from the solar panel (200) is absorbed by the thermoelectric Peltier (123) and that the heat generated by the thermoelectric Peltier (123) is dissipated to the solar panel (200). The microcontroller board (140) regularly receives data regarding the thickness of snow accumulated on the solar panel (200) from the snow detection sensor (150). The microcontroller board (140) issues a command to the thermoelectric cooler (120) to heat the solar panel (200) once the data indicating that the thickness of snow accumulated on the solar panel has reached a user-defined value is transmitted to the microcontroller board (140) by the snow detection sensor (150). When snow is completely melted, data indicating snow thickness is transmitted to the microcontroller board (140) by means of the snow detection sensor (150). Upon receiving this data, the microcontroller board (140) having established the fact that the snow layer on the solar panel (200) has melted completely, issues a command to the thermoelectric cooler (120) to cool down the solar panel (200). The microcontroller board (140) and the snow detection sensor (150) are wirelessly connected to one another. Said connection may also be established in a wired manner if desired. The snow detection sensor (150) is used as an optical thickness sensor. However, a different type of thickness sensor (e.g. laser, IR, ultrasonic, camera) may also be used if required.

The inventive system not only utilizes the module (100) in cooperation with solar panels (200) to improve the efficiency of PV (photovoltaic) systems and to ensure the optimal amount of electricity production but also automatically prevents snow accumulation on solar panels (200).

The efficiency of photovoltaic systems is affected by elevated temperatures and suffers losses due to temperature increase. Solar panels (200) are capable of generating energy even under the cloudy sky. The most crucial factor affecting electric power generation is that solar rays are unable to reach photovoltaic cells since the surface of the solar panel (200) is completely covered. Heavy snowfall that begins particularly during late night hours cannot be melted by the panel and the surface of the solar panel (200) is covered with snow. Even though snow begins to melt slowly upon sunrise, it takes a long time for the snow to melt completely. The inventive system is capable of performing automatic clean-up operation in order to eliminate energy production losses during this time interval and to ensure that the surface of the solar panel (200) is entirely cleaned from accumulated snow.

The microcontroller (140) of the inventive system automatically detects snowfall by means of the data received from the snow detection sensor (150) and accordingly, ensures that the solar panel (200) is heated by switching the module (100) below the panel to reverse heating system. Thus, modules (100) can achieve both cooling and heating simultaneously. The heating operation ensures that accumulated snow on the surface of the solar panel (200) is melted, thereby avoiding any adherent snow piles. The heating system becomes deactivated when the snow detection sensor (150) transmits the respective data indicating that the photovoltaic panel (200) is completely cleaned from accumulated snow to the microcontroller (140). Thus, the module (100) generates electricity directly from the waste heat produced in the solar panel (200) and actuates cooling fans located behind the module (100). A module (100) having a readily detachable thermoelectric cooler (120) is positioned right below the solar panel (200), thereby allowing for heating the panels from below by detecting snow accumulation during the snow season.

The inventive system ensures that solar panels (200) are cooled down under suitable conditions, thereby improving the efficiency thereof. Photovoltaic solar panels (200) were tested in a laboratory environment in order to determine system performance. A sun simulator (1000W/m2), a reference solar panel, and a solar panel (200) of the same characteristics provided with the inventive system were used in tests. Performances of the reference solar panel and the solar panel (200) provided with the inventive module (100) were compared by plotting Current- Voltage and Efficiency-Time charts, and surface temperatures of both systems were analyzed in terms of thermotics. Obtained results showed that the inventive system reduces the surface temperatures and increases the system efficiency by approximately 10%.