SOLAR CONCENTRATING MIRROR
First Claim
1. A solar collection device comprising:
- (a) one or more solar cells having an absorption bandwidth; and
(b) at least one solar concentrating mirror positioned in proximity to the one or more solar cells, wherein the at least one solar concentrating mirror comprises (i) a multilayer optical film having an optical stack having a plurality of alternating layers, the alternating layers having at least one birefringent polymer and at least one second polymer; and
(ii) a UV protective layer applied onto a surface of the multilayer optical film, wherein the solar concentrating mirror reflects at least a major portion of the average light across the range of wavelengths that corresponds with the absorption bandwidth of the solar cell onto the solar cell and does not reflect onto the solar cell a major portion of light outside the absorption bandwidth of the solar cell; and
(c) a celestial tracking mechanism connected to at least one of the one or more solar cells or the at least one solar concentrating mirror.
1 Assignment
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Accused Products
Abstract
An article that is suitable for use as a solar concentrating mirror for enhancing the use of solar collection devices, such as solar cells. The article includes a multilayer optical film and a compliant UV protective layer. The article addresses degradation issues in solar concentration devices, provides specific bandwidths of electromagnetic energy to the solar cell while eliminating or reducing undesirable bandwidths of electromagnetic energy that may degrade or adversely affect the solar cell, and renders a compliant sheet of material that may be readily formed into a multitude of shapes or constructions for end use applications. A solar collection device comprising the article and optionally comprising a celestial tracking mechanism is also disclosed.
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Citations
20 Claims
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1. A solar collection device comprising:
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(a) one or more solar cells having an absorption bandwidth; and (b) at least one solar concentrating mirror positioned in proximity to the one or more solar cells, wherein the at least one solar concentrating mirror comprises (i) a multilayer optical film having an optical stack having a plurality of alternating layers, the alternating layers having at least one birefringent polymer and at least one second polymer; and
(ii) a UV protective layer applied onto a surface of the multilayer optical film, wherein the solar concentrating mirror reflects at least a major portion of the average light across the range of wavelengths that corresponds with the absorption bandwidth of the solar cell onto the solar cell and does not reflect onto the solar cell a major portion of light outside the absorption bandwidth of the solar cell; and(c) a celestial tracking mechanism connected to at least one of the one or more solar cells or the at least one solar concentrating mirror. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18)
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19. A method of collecting solar energy comprising positioning a louver comprising a solar concentrating mirror in proximity to a solar cell wherein the solar concentrating mirror comprises (i) a multilayer optical film having an optical stack having a plurality of alternating layers, the alternating layers having at least one birefringent polymer and at least one second polymer;
- and (ii) a UV protective layer applied onto a surface of the multilayer optical film, wherein the solar concentrating mirror reflects at least a major portion of the average light across the range of wavelengths that corresponds with the absorption bandwidth of the solar cell onto the solar cell and does not reflect onto the solar cell a major portion of light outside the absorption bandwidth of the solar cell, and wherein the louver comprises a celestial tracking mechanism.
- View Dependent Claims (20)
Specification