Solar cell module
First Claim
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1. A solar cell module comprising:
- a support structure having at least one planar surface adapted to support an array of solar cells;
a plurality of circular solar cells arrayed on said at least one planar surface of said support structure, said cells having top and bottom surfaces;
a light transparent optical medium coupled to said array and support structure;
land areas between said arrayed circular solar cells, said land areas having a plurality of facets with light relfective surfaces, each facet having a predetermined angular relationship with respect to said planar surface of the support and each other so that light impinging on said light relective surfaces is relected upwardly through said optical medium and forms an angle at the opposite top surface of said module which is greater than the critical angle whereby said reflected light is internally reflected downwardly toward said solar cells.
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Abstract
A solar cell module is provided having a plurality of circular solar cells arrayed on a support structure in which at least the land areas between the cells have facets with light reflecting surfaces. An optical cover medium couples the facets and the cells. Importantly the angular relationship of the facet surfaces is such that light impinging thereon will be reflected upwardly into the optical medium and then internally reflected downwardly toward an active cell area thereby effectively increasing the output of the module.
80 Citations
19 Claims
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1. A solar cell module comprising:
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a support structure having at least one planar surface adapted to support an array of solar cells; a plurality of circular solar cells arrayed on said at least one planar surface of said support structure, said cells having top and bottom surfaces; a light transparent optical medium coupled to said array and support structure; land areas between said arrayed circular solar cells, said land areas having a plurality of facets with light relfective surfaces, each facet having a predetermined angular relationship with respect to said planar surface of the support and each other so that light impinging on said light relective surfaces is relected upwardly through said optical medium and forms an angle at the opposite top surface of said module which is greater than the critical angle whereby said reflected light is internally reflected downwardly toward said solar cells. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
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15. A solar cell module comprising:
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a structure adapted for supporting an array of solar cells; a plurality of solar cells arrayed on said support structure; land areas between said solar cells arrayed on said support structure; a light transparent optical medium coupling said land areas and said solar cells, said optical medium having a top surface adapted to be disposed to receive incident solar radiation; a plurality of facets having light reflective surfaces angularly disposed in said land areas whereby light falling on said reflective surfaces will be upwardly reflected through said optical medium to the top surface of said optical medium and thereafter internally reflected downwardly through said optical medium to said solar cells.
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16. In a solar cell module having circular solar cells arrayed on a support structure having planar surfaces for mounting said array of solar cells, said module having a light transparent optical cover medium thereon, the improvement comprising:
a plurality of facets with light reflective surfaces thereon, said facets located at least in the land areas between the circular solar cells, each facet having a predetermined angular relationship with respect to the planar surfaces of the support structure and each other whereby light impinging on said facets will be reflected upwardly into the optical cover medium and then downwardly toward the circular solar cells. - View Dependent Claims (17)
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18. A solar cell module comprising:
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a structure adapted for supporting an array of solar cells; a plurality of solar cells arrayed on said support structure; land areas between said solar cells arrayed on said support structure; a light transparent optical medium coupling said land areas and said solar cells, said optical medium having an index of refraction of between 1.3 and 3.0; a plurality of V-shaped grooves in said land areas having light reflective surfaces, said V-shaped grooves having upwardly extending legs meeting at a point and forming an angle therebetween, said angle being between 110° and
130°
, whereby light falling on said reflective surfaces will be reflected upwardly through said optical medium to the front surface of said module and thereafter internally reflected downwardly to said solar cells.
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19. A method of increasing the output current of a given solar cell module having a plurality of circular solar cells arrayed on a support and defining land areas therebetween comprising:
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providing a plurality of facets with light reflective surfaces thereon in said land areas, and thereby upwardly reflecting solar radiation impinging on said land areas into a light transparent optical medium adapted to internally reflect said radiation downwardly through said optical medium toward said solar cells whereby light impinging on said land area is translated to said solar cells thereby increasing the output current of said solar cell module.
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Specification