System and method for solar energy capture and related method of manufacturing

A method of manufacturing a solar energy collection system, the method comprising:

• providing a waveguide layer;
• providing a lens array in combination with the waveguide layer;
• and
• forming prism or mirrored facets on the waveguide layer by exposing the waveguide layer and at least one additional layer to light.

A method of capturing solar energy, the method comprising:

• receiving light at a waveguide component;
• reflecting at least a portion of the received light at a plurality of prism or mirrored facets formed along a surface of the waveguide component, wherein substantially all of the reflected light experiences total internal reflection within the waveguide component subsequent to being reflected by the prism or mirrored facets;
• communicating the reflected light within the waveguide component toward an edge surface of the waveguide layer;
• and
• receiving the communicated reflected light at a photovoltaic cell upon the communicated reflected light being transmitted through the edge surface.

A system for capturing solar energy, the system comprising:

• an optical waveguide layer, having an upper and lower cladding layer;
• a lens array having a plurality of lenses, disposed above the upper cladding layer, and upon which sunlight is incident;
• an array of injection features formed on the optical waveguide layer and arranged so that each injection feature is located at or near the focus of a respective one of the lenses, wherein each of the injection features is oriented so that light focused from the lens onto the respective injection feature is coupled into the optical waveguide layer;
• and
• at least one photovoltaic cell positioned along at least one edge surface of the optical waveguide, wherein the light coupled into the optical waveguide layer is guided by the waveguide toward and absorbed by the at least one photovoltaic cell.