Micro-scale concentrated photovoltaic module
AssigneeArizona Board of Regents on Behalf of the University of Arizona
InventorsStanley K. Pau, Linan Jiang, Richard J. Koshel
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A photovoltaic (“PV”) module may comprise an array of freeform micro-optics and an array of PV cells. The PV module may be a flat panel with a nominal thickness smaller than the length and width of the flat panel. An array of lenses may be embedded in an array substrate. The lenses may be coupled to light pipes. The lenses may concentrate light through the light pipes to multi-junction cells. Diffuse light may be transferred through the array substrate to a silicon cell. The lenses and light pipes may be manufactured using a molding and drawing process.
Claims6
An integral glass solar concentrator comprising:
- an array substrate that is at least partially transparent to allow light to pass therethrough;
- a dome embedded within and extending above the array substrate, wherein the dome is configured to concentrate other light, which is different than the light allowed to pass through the array substrate;
- a cone coupled to and extending below the array substrate;
- and
- a light pipe coupled to and extending from an apex of the cone, wherein the light pipe is configured to direct the concentrated light from the dome,
- wherein the array substrate, the dome, the cone, and the light pipe are a single monolithic glass component.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.