Breathing and desiccant regenerating cycle for reducing condensation in concentrator photovoltaic modules

Abstract

A concentrator photovoltaic apparatus for controlling internal condensation includes a light receiving module including one or more photovoltaic cells in a waterproof enclosure, at least one primary lens sealed to the waterproof enclosure for concentrating sunlight, a waterproof breather membrane regulating the pressure of the air located inside the enclosure, and a regenerative desiccant in a thermally decoupled dryer tube or thermally coupled to an internal surface of the enclosure. Smaller breather membrane vents and/or positive time delays between the temperature of the desiccant and the temperature of the enclosure may prolong an adsorption phase of the desiccant, which may substantially contribute to efficiency, reliability, and autonomous control of condensation.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.