Methods and systems for temperature regulation of roof mounted and solar tracker mounted photovoltaic modules

Abstract

One example solar energy system includes a solar tracker, a plurality of photovoltaic modules mounted to the solar tracker, and a temperature regulation system. The PV modules are configured to generate an electrical power output from solar energy incident on the PV modules. The temperature regulation system includes a thermal transfer fluid, a fluid pump operable to pump the thermal transfer fluid, and a plurality of fluid heat exchangers in thermal communication with the plurality of PV modules and in fluid communication with the fluid pump. The fluid heat exchangers are configured to transfer heat from the PV modules to the thermal transfer fluid.

1 - 20 . (canceled) 
     
     
         21 . A solar energy system comprising:
 a plurality of photovoltaic (PV) modules mounted to the roof of a structure, the PV modules configured to generate an electrical power output from solar energy incident on the PV modules; and   a temperature regulation system comprising:
 a thermal transfer fluid; 
 a fluid pump operable to pump the thermal transfer fluid; and 
 a plurality of fluid heat exchangers in thermal communication with the plurality of PV modules and in fluid communication with the fluid pump, the fluid heat exchangers configured to transfer heat from the PV modules to the thermal transfer fluid. 
   
     
     
         22 . The solar energy system of  claim 21 , wherein the PV modules are mounted to the roof of the structure spaced a distance from the roof. 
     
     
         23 . The solar energy system of  claim 21 , wherein the PV modules are mounted to the roof of the structure with substantially no distance between the PV modules and the roof. 
     
     
         24 . The solar energy system of  claim 21  further comprising a secondary heat exchanger in fluid communication with the fluid pump and the fluid heat exchanger, the secondary heat exchanger configured to dissipate at least some of the heat contained in the thermal transfer fluid. 
     
     
         25 . The solar energy system of  claim 24 , wherein the secondary heat exchanger comprises an array of tubes or coils. 
     
     
         26 . The solar energy system of  claim 21 , wherein the array of tubes or coils is configured to be buried underground. 
     
     
         27 . The solar energy system of  claim 21 , wherein the array of tubes or coils is configured for disposition under a floor to provide underfloor heating. 
     
     
         28 . The solar energy system of  claim 21 , wherein the array of tubes or coils is configured for disposition in a body of water. 
     
     
         29 . The solar energy system of  claim 21 , wherein the array of tubes or coils is configured for disposition within walls of a structure to provide room heating in the structure. 
     
     
         30 . The solar energy system of  claim 21 , wherein the array of tubes or coils is configured for disposition within walls of a structure to provide room heating in the structure. 
     
     
         31 . The solar energy system of  claim 24 , wherein the secondary heat exchanger is configured to indirectly dissipate at least some of the heat contained in the thermal transfer fluid to a second fluid. 
     
     
         32 . The solar energy system of  claim 31 , wherein the second fluid is air. 
     
     
         33 . The solar energy system of  claim 31 , wherein the second fluid is water. 
     
     
         34 . The solar energy system of  claim 33 , wherein the secondary heat exchanger is coupled to a water storage tank to provide the water to the water storage tank after dissipating at least some of the heat contained in the thermal transfer fluid to the water. 
     
     
         35 . The solar energy system of  claim 33 , wherein the secondary heat exchanger is coupled to a body of water to provide the water to the body of water after dissipating at least some of the heat contained in the thermal transfer fluid to the water. 
     
     
         36 . The solar energy system of  claim 35 , wherein the body of water is a pool. 
     
     
         37 . The solar energy system of  claim 31 , wherein the secondary heat exchanger comprises a phase change material based heat exchanger. 
     
     
         38 . The solar energy system of  claim 31 , wherein the second fluid is ethylene glycol. 
     
     
         39 . The solar energy system of  claim 31 , wherein the second fluid is a thermal transfer fluid. 
     
     
         40 . The solar energy system of  claim 21 , wherein the PV modules are mounted to the roof of the structure recessed into the roof. 
     
     
         41 . The solar energy system of  claim 22 , wherein the PV modules are configured to reduce a temperature of the roof below the PV modules. 
     
     
         42 . The solar energy system of  claim 22 , wherein the plurality of PV modules are operable to generate a greater electrical power output than similar PV modules that are not in coupled to the temperature regulation system. 
     
     
         43 . The solar energy system of  claim 22 , wherein the temperature regulation system is configured to provide at least some of the heat transferred from the PV modules for use in one of a residential application, a commercial application, and an industrial application.