DE202011000903U1 - Solar system with artificial light source - Google Patents

Abstract

Solar system (1; 18 to 24; 31; 36; 37; 38; 45 to 49) for delivering electrical energy from at least one solar module (2, 3, 4; 25, 26; 32, 33, 34; 39) in which Light energy is converted into electrical energy, the electrical energy generated being able to be output by connection contacts (A1, A2) of the solar module (2, 3, 4; 25, 26; 32, 33, 34; 39), characterized in that an artificial light source (L; 11; 30; 40, 41, 42) is provided, which is formed by an electrical light source (L; 30; 40, 41, 42), in particular by a fluorescent tube (L; 40, 41, 42), and that the at least one solar module (2, 3, 4; 26; 32, 33, 34; 39) is plate-shaped and the artificial light source (L; 11; 30; 40, 41, 42) is arranged at least partially surrounding it and that each of the solar modules (2, 3, 4; 26; 32, 33, 34; 39) is attached to a module holder (5, 6, 7), at least one module holder ...

Description

The invention relates to a solar system for emitting electrical energy from at least one solar module in which light energy is converted into electrical energy, wherein the generated electrical energy can be emitted from connection contacts of the solar module.

The document DE 10 2008 003 286 A1 discloses, by way of example, such a solar system in which one or more solar modules or photovoltaic elements convert light energy into electrical energy. The connection contacts of the individual solar modules are connected together and the electrical energy generated by the solar system is delivered to terminal contacts of the solar system. The document further discloses a support structure for the solar module to align the solar module in a stable manner to the sun as a light source.

Such solar systems have been known for some time and are increasingly used for alternative power generation. The limiting factor in all these solar systems is the number of hours of sunshine per day or per year. Since this value also depends very much on the geographic location of the solar system, solar systems in southern areas with consistently good weather conditions will be more economically viable. For this reason, solar systems are increasingly planned or built in desert areas (eg in Africa). To use this solar power in Western Europe, however, additional expensive power lines must be relocated from these solar systems to Western Europe, which has a significant impact on the economics of such solar systems.

On the other hand, there are geographical areas where the sun seems relatively unreliable and unreliable, but other energy sources are sufficient. These other energy sources can be converted into electrical power in large power plants, for example via a steam turbine power plant. However, this power generation is not economically feasible in sparsely populated areas.

The invention has for its object to provide a solar system that generates reliable and self-sufficient continuous electrical energy. This task is inventively achieved in that in the solar system, an artificial light source is provided and that the at least one solar module, the artificial light source is arranged at least partially surrounding.

According to the invention, therefore, not the sunlight but an artificially generated light is used to generate electrical energy with solar modules, which are arranged in a suitable manner around the light source. As an artificial light source here, for example, a gas light, a magnesium lamp or quite generally a fuel lamp with liquid, solid or gaseous fuel can be used. In this case, a locally favorable energy carrier, such as gas or petroleum, be reliably and continuously converted into electrical energy. Since intensive work is being done worldwide to improve the efficiency of solar modules and of artificial light sources, it can be assumed that this type of conversion of the energy from different energy sources into electric current will always be more efficient, as a result of which the industrial applicability of this solar system according to the invention is already today is given and will continue to improve in the future.

As a result, the advantage is obtained that can be generated as needed 24 hours a day, seven days a week with the solar system electrical energy. Since the solar system is not dependent on natural light, the solar system can be placed in a protected from environmental influences place, which is why the durability and service life of the solar system is much longer than conventional solar systems.

Likewise, an electric light source for generating the artificial light can be used, the efficiency of such a solar system is dependent on the efficiency of the electric light source and the solar modules. But even if the efficiency is not sufficient to generate electrical energy over the entire system, it may be advantageous in individual cases to be able to use a power generated with an alternative energy source when needed.

If one has opted for a solar system with an electric light source, then it is advantageous to use, for example, a commercially available fluorescent tube as a light source. A fluorescent tube can already be operated relatively energy-saving today and is integrated by their elongated design particularly well in a solar system.

If one builds the solar system according to the invention with commercially available solar modules, then it has proved to be advantageous to arrange three plate-shaped or rectangular solar modules as an equilateral triangle. A fluorescent tube is placed in the center of the equilateral triangle, and thus equidistant from the three solar modules, over the length of the solar modules and uniformly illuminates the photosensitive surfaces of the solar modules. That way is one cost-effective solar system obtained with a relatively high efficiency.

It is also advantageous to provide the solar modules fastened to module holders. Since both the photosensitive surfaces of the solar modules and the artificial light source are located inside the cavity formed by the solar modules, it has proven advantageous to provide at least one of the module holders with a hinge in order to open the cavity for servicing. In this way, for example, the fluorescent tube can be changed very easily or cleaned the fuel nozzle of a gas lamp as an artificial light source easily and well on this service opening. Similarly, the solar panels or reflective surfaces of the solar system can be cleaned of dust through the service opening to obtain a uniformly high efficiency.

Since the artificial light source usually emits heat in addition to the light, it has proven to be advantageous to provide ventilation of the solar modules. It is particularly advantageous to provide spacers in the module brackets that keep a gap between the floor and solar module or between the solar panels for natural thermal convection. Due to the natural convection can be dispensed with a fan for air exchange.

By providing an inverter which converts the electrical energy generated by the solar system into a mains voltage adapted to the local energy supply network, the advantage is obtained that the energy generated can be used for operating the solar system and / or can be fed into the local energy supply network. The advantage of this excess feed is that energy required to operate the solar system is at least partially covered by the electrical energy generated by the solar system, resulting in lower payments to the utility. As utilities increasingly want and need to switch to alternative energy sources, the electricity generated by a solar system can be sold particularly well and expensively.

The shape of the solar system according to the invention is determined by bringing the photosensitive surface of the solar module or modules as close as possible to the artificial light source. But other aspects can have an influence on the shape or arrangement of the solar modules in the solar system. In a substantially punctiform light source, a spherical solar module offers in order to achieve the highest possible efficiency. For an elongated light source, a tubular solar module would be particularly efficient. Since the manufacturing costs of a spherical or tubular solar module are currently still relatively high, it has currently proven to be advantageous to arrange commercially available plate or rectangular solar modules in the form of an equilateral triangle, a square or rectangle or regular polygon with five or more sides.

In order to further increase the efficiency of the solar system, it has proven to be advantageous at times when the sun is shining to couple natural light into the solar module and to dispense with the artificial light source during this time. The coupling of the natural light can be done for example by mirrors or optical fibers.

Be particularly advantageous has further proven to use the solar system as a lighting fixture or to use lighting fixtures of daily life as a solar system. For this purpose, a part of the light generated by the artificial light source is extracted from the solar system for lighting. Thus, for example, instead of the reflector of a conventional fluorescent tube light bar, one or more solar modules could be provided to recover at least part of the energy consumption of the fluorescent tube by using the light of the fluorescent tube not required for illumination.

Furthermore, it has proved to be advantageous to surround the artificial light source only partially with solar modules and to provide free-lying surrounding areas with mirrors or semi-reflective surfaces. With the mirrors, light of the artificial light source can be mirrored on edge regions of the solar modules, which are only weakly illuminated by the direct light of the artificial light source. As a result, the efficiency of the solar system can be significantly increased.

As a solar module is subsequently always referred to a generator or photovoltaic module, which is able to convert light into electrical energy. As a solar system is subsequently referred to a unit having one or more solar modules and of which the electrical energy generated by the solar modules is either directly stored in batteries or can be delivered via an inverter to a power grid. As a solar power plant is subsequently referred to a merger of two or more solar systems.

Further advantageous embodiments of solar systems according to the invention are explained in more detail below with reference to FIGS.

1 shows a solar system with three solar modules in a plan view.

2 shows the solar system according to 1 in a side view.

3 shows symbolically different tubular solar systems.

4 symbolically shows three different polygonal solar systems.

5 symbolically shows a cuboid, a star-shaped and a double-tube solar system with several artificial light sources.

6 shows two further embodiments of inventive solar systems with plate-shaped solar modules and / or mirrors.

7 shows two further embodiments of inventive solar systems with arcuate solar modules and / or mirrors.

8th shows a lighting fixture, which is also used as a solar system.

9 shows a solar power plant with five lying solar systems.

1 shows a solar system 1 with three solar modules 2 . 3 and 4 in a plan view, which are arranged in the form of an equilateral triangle. In 2 is the solar system 1 according to 1 shown in a side view, the angle of view along the solar module 2 was chosen. The solar modules 2 . 3 and 4 are commercially available solar modules available on the market and according to the exemplary embodiment in FIG 1 arranged with a width of 0.8 meters and a length of 1.6 meters similar to a tower standing. The solar modules 2 . 3 and 4 are each on a module bracket 5 . 6 and 7 fastened to provide the necessary stability and strength. The module holders 5 . 6 and 7 are designed by a metal construction, whereby a profile construction made of plastic or other material such as wood could be realized.

The module holder 6 has a joint 8th on the longitudinal edge of the solar module 3 on to the solar panel 3 as a door can swing outward. As a result, the advantage is obtained that by the solar modules 2 . 3 and 4 formed tower, especially for service work, can be opened.

The module holders 5 . 6 and 7 point as spacers to the floor towards each module holder 5 . 6 and 7 two module holder feet F, which have a length of 0.1 meters. The provision of the module holder feet F creates ventilation slots between the floor and the module holders 5 . 6 and 7 , which allows cool air to enter the tower from below. Since warmed-up air in the tower can freely flow out of the tower at the top, a natural convection is created by the ventilation slots on the floor 1 cools. As a result, the advantage is obtained that on a cooling of the solar system 1 can be dispensed by special ventilation, reducing the efficiency of the solar system 1 is increased.

Each of the solar modules 2 . 3 and 4 has connection contacts A1 and A2, on which the of the solar modules 2 . 3 and 4 generated electrical energy as direct current I-OUT with a DC voltage of 12 volts to an inverter W can be issued. In the inverter W, the DC voltage U and the DC current 1 converted into an adapted to the local power grid voltage U-OUT of 240 volts AC voltage with 50 heart network frequency. The generated electrical energy can thus be fed into a household power grid or in the local power grid to supply several houses or an entire region.

The solar system 1 now has an artificial light source, which is formed by a fluorescent tube L, which is provided in a fluorescent tube holder H and which is supplied via an input current I-IN with energy. The fluorescent tube L has according to this embodiment, a length of 1.5 meters and is in the center of the three solar modules 2 . 3 and 4 formed equilateral triangle, which is why they are equidistant from the photosensitive surfaces of the solar modules 1 . 2 and 3 lies and these are irradiated evenly. This arrangement of the artificial light source in the middle of the solar modules is a relatively high efficiency of the entire solar system 1 receive.

The efficiency is calculated in such a solar system by dividing the electrical power output by the solar system by the solar power and in this case the artificial light source supplied electrical power. Even if the efficiency is set by natural laws certain limits, but an interesting for the operation of the solar system efficiency can be achieved. In particular, subsidies for alternative energy sources and the relatively higher electricity price from alternative energy sources and other socio-political boundary conditions can contribute positively to the cost-effectiveness of the solar system.

Particularly advantageous on the solar system 1 is that at any times, including in particular during the night or the sun-soaked winter months, solar power can be generated continuously. The solar system 1 Can be installed in a basement or attic protected from environmental influences, which is why a very long service life is guaranteed. About the openable module mounting 6 The fluorescent tube L can be replaced or other service work, such as dusting the solar modules 2 . 3 and 4 , be performed. The thermal energy generated by the fluorescent tube L is derived by means of the thermal convection described above from the tower, without this energy would have to be expended.

As commercially available solar modules 2 . 3 and 4 in the solar system 1 were installed, is the solar system 1 especially inexpensive to produce. By providing the inverter, the electrical energy generated by an alternative energy source can be used as a stand-alone system for a single house, wherein the generated electrical energy can also be stored by means of a charger in accumulators. Likewise, the energy not required in the house can be fed by the inverter as a full or surplus feed system into a small energy grid or even into a large energy network. The wiring of the solar system 1 is on the outside of the module brackets 5 . 6 and 7 provided, which is why this one hand, the photosensitive surfaces of the solar modules 2 . 3 and 4 not shaded and otherwise easily accessible for service.

In the 3 . 4 and 5 are symbolically and exemplarily further possible arrangements of one or more artificial light sources shown, which are surrounded by at least one solar module. In these figures, the module holders for the solar modules are not shown separately. In 3 on the left is a solar system 9 represented by a flexible solar module rolled up into a tube 10 and by an artificial light source provided in the central axis thereof 11 is formed, wherein the artificial light source is provided over the length of the tube. The artificial light source 11 could for example be formed by a channel in which burns liquid fuel. As a result, it leads to a fouling of the solar module 10 it is more advantageous to have an artificial light source 11 which produces no or very little waste. Artificial light sources are known to the person skilled in the art, which light up uniformly, for example, on the basis of a chemical reaction over a long period of time. Particularly simple and clean artificial light sources are providable, which are fed with electrical energy. In this case, for example, fluorescent tubes, LEDs, energy-saving lamps and discharge tubes are known to the person skilled in the art.

In 3 in the middle is one of two gutter-shaped solar modules 12 and 13 composite solar system 14 represented by a joint 15 are connected at a longitudinal edge. By providing the joint 15 is achieved that the solar system 14 can be opened for service work. According to a further embodiment of the invention, instead of the solar module 13 a trough-shaped mirror is provided, from which the light emitted by the artificial light source onto the solar module 12 is mirrored. Since solar modules are more expensive than mirrors, such a variant would be cheaper to produce and still all the light emitted by the artificial light source would be used to generate electrical energy. In 3 right is a solar system 16 shown, which is composed of four channel-shaped solar modules, one of which via a joint 17 is designed openable.

In the 4 are symbolically represented three more solar systems, with a solar system 18 through a polygon with five solar modules, a solar system 19 through a polygon with six solar modules and a solar system 20 is formed by a polygon with ten solar modules. Also these three solar systems 18 . 19 and 20 have the advantage that commercially available solar modules can be combined to form these, which is why the production costs are relatively low. The more solar modules are provided in the polygon of the solar system, the more uniformly the entire surface of the individual solar modules is illuminated, whereby the efficiency can be further increased. In these embodiments, individual solar modules could be replaced by mirrors or at least partially reflective surfaces.

In the 5 three more solar systems are shown symbolically to show that several artificial light sources can be provided in a solar system and that the arrangement of the solar modules are technically and economically no limits. In a cuboid solar system 21 two artificial light sources are provided in order to ensure a uniform and small distance of the light sources to the photosensitive surfaces of the solar modules. This is particularly important because the light energy with the distance from the light source decreases sharply and too large a distance of the artificial light source from the photosensitive surface of the solar module would have a significantly reduced efficiency of the solar system result.

Furthermore is in 5 a solar system 22 represented, are arranged in the solar modules in the form of a star and a total of five electric light sources generate artificial light to generate electricity. A solar system 23 is formed by two tubular solar modules, each having an artificial light source in its central axis. From these examples, it is clear that a variety of other possible arrangements of artificial light sources, each of one or Surrounding multiple solar modules are within the scope and scope of the invention. In alternative embodiment to the in the 3 . 4 and 5 illustrated embodiments could be single of the solar modules of the solar systems 9 to 23 be replaced by mirrors, wherein at least one of the artificial light source partially surrounding solar module must always be provided. In all these embodiments, one or more artificial light sources could be provided in each case.

In the 6 on the left is a solar system 24 shown, the two plate-shaped solar modules 25 and 26 as well as two convex mirrors 27 and 28 having, wherein the mirror 27 about a joint 29 is designed openable. That from the LED light bar 30 emitted artificial light is through the mirror 27 and 28 on the edge areas of the solar modules 25 and 26 reflects a greater distance to the LED light bar 30 have as the center areas of the solar modules 25 and 26 , As a result, the entire photosensitive surface of the solar modules 25 and 26 used effectively to generate electrical energy.

In the 6 right is a solar system 31 represented, the three plate-shaped solar modules 32 . 33 and 34 wherein a portion of the surrounding area around the artificial light source is kept clear to receive light from the solar system 31 decouple. The solar system 31 can therefore be used as a lighting fixture to illuminate, for example, a room, a table or other object. As a result, the advantage of functionality as a solar system and as a lighting fixture is obtained. Also in this embodiment is a joint 35 for opening the solar module 32 intended.

In the 7 are two more solar systems 36 and 37 shown, wherein individual of the artificial light source surrounding areas are covered by solar modules and the remaining surrounding areas by mirrors. In a further embodiment variant, a semi-reflecting surface could also be provided which partly lets through the artificial light and partially reflects it back. The transmitted through the semi-reflective surface and thus decoupled from the solar module light could in turn be used for lighting.

In 8th is a lighting fixture 38 represented, which is a plate-shaped solar module 39 has on its photosensitive surface three fluorescent light strips 40 . 41 and 42 with reflectors 43 are set up. Under the fluorescent tube light bar 40 . 41 and 42 located objects are from the lighting fixture 38 illuminated, and with the solar panel 39 In addition, electrical energy is generated. This lighting fixture 38 could advantageously be dimensioned according to the mounting dimensions of a suspended ceiling and find application as a standard module.

Based on 1 and 2 is the solar system 1 have been described, are arranged in the three solar modules similar to a tower standing. In 9 is a solar power plant 44 shown, the five solar systems 45 . 46 . 47 . 48 and 49 each having also three solar modules arranged in an equilateral triangle. The solar systems 45 . 46 . 47 . 48 and 49 of the solar power plant 44 However, lying are arranged and can thus be arranged space saving in, for example, a basement room next to each other. Furthermore, several solar power plants could 44 be arranged in rows one above the other and side by side to form a compact power plant for generating electrical energy.

The module holders of the solar modules of the solar power plant 44 wise - in the 9 not shown - ventilation openings between the solar modules, in order to allow natural convection and thus cooling of the solar systems, which can be dispensed with electrically powered fans.

According to a further embodiment of the invention, not shown in the figures, the sun or at least daylight is coupled into the solar system via one or more light guides or one or more mirrors. In this way, the advantage is obtained that during periods of time when the sun is shining or at least bright, the natural light can additionally be utilized to generate electrical energy. Depending on the brightness of the coupled-in natural light, the artificial light source can only give off weaker artificial light or even be completely switched off. As a result, the efficiency of the solar system can be further increased.

It is particularly advantageous far more solar systems to close a solar power plant together. In this way, a practically arbitrarily large electrical energy, in particular at times when the power demand peaks, can be generated.

It may be mentioned that, for example, a solar module or photovoltaic module from Sanyo with the type designation HIP 210 is currently available on the market. This solar module has a nominal output of 210 Wp. A commercially available fluorescent tube (Sylvania FHO 49 W / 840), for example, has an energy consumption of 49 watts with discharge of 4,900 lumens.

It may be mentioned that the efficiency of the solar system can be increased, the more of the light emitted by the artificial light source falls on the photosensitive surface of the solar module. For this reason, for example, in the arrangement of the solar modules as a tower in the form of an equilateral triangle, in each case a further solar module or a mirror or a semi-reflective surface may be provided on the bottom and the top surface.

It may be mentioned that the length specifications of the spacers, the fluorescent tubes and solar modules and voltage specifications of the output voltage of the solar modules and the voltage of the power supply network are mentioned in the description by way of example only. The person skilled in a variety of differently sized components with comparable technical function are known which can be used in the solar system according to the invention.

It may be mentioned that both the surfaces of the mirrors or semi-reflective surfaces and the photosensitive surfaces of the solar modules can have any shape and curvature.

It may be mentioned that in all of the embodiments described above, inverters and, if appropriate, for temporarily storing the generated electrical energy, a battery can be provided upstream of the inverter.

QUOTES INCLUDE IN THE DESCRIPTION

This list of the documents listed by the applicant has been generated automatically and is included solely for the better information of the reader. The list is not part of the German patent or utility model application. The DPMA assumes no liability for any errors or omissions.

Cited patent literature

• DE 102008003286 A1 [0002]

Claims (12)

Solar system ( 1 ; 18 to 24 ; 31 ; 36 ; 37 ; 38 ; 45 to 49 ) for emitting electrical energy from at least one solar module ( 2 . 3 . 4 ; 25 . 26 ; 32 . 33 . 34 ; 39 ), in which light energy is converted into electrical energy, wherein the generated electrical energy of terminal contacts (A1, A2) of the solar module ( 2 . 3 . 4 ; 25 . 26 ; 32 . 33 . 34 ; 39 ), characterized in that an artificial light source (L; 11 ; 30 ; 40 . 41 . 42 ) provided by an electric light source (L; 30 ; 40 . 41 . 42 ), in particular by a fluorescent tube (L; 40 . 41 . 42 ), and that the at least one solar module ( 2 . 3 . 4 ; 26 ; 32 . 33 . 34 ; 39 ) plate-shaped and the artificial light source (L; 11 ; 30 ; 40 . 41 . 42 ) is arranged at least partially surrounding and that each of the solar modules ( 2 . 3 . 4 ; 26 ; 32 . 33 . 34 ; 39 ) on a module holder ( 5 . 6 . 7 ), wherein at least one module holder ( 6 ) of the solar system a joint ( 8th ; 29 ; 35 ) for opening the solar system ( 1 ; 18 to 24 ; 31 ; 36 ; 37 ; 38 ; 45 to 49 ) to perform service work on the solar module or the light source can. Solar system ( 1 ; 45 to 49 ) according to claim 1, characterized in that three plate-shaped solar modules ( 2 . 3 . 4 ) are arranged as an equilateral triangle, and that the artificial light source (L) is provided substantially equidistantly in the center of the equilateral triangle. Solar system ( 1 ; 18 to 24 ; 31 ; 36 ; 37 ; 38 ; 45 to 49 ) according to claim 2, characterized in that the module holders ( 5 . 6 . 7 ) Ensure ventilation openings (F) which provide ventilation of the solar system ( 1 ; 9 ; 14 ; 16 ; 18 to 24 ; 31 ; 36 ; 37 ; 38 ; 45 to 49 ), in particular by natural convection. Solar system ( 1 ; 18 to 24 ; 31 ; 36 ; 37 ; 38 ; 45 to 49 ) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that an inverter (W) is provided which is connected to the connection contacts (A1, A2) of the at least one solar module ( 2 . 3 . 4 ; 25 . 26 ; 32 . 33 . 34 ; 39 ) is connected and from which a local power supply network adapted mains voltage (U-OUT) can be issued. Solar system ( 45 . 46 . 47 . 48 . 49 ) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that at least two solar systems ( 45 . 46 . 47 . 48 . 49 ) to a solar power plant ( 44 ). Solar system ( 1 ; 18 to 24 ; 31 ; 36 ; 37 ; 38 ; 45 to 49 ) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the solar modules, the artificial light source in the form of a square or rectangular ( 21 ) Surface having cuboid surrounded at least partially. Solar system according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that in addition natural light can be coupled into the solar system. Solar system ( 31 ; 38 ) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the solar system ( 31 ; 38 ) is used as a lighting body, wherein a part of the of the artificial light source ( 40 . 41 . 42 ) generated either directly or through a semi-reflective surface of the solar system ( 31 ; 38 ) can be coupled out for illumination. Solar system ( 31 ; 38 ) according to claim 8, characterized in that the electrical energy generated by the solar system to reduce the energy consumption of the electrical energy source as a lighting fixture in the supply line (I-IN) of the supply of the electrical energy source can be fed and / or can be fed into a local power grid. Solar system ( 31 ; 38 ) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the at least one solar module, the artificial light source is arranged only partially surrounding, wherein at least in a part of the remaining free area surrounding at least one mirror or at least a semi-reflective surface surrounding the artificial light source is arranged. Solar system ( 31 ) according to claim 10, characterized in that the at least one mirror or the at least one semi-reflective surface for improved illumination of the remote from the artificial light source edge regions of the at least one solar module is arranged. Solar system ( 1 ; 18 to 24 ; 31 ; 36 ; 37 ; 38 ; 45 to 49 ) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that that of the at least one solar module ( 2 . 3 . 4 ; 25 . 26 ; 32 . 33 . 34 ; 39 ) generated electrical energy can be delivered to a battery.

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