Cooling system for high performance solar concentrators

A photovoltaic system, comprising:

• a cooling apparatus, comprising:
• a heat exchanger comprising a metal plate with a bend therein that positions a first surface of the metal plate at an angle of about 100 degrees to about 150 degrees relative to a second surface of the metal plate, and a plurality of fins attached to a side of the metal plate opposite the first surface and the second surface, wherein each of the plurality of fins extends along an entire length of the side and crosses the bend;
• a vapor chamber extending along the first surface and the second surface of the metal plate, crossing the bend, wherein the vapor chamber is at least partially embedded in the metal plate;
• a cladding material between the vapor chamber and the heat exchanger, wherein the cladding material is configured to thermally couple the vapor chamber to the heat exchanger;
• a thermal spreader plate at either the first surface or the second surface of the metal plate, wherein the thermal spreader plate is attached to, and in direct physical contact with, the vapor chamber;
• at least one photovoltaic cell thermally coupled to the vapor chamber, wherein the photovoltaic cell is positioned on the thermal spreader plate over the vapor chamber in a manner so as to be electrically isolated from the metal plate by the cladding material;
• and
• a concentrating solar collector attached to either the first surface or the second surface of the metal plate and surrounding the photovoltaic cell.

A method for operating a photovoltaic system, comprising the steps of:

• providing the photovoltaic system comprising:
• a cooling apparatus having a heat exchanger comprising a metal plate with a bend therein that positions a first surface of the metal plate at an angle of from about 100 degrees to about 150 degrees relative to a second surface of the metal plate, and a plurality of fins attached to a side of the metal plate opposite the first surface and the second surface, wherein each of the plurality of fins extends along an entire length of the side and crosses the bend, a vapor chamber extending along the first surface and the second surface of the metal plate, crossing the bend, wherein the vapor chamber is at least partially embedded in the metal plate, a cladding material between the vapor chamber and the heat exchanger, wherein the cladding material is configured to thermally couple the vapor chamber to the heat exchanger, and a thermal spreader plate at either the first surface or the second surface of the metal plate, wherein the thermal spreader plate is attached to, and in direct physical contact with, the vapor chamber;
• at least one photovoltaic cell thermally coupled to the vapor chamber, wherein the photovoltaic cell is positioned on the thermal spreader plate over the vapor chamber in a manner so as to be electrically isolated from the metal plate by the cladding material;
• a concentrating solar collector attached to either the first surface or the second surface of the metal plate and surrounding the photovoltaic cell;
• and
• rotating the photovoltaic system to place the photovoltaic cell at a plurality of positions relative to a light source.