Incident angle dependent smart solar concentrator
OwnerTong Zhang, Martin David Tillin +1inventors
InventorsTong Zhang, Martin David Tillin, Takayuki Yuasa
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Abstract
A transparent solar concentrator is provided for converting solar energy into electrical energy. The solar concentrator includes a first light transmissive substrate, a plurality of solar cells for receiving solar energy and converting the solar energy into electrical energy, the plurality of solar cells positioned relative to the first substrate, and a plurality of light redirecting elements arranged in the first light transmissive substrate. Each of the plurality of light redirecting elements is configured to direct light incident on a first side of the first light transmissive substrate to a respective one of the plurality of solar cells on an opposite side of the first light transmissive substrate.
Claims20
A transparent solar concentrator, comprising:
- a first light transmissive substrate;
- a plurality of solar cells for receiving solar energy and converting the solar energy into electrical energy, the plurality of solar cells positioned relative to the first substrate;
- a plurality of light redirecting elements arranged in the first light transmissive substrate, each of the plurality of light redirecting elements configured to direct light incident on a first side of the first light transmissive substrate to a respective one of the plurality of solar cells on an opposite side of the first light transmissive substrate.
A method for creating a solar concentrator, comprising:
- arranging a plurality of solar cells relative to a light transmissive substrate;
- forming a plurality of light redirecting elements in the light transmissive substrate, wherein respective ones of the plurality of light redirecting elements are positioned relative to respective ones of the plurality of solar cells so as to direct light incident on a first side of the light transmissive substrate to a respective one of the plurality of solar cells on an opposite side of the light transmissive substrate.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.