Concentrated photovoltaic panel

• US 9,464,783 B2
• Filed: 03/04/2014
• Issued: 10/11/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 03/15/2013
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Morgan Innovation Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Brett Barnes
• Inventors: Morgan, John Paul, Myrskog, Stefan, Barnes, Brett, Sinclair, Michael, Morris, Nigel
• Primary Examiner(s): DINH, BACH T
• Application Number:
  US14/196,618
• Publication Number:
  US 20140261625A1
• Time in Patent Office: 952 Days
• Field of Search: 136243-265
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: B32B 37/12 characterised by using adhesives
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 17/02 with provision for adjustment F21V17/04 - F21V17/08 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 29/502 characterised by the adaptation for cooling of specific components
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 7/00 Reflectors for light sources characterised by cooling arrangements F21V29/505
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 7/04 Optical design
• CPC Class Codes: G01J 1/0414 using plane or convex mirrors, parallel phase plates, or plane beam-splitters
• CPC Class Codes: G01J 1/42 using electric radiation detectors optical or mechanical part G01J1/04; by comparison with a reference light or electric value G01J1/10
• CPC Class Codes: H01L 31/02013 comprising output lead wires elements
• CPC Class Codes: H01L 31/048 Encapsulation of modules
• CPC Class Codes: H01L 31/0508 the interconnection means having a particular shape
• CPC Class Codes: H01L 31/052 Cooling means directly associated or integrated with the PV cell, e.g. integrated Peltier elements for active cooling or heat sinks directly associated with the PV cells cooling means in combination with the PV module H02S40/42
• CPC Class Codes: H01L 31/0543 comprising light concentrating means of the refractive type, e.g. lenses
• CPC Class Codes: H01L 31/0547 comprising light concentrating means of the reflecting type, e.g. parabolic mirrors, concentrators using total internal reflection
• CPC Class Codes: H01L 31/0687 Multiple junction or tandem solar cells
• CPC Class Codes: H02S 40/22 Light-reflecting or light-concentrating means directly associated with the PV cell or integrated with the PV cell H01L31/054
• CPC Class Codes: Y02E 10/52 PV systems with concentrators
• CPC Class Codes: Y02E 10/544 Solar cells from Group III-V materials
• CPC Class Codes: Y02P 70/50 Manufacturing or production processes characterised by the final manufactured product
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49826 Assembling or joining

Abstract

A concentrated photovoltaic panel comprises at least one rigid sheet, one or more first optical elements disposed adjacent a first side of the at least one rigid sheet, one or more second optical elements disposed adjacent a second side of the at least one rigid sheet, and one or more photovoltaic elements. Each photovoltaic element is disposed between a respective first optical element and a respective second optical element. Each first optical element comprises at least one lens configured to focus light impinging thereon onto a corresponding reflecting surface of the respective second optical element. Each second optical element is configured to reflect light focused by the first optical element to the photovoltaic element disposed therebetween.

Claims

1. A concentrated photovoltaic panel comprising:

at least one rigid sheet;

one or more first optical elements disposed adjacent a first side of the at least one rigid sheet, each of the first optical elements comprising at least one lens;

one or more second optical elements disposed adjacent a second side of the at least one rigid sheet, each of the second optical elements comprising at least one reflecting surface; and

one or more photovoltaic elements, each photovoltaic element disposed between a respective first optical element and a respective second optical element, wherein the at least one lens of the first optical element is configured to focus light impinging thereon at an angle normal to a plane defined by the rigid sheet onto a corresponding reflecting surface of the respective second optical element, the second optical element being configured to reflect light focused by the first optical element to the photovoltaic element, each reflecting surface being configured to reflect light by total internal reflection,

wherein diffuse light impinging on the one or more first optical elements is transmitted to the exterior of the concentrated photovoltaic panel through the one or more second optical elements.

2. The panel of claim 1, wherein the at least one lens comprises a generally ring-shaped, plano-convex lens arranged concentrically about a central axis of the first optical element.

3. The panel of claim 2, wherein the lens comprises a convex surface defined as a surface of full revolution around the central axis.

4. The panel of claim 3, wherein the convex surface is spaced radially from the central axis.

5. The panel of claim 2, wherein the lens comprises a planar surface that is co-planar with a planar back surface of the first optical element.

6. The panel of claim 5, wherein the planar back surface is oriented towards and generally parallel with the at least one rigid sheet.

7. The panel of claim 1, wherein the at least one reflecting surface comprises an annular reflecting surface arranged concentrically about a central axis of the second optical element.

8. The panel of claim 7, wherein the annular reflecting surface is defined as a surface of revolution around the central axis.

9. The panel of claim 7, wherein each second optical element further comprises an inner reflecting surface configured to reflect light reflected by the annular reflecting surface to the photovoltaic element.

10. The panel of claim 9, wherein the inner annular reflecting surface is defined as a surface of revolution around the central axis.

11. The panel of claim 7, wherein each second optical element is positioned such that the central axis is generally collinear with a central axis of the respective first optical element.

12. The panel of claim 11, wherein each photovoltaic element is positioned on the generally collinear central axes.

13. The panel of claim 1, further comprising a compliant layer disposed between the at least one rigid sheet and at least one of the first optical element and the second optical element.

14. The panel of claim 1, wherein the at least one rigid sheet comprises a first rigid sheet spaced from and parallel with a second rigid sheet, the one or more photovoltaic elements being disposed between the first and second rigid sheets.

15. The panel of claim 1, further comprising structure configured to conduct heat away from the photovoltaic element.

16. The panel of claim 15, wherein the structure is a conductor grid providing an electrical connection to the photovoltaic element.

17. The panel of claim 15, wherein the structure comprises a plurality of strips extending radially outwardly from the photovoltaic element.

18. The panel of claim 17, wherein the structure further comprises a first arc and a second arc attached to the strips.