WO2016097199A1 - Solar energy collector - Google Patents

Solar energy collector Download PDF

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Publication number
WO2016097199A1
WO2016097199A1 PCT/EP2015/080324 EP2015080324W WO2016097199A1 WO 2016097199 A1 WO2016097199 A1 WO 2016097199A1 EP 2015080324 W EP2015080324 W EP 2015080324W WO 2016097199 A1 WO2016097199 A1 WO 2016097199A1
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WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
energy
converter
light
wavelength
solar energy
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/EP2015/080324
Other languages
French (fr)
Other versions
WO2016097199A9 (en
Inventor
Kasper MOTH-POULSEN
Original Assignee
Chalmers Ventures Ab
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Chalmers Ventures Ab filed Critical Chalmers Ventures Ab
Publication of WO2016097199A1 publication Critical patent/WO2016097199A1/en
Publication of WO2016097199A9 publication Critical patent/WO2016097199A9/en

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Classifications

    • 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
    • F24S20/00—Solar heat collectors specially adapted for particular uses or environments
    • F24S20/20—Solar heat collectors for receiving concentrated solar energy, e.g. receivers for solar power plants
    • 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
    • H01L31/054—Optical elements directly associated or integrated with the PV cell, e.g. light-reflecting means or light-concentrating means
    • H01L31/055—Optical elements directly associated or integrated with the PV cell, e.g. light-reflecting means or light-concentrating means where light is absorbed and re-emitted at a different wavelength by the optical element directly associated or integrated with the PV cell, e.g. by using luminescent material, fluorescent concentrators or up-conversion arrangements
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H02—GENERATION; CONVERSION OR DISTRIBUTION OF ELECTRIC POWER
    • H02S—GENERATION OF ELECTRIC POWER BY CONVERSION OF INFRARED RADIATION, VISIBLE LIGHT OR ULTRAVIOLET LIGHT, e.g. USING PHOTOVOLTAIC [PV] MODULES
    • H02S40/00—Components or accessories in combination with PV modules, not provided for in groups H02S10/00 - H02S30/00
    • H02S40/40—Thermal components
    • H02S40/44—Means to utilise heat energy, e.g. hybrid systems producing warm water and electricity at the same time
    • 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
    • Y02B—CLIMATE CHANGE MITIGATION TECHNOLOGIES RELATED TO BUILDINGS, e.g. HOUSING, HOUSE APPLIANCES OR RELATED END-USER APPLICATIONS
    • Y02B10/00—Integration of renewable energy sources in buildings
    • Y02B10/20—Solar thermal
    • 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
    • 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
    • Y02E10/60—Thermal-PV hybrids

Definitions

  • the present disclosure relates to a solar energy collector, a solar energy collector system and a method for collecting solar energy.
  • Renewable sources of energy are likely to play an increasingly important role in meeting the energy demands of societies worldwide, and a lot of effort is currently invested into developing methods for extracting and storing energy from renewable sources.
  • Solar energy collection is a case in point that finds application in a wide variety of domestic and industrial uses.
  • An example of a system for collecting solar energy is the photovoltaic system disclosed in DE 102010014631 A1 . This system has a first
  • a solar cell covered by the second concentrator generates electricity from the converted light.
  • the general objective of the present disclosure is to provide an improved or alternative solar energy collector and method for collecting solar energy. Aspects of particular interest include the durability, maintenance requirements and operational efficiency of the solar energy collector.
  • a solar energy collector comprises a wavelength converter, which is configured to convert incident sun light in a first wavelength range to light in a second wavelength range, and an energy converter which is arranged to receive sun light and converted light emitted by the wavelength converter.
  • the energy converter is permeable to light in the first wavelength range and configured to convert electromagnetic energy of light in the second wavelength range to a different form of energy.
  • the energy converter encloses at least 75% of the wavelength converter.
  • the energy converter being “permeable" to light in the first wavelength range is meant that at least 10% of the light in the first wavelength range received by the energy converter is not converted and passes therethrough.
  • Wavelength converting light that has passed through the energy converter to a wavelength suitable for the energy converter increases the efficiency of the system by allowing energy emitted over a broader spectrum of wavelengths to be energy converted.
  • a permeability of 10% is enough for achieving a significant relative increase in efficiency.
  • the energy converter encloses between 80% and 99% of the wavelength converter, alternatively between 90% and 99% or between 95% and 99%. Enclosing more of the wavelength converter helps increasing the amount of light in the second wavelength range received by the energy converter and hence the amount of
  • the energy converter and the energy converter are electromagnetic energy that is converted.
  • the energy converter and the energy converter are electromagnetic energy that is converted.
  • wavelength converters are cylindrical, the energy converter and wavelength converter being centered on a common longitudinal axis. Such wavelength and energy converters are suitable for many applications and are typically easy to manufacture.
  • the wavelength converter is configured to convert light by photon upconversion, for example triplet-triplet annihilation upconversion.
  • the high-energy light needed for some energy converters can be produced through photon upconversion, and triplet-triplet annihilation is an effective such process, especially for converting incoherent light such as sun light.
  • Triplet-triplet annihilation systems can also be implemented at a relatively low cost.
  • the energy converter is a solar cell.
  • the energy converter is a photochemical conversion system, for example a molecular solar thermal system (MOST system).
  • MOST system is a chemical system capable of converting and storing solar energy in the form of chemical energy. The present invention is thus compatible with different kinds of energy converters.
  • the energy converter is adapted to store energy for later use, whereby the versatility of the solar energy collector is increased.
  • At least one of the wavelength converter and the energy converter is a fluid, i.e. a gas or a liquid.
  • Both the wavelength converter and the energy converter can for example be fluids. Fluid wavelength and energy converters can be easily transported by flow to a remote location, for example in order to replace them at the end of their service life or to retrieve or store the converted energy.
  • a solar energy collector system which comprises at least one solar energy collector according to the first aspect and at least one light reflector arranged to reflect incident sun light on the solar energy collector.
  • a light reflector helps increase the efficiency of the energy and wavelength converting processes and may reduce costs by allowing smaller energy and wavelength converters to be used without sacrificing performance.
  • a method for collecting solar energy comprises enclosing an wavelength converter by an energy converter to at least 75%.
  • the wavelength converter is configured to convert incident sun light in a first wavelength range to light in a second wavelength range.
  • the energy converter is also substantially permeable to light in the first wavelength range and configured to convert electromagnetic energy of light in the second wavelength range to a different form of energy.
  • the method comprises receiving sun light at the energy converter, allowing received sun light in the first wavelength range to pass through the energy converter to the wavelength converter, wavelength converting light passed through the energy converter to light in the second wavelength range, receiving wavelength converted light at the energy converter, and energy converting light in the second wavelength range.
  • Figure 1 shows a schematic cutaway view in perspective of an embodiment of a solar energy collector.
  • Figure 2 shows a schematic cutaway view in perspective of an embodiment of a solar energy collector system.
  • Figure 3 shows a schematic cross sectional side view of the solar energy collector system in figure 2.
  • Figure 4 shows a schematic cutaway view in perspective of an alternative embodiment of a solar energy collector system.
  • Figure 5 shows a schematic perspective view of another alternative embodiment of a solar energy collector system.
  • Figure 6 is a flowchart of some of the steps of a method for collecting solar energy.
  • Figure 1 illustrates an embodiment of a solar energy collector 1 having the shape of a right circular cylinder which extends along a longitudinal axis L and in a radial direction R.
  • the length I and diameter di of the solar energy collector 1 both depend on the application.
  • the diameter di is typically in the centimeter or decimeter range, and the length I can be from a few centimeters to several meters.
  • the solar energy collector 1 can have other cylindrical shapes or even non-cylindrical shapes.
  • the solar energy collector 1 can have the shape of a rectangular cylinder, an elliptical cylinder, a rectangular parallelepiped, a prism, a sphere or a segment of a sphere.
  • the solar energy collector 1 can have the shape of a curved cylinder, such as a curved circular cylinder.
  • the solar energy collector 1 has a right circular cylindrical wavelength converter 2 centered on the longitudinal axis L.
  • the wavelength converter 2 is configured to convert incident sun light in a first wavelength range to light in a second wavelength range.
  • the first wavelength range comprises longer wavelengths than the second wavelength range.
  • the first wavelength range is centered on a longer wavelength range than the wavelength range on which the second wavelength range is centered.
  • the first and second wavelength ranges may or may not overlap.
  • the first wavelength range can for example be in the infrared spectrum.
  • the second wavelength range can for example be in the visible spectrum.
  • the first wavelength range is somewhere between 300 nanometers and 2000 nanometers.
  • the second wavelength range is typically somewhere between 200 nanometers and 1200 nanometers.
  • the wavelength converter 2 is configured to convert light by photon upconversion, i.e. the process in which a material is excited by the sequential absorption of photons and as a result emits photons of a shorter wavelength than that or those of the absorbed photons.
  • the photon upconversion process can for example be triplet-triplet annihilation upconversion.
  • the wavelength converter 2 may be configured to convert light by other mechanisms, such as two-photon absorption or second-harmonic generation. It should be noted that, although the wavelength converter 2 in this embodiment is configured to wavelength convert light of a certain energy to light of a higher energy, the wavelength converter 2 may in other embodiments operate in the opposite way. That is to say, the wavelength converter 2 may in some embodiments be configured to downconvert light so that the first wavelength range comprises shorter wavelengths than the second wavelength range.
  • the wavelength converter 2 comprises a wavelength converting material 3 in which the photon upconversion process occurs.
  • the wavelength converting material 3 can be chosen from the group consisting of organic materials, inorganic materials, organometallic materials, rare earth materials and mixtures thereof.
  • the wavelength converting material 3 can be a solid, such as rare earth based systems, polymer based systems or combinations thereof. Examples of rare earth systems include materials containing d-block and f-block elements.
  • the rare earth based systems may comprise titanium, nickel, molybdenum, rhenium or osmium.
  • the polymer systems may include polymers capable of photon upconversion, such as polymers having combinations of sensitizing units (for example metal porphyrines) and emissive units (for example anthracenes, rubrenes and perylenes).
  • the wavelength converting material 3 can be a fluid. Examples of suitable wavelength converting materials 3 in the form of fluids are combinations of sensitizers and annihilator pairs dissolved or suspended in fluids such as water, toluene, heptane, tetrahydrofuran or combinations thereof.
  • the wavelength converting material 3 is contained in an inner housing 4 in the form of a hollow right circular cylinder. In some embodiments, such as those having a solid wavelength converting material 3, the inner housing 4 may be omitted.
  • the inner housing 4 is made of a material that is permeable to light in at least the first and second wavelength ranges.
  • the inner housing 4 can for example be made of a material chosen from the group consisting of glass, quartz, plexiglass or a combination thereof.
  • the inner housing 4 has a diameter d 2 and a thickness t 2 , the sizes of which depend on the particular application of the solar energy collector 1 .
  • the thickness t 2 is typically small compared to the diameter d 2 in order for the inner housing 4 to be able to contain a large amount of wavelength converting material 3 relative to its total volume. Also, a thin inner housing 4 usually lets more light through than a thick one.
  • the ratio of d 2 to the diameter di of the solar energy collector 1 i.e. d 2 /di
  • d 2 /di may be in the range from 0,1 to 0,9, for example 0,5. The most suitable value of this ratio may depend on factors such as the focus area of light reflected on the solar energy collector 1 .
  • the inner housing 4 forms a physical barrier separating the wavelength converting material 3 from an energy converting material 6 (further discussed below).
  • the solar energy collector 1 may comprise a barrier separating the wavelength converting material 3 from the energy converting material 6.
  • the barrier is arranged between the wavelength converting material 3 and the energy converting material 6 as seen in the radial direction R.
  • An energy converter 5 is arranged to receive wavelength converted light from the wavelength converter 2.
  • the shape of the energy converter 5 is that of a straight cylinder having a base in the form of an annulus. Like the wavelength converter 2, the energy converter 5 is centered on the longitudinal axis L. The wavelength converter 2 and the energy converter 5 are thus concentric, the energy converter 5 coaxially enclosing the wavelength converter 2. As seen in a direction of the longitudinal axis L, i.e. the
  • the energy converter 5 encircles the wavelength converter 2 completely and continuously.
  • the energy converter 5 may only partly encircle the wavelength converter 2 as seen in the longitudinal direction.
  • the energy converter 5 may have the shape of a cylinder the base of which is an incomplete annulus.
  • the energy converter 5 completely encloses the wavelength converter 2. However, it should be noted that this is not essential, and that it may be sufficient that the energy converter 5 covers only a portion of the wavelength converter 2, preferably at least 75%. Any portions of the wavelength converter 2 that are not enclosed by the energy converter 5 may leave room for various types of connections to be arranged on the wavelength converter 2.
  • the energy converter 5 can have any shape such that the wavelength converter 2 is enclosed to at least 75%. In some embodiments, the energy converter 5 encloses the wavelength converter 2 by at least 80%, at least 90%, at least 95% or at least 99%.
  • That the energy converter 5 completely encloses or covers the wavelength converter 2 means, in this embodiment, that the cross section of the energy converter 5 completely surrounds the cross section of the wavelength converter 2, the cross section of the energy converter 5 and the cross section of the wavelength converter 2 being perpendicular to the longitudinal axis L. If the energy converter 5 had enclosed for example 75% of the wavelength converter 2, then the cross section of the energy converter 5 would have surrounded 75% of the cross section of the wavelength converter 2.
  • the wavelength converter 2 comprises an outer surface and the energy converter 5 comprises an inner surface, the wavelength converter 2 and the energy converter 5 being arranged so that the inner surface of the energy converter 5 faces the outer surface of the wavelength converter 2.
  • the inner surface of the energy converter 5 and the outer surface of the wavelength converter 2 each have the shape of the lateral surface of a cylinder, specifically a right circular cylinder.
  • the inner surface of the energy converter 5 completely covers the outer surface of the wavelength converter 2.
  • the inner surface of the energy converter 5 is formed by the energy converting material 6 (further discussed below) and the outer surface of the wavelength converter 2 is formed by the inner housing 4.
  • the wavelength and energy converters 2, 5 are in direct contact with each other.
  • the wavelength and energy converters 2, 5 may or may not be in direct contact with each other.
  • the wavelength and energy converters 2, 5 can be two cylinders centered on a common longitudinal axis and separated in the radial direction R.
  • the energy converter 5 is substantially transparent to light in the first wavelength range and configured to convert electromagnetic energy of light in the second wavelength range to a different form of energy.
  • many different types of energy converters 5 are compatible with the present invention, and the energy converter 5 is chosen to meet certain embodiment- specific requirements. Depending on the intended application of the solar energy collector 1 , the energy converter 5 may therefore be configured to convert electromagnetic energy to electrical energy, molecular energy, chemical energy, heat, mechanical energy or any other type of energy.
  • Examples of energy converters 5 include molecular solar thermal systems, photolytic water splitting systems, photolytic carbon dioxide reduction systems and photochemical conversion systems.
  • the energy converter 5 can be a solar cell, such as an organic photovoltaic system, a thin film solar cell or a silicon based solar cell.
  • the energy converter 5 can be a third generation solar cell, for example a "Gratzel" solar cell.
  • the energy converter 5 is adapted to store energy in the form of heat, chemical energy, molecular energy or some other form of energy.
  • the energy converter 5 comprises an energy converting material 6 which may be a solid.
  • energy converting materials 6 in the form of solids include dye sensitized solar cells, perovskite based solar cells, Gratzel type solar cells, organic based solar cells, polymer based solar cells and solar cells comprising Si/SiO2, CIGS, T1O2 or lll-V materials.
  • a dye sensitized solar cell can be a solar cell which has a dye molecule absorbed on T1O2 and which is embedded in an electrolyte and covered by a
  • a polymer solar cell is a solar cell in which the active materials are made from conductive polymers (for example
  • the energy converting material 6 is a gas or a liquid.
  • gaseous or liquid energy converting materials 6 include water splitting systems, CO2 reduction systems, phase transitioning systems, molten salts and molecular solar thermal systems.
  • the molecular solar thermal systems can for example be based on azo-benzene or norbornadiene-quadricyclane.
  • energy converting materials 6 capable of storing energy in the form of heat, molecular energy or chemical energy include water splitting systems, CO2 reduction systems, phase transitioning systems, molten salts and molecular solar thermal systems.
  • the molecular solar thermal systems can for example be based on azo-benzene or norbornadiene-quadricyclane.
  • the energy converting material 6 is contained in an outer housing 7 in the form of a hollow circular cylinder that also helps protect the energy converting material 6 from exposure to for example oxygen and moisture in the ambient environment.
  • the outer housing 7 may be omitted.
  • the outer housing 7 is made of a material that is permeable to light in at least the first and second wavelength ranges.
  • the outer housing 7 can for example be made of a material chosen from the group consisting of glass, quartz, plexiglass or a combination thereof.
  • the outer housing 7 has a thickness t 2 , which depends on the particular application of the solar energy collector 1 .
  • the thickness t 2 is typically small compared to the diameter di of the solar energy collector 1 in order for the outer housing 7 to be able to contain a large amount of energy converting material 6 relative to its total volume. Also, a thin outer housing 7 usually lets through more light than a thick one.
  • the ratio of ti to the diameter di of the solar energy collector 1 i.e. ti di
  • the solar energy collector 1 is connectable to an external device or network via at least one connection 8.
  • the connection 8 may enable the transmission of energy generated by the energy converter 5 away from the solar energy collector 1 .
  • the solar energy collector 1 may be connectable via electrical wires to a battery or an electrical power grid to which electrical energy generated by an energy converter 5 can be
  • the energy generated by the energy converter 5 is in some embodiments retrieved by connecting the solar energy collector 1 to an external circulation system for a liquid or gaseous energy converter 5, the generated energy then typically being in the form of heat, molecular energy or chemical energy.
  • the connection 8 enable the replacement of liquid or gaseous wavelength converters 2 and/or energy converters 5 due to end of service life or some other reason.
  • Figures 2 and 3 show a solar energy collector system 9.
  • the solar energy collector system 9 includes solar energy collector 1 , which is similar to the one discussed above in connection with figure 1 , a light reflector 10 arranged to reflect incident sun light on the solar energy collector 1 .
  • the light reflector 10 has a parabolic shape, but may have a different shape in another embodiment.
  • a light reflective surface 1 1 of the light reflector 10 faces the energy converter 5.
  • the light reflective surface 1 1 can be formed by any highly reflective material, for example metal coated glass, metal coated polymers, plasmonic materials and metamaterials.
  • the light reflective surface 1 1 can be a dielectric mirror.
  • the solar energy collector system 9 has two connections 8 arranged by the ends wavelength and energy converters 2, 5 which, together with the light reflector 10, are arranged in a support 12 made of any suitable material. The size of the solar energy collector system 9 depends on the application.
  • the light reflector 10 is arranged to reflect incident sun light on the solar collector 1 . More precisely, the light reflector 10 has a focus area and the solar energy collector 1 is arranged in the focus area of the light reflector 10. The light reflector 10 is thus arranged so as to at least partly concentrate incident sun light onto the solar energy collector 1 . This means that the light reflector 10 is adapted to increase the amount of solar radiation striking the solar energy collector 1 . Differently stated, the light reflector 10 is adapted to increase the photon flux towards the solar energy collector 1 .
  • the light reflector 10 in this embodiment has, as mentioned above, a parabolic shape.
  • the light reflector 10 is a parabolic cylinder reflector. This means that incoming light rays which strike the light reflector 10 and which are parallel to the symmetry plane of the light reflector 10 are reflected towards the focus area.
  • the focus area of the light reflector 10 is here a straight line.
  • the solar energy collector 1 is arranged so that the longitudinal axis L substantially coincides with the straight line of focus.
  • Figure 4 shows a solar energy collector system 13 which is similar to the one discussed above in connection with figures 2 and 3.
  • the light reflector 10 has the shape of a dish, and the solar energy collector 1 is approximately spherical. As mentioned in connection with figure 1 , other shapes are possible.
  • the light reflector 10 can have a diameter anywhere from a few decimeters to several meters.
  • the light reflector 10 in this embodiment has, as mentioned above, the shape of a dish.
  • the light reflector 10 is a parabolic dish reflector. This means that incoming light rays which strike the light reflector 10 and which are parallel to the central symmetry axis of the light reflector 10 are reflected towards the focus area.
  • the focus area of the light reflector 10 is here a point.
  • the solar energy collector 1 is arranged so as to be substantially centered on the point of focus.
  • the solar energy collector 1 is in this embodiment approximately spherical. More precisely, both the wavelength converter 2 and the energy converter 5 are approximately spherical. The outer surface of the wavelength converter 2 and the inner surface of the energy converter 5, which face each other, are thus also approximately spherical. The wavelength converter 2 and the energy converter 5 are concentric, the common center being the focus area of the light reflector 10 The wavelength converter 2 is arranged inside the energy converter 5. By this arrangement, the energy converter 5 completely encloses the wavelength converter 2. As previously noted, it is possible to have energy converter 5 enclosing only a portion of the wavelength 2, preferably at least 75%.
  • FIG 5 shows a solar energy collector system 14 which is similar to the ones discussed above in connection with figures 2 and 3.
  • the solar collector system 14 in figure 5 includes several solar collectors 1 and several elongated light reflectors 10, each light reflector 10 being arranged to reflect incident sun light on a respective solar energy collector 1 .
  • the light reflectors 10 are arranged adjacent and in parallel to each other so that the solar energy collector system 14 is in the form of a flat panel. Such a panel can have an area anywhere between a few square decimeters to several square meters, for example.
  • Figure 6 shows a flowchart of some of the steps of a method for collecting solar energy which will be discussed with reference to figures 1 to 5 as well as figure 6.
  • a solar a wavelength converter 2 is enclosed by an energy converter 5 to at least 75%.
  • sun light is received at the energy converter 5.
  • a solar light ray 15 striking the light reflector 10 is redirected, preferably focused, towards and subsequently received by the energy converter 5. If the wavelength of the solar light ray 15 is in the second wavelength range, the electromagnetic energy of the solar light ray 15 is converted to a different form of energy by the energy converter 5.
  • step S3 which occurs if the wavelength of the solar light ray 15 is in the first wavelength range, the solar light ray 15 passes through the energy converter 5 to the wavelength converter 2.
  • the wavelength converter 2 converts the solar light ray 15 to a converted light ray 16 the wavelength of which is in the second wavelength range.
  • Light converted by the wavelength converter 2 is emitted in a random direction, and, since the energy converter 5 encloses at least 75% of the wavelength converter 2, about 75% or more of the converted light strikes the energy converter 5 after leaving the wavelength converter 2.
  • step S5 after leaving the wavelength converter 2, the converted light ray 16 is received by the energy converter 5.
  • the energy converter 5 converts the electromagnetic energy of the converted light ray 16 to a different form of energy.
  • the converted energy is transmitted from the energy converter 2, either to be used for powering purposes directly or to be stored for later use.

Abstract

Asolar energy collector (1) is disclosed. The solar energy collector (1) comprises a wavelength converter (2), which is configured to convert incident sun light in a first wavelength range to light in a second wavelength range, and an energy converter (5) which is arranged to receive sun light and converted light emitted by the wavelength converter (2). The energy converter (5) is permeable to light in the first wavelength range and configured to convert electromagnetic energy of light in the second wavelength range to a different form of energy. The energy converter (5) encloses at least 75% of the wavelength converter (2). A solar energy collector system and a method for collecting solar energy arealso disclosed.

Description

SOLAR ENERGY COLLECTOR
TECHNICAL FIELD
The present disclosure relates to a solar energy collector, a solar energy collector system and a method for collecting solar energy.
BACKGROUND
Renewable sources of energy are likely to play an increasingly important role in meeting the energy demands of societies worldwide, and a lot of effort is currently invested into developing methods for extracting and storing energy from renewable sources. Solar energy collection is a case in point that finds application in a wide variety of domestic and industrial uses.
An example of a system for collecting solar energy is the photovoltaic system disclosed in DE 102010014631 A1 . This system has a first
concentrator for focusing incident sun light on a second concentrator containing a material for converting the frequency of the light up or down. A solar cell covered by the second concentrator generates electricity from the converted light.
Solar energy being a clean and abundant source of energy makes the development of more efficient and economical techniques for its exploitation an important area of applied research. More work in this area is warranted.
SUMMARY
The general objective of the present disclosure is to provide an improved or alternative solar energy collector and method for collecting solar energy. Aspects of particular interest include the durability, maintenance requirements and operational efficiency of the solar energy collector.
The invention is defined by the independent claims. Embodiments are set forth in the dependent claims, the description and the drawings.
According to a first aspect, a solar energy collector is provided. The solar energy collector comprises a wavelength converter, which is configured to convert incident sun light in a first wavelength range to light in a second wavelength range, and an energy converter which is arranged to receive sun light and converted light emitted by the wavelength converter. The energy converter is permeable to light in the first wavelength range and configured to convert electromagnetic energy of light in the second wavelength range to a different form of energy. The energy converter encloses at least 75% of the wavelength converter.
By the energy converter being "permeable" to light in the first wavelength range is meant that at least 10% of the light in the first wavelength range received by the energy converter is not converted and passes therethrough.
Wavelength converting light that has passed through the energy converter to a wavelength suitable for the energy converter increases the efficiency of the system by allowing energy emitted over a broader spectrum of wavelengths to be energy converted. A permeability of 10% is enough for achieving a significant relative increase in efficiency. Having the energy converter enclosing the wavelength converter in the way described above results in wavelength converted light traveling in most directions being received by the energy converter, without the use of reflectors, something which helps increase the amount of electromagnetic energy that is converted and hence the efficiency of the solar energy collector. Enclosing the wavelength converter also helps to protect it from exposure to the ambient environment, whereby the service life and efficiency of the wavelength converter may increase. Moreover, flexibility in the structure and geometry of the solar energy collector makes it compatible with many different kinds of energy and wavelength converters and enables easy maintenance by facilitating their replacement.
According to one embodiment, wherein the energy converter encloses between 80% and 99% of the wavelength converter, alternatively between 90% and 99% or between 95% and 99%. Enclosing more of the wavelength converter helps increasing the amount of light in the second wavelength range received by the energy converter and hence the amount of
electromagnetic energy that is converted. According to one embodiment, the energy converter and the
wavelength converter are cylindrical, the energy converter and wavelength converter being centered on a common longitudinal axis. Such wavelength and energy converters are suitable for many applications and are typically easy to manufacture.
According to one embodiment, the wavelength converter is configured to convert light by photon upconversion, for example triplet-triplet annihilation upconversion. The high-energy light needed for some energy converters can be produced through photon upconversion, and triplet-triplet annihilation is an effective such process, especially for converting incoherent light such as sun light. Triplet-triplet annihilation systems can also be implemented at a relatively low cost.
According to one embodiment, the energy converter is a solar cell. According to one embodiment, the energy converter is a photochemical conversion system, for example a molecular solar thermal system (MOST system). A MOST system is a chemical system capable of converting and storing solar energy in the form of chemical energy. The present invention is thus compatible with different kinds of energy converters.
According to one embodiment, the energy converter is adapted to store energy for later use, whereby the versatility of the solar energy collector is increased.
According to one embodiment, at least one of the wavelength converter and the energy converter is a fluid, i.e. a gas or a liquid. Both the wavelength converter and the energy converter can for example be fluids. Fluid wavelength and energy converters can be easily transported by flow to a remote location, for example in order to replace them at the end of their service life or to retrieve or store the converted energy.
According to a second aspect, there is provided a solar energy collector system which comprises at least one solar energy collector according to the first aspect and at least one light reflector arranged to reflect incident sun light on the solar energy collector. A light reflector helps increase the efficiency of the energy and wavelength converting processes and may reduce costs by allowing smaller energy and wavelength converters to be used without sacrificing performance.
According to a third aspect, a method for collecting solar energy is provided. The method comprises enclosing an wavelength converter by an energy converter to at least 75%. The wavelength converter is configured to convert incident sun light in a first wavelength range to light in a second wavelength range. The energy converter is also substantially permeable to light in the first wavelength range and configured to convert electromagnetic energy of light in the second wavelength range to a different form of energy. Further, the method comprises receiving sun light at the energy converter, allowing received sun light in the first wavelength range to pass through the energy converter to the wavelength converter, wavelength converting light passed through the energy converter to light in the second wavelength range, receiving wavelength converted light at the energy converter, and energy converting light in the second wavelength range.
The technical effects and features of the second and third aspects are identical or similar to those of the first aspect described above.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
The following figures are included for exemplifying purposes. The figures are not drawn to scale, and like reference numerals refer to like elements throughout.
Figure 1 shows a schematic cutaway view in perspective of an embodiment of a solar energy collector.
Figure 2 shows a schematic cutaway view in perspective of an embodiment of a solar energy collector system.
Figure 3 shows a schematic cross sectional side view of the solar energy collector system in figure 2.
Figure 4 shows a schematic cutaway view in perspective of an alternative embodiment of a solar energy collector system.
Figure 5 shows a schematic perspective view of another alternative embodiment of a solar energy collector system. Figure 6 is a flowchart of some of the steps of a method for collecting solar energy.
DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS
Figure 1 illustrates an embodiment of a solar energy collector 1 having the shape of a right circular cylinder which extends along a longitudinal axis L and in a radial direction R. The length I and diameter di of the solar energy collector 1 both depend on the application. The diameter di is typically in the centimeter or decimeter range, and the length I can be from a few centimeters to several meters. In other embodiments, the solar energy collector 1 can have other cylindrical shapes or even non-cylindrical shapes. For example, the solar energy collector 1 can have the shape of a rectangular cylinder, an elliptical cylinder, a rectangular parallelepiped, a prism, a sphere or a segment of a sphere. The solar energy collector 1 can have the shape of a curved cylinder, such as a curved circular cylinder.
The solar energy collector 1 has a right circular cylindrical wavelength converter 2 centered on the longitudinal axis L. The wavelength converter 2 is configured to convert incident sun light in a first wavelength range to light in a second wavelength range. The first wavelength range comprises longer wavelengths than the second wavelength range. Differently stated, the first wavelength range is centered on a longer wavelength range than the wavelength range on which the second wavelength range is centered. The first and second wavelength ranges may or may not overlap. The first wavelength range can for example be in the infrared spectrum. The second wavelength range can for example be in the visible spectrum. Usually, the first wavelength range is somewhere between 300 nanometers and 2000 nanometers. The second wavelength range is typically somewhere between 200 nanometers and 1200 nanometers.
The wavelength converter 2 is configured to convert light by photon upconversion, i.e. the process in which a material is excited by the sequential absorption of photons and as a result emits photons of a shorter wavelength than that or those of the absorbed photons. The photon upconversion process can for example be triplet-triplet annihilation upconversion. In other embodiments, the wavelength converter 2 may be configured to convert light by other mechanisms, such as two-photon absorption or second-harmonic generation. It should be noted that, although the wavelength converter 2 in this embodiment is configured to wavelength convert light of a certain energy to light of a higher energy, the wavelength converter 2 may in other embodiments operate in the opposite way. That is to say, the wavelength converter 2 may in some embodiments be configured to downconvert light so that the first wavelength range comprises shorter wavelengths than the second wavelength range.
The wavelength converter 2 comprises a wavelength converting material 3 in which the photon upconversion process occurs. The wavelength converting material 3 can be chosen from the group consisting of organic materials, inorganic materials, organometallic materials, rare earth materials and mixtures thereof. The wavelength converting material 3 can be a solid, such as rare earth based systems, polymer based systems or combinations thereof. Examples of rare earth systems include materials containing d-block and f-block elements. The rare earth based systems may comprise titanium, nickel, molybdenum, rhenium or osmium. The polymer systems may include polymers capable of photon upconversion, such as polymers having combinations of sensitizing units (for example metal porphyrines) and emissive units (for example anthracenes, rubrenes and perylenes). The wavelength converting material 3 can be a fluid. Examples of suitable wavelength converting materials 3 in the form of fluids are combinations of sensitizers and annihilator pairs dissolved or suspended in fluids such as water, toluene, heptane, tetrahydrofuran or combinations thereof.
The wavelength converting material 3 is contained in an inner housing 4 in the form of a hollow right circular cylinder. In some embodiments, such as those having a solid wavelength converting material 3, the inner housing 4 may be omitted. The inner housing 4 is made of a material that is permeable to light in at least the first and second wavelength ranges. The inner housing 4 can for example be made of a material chosen from the group consisting of glass, quartz, plexiglass or a combination thereof. The inner housing 4 has a diameter d2 and a thickness t2, the sizes of which depend on the particular application of the solar energy collector 1 . The thickness t2 is typically small compared to the diameter d2 in order for the inner housing 4 to be able to contain a large amount of wavelength converting material 3 relative to its total volume. Also, a thin inner housing 4 usually lets more light through than a thick one. The ratio of d2 to the diameter di of the solar energy collector 1 (i.e. d2/di) may be in the range from 0,1 to 0,9, for example 0,5. The most suitable value of this ratio may depend on factors such as the focus area of light reflected on the solar energy collector 1 .
As is readily appreciated, the inner housing 4 forms a physical barrier separating the wavelength converting material 3 from an energy converting material 6 (further discussed below). Thus, the solar energy collector 1 may comprise a barrier separating the wavelength converting material 3 from the energy converting material 6. In this embodiment, the barrier is arranged between the wavelength converting material 3 and the energy converting material 6 as seen in the radial direction R.
An energy converter 5 is arranged to receive wavelength converted light from the wavelength converter 2. The shape of the energy converter 5 is that of a straight cylinder having a base in the form of an annulus. Like the wavelength converter 2, the energy converter 5 is centered on the longitudinal axis L. The wavelength converter 2 and the energy converter 5 are thus concentric, the energy converter 5 coaxially enclosing the wavelength converter 2. As seen in a direction of the longitudinal axis L, i.e. the
longitudinal direction, the energy converter 5 encircles the wavelength converter 2 completely and continuously. In other similar embodiments in which the wavelength converter 2 is cylindrical, the energy converter 5 may only partly encircle the wavelength converter 2 as seen in the longitudinal direction. For example, the energy converter 5 may have the shape of a cylinder the base of which is an incomplete annulus.
In the illustrated example, the energy converter 5 completely encloses the wavelength converter 2. However, it should be noted that this is not essential, and that it may be sufficient that the energy converter 5 covers only a portion of the wavelength converter 2, preferably at least 75%. Any portions of the wavelength converter 2 that are not enclosed by the energy converter 5 may leave room for various types of connections to be arranged on the wavelength converter 2.
It should be understood that, in general, the energy converter 5 can have any shape such that the wavelength converter 2 is enclosed to at least 75%. In some embodiments, the energy converter 5 encloses the wavelength converter 2 by at least 80%, at least 90%, at least 95% or at least 99%.
That the energy converter 5 completely encloses or covers the wavelength converter 2 means, in this embodiment, that the cross section of the energy converter 5 completely surrounds the cross section of the wavelength converter 2, the cross section of the energy converter 5 and the cross section of the wavelength converter 2 being perpendicular to the longitudinal axis L. If the energy converter 5 had enclosed for example 75% of the wavelength converter 2, then the cross section of the energy converter 5 would have surrounded 75% of the cross section of the wavelength converter 2.
As is readily appreciated, the wavelength converter 2 comprises an outer surface and the energy converter 5 comprises an inner surface, the wavelength converter 2 and the energy converter 5 being arranged so that the inner surface of the energy converter 5 faces the outer surface of the wavelength converter 2. In the illustrated embodiment, the inner surface of the energy converter 5 and the outer surface of the wavelength converter 2 each have the shape of the lateral surface of a cylinder, specifically a right circular cylinder. The inner surface of the energy converter 5 completely covers the outer surface of the wavelength converter 2. The inner surface of the energy converter 5 is formed by the energy converting material 6 (further discussed below) and the outer surface of the wavelength converter 2 is formed by the inner housing 4.
The wavelength and energy converters 2, 5 are in direct contact with each other. In other embodiments, the wavelength and energy converters 2, 5 may or may not be in direct contact with each other. For example, the wavelength and energy converters 2, 5 can be two cylinders centered on a common longitudinal axis and separated in the radial direction R. The energy converter 5 is substantially transparent to light in the first wavelength range and configured to convert electromagnetic energy of light in the second wavelength range to a different form of energy. Clearly, many different types of energy converters 5 are compatible with the present invention, and the energy converter 5 is chosen to meet certain embodiment- specific requirements. Depending on the intended application of the solar energy collector 1 , the energy converter 5 may therefore be configured to convert electromagnetic energy to electrical energy, molecular energy, chemical energy, heat, mechanical energy or any other type of energy.
Examples of energy converters 5 include molecular solar thermal systems, photolytic water splitting systems, photolytic carbon dioxide reduction systems and photochemical conversion systems. The energy converter 5 can be a solar cell, such as an organic photovoltaic system, a thin film solar cell or a silicon based solar cell. The energy converter 5 can be a third generation solar cell, for example a "Gratzel" solar cell. In some embodiments, the energy converter 5 is adapted to store energy in the form of heat, chemical energy, molecular energy or some other form of energy.
The energy converter 5 comprises an energy converting material 6 which may be a solid. Examples of energy converting materials 6 in the form of solids include dye sensitized solar cells, perovskite based solar cells, Gratzel type solar cells, organic based solar cells, polymer based solar cells and solar cells comprising Si/SiO2, CIGS, T1O2 or lll-V materials. A dye sensitized solar cell can be a solar cell which has a dye molecule absorbed on T1O2 and which is embedded in an electrolyte and covered by a
transparent electrode material. A polymer solar cell is a solar cell in which the active materials are made from conductive polymers (for example
polythiophenes) and additives of electron accepting materials (for example a C60 derivative such as PCMB). Alternatively, the energy converting material 6 is a gas or a liquid. Examples of gaseous or liquid energy converting materials 6 include water splitting systems, CO2 reduction systems, phase transitioning systems, molten salts and molecular solar thermal systems. The molecular solar thermal systems can for example be based on azo-benzene or norbornadiene-quadricyclane. Examples of energy converting materials 6 capable of storing energy in the form of heat, molecular energy or chemical energy include water splitting systems, CO2 reduction systems, phase transitioning systems, molten salts and molecular solar thermal systems. The molecular solar thermal systems can for example be based on azo-benzene or norbornadiene-quadricyclane.
The energy converting material 6 is contained in an outer housing 7 in the form of a hollow circular cylinder that also helps protect the energy converting material 6 from exposure to for example oxygen and moisture in the ambient environment. In some embodiments, the outer housing 7 may be omitted. The outer housing 7 is made of a material that is permeable to light in at least the first and second wavelength ranges. The outer housing 7 can for example be made of a material chosen from the group consisting of glass, quartz, plexiglass or a combination thereof. The outer housing 7 has a thickness t2, which depends on the particular application of the solar energy collector 1 . The thickness t2 is typically small compared to the diameter di of the solar energy collector 1 in order for the outer housing 7 to be able to contain a large amount of energy converting material 6 relative to its total volume. Also, a thin outer housing 7 usually lets through more light than a thick one. The ratio of ti to the diameter di of the solar energy collector 1 (i.e. ti di) can for example be 10"1 and 10"4.
The solar energy collector 1 is connectable to an external device or network via at least one connection 8. The connection 8 may enable the transmission of energy generated by the energy converter 5 away from the solar energy collector 1 . For instance, the solar energy collector 1 may be connectable via electrical wires to a battery or an electrical power grid to which electrical energy generated by an energy converter 5 can be
transmitted. The energy generated by the energy converter 5 is in some embodiments retrieved by connecting the solar energy collector 1 to an external circulation system for a liquid or gaseous energy converter 5, the generated energy then typically being in the form of heat, molecular energy or chemical energy. In some embodiments, the connection 8 enable the replacement of liquid or gaseous wavelength converters 2 and/or energy converters 5 due to end of service life or some other reason. Figures 2 and 3 show a solar energy collector system 9. The solar energy collector system 9 includes solar energy collector 1 , which is similar to the one discussed above in connection with figure 1 , a light reflector 10 arranged to reflect incident sun light on the solar energy collector 1 . The light reflector 10 has a parabolic shape, but may have a different shape in another embodiment. A light reflective surface 1 1 of the light reflector 10 faces the energy converter 5. The light reflective surface 1 1 can be formed by any highly reflective material, for example metal coated glass, metal coated polymers, plasmonic materials and metamaterials. The light reflective surface 1 1 can be a dielectric mirror. The solar energy collector system 9 has two connections 8 arranged by the ends wavelength and energy converters 2, 5 which, together with the light reflector 10, are arranged in a support 12 made of any suitable material. The size of the solar energy collector system 9 depends on the application. Each of the length ls, the width ws and the height hs of the solar energy collector system 9 can be in the range from a few centimeters to several meters.As mentioned above, the light reflector 10 is arranged to reflect incident sun light on the solar collector 1 . More precisely, the light reflector 10 has a focus area and the solar energy collector 1 is arranged in the focus area of the light reflector 10. The light reflector 10 is thus arranged so as to at least partly concentrate incident sun light onto the solar energy collector 1 . This means that the light reflector 10 is adapted to increase the amount of solar radiation striking the solar energy collector 1 . Differently stated, the light reflector 10 is adapted to increase the photon flux towards the solar energy collector 1 .
The light reflector 10 in this embodiment has, as mentioned above, a parabolic shape. Specifically, the light reflector 10 is a parabolic cylinder reflector. This means that incoming light rays which strike the light reflector 10 and which are parallel to the symmetry plane of the light reflector 10 are reflected towards the focus area. The focus area of the light reflector 10 is here a straight line. The solar energy collector 1 is arranged so that the longitudinal axis L substantially coincides with the straight line of focus.
Figure 4 shows a solar energy collector system 13 which is similar to the one discussed above in connection with figures 2 and 3. However, in this embodiment the light reflector 10 has the shape of a dish, and the solar energy collector 1 is approximately spherical. As mentioned in connection with figure 1 , other shapes are possible. The light reflector 10 can have a diameter anywhere from a few decimeters to several meters.
The light reflector 10 in this embodiment has, as mentioned above, the shape of a dish. Specifically, the light reflector 10 is a parabolic dish reflector. This means that incoming light rays which strike the light reflector 10 and which are parallel to the central symmetry axis of the light reflector 10 are reflected towards the focus area. The focus area of the light reflector 10 is here a point. The solar energy collector 1 is arranged so as to be substantially centered on the point of focus.
Further, as mentioned above, the solar energy collector 1 is in this embodiment approximately spherical. More precisely, both the wavelength converter 2 and the energy converter 5 are approximately spherical. The outer surface of the wavelength converter 2 and the inner surface of the energy converter 5, which face each other, are thus also approximately spherical. The wavelength converter 2 and the energy converter 5 are concentric, the common center being the focus area of the light reflector 10 The wavelength converter 2 is arranged inside the energy converter 5. By this arrangement, the energy converter 5 completely encloses the wavelength converter 2. As previously noted, it is possible to have energy converter 5 enclosing only a portion of the wavelength 2, preferably at least 75%.
Figure 5 shows a solar energy collector system 14 which is similar to the ones discussed above in connection with figures 2 and 3. The solar collector system 14 in figure 5, however, includes several solar collectors 1 and several elongated light reflectors 10, each light reflector 10 being arranged to reflect incident sun light on a respective solar energy collector 1 . The light reflectors 10 are arranged adjacent and in parallel to each other so that the solar energy collector system 14 is in the form of a flat panel. Such a panel can have an area anywhere between a few square decimeters to several square meters, for example. Figure 6 shows a flowchart of some of the steps of a method for collecting solar energy which will be discussed with reference to figures 1 to 5 as well as figure 6.
At step S1 , a solar a wavelength converter 2 is enclosed by an energy converter 5 to at least 75%.
At step S2, sun light is received at the energy converter 5. For example, a solar light ray 15 striking the light reflector 10 is redirected, preferably focused, towards and subsequently received by the energy converter 5. If the wavelength of the solar light ray 15 is in the second wavelength range, the electromagnetic energy of the solar light ray 15 is converted to a different form of energy by the energy converter 5.
At step S3, which occurs if the wavelength of the solar light ray 15 is in the first wavelength range, the solar light ray 15 passes through the energy converter 5 to the wavelength converter 2.
At step S4, the wavelength converter 2 converts the solar light ray 15 to a converted light ray 16 the wavelength of which is in the second wavelength range. Light converted by the wavelength converter 2 is emitted in a random direction, and, since the energy converter 5 encloses at least 75% of the wavelength converter 2, about 75% or more of the converted light strikes the energy converter 5 after leaving the wavelength converter 2.
At step S5, after leaving the wavelength converter 2, the converted light ray 16 is received by the energy converter 5.
At step S6, the energy converter 5 converts the electromagnetic energy of the converted light ray 16 to a different form of energy. The converted energy is transmitted from the energy converter 2, either to be used for powering purposes directly or to be stored for later use.

Claims

1 . A solar energy collector (1 ) comprising
a wavelength converter (2) configured to convert incident sun light in a first wavelength range to light in a second wavelength range, and
an energy converter (5) arranged to receive sun light and converted light emitted by the wavelength converter (2), the energy converter (5) being permeable to light in the first wavelength range and configured to convert electromagnetic energy of light in the second wavelength range to a different form of energy,
wherein the energy converter (5) encloses at least 75% of the wavelength converter (2).
2. The solar energy collector (1 ) according to claim 1 , wherein the energy converter (5) encloses between 80% and 99% of the wavelength converter (2), alternatively between 90% and 99% or between 95% and 99%.
3. The solar energy collector (1 ) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the energy converter (5) and the wavelength converter (2) are cylindrical, the energy converter (5) and wavelength converter (2) being centered on a common longitudinal axis (L).
4. The solar energy collector (1 ) according to any of the claims 1 to 3, wherein the wavelength converter (2) is configured to convert light by photon upconversion.
5. The solar energy collector (1 ) according to claim 4, wherein the wavelength converter (2) is configured to convert light by triplet-triplet annihilation upconversion.
6. The solar energy collector (1 ) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the energy converter (5) is a photochemical conversion system.
7. The solar energy collector (1 ) according to claim 6, wherein the energy converter (5) is a molecular solar thermal system.
8. The solar energy collector (1 ) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the energy converter (5) is a solar cell.
9. The solar energy collector (1 ) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the energy converter (5) is adapted to store energy.
10. The solar energy collector (1 ) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein at least one of the wavelength converter (2) and the energy converter (5) is a fluid.
1 1 . A solar energy collector system (9, 13, 14) comprising
at least one solar energy collector (1 ) according to any of the preceding claims and
at least one light reflector (10) arranged to reflect incident sun light on the solar energy collector (1 ).
12. The solar energy collector system (9, 13, 14) according to claim 1 1 , wherein the at least one light reflector (10) has a shape such that parallel rays of incident light are reflected towards a focus area, and wherein the solar energy collector (1 ) is arranged in the focus area.
13. The solar energy collector system (9, 13, 14) according to claim 12 with a solar energy collector (1 ) according to claim 3, wherein the light reflector (10) has the shape of a parabolic cylinder so that the focus area is a line, and wherein the common longitudinal axis (L) coincides with the focus area.
14. The solar energy collector system (9, 13, 14) according to claim 12, wherein the light reflector (10) has the shape of a parabolic dish so that the focus area is a point, and the wherein the solar energy collector (1 ) is centered on the focus area.
15. A method for collecting solar energy, the method comprising enclosing an wavelength converter (2) by an energy converter (5) to at least 75%, wherein the wavelength converter (2) is configured to convert incident sun light in a first wavelength range to light in a second wavelength range, and wherein the energy converter (5) is substantially permeable to light in the first wavelength range and configured to convert electromagnetic energy of light in the second wavelength range to a different form of energy; receiving sun light at the energy converter (5);
allowing received sun light in the first wavelength range to pass through the energy converter (5) to the wavelength converter (2);
wavelength converting light passed through the energy converter (5) to light in the second wavelength range;
receiving wavelength converted light at the energy converter (5); and converting electromagnetic energy of light in the second wavelength range to a different form of energy.
16. The method according to claim 15, wherein the method further comprises
providing a light reflector (10) having a shape such that parallel rays of incident sun light are reflected towards a focus area,
and wherein receiving sun light at the energy converter (5) comprises focusing sun light by means of the light reflector (10), and receiving focused sun light at the energy converter (5).
PCT/EP2015/080324 2014-12-17 2015-12-17 Solar energy collector WO2016097199A1 (en)

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