Concentrating solar panel and related systems and methods
First Claim
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1. A photovoltaic power system comprising:
- (a) a support structure having an interface that is structured to be compatible with a pre-existing solar panel form factor; and
(b) a plurality of spaced apart, linear photovoltaic concentrator modules coupled to the support structure such that a module is moveable with respect to the support structure.
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Abstract
The present invention relates to photovoltaic concentrating modules and related concentrating solar systems and methods. In particular, the present invention relates to concentrating modules, especially modules having a convenient size and market acceptance of traditional flat photovoltaic solar panels.
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Citations
31 Claims
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1. A photovoltaic power system comprising:
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(a) a support structure having an interface that is structured to be compatible with a pre-existing solar panel form factor; and
(b) a plurality of spaced apart, linear photovoltaic concentrator modules coupled to the support structure such that a module is moveable with respect to the support structure. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 27)
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26. A method of providing a photovoltaic power system, comprising the step of configuring a support structure of a photovoltaic power system to have a form factor that is compatible with a pre-existing, flat solar panel, wherein the photovoltaic power system comprises:
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(a) the support structure; and
(b) a plurality of spaced apart, linear photovoltaic concentrator modules coupled to the support structure such that a module is moveable with respect to the support structure.
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- 28. A photovoltaic concentrator module, comprising a reflective trough that concentrates light energy onto a receiver having at least one photovoltaic cell, wherein the trough is coupled to the receiver in a manner such that the trough functions simultaneously as a concentrating optical element, a structural element, and a cooling element.
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31. A photovoltaic power system comprising:
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(a) a support structure; and
(b) a plurality of spaced apart, linear, photovoltaic concentrator modules coupled to the support structure such that a module is moveable with respect to the support structure, said modules including a refractive optical element that concentrates light onto a common photovoltaic receiver from a first portion of a light receiving aperture of the module and a reflective optical element that concentrates light onto the common photovoltaic receiver from a second portion of the light receiving aperture.
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Specification