Rotational Trough Reflector Array For Solar-Electricity Generation
First Claim
1. An apparatus for solar-electricity generation comprising:
- a first trough reflector having a reflective surface defining a first focal line;
a first photovoltaic element disposed on the first focal line; and
means for rotating the first trough reflector around an axis, wherein the axis is non-parallel to the focal line.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A rotational trough reflector solar-electricity generation device includes a trough reflector that rotates around a substantially vertical axis. A strip-type photovoltaic (PV) device is fixedly mounted along the focal line of the trough reflector. A tracking system rotates the trough reflector such that the trough reflector is aligned generally parallel to the incident sunlight (e.g., in a generally east-west direction at sunrise, turning to generally north-south at noon, and turning generally west-east at sunset). A disc-shaped support structure is used to distribute the reflector'"'"'s weight over a larger area and to minimize the tracking system motor size. Multiple trough reflectors are mounted on the disc-shaped support to maximize power generation.
-
Citations
21 Claims
-
1. An apparatus for solar-electricity generation comprising:
-
a first trough reflector having a reflective surface defining a first focal line; a first photovoltaic element disposed on the first focal line; and means for rotating the first trough reflector around an axis, wherein the axis is non-parallel to the focal line. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 19)
-
-
12. A method for generating solar-electricity using a first trough reflector, wherein the first trough reflector defines a first focal line, the method comprising:
-
disposing the first trough reflector on a planar support surface such that the first focal line defines an angle relative to the planar support surface; and rotating the first trough reflector around an axis that is substantially perpendicular to the planar support surface, whereby the first focal line remains disposed at said angle relative to said planar surface while said first trough reflector rotates around said axis. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18)
-
-
20. A method for generating solar-electricity using a trough reflector, wherein the trough reflector defines a focal line, the method comprising:
-
mounting the trough reflector onto a planar support surface such that the focal line defines a predetermined angle relative to the support surface, and rotating the trough reflector around an axis that is substantially perpendicular to the support surface such that; during a sunrise time period, the focal line is aligned in a first generally east-west direction, during a midday time period, the focal line is aligned in a generally north-south direction, and during a sunset time period, the is aligned in a second generally east-west direction. - View Dependent Claims (21)
-
Specification