Systems and methods for concentrated solar photovoltaic power generation with controllable radiation attenuation
OwnerVincent K. Gustafsoninventor
Life of this patent
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Abstract
In a concentrated solar photoelectric system, at least one controllable radiation attenuation element (e.g., an array of controllable pixels or segments) is arranged to selectively attenuate transmission of radiation to a photoelectric element (e.g., a solar panel). Liquid crystals may provide attenuation utility without necessity for mechanical actuation. Attenuation may be controlled responsive to at least one sensor to maintain each portion of the photoelectric element at or below a maximum power conversion point. Non-planar attenuators and/or lenses may be provided. One or more thermal exchange fluid channels may be in thermal communication with the thermoelectric element.
Claims20
A solar photovoltaic electric power generating system comprising:
- a solar concentrating element arranged to receive and concentrate an incident solar radiation beam to generate a concentrated solar radiation beam;
- a photovoltaic element arranged to receive at least a portion of the concentrated solar radiation beam;
- a radiation attenuating element comprising an array of independently controllable segments or pixels arranged to selectively attenuate the incident solar radiation beam or the concentrated solar radiation beam to affect an amount of radiation in the at least a portion of the concentrated solar radiation beam transmitted to at least one portion of the photovoltaic element;
- at least one sensor arranged to generate at least one output signal;
- and
- a controller adapted to control the array of independently controllable segments or pixels responsive to the at least one output signal;
- wherein the system comprises one of the following features (i) or (ii):
- (i) the at least one output signal is correlative of at least one of (A) temperature of at least one portion of the photovoltaic element, or (B) current of at least one portion of the photovoltaic element;
- or
- (ii) the photovoltaic element comprises a plurality of portions, the at least one sensor comprises a plurality of sensors wherein each portion of the plurality of portions has an associated sensor of the plurality of sensors that is arranged to generate an output signal correlative of output power of the portion, and the controller is arranged to maintain each portion of the photovoltaic element at or below a maximum power conversion point or at or below a maximum temperature threshold.
A solar photovoltaic electric power generating system comprising:
- a solar concentrating element arranged to receive and concentrate an incident solar radiation beam to generate a concentrated solar radiation beam;
- a photovoltaic element arranged to receive at least a portion of the concentrated solar radiation beam;
- at least one sensor arranged to generate at least one output signal correlative of at least one of (A) temperature of at least one portion of the photovoltaic element, or (B) current of at least one portion of the photovoltaic element;
- and
- a radiation attenuating element arranged to selectively attenuate the incident solar radiation beam or the concentrated solar radiation beam to affect an amount of radiation in the at least a portion of the concentrated solar radiation beam transmitted to at least a portion of the photovoltaic element responsive to the at least one output signal.
An electric power generating method utilizing a solar concentrating element arranged to receive and concentrate an incident solar radiation beam to generate a concentrated solar radiation beam, a photovoltaic element arranged to receive at least a portion of the concentrated solar radiation beam, and a radiation attenuating element arranged to selectively attenuate the incident solar radiation beam or the concentrated solar radiation beam to affect an amount of radiation in the at least a portion of the concentrated solar radiation beam transmitted to at least one portion of the photovoltaic element, the method comprising:
- sensing and generating at least one output signal indicative of at least one of (A) temperature of at least one portion of the photovoltaic element, or (B) current of at least one portion of the photovoltaic element;
- and
- selectively attenuating the incident solar radiation beam or the concentrated solar radiation beam to affect an amount of radiation in the at least a portion of the concentrated solar radiation beam transmitted to the at least a portion of the photovoltaic element responsive to the at least one output signal.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.