USRE30584E - Optical concentrator and cooling system for photovoltaic cells - Google Patents

Optical concentrator and cooling system for photovoltaic cells Download PDF

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Publication number
USRE30584E
USRE30584E US06/080,252 US8025279A USRE30584E US RE30584 E USRE30584 E US RE30584E US 8025279 A US8025279 A US 8025279A US RE30584 E USRE30584 E US RE30584E
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tube
cells
radiation
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US06/080,252
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Charles R. Russell
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OI Glass Inc
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Owens Illinois Inc
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Assigned to OWENS-ILLINOIS GLASS CONTAINER INC. reassignment OWENS-ILLINOIS GLASS CONTAINER INC. ASSIGNS AS OF APRIL 15, 1987 THE ENTIRE INTEREST Assignors: OWENS-ILLINOIS, INC.
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    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01L—SEMICONDUCTOR DEVICES NOT COVERED BY CLASS H10
    • H01L31/00—Semiconductor devices sensitive to infrared radiation, light, electromagnetic radiation of shorter wavelength or corpuscular radiation and specially adapted either for the conversion of the energy of such radiation into electrical energy or for the control of electrical energy by such radiation; Processes or apparatus specially adapted for the manufacture or treatment thereof or of parts thereof; Details thereof
    • H01L31/04—Semiconductor devices sensitive to infrared radiation, light, electromagnetic radiation of shorter wavelength or corpuscular radiation and specially adapted either for the conversion of the energy of such radiation into electrical energy or for the control of electrical energy by such radiation; Processes or apparatus specially adapted for the manufacture or treatment thereof or of parts thereof; Details thereof adapted as photovoltaic [PV] conversion devices
    • H01L31/054—Optical elements directly associated or integrated with the PV cell, e.g. light-reflecting means or light-concentrating means
    • H01L31/0547—Optical elements directly associated or integrated with the PV cell, e.g. light-reflecting means or light-concentrating means comprising light concentrating means of the reflecting type, e.g. parabolic mirrors, concentrators using total internal reflection
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F24—HEATING; RANGES; VENTILATING
    • F24S—SOLAR HEAT COLLECTORS; SOLAR HEAT SYSTEMS
    • F24S23/00—Arrangements for concentrating solar-rays for solar heat collectors
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01L—SEMICONDUCTOR DEVICES NOT COVERED BY CLASS H10
    • H01L31/00—Semiconductor devices sensitive to infrared radiation, light, electromagnetic radiation of shorter wavelength or corpuscular radiation and specially adapted either for the conversion of the energy of such radiation into electrical energy or for the control of electrical energy by such radiation; Processes or apparatus specially adapted for the manufacture or treatment thereof or of parts thereof; Details thereof
    • H01L31/04—Semiconductor devices sensitive to infrared radiation, light, electromagnetic radiation of shorter wavelength or corpuscular radiation and specially adapted either for the conversion of the energy of such radiation into electrical energy or for the control of electrical energy by such radiation; Processes or apparatus specially adapted for the manufacture or treatment thereof or of parts thereof; Details thereof adapted as photovoltaic [PV] conversion devices
    • H01L31/052—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
    • H01L31/0521—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 using a gaseous or a liquid coolant, e.g. air flow ventilation, water circulation
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01L—SEMICONDUCTOR DEVICES NOT COVERED BY CLASS H10
    • H01L31/00—Semiconductor devices sensitive to infrared radiation, light, electromagnetic radiation of shorter wavelength or corpuscular radiation and specially adapted either for the conversion of the energy of such radiation into electrical energy or for the control of electrical energy by such radiation; Processes or apparatus specially adapted for the manufacture or treatment thereof or of parts thereof; Details thereof
    • H01L31/04—Semiconductor devices sensitive to infrared radiation, light, electromagnetic radiation of shorter wavelength or corpuscular radiation and specially adapted either for the conversion of the energy of such radiation into electrical energy or for the control of electrical energy by such radiation; Processes or apparatus specially adapted for the manufacture or treatment thereof or of parts thereof; Details thereof adapted as photovoltaic [PV] conversion devices
    • H01L31/054—Optical elements directly associated or integrated with the PV cell, e.g. light-reflecting means or light-concentrating means
    • H01L31/0543—Optical elements directly associated or integrated with the PV cell, e.g. light-reflecting means or light-concentrating means comprising light concentrating means of the refractive type, e.g. lenses
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F24—HEATING; RANGES; VENTILATING
    • F24S—SOLAR HEAT COLLECTORS; SOLAR HEAT SYSTEMS
    • F24S50/00—Arrangements for controlling solar heat collectors
    • F24S50/20—Arrangements for controlling solar heat collectors for tracking
    • Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
    • Y02—TECHNOLOGIES OR APPLICATIONS FOR MITIGATION OR ADAPTATION AGAINST CLIMATE CHANGE
    • Y02E—REDUCTION OF GREENHOUSE GAS [GHG] EMISSIONS, RELATED TO ENERGY GENERATION, TRANSMISSION OR DISTRIBUTION
    • Y02E10/00—Energy generation through renewable energy sources
    • Y02E10/40—Solar thermal energy, e.g. solar towers
    • Y02E10/44—Heat exchange systems
    • Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
    • Y02—TECHNOLOGIES OR APPLICATIONS FOR MITIGATION OR ADAPTATION AGAINST CLIMATE CHANGE
    • Y02E—REDUCTION OF GREENHOUSE GAS [GHG] EMISSIONS, RELATED TO ENERGY GENERATION, TRANSMISSION OR DISTRIBUTION
    • Y02E10/00—Energy generation through renewable energy sources
    • Y02E10/50—Photovoltaic [PV] energy
    • Y02E10/52—PV systems with concentrators

Definitions

  • This invention relates to a means for reducing the cost of electrical energy from photovoltaic cells. These cells are remarkable energy sources having no moving parts and a lifetime of many years when suitably protected. However photovoltaic cells are very expensive. As a result, their applications have been limited to space power systems and to a few special terrestial applications.
  • the power that a photovoltaic cell can produce is a function of the insolate sunlight and a typical solar cell can utilize efficiently many times the normal solar insolation, provided that the temperature of the solar cell does not increase excessively. Therefore, a solar concentrator can be effective; and within limits, the electrical output of the photovoltaic cell will increase with the concentration factor. At appreciable concentration factors, cooling is required, since the efficiency of photovoltaic cells may decrease rapidly with increasing temperatures. In fact some silicon solar cells become completely ineffective at temperatures below 200° C.
  • An optical concentrator and cooling system for photovoltaic cells has been invented which system is effective in concentrating the sunlight and in cooling the cells economically.
  • This new system consists of an elongated tube with a curved transparent area for admitting sunlight.
  • This elongated tube is filled with a clear nonconducting liquid having a refractive index suitable for concentrating the sunlight onto the photovoltaic cells mounted inside the tube and immersed in the liquid.
  • Solar cells have been demonstrated to function satisfactorily when immersed in a clear nonconducting liquid.
  • the clear liquid can be recirculated through an external heat exchanger, if additional cooling is necessary for efficient operation. Additional cooling also can be obtained by circulating a cooling fluid through heat exchange surfaces immersed in the clear liquid inside the elongated tube or through external heat exchange surfaces attached to the sides or bottom of the elongated tube.
  • the lower inside surfaces of the elongated tube can be made reflective and with an orientation and shape to reflect onto the solar cells part of the sunlight entering the top of the tube.
  • the combined reflection from the sides and refraction through the liquid filling the tube can produce the desired concentration of the sunlight onto the solar cells. Reflective surfaces can be placed inside the elongated tube independent of the sides of this tube.
  • the tube containing the solar cells can be fixed in position or the device can be moved to track the sun so that the insolate solar radiation is normal to the plane of the active surface of the solar cells.
  • An objective of the invention is to provide improved apparatus for concentrating solar energy on a transducer and for cooling the transducer.
  • FIG. 1 is a transverse sectionized view of a system
  • FIG. 2 is a transverse sectionized view of a modified form of a system
  • FIG. 3 is a longitudinal sectionized view
  • FIG. 4 is a transverse sectionized view of another modified form of a system.
  • FIG. 5 is a transverse sectionized view of still another modified form of a system.
  • FIG. 6 is a perspective view of transducers in a tube for recirculating a liquid coolant.
  • FIGS. 1, 2, 4, and 5 are transverse sectionized views of forms of a system
  • FIG. 3 is a longitudinal sectionized view.
  • the numeral 12 designates a curved transparent surface of plastic or glass.
  • a clear liquid 14, which is compatible with the other material used in constructing the system, has a refractive index suitable for concentrating the entering sunlight on the photovoltaic cells 10 mounted inside the elongated tube formed at least in part by the curved transparent surface 12. These solar cells 10 are immersed in the liquid 14 for cooling.
  • the electrical energy produced by illumination of the photovoltaic cells 10 is connected to an external load through power leads 16 and 18.
  • the photovoltaic cells are electrically interconnected by connectors such as 24 and 26.
  • the cells may be interconnected in parallel or in series or in some combination of parallel and series so as to provide desired voltage at power leads 16 and 18.
  • the elongated tube formed at least in part by the curved transparent surface 12 and containing the liquid 14 is closed on the ends by end plates 21 and 22.
  • the curved transparent surface 12 may be coated by a nonreflective coating to reduce reflection of the sunlight striking this surface and thereby increase the amount of sunlight entering the tube.
  • the curved transparent surface may be cylindrical as shown in FIG. 1 or, as shown in FIG. 2, the transparent surface 20 may be eliptical in cross section or some other shape to produce a higher concentration of sunlight on the solar cells 10.
  • the lower sides of the elongated tube may have a reflective surface 38 as shown in FIGS. 4 and 5 so that the combined effects of refraction through the curved upper transparent surface and the clear liquid 14 and reflection from the surfaces 38 produce the desired concentration of sunlight on the solar cells.
  • the reflective sides 38 may be flat or curved.
  • the reflective surface 38 may be placed inside the elongated tube as shown in FIG. 5.
  • Sunlight can be concentrated effectively on the solar cells without image formation. Also bubbles or slightly incomplete filling of the elongated tube with liquid have been found not to reduce significantly the electric power output of the solar cells.
  • the liquid for filling the elongated tube must be clear, electrically nonconducting, low viscosity, and compatible with materials of construction of the system. Also the liquid must have a refractive index suitable for concentrating the entering sunlight on the solar cells. Examples of suitable liquids are water and aliphatic hydrocarbons such as decane or clear mixtures of aliphatic hydrocarbons derived from petroleum. Aromatic hydrocarbons such as benzene and toluene have desirable high indexes of refraction, however many such aromatic hydrocarbons are not compatible with plastics that may be used for the curved transparent surface.
  • Fins or other extended heat transfer surfaces 34 shown in FIG. 4 may be attached to the lower sides 32 of the elongated tube to increase the rate of the heat transfer to surroundings.
  • FIG. 6 is a perspective view of photovoltaic cells 10 cemented or otherwise fastened inside an elongated tube with inlet and outlet pipes 48 and 50 for circulating a liquid coolant 14 which also refracts the entering sunlight onto the cells 10.
  • the inlet and outlet pipes 48 and 50 are attached to the end plates 40 and 42. These pipes 48 and 50 can be used to support and rotate the device about its longitudinal axis for tracking the sun.

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  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Condensed Matter Physics & Semiconductors (AREA)
  • Electromagnetism (AREA)
  • General Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Computer Hardware Design (AREA)
  • Microelectronics & Electronic Packaging (AREA)
  • Power Engineering (AREA)
  • Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
  • Sustainable Development (AREA)
  • Sustainable Energy (AREA)
  • Thermal Sciences (AREA)
  • Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
  • Combustion & Propulsion (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Photovoltaic Devices (AREA)

Abstract

An optical concentrator and cooling system in which a photovoltaic cell array is immersed in a liquid inside an elongated tube having a curved transparent wall for incident radiation, said liquid having a refractive index suitable for concentrating the incident radiation onto the photovoltaic cell array.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to a means for reducing the cost of electrical energy from photovoltaic cells. These cells are remarkable energy sources having no moving parts and a lifetime of many years when suitably protected. However photovoltaic cells are very expensive. As a result, their applications have been limited to space power systems and to a few special terrestial applications.
The power that a photovoltaic cell can produce is a function of the insolate sunlight and a typical solar cell can utilize efficiently many times the normal solar insolation, provided that the temperature of the solar cell does not increase excessively. Therefore, a solar concentrator can be effective; and within limits, the electrical output of the photovoltaic cell will increase with the concentration factor. At appreciable concentration factors, cooling is required, since the efficiency of photovoltaic cells may decrease rapidly with increasing temperatures. In fact some silicon solar cells become completely ineffective at temperatures below 200° C.
Many types of solar concentrators have been studied including reflective and refractive devices. The large amount of material in refractive devices of conventional design adds to the cost. The precise construction required for solar concentrators and for the tracking mechanism to point the optical system towards the sun and the requirement for cooling systems have made optical concentrators uneconomical for most applications.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
An optical concentrator and cooling system for photovoltaic cells has been invented which system is effective in concentrating the sunlight and in cooling the cells economically. This new system consists of an elongated tube with a curved transparent area for admitting sunlight. This elongated tube is filled with a clear nonconducting liquid having a refractive index suitable for concentrating the sunlight onto the photovoltaic cells mounted inside the tube and immersed in the liquid. Solar cells have been demonstrated to function satisfactorily when immersed in a clear nonconducting liquid.
Heat from the solar cells in transferred to the tube walls by the clear liquid through convection and conduction. The area of the tube walls is much larger than the area of the solar cells for transferring heat to the surrounding. Also the clear liquid can be recirculated through an external heat exchanger, if additional cooling is necessary for efficient operation. Additional cooling also can be obtained by circulating a cooling fluid through heat exchange surfaces immersed in the clear liquid inside the elongated tube or through external heat exchange surfaces attached to the sides or bottom of the elongated tube.
The lower inside surfaces of the elongated tube can be made reflective and with an orientation and shape to reflect onto the solar cells part of the sunlight entering the top of the tube. The combined reflection from the sides and refraction through the liquid filling the tube can produce the desired concentration of the sunlight onto the solar cells. Reflective surfaces can be placed inside the elongated tube independent of the sides of this tube.
The tube containing the solar cells can be fixed in position or the device can be moved to track the sun so that the insolate solar radiation is normal to the plane of the active surface of the solar cells. An advantage of mounting the solar cells inside an elongated tube is that effective tracking of the sun can be achieved by rotating the tube about its longitudinal axis without the more complicated mechanism required for continual sun tracking in both elevation and azimuth.
An objective of the invention is to provide improved apparatus for concentrating solar energy on a transducer and for cooling the transducer.
Other objectives and many of the attendant advantages of this invention will be readily appreciated as the same becomes better understood by reference to the following description.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING
FIG. 1 is a transverse sectionized view of a system;
FIG. 2 is a transverse sectionized view of a modified form of a system;
FIG. 3 is a longitudinal sectionized view;
FIG. 4 is a transverse sectionized view of another modified form of a system.
FIG. 5 is a transverse sectionized view of still another modified form of a system.
FIG. 6 is a perspective view of transducers in a tube for recirculating a liquid coolant.
DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
For a more complete understanding of the invention reference may be made to the following description thereof and to the drawings of which FIGS. 1, 2, 4, and 5 are transverse sectionized views of forms of a system, and FIG. 3 is a longitudinal sectionized view. More specifically in FIG. 1 the numeral 12 designates a curved transparent surface of plastic or glass. A clear liquid 14, which is compatible with the other material used in constructing the system, has a refractive index suitable for concentrating the entering sunlight on the photovoltaic cells 10 mounted inside the elongated tube formed at least in part by the curved transparent surface 12. These solar cells 10 are immersed in the liquid 14 for cooling. The electrical energy produced by illumination of the photovoltaic cells 10 is connected to an external load through power leads 16 and 18. The photovoltaic cells are electrically interconnected by connectors such as 24 and 26. The cells may be interconnected in parallel or in series or in some combination of parallel and series so as to provide desired voltage at power leads 16 and 18. The elongated tube formed at least in part by the curved transparent surface 12 and containing the liquid 14 is closed on the ends by end plates 21 and 22. The curved transparent surface 12 may be coated by a nonreflective coating to reduce reflection of the sunlight striking this surface and thereby increase the amount of sunlight entering the tube. The curved transparent surface may be cylindrical as shown in FIG. 1 or, as shown in FIG. 2, the transparent surface 20 may be eliptical in cross section or some other shape to produce a higher concentration of sunlight on the solar cells 10.
The lower sides of the elongated tube may have a reflective surface 38 as shown in FIGS. 4 and 5 so that the combined effects of refraction through the curved upper transparent surface and the clear liquid 14 and reflection from the surfaces 38 produce the desired concentration of sunlight on the solar cells. The reflective sides 38 may be flat or curved. The reflective surface 38 may be placed inside the elongated tube as shown in FIG. 5.
Sunlight can be concentrated effectively on the solar cells without image formation. Also bubbles or slightly incomplete filling of the elongated tube with liquid have been found not to reduce significantly the electric power output of the solar cells. The liquid for filling the elongated tube must be clear, electrically nonconducting, low viscosity, and compatible with materials of construction of the system. Also the liquid must have a refractive index suitable for concentrating the entering sunlight on the solar cells. Examples of suitable liquids are water and aliphatic hydrocarbons such as decane or clear mixtures of aliphatic hydrocarbons derived from petroleum. Aromatic hydrocarbons such as benzene and toluene have desirable high indexes of refraction, however many such aromatic hydrocarbons are not compatible with plastics that may be used for the curved transparent surface.
Fins or other extended heat transfer surfaces 34 shown in FIG. 4 may be attached to the lower sides 32 of the elongated tube to increase the rate of the heat transfer to surroundings.
FIG. 6 is a perspective view of photovoltaic cells 10 cemented or otherwise fastened inside an elongated tube with inlet and outlet pipes 48 and 50 for circulating a liquid coolant 14 which also refracts the entering sunlight onto the cells 10. The inlet and outlet pipes 48 and 50 are attached to the end plates 40 and 42. These pipes 48 and 50 can be used to support and rotate the device about its longitudinal axis for tracking the sun.
Obviously many modifications and variations of the present invention are possible in the light of the above teachings. It is therefore to be understood that within the scope of the appended claims the invention may be practiced otherwise than as specifically described.

Claims (5)

What is claimed is:
1. Apparatus for converting solar radiation to electrical energy comprising:
1. a plurality of solar cells;
2. a tube of elliptical cross section, comprising a transparent wall section having elliptical inner and outer wall surfaces, said solar cells being secured to an inner wall of said tube near one end of the major axis of the elliptical shape opposite said transparent wall section;
3. a liquid surrounding said cells and substantially filling said tube whereby radiation impinging on said transparent wall section is concentrated on said cells through the curved surface of said liquid.
2. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said tube comprises a transparent curved wall section and a radiation reflecting section whereby radiation entering said tube but not refracted directly to said cells is reflected to said cells.
3. The apparatus of claim 2 wherein said reflecting section is a metal.
4. The apparatus of claim 3 comprising in addition cooling fins secured to said metal.
5. The apparatus of claim 1 comprising in addition reflector surfaces disposed inside said tube effective to concentrate incoming radiation to said cells. .Iadd. 6. A method for converting solar radiation to electrical energy which comprises the steps of (1) passing solar radiation through an elongated transparent curved wall tube of glass or plastic substantially filled with a clear nonconducting liquid having a refractive index suitable for concentrating solar radiation on photovoltaic cells; (2) concentrating said radiation on a plurality of photovoltaic cells mounted in a linear configuration in the axial direction inside of said tube and electrically connected to one another; and (3) thereafter recovering electrical energy from said voltaic cells. .Iaddend. .Iadd. 7. The method of claim 6 wherein the tube is cylindrical. .Iaddend..Iadd. 8. The method of claim 6 wherein the tube is closed. .Iaddend..Iadd. 9. The method of claim 6 wherein the tube has inlet and outlet means. .Iaddend..Iadd. 10. The method of claim 6 wherein the photovoltaic cells are electrically interconnected in parallel, in series, or in combinations thereof. .Iaddend..Iadd. 11. The method of claim 6, 7, 8, 9, or 10 wherein the tube comprises a transparent curved wall section and a radiation reflecting section whereby radiation entering said tube but not refracted directly to said cells is reflected to said cells. .Iaddend..Iadd. 12. The method of claim 6, 7, 8, 9, or 10 wherein a surface of the transparent tube is coated with a non-reflective coating. .Iaddend..Iadd. 13. The method of claim 6, 7, 8, 9 or 10 wherein the solar cells are located near one side of the tube and face the distant side. .Iaddend..Iadd. 14. Apparatus for converting solar radiation to electrical energy comprising:
1. a plurality of solar cells mounted in a linear configuration in the axial direction inside an elongated transparent curved wall tube, and
2. a liquid surrounding said cells and substantially filling said tube whereby radiation impinging on said tube is concentrated on said cells, said liquid having a refractive index suitable for concentrating radiation onto said cells. .Iaddend..Iadd. 15. Apparatus of claim 14 wherein the tube is cylindrical. .Iaddend..Iadd. 16. Apparatus for converting solar radiation to electrical energy comprising:
1. a plurality of solar cells mounted in a linear configuration in the axial direction inside a closed, elongated transparent cylindrical tube, and
2. a clear liquid surrounding said cells and substantially filling said tube whereby radiation impinging on said tube is concentrated on said cells, said liquid having a refractive index suitable for concentrating radiation onto said cells. .Iaddend..Iadd. 17. Apparatus for converting solar radiation to electrical energy comprising:
1. a plurality of solar cells mounted in a linear configuration in the axial direction inside an elongated transparent cylindrical tube with the ends closed for holding liquid and having inlet and outlet means for for circulating a liquid coolant, and
2. a clear liquid surrounding said cells and substantially filling said tube whereby radiation impining on said tube is concentrated on said cells, said liquid having a refractive index suitable for concentrating radiation onto said cells. .Iaddend..Iadd. 18. Apparatus of claim 14, 15, 16, or 17 wherein the solar cells are electrically interconnected in parallel, in series, or in combinations thereof. .Iaddend..Iadd. 19. Apparatus of claim 14, 15, 16, or 17 wherein the solar cells are located near one side of the tube and face the distant side. .Iaddend..Iadd. 20. Apparatus of claim 14, 15, 16, or 17 wherein the tube comprises a transparent curved wall section and a radiation reflecting section whereby radiation entering said tube but not refracted directly to said cells is reflected to said cells. .Iaddend..Iadd. 21. Apparatus of claim 14, 15, 16, or 17 wherein a surface of the transparent tube is coated with a non-reflective coating. .Iaddend..Iadd. 22. Apparatus of claim 14, 15, 16, or 17 wherein the liquid is water, an aromatic hydrocarbon, or an aliphatic hydrocarbon. .Iaddend.
US06/080,252 1979-10-01 1979-10-01 Optical concentrator and cooling system for photovoltaic cells Expired - Lifetime USRE30584E (en)

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Cited By (16)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
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DE4419946A1 (en) * 1994-06-08 1995-12-14 Schwarz Hans Werner Solar heat and radiation energy converting appts.
US6407328B2 (en) 1998-08-05 2002-06-18 Powerpulse Holding Ag Photovoltaic device
WO2003001610A1 (en) * 2001-06-22 2003-01-03 Kunihide Tanaka Solar energy converter using optical concentration through a liquid
US6583349B2 (en) 2001-06-22 2003-06-24 Kunihide Tanaka Solar energy converter using a solar cell in a shallow liquid layer
US20040011395A1 (en) * 2002-07-16 2004-01-22 Nicoletti Stephen Adolph Solar co-generator
US6700054B2 (en) * 1998-07-27 2004-03-02 Sunbear Technologies, Llc Solar collector for solar energy systems
US20090145474A1 (en) * 2007-12-08 2009-06-11 Yi Pang Solar energy device for electricity and heating
DE10223173B4 (en) * 2002-05-24 2010-04-08 Solarc Innovative Solarprodukte Gmbh Solar module with housing filled with a fluid matrix
DE102008057187A1 (en) * 2008-11-13 2010-05-20 Paul Kraft Photovoltaic-piping system comprises solar cells that are centrically arranged in transparent pipes in lattice-like raster, where solar cells are centrically arranged on carrier with cross section of equilateral triangle
US20110051459A1 (en) * 2009-09-02 2011-03-03 Dell Products L.P. Optically coupled light guide
US20110192447A1 (en) * 2010-02-08 2011-08-11 Alan Shteyman Three-dimensional total internal refraction solar cell
US20110226308A1 (en) * 2010-03-18 2011-09-22 Yi Pang Solar energy hybrid module
US20110272000A1 (en) * 2010-05-06 2011-11-10 Thermoguide Ltd. Linear low concentration photovoltaic generator
US8410351B1 (en) * 2008-09-04 2013-04-02 Bingwu Gu Concentrated photovoltaic and solar heating system
DE102013201940A1 (en) * 2013-02-06 2014-08-07 Sunoyster Systems Gmbh Receiver for use in e.g. solar plant, has cladding tube comprising supply and exhaust openings for generating flow of heat carrier fluid in cladding tube, where heat carrier fluid flows around solar cell
US8853522B1 (en) * 2013-03-15 2014-10-07 Bingwu Gu Concentrated photovoltaic and solar heating system

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US6407328B2 (en) 1998-08-05 2002-06-18 Powerpulse Holding Ag Photovoltaic device
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US6583349B2 (en) 2001-06-22 2003-06-24 Kunihide Tanaka Solar energy converter using a solar cell in a shallow liquid layer
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US7173179B2 (en) * 2002-07-16 2007-02-06 The Board Of Trustees Of The University Of Arkansas Solar co-generator
US20090145474A1 (en) * 2007-12-08 2009-06-11 Yi Pang Solar energy device for electricity and heating
US8420925B2 (en) 2007-12-08 2013-04-16 Yi Pang Solar energy device for electricity and heating
US8410351B1 (en) * 2008-09-04 2013-04-02 Bingwu Gu Concentrated photovoltaic and solar heating system
DE102008057187A1 (en) * 2008-11-13 2010-05-20 Paul Kraft Photovoltaic-piping system comprises solar cells that are centrically arranged in transparent pipes in lattice-like raster, where solar cells are centrically arranged on carrier with cross section of equilateral triangle
US8353615B2 (en) * 2009-09-02 2013-01-15 Dell Products L.P. Optically coupled light guide
US20110051459A1 (en) * 2009-09-02 2011-03-03 Dell Products L.P. Optically coupled light guide
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US9159858B2 (en) * 2010-02-08 2015-10-13 Alan Shteyman Three-dimensional total internal reflection solar cell
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US8853522B1 (en) * 2013-03-15 2014-10-07 Bingwu Gu Concentrated photovoltaic and solar heating system

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