CN102027183A

CN102027183A - Solar panel window

Info

Publication number: CN102027183A
Application number: CN200980117527XA
Authority: CN
Inventors: 约翰·保罗·摩根
Original assignee: Morgan Solar Inc
Current assignee: Morgan Solar Inc
Priority date: 2008-04-02
Filing date: 2009-04-02
Publication date: 2011-04-20
Also published as: EP2286051A1; EP2286051A4

Abstract

A solar panel window for mounting to a building. The window has an interior pane and an exterior pane adjacent to each other. The exterior pane has a first ridged surface and the interior pane has a second ridged surface, which is complementary to the first ridged surface. The exterior and interior panes are secured together with their ridged surfaces facing each other. A plurality of photovoltaic solar cells are mounted on the first ridged surface of the exterior pane. The solar panel window allows light impinging thereon through a pre-determined viewing angle to be transmitted inside the building. Light impinging on the window outside the pre-determined viewing angled is directed to the plurality of solar cells.

Description

The solar panel window

Technical field

The present invention relates in general to the results of solar energy.More specifically, the present invention relates to and to lead concentrator as the solar energy of window.

Background technology

On a lot of buildings, window and wall receive a large amount of sunlight, can cause the high illumination of the interior temperature of building bright.This can cause the environmental aspect of suboptimum, unless building has air-conditioning and/or pulled on curtain.Yet the existence of curtain can hinder natural light to enter.

Some companies provide is equipped with the solar panel window that allows certain transparency in order to the photovoltaic material film of catching sunlight simultaneously.The deficiency of this scheme is that the sunlight and the sunlight reflected of direct projection decay on an equal basis, this means from any angle and sees all deepenings of window.That is to say that these windows are decayed the sunlight of direct projection and surround lighting comparably.These windows are unlimpid, but dark as sunglasses.

Therefore, need provide a kind of sunlight that can gather in the crops direct projection fully, sunlight reflected is seen through and the solar panel window of the surround lighting of significantly not decaying.

Summary of the invention

According to a first aspect of the invention, provide a kind of device of gathering light, this device comprises that the light of being made by first light transmissive material with first refractive index catches the window face.Described light is caught the output surface that the window mask has the ridged of smooth input surface and opposition, and described smooth input surface contacts with the external agency with external agency refractive index.The output surface of described ridged comprises that a plurality of abutment surfaces are right, and each abutment surface is to limiting a ridge.Each abutment surface is to having a reflecting surface and a collector surface.Described reflecting surface contacts with second light transmissive material with second refractive index, and second refractive index is lower than first refractive index.This device also comprises a plurality of light collection devices, is communicated with corresponding collector surface optical.This device has the first critical capture angle, and this first critical capture angle defines with respect at least one orientation on smooth input surface, described external agency refractive index, described first refractive index and described second refractive index according to reflecting surface.In the light critically to catch the same big angle of incidence and incide the lip-deep part of described input and be directed into one of described reflecting surface with described first at least, to experience first inner full-reflection, and catch at described light thus and be transmitted to one of described collector surface in the window face, to be gathered in the crops by corresponding light collection device.

This device can further comprise with described light catches the catoptric arrangement that the window face separates.Described catoptric arrangement is towards the output surface of described ridged, the output surface of described reflector structure and described ridged limits the space between the two, described space is filled by described second light transmissive material substantially, described reflector structure has the shape of output surface complementation of catching the ridged of window face with described light, this device has the second critical capture angle, part with the angle incident between the described second critical capture angle and the described first critical capture angle in the light is drawn towards reflecting surface, pass described reflecting surface and described second light transmissive material, and by one section reflection of described catoptric arrangement, a described segment base originally is parallel to described reflecting surface.Light from one section propagation of this catoptric arrangement by described second light transmissive material, pass described reflecting surface, and propagate at the described first light transmissive material inward-bound light sampler.Described catoptric arrangement can comprise one of chaff, dielectric reflector and reflection hologram.

This device may further include: be used to receive with first angle and incide the light on it and with second angle light is passed transmission hologram to described input surface.

The device of claim 1 further comprises: adjust the window face by the light that the 3rd light transmissive material with third reflect rate is made, described light adjustment layer has the input surface of ridged of output surface complementation of catching the described ridged of window face with described light, described light is adjusted the window face and is further had the smooth output surface surperficial relative with the input of described ridged, described light adjust that window face and described light catch that the window face separates and the output surface of described ridged towards the input surface of described ridged, inciding described light with the angle of incidence that is lower than the described first critical capture angle catches the light of window face and passes described light and catch the window face, enter described light and adjust the window face, and adjust the outgoing of window face from described light by the described smooth output surface of described light adjustment layer.Described third reflect rate is substantially equal to described first refractive index.Each reflecting surface that described light is caught the window face all has the mating face in described light adjustment layer, and each reflecting surface is basically parallel to its mating face.

This device can make each collector surface be basically perpendicular to the described smooth input surface that described light is caught the window face.

Light is caught the window face and can be comprised: have the transparent material layer of third reflect rate, described third reflect rate is lower than described first refractive index.This layer can be formed between the output surface of described input surface and described ridged.

Described light is caught a plurality of prisms that the window face can comprise the printing opacity thin plate and be fastened to described printing opacity thin plate.Described prism can comprise matrix and a plurality of aggregations that are arranged in this matrix.Described concentrated body can comprise at least a in cylindrical aggregation, parallel tubular aggregation, sphere aggregates, wedge shape aggregation and the randomly shaped aggregation.

Described light collection device is a photovoltaic cell.

Described first light transmissive material comprises glass, poly-(methyl methacrylate), Merlon, urethanes, polyurethane, silicone rubber, at least a in optics epoxy material and the cyanoacrylate.

According to a second aspect of the invention, a kind of solar panel window is provided, comprise the first window face adjacent one another are and the second window face, the described first window mask has the first ridged surface, and the described second window mask has the second ridged surface, and described first ridged surface and the described second ridged surface are complimentary to one another.Described first window face and the described second window face be fastened to each other and the described first ridged surface towards the described second ridged surface.This solar panel window further comprises and is installed in the lip-deep a plurality of solar cells of described first ridged.

The described first ridged surface can comprise a plurality of prismatic ridges, and each ridge all has long limit and minor face, and described a plurality of solar cells are installed on the described minor face.

According to a third aspect of the invention we, provide a kind of solar panel window that comprises light input thin plate and light output thin plate.This solar panel window comprises that further being formed on described light input thin plate catches prism with a plurality of complex light that described light is exported between the thin plate.Each complex light is caught prism and is comprised that having first of first refractive index catches prism and have second of second refractive index and catch prism.Described second refractive index is greater than described first refractive index.Described first catches prism and described second catches prism and is adjacent to each other, to limit the inner full-reflection interface.Described second catches prism has collection face.Described first catches prism can receive light and light is propagated into described second by described inner full-reflection interface and catch prism from described light input thin plate.Described second catches prism can will propagate into described collection face from described first light of catching the prism reception.This solar panel window further comprises a plurality of photovoltaic cells of gathering the face optical communication with each.Each photovoltaic cell can produce voltage according to the light that receives at its corresponding collection face place.

This solar panel window can allow to be transmitted in the building that this solar panel window is installed with the light that predetermined viewing angle shines on it, shines predetermined on the window to watch the light outside the angle to be directed into a plurality of solar cells.

By checking below in conjunction with the description of accompanying drawing to specific embodiment of the present invention, it is more obvious that other features and advantages of the present invention can become for those of ordinary skills.

Description of drawings

Only embodiments of the invention are described referring now to accompanying drawing in the mode of example, in the accompanying drawing:

Fig. 1 illustrates phantom drawing of catching the embodiment of layer of the present disclosure;

Fig. 2 A and Fig. 2 B illustrate the lateral view of catching layer of Fig. 1, and wherein solar cell is secured to and catches layer;

Fig. 3 A and Fig. 3 B illustrate the layer of catching of Fig. 2 A and Fig. 2 B, and wherein enter light and have different angle of incidence;

Fig. 4 A-4C illustrates the body of the photovoltaic cell material of catching layer realization that can use Fig. 1;

Fig. 5 illustrates the prism of catching layer that how to use Fig. 1 and realizes concentrating of light;

Fig. 6 illustrates how additional solar cell is fastened to the bottom of catching layer arrives this point with results light;

Fig. 7 A and Fig. 7 B illustrate the adjustment layer of the embodiment that is used to form solar panel window of the present invention and are positioned at the layer of catching of adjusting layer side;

Internally as seen which exterior object how the visual angle that Fig. 8 illustrates the embodiment of solar panel window of the present invention to influence;

Fig. 9 A-Fig. 9 D illustrates how solar cell material to be fastened to and can be used to make example of catching the optical prism of layer of the present disclosure;

Figure 10 A and Figure 10 B illustrate the embodiment of the adjustment layer with minute surface;

Figure 11 A and Figure 11 B illustrate another embodiment that catches layer of the present disclosure;

Figure 12 A and Figure 12 B illustrate and use the solar energy module that layer is made of catching with conformal (conformal) mirror;

Figure 13 illustrates the material layer and the layer of catching of catching layer conformal mirror that separates that has by low-refraction;

Figure 14 A and Figure 14 B illustrate to be used to use and catch the molding technique that layer is made solar energy module, wherein can be with the PV cell package during molded step;

Figure 14 C illustrates the phantom drawing of the mould that uses in the molding technique shown in Figure 14 A and Figure 14 B;

Figure 14 D illustrates the phantom drawing of catching layer that uses the molding technique manufacturing shown in Figure 14 A and Figure 14 B;

Figure 15 A-Figure 15 C illustrates the details of the different layers of catching layer of making the covering, reflecting layer and the PV battery that comprise the preceding thin plate of glass, the molded ridge of silicone, low-refraction;

Figure 16 A-Figure 16 E illustrates the glass filler that can be used for using the multitude of different ways of less silicone when the ridge of layer is caught in foundation.

Figure 16 F illustrates the phantom drawing of the mould that wherein is equipped with glass bar and PV battery of Figure 16 E;

Figure 16 G illustrates the lateral view of catching layer that obtains from the mould of Figure 16 E;

Figure 17 A-Figure 17 C illustrates the mode that can construct the preceding thin plate of glass;

The layer that Figure 18 illustrates low-refraction is wherein caught layer with what thin plate before the glass and ridge separated;

Figure 19 illustrates and uses the layer of catching that dielectric mirror makes, and this dielectric mirror color is optional, and the light that can use of reflected P V battery only, with generating, transmitted infrared light;

Figure 20 A and Figure 20 B illustrate and can be used for making the transmission deflection hologram of catching fan-shaped skew of catching layer;

Figure 21 A and Figure 21 B illustrate can be used as and catch the mirror behind the layer so that catch the reflection holography deflector of catching fan-shaped skew of layer;

Figure 22 A and Figure 22 B illustrate the ray trajectory that uses the minute surface backing based on the solar energy module of catching layer;

Figure 23 A-Figure 23 C illustrates the ray trajectory based on some light of solar energy module transmission of catching layer;

Figure 24 illustrates the light capture rate curve as the function of angle of incidence of the exemplary embodiment of Figure 22 A, Figure 22 B and Figure 23 A-Figure 23 C;

Figure 25 A and Figure 25 B illustrate in roof, the horizontal application based on catch the layer solar energy module;

Figure 26 A-Figure 26 D illustrates a series of line layouts based on the solar energy module of catching layer;

Figure 27 A and Figure 27 B illustrate the parallel line configuration based on the solar energy module of catching layer;

Figure 28 A and Figure 28 B illustrate and comprise the electronic bill-board assembly of catching layer;

Figure 29 A-Figure 29 D illustrates and uses the example sizes and the feature of catching layer and/or adjusting the building integral solar energy cell panel of layer of the present disclosure;

Figure 30 illustrates the lateral view of the embodiment of the prism of catching layer;

Figure 31 illustrates similar to Figure 18 layer embodiment that catch except that not having the minute surface backing;

Figure 32 illustrates the ray trajectory that uses the minute surface backing based on the solar energy module of catching layer;

Figure 33 illustrates the exemplary embodiment of the line layout of PV battery;

Figure 34 illustrates another exemplary embodiment of the line layout of PV battery;

Figure 35 illustrates an exemplary embodiment again of the line layout of PV battery;

Figure 36 A and Figure 36 B illustrate the embodiment of the PV battery that is connected in parallel;

Figure 37 illustrates the embodiment of the PV battery that is connected in series;

Figure 38 A and Figure 38 B illustrate the phantom drawing of the exemplary embodiment of solar panel window;

Figure 39 A-Figure 39 C illustrates exemplary compound prism and this compound example of catching the solar panel window of prism of use of catching;

Figure 40 illustrates another the exemplary compound prism of catching with curved surface;

Figure 41 A-Figure 41 C illustrates another exemplary embodiment of the line layout of PV battery.

The specific embodiment

The solar energy window product of solar panel window of the present invention and prior art different are that it is according to its absorption of angle Selection and be converted to the light of electricity.It is unattenuated basically and see through window basically without deflection to incide light on the solar panel window at a predetermined angle, perhaps has very little decay, and is hunted down during serving as the solar panel window of waveguide from the light of other angle incident.The light of catching is concentrated and is propagated into solar collector, for example light is converted to photovoltaic (PV) battery of electricity.

Can use the double-layer structure of making by transparent optical material to realize the solar panel window.First floor is called and catches layer (Capture layer), catches sunlight and it is guided to the PV battery.The second layer is called and adjusts layer (a Rectifying layer), will be deflected but at largely obtains the light changed course that layer is caught.Adjust layer counter-rotating and catch the deflection of layer, thereby make light at large pass the solar panel window without change.Adjusting layer makes the solar panel window can serve as transparent window.If the adjustment layer is then caught layer and still can be produced electricity, but catch the light that passes window when layer can twist the direct-view window.Adjust layer and make that also manufacturing becomes feasible than the heat-insulating and sealing double window that single window has better heat-proof quality.

Catch layer and to adjust layer complementary substantially in form, and in fact can be identical in form, difference is, catches layer and has PV battery with its optical communication.

Catching layer can be made by any suitable transparent optical material with the adjustment layer, for example, by glass or poly-(methyl methacrylate) PMMA, Merlon, urethanes or polyurethane, organic silicon rubber, or any other suitable transparent optical material, and any suitable combination is made.Catch layer and adjust the window glass that layer can form the sawtooth ridge that one side is smooth, another side has repetition.Can use the sheet of material manufacturing to catch layer and adjustment layer between the face in the ridge and the outside, thin plate has the ridge that is fastened on it.Thin plate and ridge can be made then respectively and be bonded together, and also can be used as full wafer and make simultaneously, perhaps can make in molding process, wherein, in molding process, directly form prism on sheets of glass.Fig. 1 illustrates exemplary acquisition layer 300 of the present disclosure.Catch layer and have the thin plate of being fastened to 1004 to a plurality of prisms 304.Rightmost prism 304 is illustrated as separating with thin plate 1004, can make of the sheet that separating with thin plate 1004 with explanation prism 304.Fig. 1 also illustrates the face 302 in the outside that solar radiation (impinge) (not shown) arrives.

Shown in Fig. 2 A and Fig. 2 B, the prism 304 that also can be called ridge each other can be basic identical, and each prism limits the linear eyeglass (optic) with right-angled triangle section, and the hypotenuse 1003 of right-angled triangle section is parallel to the face 302 in the outside of catching layer 300.All prisms 304 limit the output surface of the ridged of catching layer 300.Right-angled triangle has the right-angle side of two different lengths.The face that shorter one in two right-angle sides can be formed also is that the face of having PV battery 301 is called collection face 306.The face that long right-angle side can be formed, is called reflecting surface 308 by promptly naked.Below will illustrate, the adjustment layer of solar panel window of the present invention can be formed except that do not have the PV battery fastening thereon with to catch layer 300 shape identical.

In following exemplary embodiment,, use the light shown in Fig. 2 B to catch the orientation of layer 300 for the purpose of discussing angle of incidence.The face with PV battery 310 of ridge promptly can be gathered the bottom surface that face 306 is called ridge.The face 302 of catching the outside of layer is vertical.Catch normal incidence 904 on the layer and be meant the light of horizontal transmission.Light with the angle of incidence that is higher than normal incidence 906 impinges upon on the cell panel from the top, and similarly, the light with the angle that is lower than normal incidence 908 impinges upon on the cell panel from the below.

Shown in Fig. 3 B, near normal incidence 1010, catch layer 300 and make most light deflect down 1012.With normal incidence 1010 or be lower than normal incidence 1010 and incide and catch in layer 300 the light, fraction is caught by the Fresnel reflection layer 300 that is hunted down.With normal incidence 1010 or be lower than normal incidence 1010 and incide and catch layer another part light of 300 and directly impinge upon on the PV battery 310.Along with the angle of incidence of catching the light on the layer 300 increases above normal, the ratio of the light of catching and the light of deflection increases.There is critical angle of incidence, outside this critical angle of incidence, catches layer 300 all light that can catch except that the face in those outsides passes through the light of Fresnel reflection loss.This angle is called critical capture angle (CCA).Light 907 is depicted as with CCA and shines on the face 302 in the outside.All prisms 304 define the output surface of the ridged of catching layer 300.Output surface restriceted envelope between the two of input surface 302 and ridged, this space are caught the material filling of the homogenous materials of layer 300 with formation basically.

CCA depends on that the long right-angle side of the right-angled triangle that forms ridge and the length between the short right-angle side are than (promptly, the ratio of the length of reflecting surface 308 and the length of collection face 306), the refractive index that is used to make the material of catching layer 300, and around the refractive index of the material (this material for example can be air) of catching layer 300.When catching layer 300 refractive index is 1.5, and the right-angle side ratio between long right-angle side and the short right-angle side is 4: 1, and catches layer 300 when being arranged in air, and the CCA pact becomes miter angle with the normal of cell panel.The layer 300 of catching of Fig. 3 A and Fig. 3 B has these example feature.In this case, shine with angle and catch the light 908 of layer on 300 and be trapped within and catch in the layer greater than CCA.

The length that changes the right-angle side of ridge (prism 304) changes CCA than meeting.The right-angle side ratio of making for the material that by refractive index is 1.5 with 2: 1,3: 1 and 5: 1 catch layer, CCA is respectively about 24 degree, 37 degree and 50 degree.Reduce right-angle side length ratio and can reduce CCA, more how this cause catching on the whole light, but need to use bigger PV battery 310 cover given window area.Increase refractive index and also can reduce critical capture angle.For example, use and to have that 2.0 refractive index materials is made and the right-angle side ratio is 4: 1 the critical capture angles that layer has 33 degree of catching.Yet the variable flexible design degree in this design reduces, and this is because most optics dielectrics and polymer have the refractive index near 1.5.Will be about other details in following further argumentation at the CCA of different embodiment of the present disclosure.

Solar panel window of the present invention can serve as no track basically and concentrate solar panel.The optical mirror slip of catching layer 300 focuses on incident sunlight on the PV battery bar, and at PV battery bar place, light is absorbed and is converted to.These PV battery bars have the area littler than the face 302 in the outside of catching layer.Like this, to compare the PV material of use less with using the PV material directly to absorb sunlight.

How the sunlight that Fig. 4 A-Fig. 4 C illustrates with the 45 degree incidents of level top is absorbed by the PV battery.The example of Fig. 4 A illustrates the PV battery that is vertically oriented, if solar panel is exactly this situation by vertically arranging.How the example of Fig. 4 B makes the PV battery be in tilted layout with direct absorption sunlight with 45 degree if illustrating; Under this orientation, light arrives the PV battery with normal incidence.Skilled person in the art will appreciate that light is radiated on the PV battery PV battery arrangement is optimum orientation, adopts minimum PV material directly to absorb light with normal incidence.The example of Fig. 4 C illustrate use right-angle side with 4: 1 than and the CCA of 45 degree and be attached with relative little PV battery 310 ridge catch layers 300.Catching layer 300 focuses on sunlight on the PV battery 310.Each unit height is caught PV materials that layer 300 adopts and approximately is 1/4th of the PV material that cell panel (Fig. 4 A) adopts that is vertically oriented, and almost is 1/3rd of the PV material that adopts of inclination solar panel (Fig. 4 B).Incide the sunlight strength of catching layer 300 PV battery 310 that is fastened to Fig. 4 C and be three times of sunlight strength of the inclination solar panel that incides Fig. 4 B.

Incide with the normal angle at sunlight and to catch layer at 300 o'clock, catch layer and 300 do not serve as solar panel.In this case, catch layer 300 light is deflected down, shown in Fig. 3 B., catch layer 300 and serve as solar concentrator, as mentioned above during in the angle of incidence of light greater than critical angle of incidence.

The shape of ridge (prism 304) is given the credit in the effect of catching layer optical mirror slip.These ridges that act on separately are and the whole layer concentrator with identical concentrated ability of catching.This illustrates at Fig. 5.

The thin plate 1004 (being shown in Fig. 1) that is fastened with prism 304 is not pure structure.Its printing opacity, and light can be in thin plate 1004 inner and propagation in ridge 304.Some light may miss the bottom of the PV battery arrival thin plate 1004 on the ridge.Can place PV battery bar 1014 in the bottom of thin plate as shown in Figure 6 and catch light.

Fig. 7 A and Fig. 7 B illustrate the embodiment of solar panel window of the present invention (SPW) 1015.Shown in Fig. 7 B, the adjustment layer 1016 of SPW 1015 can have and catch layer 300 identical shape, but does not have the PV battery.Under any circumstance, light adjustment layer 1016 is caught layer 300 with light and should be had the shape of basic complementation.Adjust layer 1016 and place, make every layer the accurate interlocking of ridge near catching layer.Between catching layer 300 and light adjustment layer 1016, light has little air filling crack 1018.Crack 1018 allows in catching layer 300 inner full-reflection to take place, and its also for window provide improved, as the effect of heat insulation of double window.Adjust layer 1016 and catch layer 300 and can use the suitable mechanism such as being used for the mechanism that the glass of double window is secured to one another to be secured to together.

Adjusting layer 1016 makes the light of not caught by PV battery 310 catch the deflection counter-rotating that layer 300 place take place.Because this two-layer crestal surface is substantially parallel, therefore the deflection meeting that takes place when catching layer outgoing when light is inverted entering when adjusting layer.Clean deflection can not take place, so SPW 1015 understands transmitted light substantially non-warpingly.If crack 1018 makes very greatly, then certain distortion can occur, and certain color separation can occur.Under the situation that does not need these effects, it is very little that the crack should keep.

Fig. 8 illustrates and watches fan-shapedly 1020, watches in fan-shaped 1020 at this, and 1015 couples of beholders 1024 of SPW are transparent.At the place of watching outside fan-shaped 1020, angle, SPW 1015 seems opaque.In the example of Fig. 8, solar panel window 1015 uses above-mentioned have 4: 1 the right-angle side ratio and the example prism of 45 degree critical angles.This example illustrates people 1024 and looks out of the window right overhead the time at the sun.Because whole tree 1026 all watching in fan-shaped 1020, therefore, it is visible fully that this tree sees through window, but the sun right overhead is sightless to people 1024, and the PV battery can be caught and be directed into to the sunlight of direct projection by window.The beholder is placed with the place of PV battery in window can see thin horizon, but this block vision too not.See towards the sun that upwards the beholder can see outside window the thing as rain shade.

Above-mentioned solar panel window 1015 can be made by any suitable material in any suitable manner.What have a ridge (prism 304) wholely catches layer 300 and/or adjusts layer 1016 and can or cast (cast out) by the material such as PMMA, polyethylene carbonic ester, polyethylene polyester ammonia, silicone or glass molded (moulded).These layers can also be formed by the whole compacting of same material.

Alternately,, compacting molded separately by glass or polymeric material or form ridge (prism 304) with any suitable means, then with any suitable means, for example use the means of optics epoxy material or use solidification process in stove that these are partly solidified to bond them, ridge is attached on the smooth window face by the middle thin plate of ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymer or polyvinyl acetate.Also can use other suitable lamination that prism is connected to sheets of glass, make and catch layer.Even ridge can be mechanically anchored on the position of thin plate, make between the thin plate of ridge and these layers, not have chemical bonding.No matter use what manufacture method, can make to make in a like fashion and catch layer 300 and adjust layer 1016.

As mentioned above, catch layer 300 and need to add PV batteries 310, PV battery 310 can be the photovoltaic cell of any adequate types, for example comprises based on crystalline semiconductor, based thin film or based on the photovoltaic cell of organic material.Can use or not use support infrabasal plate (substrate) or upper substrate (superstrate) to make PV battery 310 and encapsulate PV battery 310, by any suitable means, for example catch a layer ridge (prism 304) then by using optics epoxy material, silicone, mechanical fixation or any other suitable means that PV battery 310 is attached to.

Can also directly on collection face 306 (the short right-angle side of prism 304), set up PV battery 310.This can relate to the PV battery component (" PV battery component " can wait with statement " PV battery " or " PV battery bar " and exchange use) that the PV battery 310 series connection welding of predetermined number is extended with the length (long dimension) (being generally the width that light is caught layer 300) that obtains along collection face 306.Encapsulating material can be coated on the collection face 306, the PV battery component can be placed against collection face then, can use encapsulating material for the second time then, with its back side that is coated to PV battery 310 so that they are encapsulated fully.

According to employed PV cell package material, catch layer 300 and need in a period of time, keep motionless, so that encapsulants is fixed.In case encapsulants is fixing, just can use any suitable method, for example be used for method that double window is linked together, will catch layer 300 and adjust layer 1016 and put.These processes relate to uses aluminium or plastic cement distance piece that glass is separated.Use butyl adhesive that the window face is sealing adhesive to distance piece, and use silicone sealant that the window face is fastening in place.Can in the chamber that generates, place desiccant, to be absorbed in the moisture of following of making or entering between the operating period in the chamber.Under the situation of solar panel window, can use aluminium or plastic cement extrusion as distance piece, and use the butyl agent that it is adhered to and catch layer 300 and the outward flange of adjusting layer 1016, generating the seal cavity of moisture-resistant gas, and use silicone sealant they mechanically are fixed together and keep gap between the two.Extrusion holds desiccant so that do not gather moisture in the space between window.The air of drying or other insulated gas such as argon gas can be injected in the space between the window.

SPW 1015 has lead or electrical connection usually in the edge in its one or more outsides.The bar of PV battery 310 has each PV battery 310 is connected to each other and forms the conductor of PV battery strings (PV battery component).The lead that one end is connected to the bar of PV battery 310 can be introduced in aluminium extrusion under the edge of solar panel window 1015, comes out from the bottom of window, is used to be connected to any suitable circuit of use or store electricity.The residing zone of zone that lead extracts or electric connector can be sealed with blocks moisture.

As mentioned above, PV battery 310 can be attached on the collection face 306 of ridge (prism 304), particularly prism 304 of catching layer 300 before or after ridge is attached to the thin plate of catching layer in any suitable manner.Equally, ridge can be formed by any means, comprising: the extrusion molding of PMMA, polyethylene carbonate, glass, silicone, perhaps undertaken moldedly by above material, and or only grind by glass.

PV battery 310 can be fastened on a lot of ridges simultaneously.In such method, ridge (prism 304) can be formed and be bound up on then together, make all ridges collection face 306 at grade, and flush each other.The PV face of adjacent ridge replacedly, a lot of ridgeds can be become a slice, so that can be bonded together by thin section of material.

So the target of combination ridge is to create the big flat surface that can apply PV battery 310.A lot of ridges are carried out identical processing step simultaneously save time and money, and further, the traditional PV battery of size use that applies the zone of PV battery 310 by increase applies technology and becomes feasible.

For example, can be with thin film deposition processes, for example vacuum moulding machine puts on the PV battery in the collection face 306 of ridge.The technical difficulty of PV face that film PV battery is put on ridge is with film PV battery to be put on the difficulty difference of sheets of glass little, because in both cases, the face that is applied in the PV battery all is flat.

Referring to Fig. 9 A-Fig. 9 D, as another example, can use such technology, for example use the PV cell package of ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymer (EVA) 920 and polyvinyl fluoride (ETFE) 922.PV battery 310 is placed between two EVA 920 thin plates on the collection face 306.Before PV battery 310 being put between EVA 920 thin plates, 310 series weldings of PV battery can be connected together.ETFE 922 thin plates can be placed on the top of EVA 920, and the overall stack overlapping piece is placed in the curing oven.

Afterwards, ridge (prism 304) need be separated, make ridge can be used for making and catch layer 300.This needs any material binding of cutting, divide or riving and form during the PV battery applies technology, and PV battery itself is engaged, but this is very simple.People can adopt for example diamond bit circulation cutting tool, laser cutting, and people also can be simply must separate ridge is violent.

In case finished ridge, just ridge can be installed on the thin plate of light transmissive material 1004, with Production Example such as SPW 1015 catch the layer 300.Skilled person in the art will appreciate that and to carry out line so that the electric energy that they produce is enough extracted to ridge from module.Can use any suitable method (comprise and use epoxy material, silicone, polyvinyl acetate (PVA) or ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymer (EVA)) that is used for glass laminates technology, and use any curing (comprising extreme ultraviolet photocuring, heat cure or the multicomponent adhesive that before applying, mixes and can at room temperature react and solidify), ridge is installed.

Skilled person in the art will appreciate that and to use the triplex glass (not shown) to improve the heat-proof quality of SPW.This layer can be added to window inside or window outside.

Can reequip to make solar energy wall cell panel SPW 1015, solar energy wall cell panel is lighttight device, and does not have the position of window and need the position of vertical solar cell template device to serve as building envelopes on building.When above-mentioned SPW 1015 is applied to such situation, can fully reduce the CCA that is attributable to SPW 1015 of solar energy wall cell panel by for example reflectance coating being coated to the ridge side (the input surface of ridged) of adjusting layer 1016.

Secondary is propagated in catching layer 300, has reduced to catch the critical capture angle of layer by making light (such light is deflected out to catch layer 300 and see through and adjusts layer 1016 in SPW) to add such reflecting layer.In passing through for the second time, one more light is caught chance.As previously mentioned, the SPW 1015 with right-angle side ratio of 1.5 refractive index and 4: 1 has the CCA (this CCA can be known as a CCA) of 45 degree.If reflecting layer is coated on the ridge of adjusting layer 1016, then resulting cell panel has the critical capture angle (this CCA can be known as the 2nd CCA) of 21 degree.This embodiment is shown among Figure 10 A and Figure 10 B, and wherein solar energy wall cell panel 930 is depicted as it and adjusts layer 1016 and have minute surface 932, and this minute surface 932 comprises the input face and the mirror of the ridged of adjusting layer 16.

Catch layer 300 though can directly reflecting layer 932 be added on the principle, abandon fully and adjust layer 1016, to have mirror on the layer 300 be imperfect catching.The reflection that inner full-reflection (TIR) causes almost is 100% efficient.On the contrary, efficient is lower comparatively speaking in the reflection of metallic mirror surface.From being that the relevant spectrum of the photovoltaic device of power is measured the efficient of aluminium mirroring about 84% with solar energy.The light of being caught can caught before arriving PV battery 310 in the layer 300 through reflection many times.If catching layer 300 naked ridge (reflecting surface 308 of Fig. 5) coated is 84% aluminium mirror with efficient, then each reflection can reduce 16% available light power.For example, can be lowered to 59% of its green strength through the light after the minute surface triple reflection.For this reason, preferably, at minute surface with catch air-gap is set between the layer,, by very high efficiency TIR reflection, arrive PV battery 310 afterwards up to it so that light at most only needs by the minute surface reflection once.Such primary event meeting causes and is not more than 16% decay.

Shown solar panel window and solar panel wall, but they can be arranged also with other any suitable orientation that does not deviate from the principle of the invention such as horizontal alignment or tilted alignment to be vertically oriented.

Be illustrated the use right-angled triangle at the ridge (prism 304) shown in whole figure.Yet, also can use the triangle of other type.A kind of possibility is that the employing hypotenuse is the right-angled triangle of naked (reflecting surface 308) of ridge (prism 304).PV battery 310 still is positioned on the leg-of-mutton short right-angle side (collection face), and this duration right-angle side is to be parallel to the planar orientation in layer 302 the outside.Figure 11 A works in the mode identical with the above mode of describing in conjunction with Fig. 3 A with the layout shown in Figure 11 B.Yet PV battery 310 is flat now, and presents narrow profile to the beholder, causes faint black line in the solar panel window.Only show in Figure 11 A and Figure 11 B and catch layer 300, corresponding adjustment layer will be of similar shape (complementary shape) but not have PV battery 310.Skilled person in the art will appreciate that the triangle that also can use outside the right-angled triangle.

May need to control the transparency of SPW, and allow the sunlight that sees through being hunted down and being converted to the amount of the sunlight of electricity.This can realize in a different manner.In first example, if there is the people to wish some light transmission window that critical angle is above, then he can remove a ridge every a ridge simply from window.This can become the more light of admittance but produce the less part solar panel window of power.In second example,, then can make to adjust in the layer 1016 on a ridge, to have reflecting layer every a ridge if there is the people to wish to make the dark window of the more electricity of generation.This can reduce 50% through the light of window, but this also can make the critical capture angle of the light (adjusting layer part of the front in the place that is added mirror) that arrives window reduce 50%, so more how cell panel can produce.Skilled person in the art will appreciate that people can remove ridge or add reflecting layer, with the balance that needing between light of admitting and electricity productioin, to obtain.

Replacedly, can be simply with PV face painted black, rather than PV battery 310 is placed on the PV face (collection face 306) on the ridge of catching layer 300, absorb the light that shines this face.This can obtain seeming and clearly understanding thoroughly, but the window that can not allow the sunlight on the CCA to enter.Become to see originally that this needed from reducing cooling of building, and can replace curtain to produce shade basically.

It can be simple relatively making SPW, just adds several additional steps in the typical method of making double window.This can begin to realize by the double window of air-gap that use has a size of the ridge (prism 304) that is enough to hold on each window face.The ridge that can use a spot of epoxy material will be fastened with the PV battery is fixed to the on glass of window, and employed a spot of epoxy material can be hidden by the ornament around window.Can the lead that the window ornament changes slightly to allow to be connected to PV battery bar be come out from SPW; These leads can all be hidden to such an extent that cannot see and/or be integrated in the ornament.Replacedly, can use foregoing any suitable processing that prism is pressed onto on the sheets of glass.

As above description in conjunction with Figure 10 A and Figure 10 B, be coated with mirror film if adjust layer 1016, then solar panel window 1015 becomes the capturing optical opaque solar panel with less CCA (being called the 2nd CCA).Such cell panel can or by to adjusting that layer carries out that minute surface applies or by using the mirror shown in Figure 12 A and Figure 12 B to make with catching layer conformal.

Among Figure 12 A, catching layer 300 can be by making such as glass, PMMM, polyethylene carbonate, silicone or other any suitable optical material such as light transmissive material.Most typical optical materials have about 1.5 refractive index.Catch layer and have flat collection face 302 and a plurality of ridge (prism 304).Prism 304 has facet (collection face 306) and big face (reflecting surface 308).PV battery 310 is secured to collection face 306.Catching layer 300 will be redirected and guide with the incident light that arrives the face 302 in the outside greater than any angle of critical capture angle 316 with respect to the face of the normal of collector 314.The light of catching is directed into PV battery 310, and at PV battery 310 places, light is absorbed and is converted to.

The light that some is caught, for example the light shown in Figure 12 B 318 before running into the PV battery 310 that absorbs this light on reflecting surface 308 by inner full-reflection (TIR) reflection 320, and also on the face 302 in the outside by TIR.For shown in light 318, only be reflected three times, and other light hundreds of time (or arbitrary number of times) that before running into the PV battery, may be reflected, other light only were reflected once before running into the PV battery, also had some light not to be reflected before running into the PV battery.

Other light such as light 326 can not reflected by TIR at reflecting surface 308 places of running into for the first time, but deflection 328.The light of deflection is being run into mirror 332 through behind the air-gap 330.This mirror has the face 334 that is basically parallel to reflecting surface 308.Can carry out minute surface and apply and produce mirror 332 adjusting layer by foregoing.Also can use the conformal mirror that meets the form of catching layer ridge 304 or use and produce such as the hard mirror of making by folding aluminium.

Light 326 is reflected 336 on minute surface 334.This causes light to pass for the second time catching layer 300, and enables to take place on the face 302 in the outside TIR reflection 338.In case light is located to be reflected by TIR at one of the face 302 in the outside or reflecting surface 308, then light is hunted down and will arrives 324PV battery 310.

Because the reflection at reflecting surface 308 places to some light can be repeatedly, if therefore these reflections are inner full-reflections and are not that directly to be formed at the reflection meeting of the reflecting layer on the big face 308 better.This is because inner full-reflection reflects 100% incident light, and mirror can have certain ineffectivity and absorb some light.For example, the aluminium mirror has 84% efficient.This meaning person 84% incident light is reflected, and mirror absorbs 16%.After twice of reflection on the aluminium mirror, light intensity can be reduced to 71% (71%=84% * 84%) of its primary strength.Be reflected on the aluminium mirror of 84% efficient after four times having, light intensity is reduced to 50% of its primary strength.

For this reason, with to catch the conformal mirror that layer closely contact also not preferred.Tight contact like this can comprise putting on catches the coating of layer 300 minute surface, or uses and catch a optical adhesive that layer has an identical refractive index and be bonded to the mirror of catching layer.These two kinds of layouts all can produce such situation: in the reflection each time at reflecting surface 308 places, mirror all can absorb light.

Alternately, any mirror of employing can have air-gap 330 between reflecting surface 308 and minute surface.Utilize this air-gap, light only by specularly reflected is once reflected by inner full-reflection by the face 302 in the outside then.In case catch the layer 300 inside be hunted down, light will only be reflected by inner full-reflection by the face 302 in the outside and reflecting surface 308.Some light is in acquisition procedure and be hunted down and can be by specularly reflected when propagating into PV battery 310, but only is reflected by inner full-reflection.

The mirror that had before illustrated can be any suitable mirror, comprises mylar mirror, aluminium mirror and scribbles polymer film or the mirror of thin plate, multilayer dielectric stack mirror or any suitable reflection light sheet material.In addition, can apply and make mirror carry out minute surface such as the ridge structure of adjusting layer structure.

In the practice, the air-gap that keeps dry may be very difficult.Can with non-pneumatic, printing opacity, low-index material be incorporated into catch the layer 300 and mirror between replace air-gap.This material can have refractive index about 1.3 or 1.4 and (for example fluoridize PMMA and can have 1.35 refractive index, and Sylgard ^TM184 can have 1.42 refractive index), but under any circumstance, the refractive index of this material should be lower than about 1.5 the main refractive index of catching layer.Inner full-reflection still takes place in the interface between high-index material and low-index material.

The configuration of low-refraction optical material has identical critical capture angle with use the configuration of air-gap before mirror in the middle of adopting before mirror.The refractive index of intermediate materials can determine to obtain the preceding maximum reflection number of times that takes place at the mirror place of inner full-reflection.

Figure 13 shows and catches layer and have 1.5 refractive index and catch the situation that optical material between layer and the mirror has 1.4 refractive index.(have 1.5 refractive index) caught material layers 340 and the mirrors 332 of layer 300 by low-refraction (having 1.4 refractive index) and separated.314 one-tenth 21 degree of CCA 316 (being called the 2nd CCA) and the surface normal of catching layer angle.

The light 342 that is in critical angle is caught layer and was deflected 344 at 300 o'clock entering.This light deflection 346 once more when entering the material 340 of low-refraction then, and be reflected 348 at mirror 332 places.This light reenter catch the layer deflection 350 once more in 300 o'clock.This light at face 302 places in the outside by inner full-reflection 352.Then, this light deflection 354 once more when entering the material 340 of low-refraction.Again, this light is reflected 356 at mirror 332 places, catches a layer deflection 358 in 300 o'clock reentering, and at face 302 places that catch layer 300 the outside by inner full-reflection 360.Then, inner full-reflection 362 takes place in interface 364 places of this light between the material 340 of catching layer 300 and low-refraction, and arrives PV battery 310.

According to the exemplary design of Figure 13, some light is less than twice at the number of times of mirror place reflection before arriving the PV battery, but 316 does not have the light will be in the reflection of mirror place above twice on critical capture angle.Do not have low-refraction once 340 with mirror with catch under the layer situation about separating, that is to say, if mirror closely contact catch layer, then some light may be in the reflection of mirror place repeatedly, this can be rapid the reduction system light is transmitted to the gross efficiency of PV battery.

The material of low-refraction can be any material that has than catching the low refractive index of layer.In Figure 13, the material 340 of low-refraction has 1.4 refractive index; Yet, also can use to have high index or than the material of low-refraction, as long as it has than the low refractive index of other optical material of catching in the layer 300.Possible combination of materials is in following description.

Can use any conventional molded method, for example pouring-in molded, compacting, die casting etc. is by multiple optic polymer, easily is molded as polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA) and Merlon (PC) and catches layer.Yet, use this polymer formation to catch layer and may have any problem.Known Merlon is the meeting flavescence during being exposed to ultraviolet light, and this does not expect to take place for the solar electrical energy generation product.PMMA is inflammable so may not expect the product of conduct as building window.Silicone and glass are more suitable for the material as fire retardant structure integrated solar module.Also can use other polymer, comprise for example PMMA, Merlon and polyurethane, but may in material forms, comprise fire-retardant additive or ultraviolet obstacle, to guarantee good effect and to meet building rules on the market of discussing.

Manufacture method of the present invention is a molded silicone on sheets of glass.Molded silicone has the characteristic that is very similar to glass except softer and more flexible.Further, molded silicone can be used to encapsulate the PV battery and protect the PV battery to avoid making moist.

In conjunction with Figure 14 A-Figure 14 D the molded example of silicone is described.Use uncured silicone 368 and PV battery bar 370 to fill the mould of making by the steel 366 that preferably has the nickel coating polishing.Then, place sheets of glass 372 in the above, and sheets of glass 372 is extruded to silicone with closed mould.Mould for example is heated rapidly to high temperature in 100 degrees centigrade to the 200 degrees centigrade scopes, so that silicone 368 solidifies.Also can use steel material in addition to make mould, for example,, therefore can use PMMA to make mould because silicone can not adhere on the PMMA.Foundry goods PMMA thin plate is very smooth so do not need polishing, therefore can be used to make and will transmit press polished mould to the material that is molded.The outer material of silicone can come molded by this way, and these materials include but not limited to gather (methyl methacrylate), Merlon, polyurethane and polyurethane.

Before can removing mould, do not need silicone 368 is solidified fully, partly solidified just enough.Solidifying fully needs 24 hours, and therefore for making in batches, it is disadvantageous needing silicone to solidify fully in mould, but this still can use.As shown in Figure 14B, can before finishing curing fully, (or afterwards) mould 366 and glass 372 be overturn, and mould is taken out.Figure 14 C illustrates the phantom drawing of mould 366, wherein PV battery bar 370 (but the silicon that prevents of not shown mould is run out of the cross side of mould) in place.Sheets of glass can be placed on the mould, extract silicone or pour silicone into mould is filled.Figure 14 D illustrates the result of this process: PV battery bar 370 is along the layer of catching of silicone ridge 368 layouts that are attached to sheets of glass 372.Can be drawn into the method that replaces in the mould based on extracting with the air sucking-off of mould and with silicone resin or other polymer with vacuum.

PV battery bar 370 partly is packaged in the silicone that forms ridge, but their dorsal part appears and also can be packed.Shown in Figure 15 A, can apply second layer silicone 374.This layer can be and the identical silicone of silicone that is used to make ridge (prism 304).It also can be silicone than low-refraction.If for example, ridge is made by the silicone with refractive index of 1.5, and then second layer silicone 374 can be made by the layer of silicone that has less than 1.5 refractive index.

Can adopt existing silicone (for example, Sylgard with refractive index of about 1.4 ^TM184 type DowCorning have 1.42 refractive index).Be 1.4 silicone with refractive index with refractive index be 1.3 fluoridize PMMA or some other similar materials mix the material that can obtain than low-refraction.

Can use other mould by the second molded step or by any other appropriate technology, for example spray paint and add second layer silicone encapsulant (374).Silicone must be applied with extremely thin coating, so that its maintenance is smooth, can't drop, but it can be made of the several layers coating.

Can make the acrylic acid mould replaces the steel mould 366 of polishing for example to make the layer of catching shown in Figure 14 A-Figure 14 D.Use the acrylic acid mould that two advantages are arranged.The firstth, can be constructed for constructing the foundry goods of mould, so mould is with inexpensive, thereby allows to improve output fast with very low cost.(with steel or glass) makes a main foundry goods earlier, from this part die casting acrylic acid mould.Second advantage is that if use silicone to make the ridge of catching on the layer, then acrylic acid can not be adhered to silicone very doughtily.Thus, can easily mould be removed.If acrylic acid is very smooth, as the situation of the foundry goods that obtains from the main casting die that polishes, then the silicone ridge also can be very smooth.Except that acrylic acid, also other polymer and plastics casting or molded can be made the mould that is used to make based on the solar energy module of catching layer.Except casting out the entire die with acrylic acid, it can also be made of the material that comprises foundry goods or outstanding acrylic sheet.

Figure 15 B and Figure 15 C illustrate reflecting layer 376, and reflecting layer 376 can or use other technology such as sputter to be coated on the layer of silicone 374 by paint technology.For example, can the coated with aluminum mirror.Last structure is wherein caught layer and ridge and is made by molded silicone and sheet glass with shown in Figure 13 identical.Than the material package battery of low-refraction and with battery and mirror insulation.This is to be useful under the situation about being made by the conducting metal that is similar to aluminium at mirror.

With after replacing mirror, cell panel can be painted any color in the coating of the material 374 that adds low-refraction.This will make solar energy module present random color from some specific visual angle, is effective solar panel for the incident light that enters from other angle simultaneously.

Figure 14 A-Figure 14 D and Figure 15 A-Figure 15 C only illustrate four ridges on the sheets of glass.In the practice, can use the ridge of any number.Ridge can be in the height of 1cm or 1cm magnitude, and sheets of glass can be big as far as possible.Some exemplary dimensions is 8 feet * 4 feet, 2.5 meters * 1.5 meters, or the like.Ridge can make the wide PV battery bar of 1cm thereon fastening, and PV battery bar is the same with sheets of glass long.PV battery bar can be made by the independent PV battery of arbitrary number.

Expensive and when thickness is too big, need solidify these two kinds of reasons for a long time owing to silicone, in order to utilize less silicone material, can adopt the glass packing material to make prism 304.Figure 16 A-Figure 16 F illustrates such example.Before filling mould 366 and cover sheets of glass 372 with silicone 368, use glass material 369, also be called packing material simply, fill mould 366.Glass material 369 can be directly adjacent to PV battery 370, with they fix in position in mould 366.Figure 16 A-Figure 16 F illustrates the different geometries of the glass material that can be used as filler.Some options comprise glass bar 378, sheets of glass or glass brick 382.Replacedly, mould can be almost by ridged (wedge shape) sheet glass 382 complete filling that match with mould.Replacedly, can use glass fragment 384.Suppose that silicone 368 has and the unusual refractive index of approximate match of glass, then light can not be scattered at the interface between sheet glass and the silicone or reflect, and two kinds of materials can form ridges jointly.Silicone 368 is used to fill any space between the filler material piece, and is used for helping to fill mould.

Sheets of glass 372, silicone 368 and the glass material filler that can select coefficient of thermal expansion to be suitable for matching each other.Further, directly be fastened at PV battery 370 under the situation of glass filler material piece, for example PV battery 370 shown in Figure 16 C directly is fastened under the situation of glass wedge, selects the glass wedge of the coefficient of thermal expansion precision-matched of coefficient of thermal expansion and PV battery.Silicone PV battery has the coefficient of thermal expansion of 2.49ppm/K under 20 degrees centigrade.Dow Corning Sylgard ^TM184 have the coefficient of thermal expansion of 310ppm/K under 20 degrees centigrade, other under 20 degrees centigrade, have the coefficient of thermal expansion of 220-360ppm/K as the silicone of Dow Corning, Quantum Silicones and NuSil company.The thermal expansion of glass is much lower, and for example Schott is with Duran ^TMThe borosilicate glass that name is sold has the coefficient of thermal expansion of 3.3ppm/K under 20 degrees centigrade, other borosilicate glass as Corning and SIMAX company has similar characteristic and the coupling very accurate with silicone PV battery.The silicon of fusion has the relatively low thermel expansion coefficient of 0.55ppm/K under 20 degrees centigrade, and soda lime glass has the coefficient of thermal expansion greater than 8ppm/K usually under 20 degrees centigrade.Consider that the main glass as window window face and glass filler material is borosilicate glass.

Other selection of glass material 369 comprises the glass of glass fiber, bead or any suitable shape.Figure 16 E illustrates the glass bar 378 as the filler material.Figure 16 F is illustrated in and adds identical glass bar 378 in the preceding mould 366 of silicone.Before adding silicone, glass bar is fixed on the PV battery in the mould.

Having described in conjunction with Figure 16 A-Figure 16 F to use refractive index and the clavate of the silicone coupling of the main material that constitutes the ridge of catching layer or the glass of other glass shape to fill prism.Though can find the refractive index very glass and the silicone of accurate coupling, little deviation is inevitable.For instance, consider to have glass shown in Figure 16 G insert rod based on the solar energy module of catching layer.The ridge 478 of sheets of glass 476 and silicone has 1.48 refractive index.The mirror 480 that existence is separated by the covering (not shown) and the ridge of low-refraction, the covering of this low-refraction has 1.3 refractive index.Filler rod 484 has 1.52 refractive index.The influence of this mismatch is that a lot of interfaces between silicone and glass filler can be because Fresnel reflection and some light of scattering (if refractive index is identical, then can not take place at the interface because the scattering that Fresnel reflection produces).Enough interfaces of loss almost do not take place to survey in the example shown.

In fact, when the variations in refractive index that only has 0.04 (1.52-1.48=0.04), 0.02% of all incident lights are only reflected at each interface.The light of supposing any Fresnel reflection all loses (this is the poorest situation, though catch again because some light are scattered the layer that can be hunted down), then can determine simple formula.For N interface, efficiency of transmission T equals:

T＝99.98％ ^N

After through 100 interfaces (light leaves silicone and enters rod or opposite), efficiency of transmission only drops to 98%.But after through 1000 interfaces, efficiency of transmission drops to 82%.This can be clear that very much thus, not advise using meticulous ground glass, because can introduce thousands of interface to the path of PV battery along light as filler.Yet it can be suitable using 100 very fine glass fiber to fill each passage, and can allow little refractive index mismatch.

The glass fiber of seeking high index of refraction is simpler than the silicone of seeking high index of refraction, so people can use the fiber of the refractive index higher than silicone.For example, if the ridge among Figure 30 478 uses the Sylgard from Dow Corning with refractive index of 1.42 ^TM184 make, and glass bar 484 has 1.42 refractive index, and then critical capture angle is about 12 degree.If shown rod 484 has 1.52 refractive index, then critical capture angle is reduced to 10 degree.It is favourable using the glass filler of higher a little refractive index, because it has reduced critical capture angle.Yet, if the people from too far away, will become problem at the interface Fresnel back reflective.

Use diameter be 0.1 millimeter to 3 millimeters fine glass fibers for the application of filling ridge be suitable only cun.Inexpensive and the easy acquisition of this glass fiber, and can help to strengthen the silicone ridge almost as fibrous glass.Compare with using expensive pure silicon ketone manufacturing ridge, use glass fiber that considerable cost savings can be provided.The size of glass fiber is probably less than size shown in this document, but can be not little of making the interface number that is incorporated in the light-path that leads to the PV battery thousands of.Also can use and adopt pearl to fill ridge, but fiber have the additional effect that strengthens ridge.

Shown in Figure 17 A-Figure 17 C, in a further embodiment, sheets of glass 372 can have texture rather than flat.Figure 17 A illustrates and can do like this, so that sheets of glass is almost with the mould complete filling.Sheets of glass 372 has the ridge 386 of one.Can use with silicone that sheets of glass 368 has an identical refractive index and encapsulate PV battery 370.In the embodiment of Figure 17 B and Figure 17 C, it has the little ridge 388 of one sheets of glass 372.These ridges 388 increased sheets of glass 372 and the contact surface that forms between the silicone 368 of ridge long-pending.As preceding also on ridge interpolation second layer silicone 374 to encapsulate PV battery 370 fully.The refractive index of this second layer silicone 374 should than form ridge to have the refractive index of former silicone 368 of identical refractive index low with sheets of glass 372.After second the SC 374, can add reflecting layer or color varnished (these are not shown) than low-refraction.

Equally, skilled person in the art will appreciate that and veined sheets of glass and glass filler material can be made up, make and to use little ridge 388 in conjunction with for example glass filler and silicone, come to form ridge on the layer catching.

In another embodiment shown in Figure 180, the sheets of glass and the prism that can use the material layer of low-refraction will catch layer separate.Sheets of glass 301 separates with ridge 390 by the material layer 392 of low-refraction.Same or analogous low-index material 394 separates prism 390 (ridge) and mirror layer 396.Exemplary light ray 398 is shown.Its point 400 places on the interface between the material 392 of ridge material 390 and low-refraction take place to follow the track identical in fact with the light 342 of Figure 13 the inner full-reflection.It will be understood by those skilled in the art that with above-mentioned example class seemingly, can use the plastics of layer of paint or colouring or polymer to replace mirror.

Can adopt the multilayer dielectric mirror to replace the mirror backing (mirrorbacking) 396 that uses speculum to make.The multilayer dielectric mirror has several advantages.The first, compare with speculum, the multilayer dielectric mirror can be made into aspect target wavelength more effective.The second, the multilayer dielectric mirror can be extremely transparent concerning the light of unwanted wavelength, and the light of unwanted wavelength for example heats the PV battery for meeting but do not produce electric far red light.Three, the multilayer dielectric mirror can seem transparent concerning some angle and reflection concerning other angle.

Can design dielectric mirror at specific angle of incidence and wavelength.If use the PV battery, then wavelength can not produce electricity greater than any light of about 1100nm, does not therefore need such light is reflected to the PV battery.Further, any light from the visual angle that for example enters from the bottom of the solar panel of vertical installation all is allowed to pass through.Figure 19 illustrates the cell panel that uses dielectric mirror 402 to make.Useful light 404 is hunted down, but infrared light 406 passes cell panel.Because this mirror can reflects infrared light, therefore be referred to as Cold Mirrors sometimes.Can do not reflected from light by dielectric mirror such as the visual angle of light 408 yet.

Can utilize the holographic deflector device that uses the volume phase hologram art to make, perhaps utilize the deflector that uses diffraction grating to make, change effective capture angle of catching layer.Figure 20 A and Figure 20 B illustrate the exemplary types of the hologram that the present invention can adopt.Figure 20 A illustrates transmission hologram 410, wherein is deflected output angle cone 414 from the incident light in the angle of incidence of cone 412 inboards.

Shown in Figure 20 B, when being placed in, hologram 410 catches layer during 300 front, and it makes incident light 416 deflections, and it is hunted down shown in Figure 20 b.The output light 418 of hologram is overshoot, make it be in now or be higher than catch the layer critical capture angle.Among Figure 20 B, illustrate to be positioned at and catch low refractive index material layer 340 and the mirror 332 of layer on 300.Light is hunted down and is transmitted to PV battery 310.Catch the layer 300 and deflection hologram 410 between have air-gap 420.Air-gap also can be filled by the material of low-refraction, for example by and filling catch zone 340 identical materials filling between layer 300 and the mirror 332.

Figure 21 A and Figure 21 B illustrate another embodiment of the present invention, the holographic reflector of deflection shown in it 422.Holographic reflector 422 reflects the light in the angle of incidence cone 412 and deflects in the output angle cone 424.Holographic reflector can replace in mirror 332 shown in the above exemplary embodiment or dielectric mirror 402.Holographic reflector 422 makes the incident light of catching such as from the low critical angle of the light 426 of Figure 21 B become feasible.Holographic reflector 422 can by air-gap with catch layer and 300 separate, or the low refractive index material layer by all layers 340 and so on as shown with catch layer 300 and separate.Some incident light will be reflected twice by holographic reflector as light 426.Other light will be only by the holographic reflector reflection once as 428.Some light in addition are as 430 interface (the being reflecting surface) reflections that will only be hunted down between layer 300 and the low-index material 340 (material in 340 also can be an air, and its refractive index is lower than the refractive index of catching layer equally).

Figure 22 A illustrates based on the example based on the solar energy module 451 of catching layer with 3.2 times of concentrated abilities (face 302 in the outside has than the area of PV battery 310 and about 3.2 times area).Become the incident lights 452 at 20 degree angles to be hunted down and to propagate into the PV battery in this case with the normal of cell panel.Figure 22 B illustrates the details on the ridge of catching layer.Three kinds of materials are arranged, and material 454 has 1.5 refractive index, and is made of for example glass or glass and silicone ridge.Ridge can be filled with glass, as above described in conjunction with Figure 16 A-Figure 16 F and Figure 17 A-Figure 17 C.Has refractive index and is 1.4 low-index material 456.This can be for example from the Sylgard of Dow Corning ^TM184 (having 1.42 refractive index) or any other suitable material.Also has conformal mirror 458.Majority is higher than critical capture angle (be about 10 degree) in this design light is hunted down and is transmitted to the PV battery.

Figure 23 A-Figure 23 C illustrate based on have 2.3 times of concentrated abilities based on catch the layer solar energy module 461.There is not the mirror backing.On the contrary, be shown specifically, two kinds of materials are arranged as Figure 23 C.Material 454 has 1.5 refractive index and is made of for example glass or glass and silicone ridge.Ridge can be filled with glass, as above described in conjunction with Figure 16 A-Figure 16 F and Figure 17 A-Figure 17 C.Has refractive index and is 1.4 low-index material 456 as covering.Shown in Figure 23 A, normal light 460 be hunted down layer deflection and outgoing 462.The light that is higher than critical capture angle for example 464 of Figure 23 B and Figure 23 C is hunted down and propagates into PV battery 310.

Figure 24 illustrates the figure of four curves of the simulation efficiency of above every kind of design describing in conjunction with Figure 22 A, Figure 22 B and Figure 23 A-Figure 23 C, and every kind of design includes the situation that has the mirror backing and do not have the mirror backing.Curve 800 is corresponding to 2.3 times of concentrators with mirror; Curve 802 is corresponding to 2.3 times of concentrators that do not have mirror; Curve 804 is corresponding to 3.2 times of concentrators with mirror; And curve 8.6 is corresponding to 3.2 times of concentrators that do not have mirror.Can clearly notice critical capture angle among the figure: optical efficiency (light is transmitted to the efficient of PV battery) increases sharply on the specific angle of each solar energy module version.Behind the covering of low-refraction, add mirror and greatly reduced critical capture angle.Under the situation that 2.3 times of sunlight with mirror are concentrated, critical capture angle is reduced to and is lower than normal incidence.There is not the module of mirror to have higher critical capture angle.The modification of using holographic reflector is not shown in the figure, uses holographic reflector can have lower critical angle.

The exemplary embodiment of solar panel window described above and solar panel wall is vertically to draw, and has been described to solar energy wall and solar energy window.But they also can be used as solar energy skylight and solar energy house topping material.The solar panel that layer is caught in use can not have any ground (lift) that stops cell panel orientation just be can be used for rooftop applications.Figure 25 A illustrates the example of this solar panel, its have refractive index be 1.5 catch layer 300, have the low-index layer 340 that is lower than 1.5 refractive index, and be used to the mirror 332 of catching light and will couple light to several PV batteries 310.All can be coupled to the PV battery with any light of catching the angle incident in fan-shaped 432.In the example of being painted, catch fan-shaped south and extend 22.5 degree downwards towards normal, use among the figure to refer to northern arrow 434 as a reference.

The angle of incidence of the sunlight on flat surfaces depends on the latitude and the time in 1 year on surface.It will be in the fan-shaped variation that with the latitude is center and the angle of incidence that 436 surface normal is measured from the plane.For example, if latitude is north latitude 47 degree, then the fan-shaped center of the sunlight of incident can be at the 47 degree places, south of surface normal, and is indicated as arrow 438.At high noon when equinox, sunlight can be with this angle incident.When the Summer Solstice, the sun can be raised to its maximum height on high, can occur its minimum angles with respect to surface normal 436 on the contrary.Incident light is spent near 23.5 to normal, use arrow 440 that this angle of incidence is shown.When Winter Solstice, day aerial sunlight reduces, and its angle of incidence is by arrow 442 indications.In 1 year all At All Other Times in, the positive period of the day from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m, sunlight can incident between by the limiting angle shown in arrow 440 and 442.Figure 25 B illustrates the overlapping between the limit angle of incidence 440 and 442 of catching of solar panel fan-shaped 432 and sunlight.Clearly, the angle of incidence of all incident sunlight is all in the fan-shaped inside of the angle of being caught by cell panel.Therefore, the cell panel of Figure 25 A can be at any latitude service more than north latitude 47 degree, and can all not have in the whole year and catch all sunlight with stopping.If with opposite direction orientation, then it also can be worked more than south latitude 47 degree in the Southern Hemisphere.

To be used for equatorial module in order making,, can to adopt above-described holographic mirror or deflecting layer, or for example recently reduce critical capture angle, thereby reduce to concentrate ability by the length that changes the reflecting surface and the face of collection as example.

Hereto, adopted the material (have about 1.3 or 1.4 but under any circumstance all less than 1.5 refractive index) of low-refraction will catch the high-index material (about 1.5 refractive indexes) and the reflecting layer of layer, perhaps for metal or multilayer dielectric, holographic film or spray paint and separate.Yet even without last coating, if perhaps last coating is a transparent material, the material that low-refraction is set on the dorsal part of catching layer also is useful.Reason is that the material of low-refraction is as covering (being also referred to as the protection covering).Covering allows the inner full-reflection of generation at the interface between the material of the material of high index of refraction and low-refraction.Like this, if dust or dirt have occurred on the dorsal part of module, it is more much smaller to the adverse effect of performance than there not being covering that covering is arranged.

All example modules described above, no matter be to have to adjust layer, or backing the module of mirror is arranged still is the solar energy window module of other type, all use PV battery bar.Figure 26 A illustrates the example of these PV battery bars.In this example, each PV battery bar 444 comprises the string with the independent PV battery that is connected in series shown in the circuit diagram symbol.Figure 26 B illustrates the string 444 that is attached to the ridge of catching layer 300.Figure 26 C shows these and independently goes here and there 444 lines together 446 of how connecting.Each module has an output port 448, and it has and just goes between and bear lead-in wire.Figure 26 D illustrates the example of entire cell plate circuit diagram, wherein each battery is shown and makes independently unit.Shown in module have 90 batteries, but can make the module of PV battery with any number.Skilled person in the art will appreciate that what picture was done solar panel usually, blocking diode or bypass diode can be added in the circuit.

Usually by with PV battery series connection line, have the solar panel of silicon PV battery with manufacturing, therefore PV battery bar series connection line can be used same basic technology such as welding (solder ribbon) etc.

Another kind of mode with PV battery bar line is in parallel, shown in Figure 27 A.Each bar 450 is made of a plurality of batteries that are connected in parallel 447, shown in Figure 27 B bar is connected in series then and makes module.The advantage of this layout is that in fact string 450 shows as a big PV battery.If a battery is owing to any reason is damaged, then Sheng Xia PV battery continues to work and produce electric current, so circuit can not damage.If all batteries all are connected in series, then one of them battery damages and will cause open circuit.

Consider that the battery bar may be grown and thin, therefore expectation prevents the corded arrangement of battery damage with having robustness.If all batteries all as being connected among Figure 26 D in each PV battery bar, then cause the fault of single battery short circuit can make whole short circuit and lost efficacy.Yet because PV battery and line fault more may cause open circuit, so the layout of paralleling model has more robustness.

The disclosure also is applied to electronic bill-board (normally big outdoor screen).This electronic bill-board can by have above for example in conjunction with Figure 23 A-Figure 23 C described catch the layer the transparent solar cell plate make.Most electronic bill-boards adopt at all directions bulb of transmitted light (or lighting apparatus of other type) equably.The beholder of billboard, no matter walking is still in automobile, usually under billboard.Therefore, a kind of optical system that light is deflected down of design is favourable; This can be by sending the efficient that more light improves electronic bill-board to beholder's direction.

Figure 28 A illustrates the very simple electronic bill-board 466 with eight pixels 468.The front of billboard be for example from Figure 26 A-Figure 26 C based on catch the layer solar energy module 461.Be coupled to PV battery 310 and be converted to from the light of critical capture angle 452 top incidents.Shown in Figure 28 B, the light that sends from the pixel 470 of billboard 466 is deflected down based on the solar energy module 461 of catching layer.Final output light 472 is propagated to downward direction towards possible beholder, rather than can see its space propagation to the no one.By light is turned to towards the beholder downwards, billboard can use will more watts than the pixel of low-light level light pass to the beholder.Can show the image of same brightness by adopting less energy like this.

Be used for realizing this downward deflection from the identical optical mirror slip of sun acquisition light energy.Use less power and produce the product that electric digital advertisement board can be very worth expectation by it being exported optical mirror slip and solar cell coupling.

Among Figure 28 A and Figure 28 B, eight pixels 468 are only arranged, and based on the solar energy module 461 of catching layer four ridges (prism) only being arranged.Yet, the pixel of arbitrary number can be arranged on the digital advertisement board, and the ridge of any suitable number can be arranged on based on the solar energy module of catching layer.If the area that covers is very big, then can set up several discrete modules in single giant-screen front.

In the disclosure, it is simplified for accompanying drawing is more readily understood.In fact, even someone can, he also can go hardly to make shown in most of figure among these patents figure only have four ridges based on the solar energy module of catching layer, or have the window of adjusting layer, or adopt the cell panel of mirror, or alone effect catch layer.On the contrary, people make the very large solar energy module that comprises a large amount of ridges probably.

Below provide example sizes according to the design real-world application of Figure 22 A and Figure 22 B.True module can adopt for example 8 feet sheets of glass that multiply by 4 feet, and it is high with silicone ridges 4 feet long with about 1cm is wide and 4 feet long PV battery bar to have a 1cm.The height of ridge can be 3.2cm, therefore has 76 (76) individual ridges on 8 feet high glass window.Each of these ridges can have PV battery bar by ten PV batteries that 120mm is long, 1cm is high in parallel or series connection line in 4 feet long bars 4 itself.These itself can be all to connect line together or series connection and certain in parallel combination.In the line of module, can adopt bypass diode and blocking diode.The voltage of silicon PV battery is about 0.45 volt, if 76 all PV battery bar series connection lines, then this module can have about 34 volts final voltage.

Figure 29 A-Figure 29 D illustrates the embodiment of this example battery plate.Figure 29 A illustrates the elevation of this cell panel, and Figure 29 B illustrates lateral view, and Figure 29 C illustrates the isometrical drawing of ridge, and Figure 29 D illustrates this details on one's body of ridge (prism).In detailed drawing Figure 29 D, glass flange 474 as seen.If use sheets of glass to seal the method for moulding of mould, then sheets of glass can be extended the edge of ridge itself probably.Figure 29 A-Figure 29 D does not illustrate the covering coating or the reflecting layer of PV battery, low-index material, and the glass filler that can be positioned at prism inside is not shown yet.Figure 29 A-Figure 29 D merely illustrates in order to provide the perception of measuring (a sense of scale), and is not used in and limits the disclosure by any way.

The capture angle of catching prism depend on the refractive index of catching prism and medium on every side with and the angle of wedge, it can calculate according to following manner.Consider system shown in Figure 30.The incident beam 500 that has in the medium 502 of refractive index of n1 incides on the face 504 in the collector outside at point 506 places.The surface normal 510 of the face 504 in this light and the outside forms angle A 508.This light can deflect when entering prism, and light 512 meetings and 510 one-tenth angle B 514 of the surface normal that depends on the circumstances of deflection.Angle B 514 depends on the refractive index n 1 and the angle of incidence A 508 of opposite side of refractive index n 2516, the collector 504 of prism inside, and calculates according to Snell's law:

n1sin(A)＝n2sin(B)

B＝arcsin(sin(A*n1/n2))

Light 512 can arrive the dorsal part (reflecting surface) of prism at point 520 places.The angle of wedge W 522 of given prism, then light 512 meetings are with respect to the angle 524 of 526 one-tenth B+W of surface normal of dorsal part 518.The refractive index materials 516 that interface 518 will have n2 separates with the refractive index materials with n1.If inner full-reflection greater than the critical angle at this interface, then can take place in angle B+W 524.The critical angle at this interface can be calculated according to following manner: critical angle=arcsin (n1/n2)

If material 516 is glass and n2=1.5, and material 528 is air, for example catches layer and the air-gap of adjusting between the layer, i.e. n1=1.0, and then critical angle is 41.81 to spend.If inner full-reflection has taken place, then light is ad infinitum held back at this some place.For not applying reflecting layer and ambient medium n1 is the window of air, and critical capture angle can use following formula to calculate:

B+W＝arcsin(n1/n2)

arcsin(sin(A)(n1/n2))+W＝arcsin(n1/n2)

sin(A)(n1/n2)+sin(W)＝n1/n2

sin(A)＝1-sin(W)*n2/n1

A＝arcsin(1-sin(W)*n2/n1)

For example, if the W=20 degree, n1=1.0, and n2=1.5, then A=29 degree.Any light that is higher than the angle of incidence of critical angle also can be hunted down.

If material 528 has the refractive index of n3 rather than n1, critical capture angle A=arcsin (n3/n1-sin (W) * n2/n1) can be shown then.

If angle B+W 524 is less than critical angle, unless if then mirror be applied in ridge 518 dorsal part or as abovely shown in Figure 13ly for example be coated on that mirror is parallel to face 518 with being arranged when adjusting layer at reflecting layer, otherwise can not reflect.In this case, light is reflected and the light that reflects 530 can arrive collection face 504 at point 532 places.The angle that light 530 is become with surface normal 510 is B+2W534.If the generation inner full-reflection, then light is ad infinitum held back at this some place.Critical capture angle when having reflecting layer can be called the second critical capture angle in the disclosure, always be lower than the critical capture angle of light when not having reflecting layer.The second critical capture angle can calculate with above identical mode.

B+2W＝arcsin(n1/n2)

arcsin(sin(A)(n1/n2))+2W＝arcsin(n1/n2)

sin(A)(n1/n2)+sin(2W)＝n1/n2

A＝arcsin(1-sin(2W)*n2/n1)

For example, if the W=20 degree, n1=1.0, n2=1.5, and have mirror, then A=21 degree at face 518 places.Any light that is higher than the angle of incidence of critical angle also can be captured to.

If material 528 has the refractive index of n3 rather than n1, critical capture angle A=arcsin (n3/n1-sin (2W) * n2/n1) can be shown then.

Figure 31 illustrates embodiment similar to Figure 18 except that not having the mirror backing.The sheets of glass 538 that can use the material layer 536 of low-refraction will catch layer separates with ridge 540.Exemplary light ray 542 is shown.Point 544 places of this light on the interface between the material 536 of ridge material 540 and low-refraction take place to follow the track identical in fact with the light that illustrates before the inner full-reflection.This has reduced light and has arrived the total path length that will propagate before the photovoltaic cell 546.The path that reduces can reduce the decay that causes owing to the absorption in massive material.It has also reduced the amount of the light of propagating in thin plate, and this also can reduce the PV battery 1014 at the bottom place that catches layer shown in Figure 6 or it is become unnecessary.It has also reduced the phenomenon that will skip at top described below photovoltaic cell to a certain extent.

Consider Figure 32, it is the reproduction with Figure 22 A of additional markers.In incident ray 452, be painted with 11 light, and four photovoltaic cells 310 are arranged.11 light of painting are evenly distributed on the preceding collection face 302 of catching layer.Have only two light to arrive the photovoltaic cell at top, three light arrive an other photovoltaic cell respectively.Using this system is exactly this situation usually, and promptly than follow-up battery bar, less light can arrive some photovoltaic cell bars at top.This phenomenon is called the top photovoltaic cell and skips (skipping).Light 548 is shown as skips the top photovoltaic cell; It is absorbed by second photovoltaic cell from few top at point 550 places.This top photovoltaic cell can take place in above-described exemplary embodiment to be skipped.If system uses the photovoltaic cell line that is connected in series shown in Figure 26 C, then the top photovoltaic cell is skipped and can greatly be damaged performance.Even adopt the other method that is connected in series, the electric current that module produces also can greatly be reduced.Reason is, each photovoltaic cell supposes that they have identical size, can produce the electric current that is proportional to the amount that arrives the light on it.Therefore, if a module has two batteries, and battery receives 2/3rds light of another battery, and as the situation of Figure 32, then this battery can produce 2/3rds electric current.If photovoltaic cell is connected in series, the electric current that then produces the battery of 2/3rds electric current can limit the electric current that another battery can produce.The battery that receives minimum light is the battery of restriction electric current.

Under the situation of catching layer, first ridge and perhaps the photovoltaic cell of second ridge can receive less sunlight, therefore if battery is connected in series shown in Figure 26 C, the electric current that then whole module produces can be limited to the electric current that the battery of top chi chung produces.Can consider that the line that the top battery bar is simply changed disposes, make electric current can not be limited by this way, this is shown in Figure 33.Most photovoltaic cell bar 552 is made by the battery that is connected in series shown in Figure 26 C.Yet two battery bars 554 at the top shown in Figure 33 are made up of 556 pairs of the photovoltaic cells that is connected in parallel and then is connected in series.Every pair of twice that produces the electric current of single battery.Top ridge photovoltaic cell receives less sunlight, and they are matched like this, can produce enough electric currents to guarantee them, thereby the electric current that is produced by other photovoltaic cell bar is not caused restriction.

Alleviate the battery that other available selection of skipping the poor efficiency that causes by the top photovoltaic cell is to use into top bar greater efficiency, make they can with less available light produce with system in the identical electric current of other battery.Yet the group that battery is paired into two or three is the better simply mode that addresses this is that.

Alleviate because the another kind of mode that the top photovoltaic cell is skipped the poor efficiency that causes is be connected in parallel two PV battery bars at top or three PV battery bars at top.This is shown in Figure 34.PV battery bar 552 is connected in series in module.Two 600 of the top and 602 and lead-in

wire

604 and 606 be connected in parallel.

Use bypass diode and can prevent that system battery from damaging.For example, the corded arrangement of Figure 26 is transformed, added a bypass diode, can not make entire circuit out of service and only be the circuit that stoped two battery bar power supplies simply with regard to the damage of having created any single battery every a pair of PV battery bar.This is shown in Figure 35, and wherein PV battery bar 444 is connected in series, and

diode

608 and 614 is used to make 444 pairs of bypasses of PV battery bar.If for example, battery 610 will damage, then diode 612 can allow electric currents from node 614 to node 616 and the path by circuit upwards.It is in order to prevent the damage in the PV battery bar 620 that diode 618 is set.It is known using bypass diode in photovoltaic module, and the solar panel window can use the prior art of placing and selecting about suitable bypass diode.

PV battery as shown in figure 36 can be connected in parallel.For the connection in series-parallel with PV battery 622 connects, can connect by conductive strips or bar top contact 624, and should connect by other conductive strips or bar 628 bottom contact (not shown) with batteries all in the bar with battery all in the bar (being 4 in the case).

For the PV battery that is connected in series, as shown in figure 37, use welding 632 bottom contact of a battery 622 to be connected to the top contact of another battery 622.

Figure 38 A and Figure 38 B illustrate how to use and catch layer and adjust the sealed window household unit that layer making comprises distance piece.Figure 38 A illustrates the sectional drawing (cut-through view) of catching layer 300 and adjusting layer 1016.Catch layer 300 and adjust layer 1016 and make by sheets of glass 636 and by the ridge 638 and the glass bar 640 that constitute such as silicone or polymer equal matrix material.Aluminium distance piece 642 is shown to be used for being fixed as sheets of glass 636 spaced a predetermined distance from.If the deflection result when entering its building that is attached to is inessential for light, then can shown in Figure 38 B, use traditional glass thin plate 636 to replace adjusting the window unit that layer 1016 is made sealing like that.

Figure 39 A illustrates the example composite prism that the light that is used to catch light and will catches guides to the PV battery, the collection face optical communication of this PV battery and composite prism.Composite prism comprises that the master of low-refraction catches prism 700.The master catches the inferior prism 702 of catching that prism 700 is optically coupled to high index of refraction, and PV battery 704 optics on collection face 705 is connected to the inferior prism 702 of catching of this high index of refraction.Incident light on the front 710 prism 700 that is hunted down is caught, and face 708 reflections that are reflected.Thus, light is transmitted to the inferior prism 702 of catching.At the inferior prism place that catches, light is reflected, and face 712 reflects and go up the generation inner full-reflection at inferior face 714 (can be called the inner full-reflection interface) of catching prism.The example of this inner full-reflection is shown in 716.It will be understood by those skilled in the art that and main catch prism 700 and time catch the physics of prism 702 and optical characteristics and above those prisms that combine for example Figure 30 description basic identical.These are caught prism and can be made by identical materials, can have direct coating on their reflecting surface 708 and 712, or the reflecting layer that is separated by air-gap or separated by the material of low-refraction.Prism can be made by for example glass bar with such as the composite material of the matrix material of silicone or silicon polymer, and for example Figure 16 A-16E is described as above combination.The main prism 700 of catching can be fluoridized PMMA (refractive index is 1.3) by low-down refractive index and makes, and the inferior prism 702 of catching can be made by the glass (refractive index is 1.6) of high index of refraction.It will be understood by those skilled in the art that and to use any other suitable material.

In order to set up the solar panel window of the composite prism that uses Figure 39 A, example that can be shown in Figure 39 B is with PV battery 704 with time catch prism 702 and be connected to glass backing thin plate 718 (light output thin plate).Also can be with by catching the adjustment prism 720 that prism 700 identical materials make and be connected to glass with main.The master catches prism 700 and is connected to second sheets of glass 722 (light input thin plate).With these two

thin plates

718 and 722 as arrow 724 indicated moving towards each other.The result who does like this is main face 726 and inferior face 728 adjacency of catching prism 702 of catching prism 700, so that the inner full-reflection of generation at the interface that can form at the face 700 and 728 by adjacency.If it is inessential to pass the deflection of light of the solar panel window that the composite prism of use shown in Figure 39 A make, then in design, can omits and adjust prism 720 with the solar panel window shown in the example that obtains Figure 39 C.

The advantage of the solar panel window example of Figure 39 C be PV battery bar can be flatly against a sheets of glass location, if the inferior prism 702 of catching is made by glass, then PV battery bar can be encapsulated between these two sheets of glass.This seating means can be proved to be to have more robustness.Additionally, can obtain high a little concentrated ability by this way.

Figure 40 illustrates the distortion of the composite prism shown in Figure 39 A.Difference between the composite prism of Figure 40 and the composite prism of Figure 39 is that the inferior prism 730 of catching has crooked reflecting surface 732.This face 732 can be bent into parabola, and this parabolical summit is at point 734, and focus is caught the edge of prism the most close master of PV battery 736.Parabolical axle 738 is parallel to inferior angle 740 of catching the steepest light of prism inside.The definition of the light of steepest is to be in main light of catching the critical capture angle of prism.To the same before, the reflecting surface 732 of this prism can be applied by minute surface, or has with the mirror of face conformal but separated by air-gap and face, and perhaps the reflecting material of low-refraction can be caught mirror prism and separates with inferior.Geometry causes reflecting surface 732 reflection that light can not be caught prism by this time repeatedly, so can directly mirror be put on prism, and can not cause significant electric power to be decayed.

Another solution that the above top PV battery of describing with reference to Figure 32 is skipped problem is to increase the size of the PV battery at top with respect to other PV battery in the system a little.This is shown in Figure 41.The PV battery bar 800 at top receives 2/3rds light of each other PV battery bar (802,804,806).The PV battery 808 of the PV battery bar 800 at top is big by 50%, so the PV battery 808 at top and other PV battery 810 in the system produce the electric current of same amounts, although they receive less light.By all PV batteries that mate on electric current output by this way, the generating of system is optimized.

In description before,, a large amount of details have been provided so that the thorough understanding to the embodiment of the invention to be provided for the purpose of explaining.Yet, those skilled in the art be it is apparent that, do not need these specific details to put into practice the present invention.Under other situation, known electric structure and circuit are illustrated not make the present invention obscure with the block diagram form.

The above embodiment of the present invention only is exemplary.Those skilled in the art can replace, revise and change specific embodiment under the situation that does not deviate from scope of the present invention, and scope of the present invention is only limited by described claim.

Claims

1. device of gathering light, this device comprises:

Catch the window face by the light that first light transmissive material with first refractive index is made, described light is caught the output surface that the window mask has the ridged of smooth input surface and opposition, described smooth input surface contacts with the external agency with external agency refractive index, the output surface of described ridged comprises that a plurality of abutment surfaces are right, each abutment surface is to limiting a ridge, each abutment surface is to having a reflecting surface and a collector surface, described reflecting surface contacts with second light transmissive material with second refractive index, and second refractive index is lower than first refractive index; And

A plurality of light collection devices, be communicated with corresponding collector surface optical, this device has the first critical capture angle, this first critical capture angle is according to reflecting surface at least one orientation with respect to smooth input surface, described external agency refractive index, described first refractive index and described second refractive index define, incide the lip-deep part of described input with the same with the described first critical capture angle at least big angle of incidence in the light and be directed into one of described reflecting surface, to experience first inner full-reflection, and catch at described light thus and be transmitted to one of described collector surface in the window face, to be gathered in the crops by corresponding light collection device.

2. device according to claim 1 further comprises:

Catch the catoptric arrangement that the window face separates with described light, described catoptric arrangement is towards the output surface of described ridged, the output surface of described reflector structure and described ridged limits the space between the two, described space is filled by described second light transmissive material substantially, described reflector structure has the shape of output surface complementation of catching the ridged of window face with described light, this device has the second critical capture angle, part with the angle incident between the described second critical capture angle and the described first critical capture angle in the light is drawn towards reflecting surface, pass described reflecting surface and described second light transmissive material, and by one section reflection of described catoptric arrangement, a described segment base originally is parallel to described reflecting surface, and, thus, propagate by described second light transmissive material, pass described reflecting surface, and propagate at the described first light transmissive material inward-bound light sampler.

3. device according to claim 2, wherein said catoptric arrangement comprises one of chaff, dielectric reflector and reflection hologram.

4. device according to claim 2 further comprises: be used to receive with first angle and incide the light on it and with second angle light is passed transmission hologram to described input surface.

5. device according to claim 1, further comprise: adjust the window face by the light that the 3rd light transmissive material with third reflect rate is made, described light adjustment layer has the input surface of ridged of output surface complementation of catching the described ridged of window face with described light, described light is adjusted the window face and is further had the smooth output surface surperficial relative with the input of described ridged, described light adjust that window face and described light catch that the window face separates and the output surface of described ridged towards the input surface of described ridged, inciding described light with the angle of incidence that is lower than the described first critical capture angle catches the light of window face and passes described light and catch the window face, enter described light and adjust the window face, and adjust the outgoing of window face from described light by the described smooth output surface of described light adjustment layer.

6. device according to claim 5, wherein said third reflect rate is substantially equal to described first refractive index.

7. each reflecting surface that device according to claim 5, wherein said light are caught the window face all has the mating face in described light adjustment layer, each reflecting surface is basically parallel to its mating face.

8. device according to claim 1, wherein each collector surface is basically perpendicular to the described smooth input surface that described light is caught the window face.

9. device according to claim 1 further comprises:

Transparent material layer with third reflect rate, this layer are formed between the output surface of described input surface and described ridged, and described third reflect rate is lower than described first refractive index.

10. device according to claim 1, wherein said light are caught a plurality of prisms that the window face comprises the printing opacity thin plate and is fastened to described printing opacity thin plate.

11. device according to claim 10, wherein said prism comprise matrix and a plurality of aggregations that are arranged in this matrix.

12. device according to claim 11, wherein said aggregation comprise at least a in cylindrical aggregation, parallel tubular aggregation, sphere aggregates, wedge shape aggregation and the randomly shaped aggregation.

13. device according to claim 1, wherein said light collection device is a photovoltaic cell.

14. device according to claim 2, wherein said light collection device is a photovoltaic cell.

15. device according to claim 1, wherein said first light transmissive material comprises glass, poly-(methyl methacrylate), Merlon, urethanes, polyurethane, silicone rubber, at least a in optics epoxy material and the cyanoacrylate.

16. solar panel window, comprise the first window face adjacent one another are and the second window face, the described first window mask has the first ridged surface, and the described second window mask has the second ridged surface, described first ridged surface and the described second ridged shaping surface are complimentary to one another, described first window face and the described second window face be fastened to each other and the described first ridged surface towards the described second ridged surface, this solar panel window further comprises and is installed in the lip-deep a plurality of solar cells of described first ridged.

17. solar panel window according to claim 1, the wherein said first ridged surface comprises a plurality of prismatic ridges, and each ridge all has long limit and minor face, and described a plurality of solar cells are installed on the described minor face.

18. a solar panel window comprises:

Light input thin plate;

Light output thin plate;

The a plurality of complex light that are formed between described light input thin plate and the described light output thin plate are caught prism, each complex light is caught prism and is comprised that having first of first refractive index catches prism and have second of second refractive index and catch prism, described second refractive index is greater than described first refractive index, described first catches prism and described second catches prism and is adjacent to each other, to limit the inner full-reflection interface, described second catches prism has collection face, described first catches prism is used for from described light input thin plate reception light and makes light propagate into described second by described inner full-reflection interface catching prism, and described second catches prism is used for and will propagates into described collection face from described first light of catching the prism reception; And

A plurality of photovoltaic cells, with corresponding collection face optical communication, each photovoltaic cell produces voltage according to the light that receives at its corresponding collection face place.