Hybrid receiver for concentrated photovoltaic-thermal power systems, and associated methods

A hybrid receiver, comprising:

• a concentrator photovoltaic module having a heat transfer plate and an array of photovoltaic cells thermally coupled to the heat transfer plate;
• and
• a thermal module having:
• a cooling block forming an internal path through which heat transfer fluid can flow, wherein all of a bottom face of the heat transfer plate is in direct thermal contact with a top face of the cooling block;
• and
• a helical tube surrounding the cooling block and connected to the cooling block such that the heat transfer fluid flows through the helical tube after flowing through the cooling block.

A hybrid receiver, comprising:

• a concentrator photovoltaic module having a heat transfer plate and an array of photovoltaic cells thermally coupled to the heat transfer plate;
• and
• a thermal module having:
• a cooling block forming an internal path through which heat transfer fluid can flow, a bottom face of the heat transfer plate being in direct thermal contact with a top face of the cooling block, the internal path being sized such that heat transfer fluid flows through the internal path as a microfluid;
• and
• a helical tube surrounding the cooling block and connected to the cooling block such that the heat transfer fluid flows through the helical tube after flowing through the cooling block.

A hybrid receiver, comprising:

• a concentrator photovoltaic module having a heat transfer plate and an array of photovoltaic cells thermally coupled to the heat transfer plate;
• and
• a thermal module having:
• a cooling block forming an internal path through which heat transfer fluid can flow, a bottom face of the heat transfer plate being in direct thermal contact with a top face of the cooling block, the internal path being sized such that heat transfer fluid flows through the internal path as a microfluid;
• and
• a helical tube surrounding the cooling block and connected to the cooling block such that the heat transfer fluid flows through the helical tube after flowing through the cooling block.