GB2488113A - Apparatus for increasing the output power of solar cells - Google Patents

Apparatus for increasing the output power of solar cells Download PDF

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Publication number
GB2488113A
GB2488113A GB1102570.7A GB201102570A GB2488113A GB 2488113 A GB2488113 A GB 2488113A GB 201102570 A GB201102570 A GB 201102570A GB 2488113 A GB2488113 A GB 2488113A
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United Kingdom
Prior art keywords
reflectors
cells
solar
light
reflector
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Withdrawn
Application number
GB1102570.7A
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GB201102570D0 (en
Inventor
Geoffrey David Horn
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Individual
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Individual
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Publication date
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Priority to GB1102570.7A priority Critical patent/GB2488113A/en
Publication of GB201102570D0 publication Critical patent/GB201102570D0/en
Publication of GB2488113A publication Critical patent/GB2488113A/en
Withdrawn legal-status Critical Current

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Classifications

    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01L—SEMICONDUCTOR DEVICES NOT COVERED BY CLASS H10
    • H01L31/00—Semiconductor devices sensitive to infrared radiation, light, electromagnetic radiation of shorter wavelength or corpuscular radiation and specially adapted either for the conversion of the energy of such radiation into electrical energy or for the control of electrical energy by such radiation; Processes or apparatus specially adapted for the manufacture or treatment thereof or of parts thereof; Details thereof
    • H01L31/04—Semiconductor devices sensitive to infrared radiation, light, electromagnetic radiation of shorter wavelength or corpuscular radiation and specially adapted either for the conversion of the energy of such radiation into electrical energy or for the control of electrical energy by such radiation; Processes or apparatus specially adapted for the manufacture or treatment thereof or of parts thereof; Details thereof adapted as photovoltaic [PV] conversion devices
    • H01L31/054—Optical elements directly associated or integrated with the PV cell, e.g. light-reflecting means or light-concentrating means
    • H01L31/0547—Optical elements directly associated or integrated with the PV cell, e.g. light-reflecting means or light-concentrating means comprising light concentrating means of the reflecting type, e.g. parabolic mirrors, concentrators using total internal reflection
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F24—HEATING; RANGES; VENTILATING
    • F24S—SOLAR HEAT COLLECTORS; SOLAR HEAT SYSTEMS
    • F24S23/00—Arrangements for concentrating solar-rays for solar heat collectors
    • F24S23/70—Arrangements for concentrating solar-rays for solar heat collectors with reflectors
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01L—SEMICONDUCTOR DEVICES NOT COVERED BY CLASS H10
    • H01L31/00—Semiconductor devices sensitive to infrared radiation, light, electromagnetic radiation of shorter wavelength or corpuscular radiation and specially adapted either for the conversion of the energy of such radiation into electrical energy or for the control of electrical energy by such radiation; Processes or apparatus specially adapted for the manufacture or treatment thereof or of parts thereof; Details thereof
    • H01L31/04—Semiconductor devices sensitive to infrared radiation, light, electromagnetic radiation of shorter wavelength or corpuscular radiation and specially adapted either for the conversion of the energy of such radiation into electrical energy or for the control of electrical energy by such radiation; Processes or apparatus specially adapted for the manufacture or treatment thereof or of parts thereof; Details thereof adapted as photovoltaic [PV] conversion devices
    • H01L31/052—Cooling means directly associated or integrated with the PV cell, e.g. integrated Peltier elements for active cooling or heat sinks directly associated with the PV cells
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F24—HEATING; RANGES; VENTILATING
    • F24S—SOLAR HEAT COLLECTORS; SOLAR HEAT SYSTEMS
    • F24S23/00—Arrangements for concentrating solar-rays for solar heat collectors
    • F24S23/70—Arrangements for concentrating solar-rays for solar heat collectors with reflectors
    • F24S2023/83—Other shapes
    • F24S2023/832—Other shapes curved
    • Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
    • Y02—TECHNOLOGIES OR APPLICATIONS FOR MITIGATION OR ADAPTATION AGAINST CLIMATE CHANGE
    • Y02E—REDUCTION OF GREENHOUSE GAS [GHG] EMISSIONS, RELATED TO ENERGY GENERATION, TRANSMISSION OR DISTRIBUTION
    • Y02E10/00—Energy generation through renewable energy sources
    • Y02E10/40—Solar thermal energy, e.g. solar towers
    • Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
    • Y02—TECHNOLOGIES OR APPLICATIONS FOR MITIGATION OR ADAPTATION AGAINST CLIMATE CHANGE
    • Y02E—REDUCTION OF GREENHOUSE GAS [GHG] EMISSIONS, RELATED TO ENERGY GENERATION, TRANSMISSION OR DISTRIBUTION
    • Y02E10/00—Energy generation through renewable energy sources
    • Y02E10/50—Photovoltaic [PV] energy
    • Y02E10/52—PV systems with concentrators

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  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Condensed Matter Physics & Semiconductors (AREA)
  • Power Engineering (AREA)
  • Microelectronics & Electronic Packaging (AREA)
  • Computer Hardware Design (AREA)
  • General Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Electromagnetism (AREA)
  • Sustainable Energy (AREA)
  • General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Combustion & Propulsion (AREA)
  • Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
  • Thermal Sciences (AREA)
  • Sustainable Development (AREA)
  • Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
  • Photovoltaic Devices (AREA)

Abstract

The invention relates to a method of increasing the amount of light energy falling on a solar cell or cells 4, also known as a photovoltaic (PV) cells, by the use of a reflector or reflectors. A single cell or a number of cells may be arranged to form a solar panel. Preferably, the reflectors are made of light weight materials, are concave or parabolic in shape, can be folded flat to assist portability, and are optimised to collect the available light over a given period of time without the need for equipment to track the sunlight. Furthermore, the reflector(s) may comprise one reflective surface only or be made up of a number of small reflectors. A system of solar cells and reflectors may be integrated into one unit. The reflectors may be made from materials such as plastics, glass or metals, for the optimisation of the light wavelength required by the solar cells. Preferably, the solar cell or cells are incorporated into a hybrid system, where the energy obtained from a cooling system used to cool the solar cell or cells is used to generate hot water.

Description

Apparatus for increasing the output from solar cells and panels
Description
This invention is a reliable and economical method of increasing the output power of solar panels by means of collecting large amounts of light onto a reflective surface and due to the shape of the reflector, this light is concentrated and reflected onto the solar panel.
As the reflector has a greater area than the solar panel the amount of light collected will be greater than the amount of light falling on the solar panel by itself. By concentrating this collected light using a concave or parabolic reflector, the output of the solar panel can be increased in proportion to the size of the reflector. Solar panels are placed outside the focal point of the reflector to give a concentration of light equal or greater than the size of solar panel. As well as increasing the light falling on the solar panel, the reflective system will also focus the light onto the solar panel. This method is not limited to single panels or reflectors as these can be used in any number of quantity and combinations. Reflector or reflectors not being an integrated part of the solar panels can therefore be used on existing equipment and installations. Output many times the rating of the solar panels can be achieved by using this method. This requires the solar cells to be cooled. Cooling can be achieved by mounting the solar cells onto a heat sink to dissipate the heat. If the heat sink is water cooled it can be used to provide hot water as well as electricity.
Reflectors can be made from many different materials for example plastics, glass, and metals with different finishes. Acrylic mirrors are very inexpensive and work well and sheets can easily be formed into a concave or parabolic reflector. Reflectors can be one reflective surface or made up of a number of small reflectors. For example, small glass mirrors as used on the outside of space craft.
The use of the word solar panel in the document refers to a single solar cell also known as photovoltaic cell or a number of cells arranged to form a solar panel.
Background of the invention
Solar panels used at latitudes greater than 35 degrees provide very little of the available capacity especially in winter. Most of the small devices such as cell phone chargers and small battery chargers will not work most of the time. Large solar panels are not cost effective under these conditions; this is where a reflector system can provide a cost effective method of overcoming these problems.
The price of producing solar panels is very expensive compared to the cost of producing a reflective system. By using a reflective system to increase the output of solar panels enables production of cheap electricity without large capital costs with the additional benefits of producing hot water where cooling of the cells is required.
As reflectors weigh a lot less than solar panels, this is an advantage where tracking systems are used, and in space where any weight is a disadvantage.
With solar panel installations the solar panels only work efficiently if the solar panels are directly facing the sun thus limiting the alTangements where solar panels can be used, For example in the northern hemisphere they would normally be mounted on south facing roofs. Reflectors can be used to direct the sunlight towards the solar panels therefore they can even be placed facing away from the sun.
The principle of the system can be seen in figure I. Light from the source for example the sun 1 in Figure 1 emits light energy 2 in Figure 1. That falls on the reflector 3 in Figure 1. The reflector concentrates and reflects the light energy onto the solar cell 4 in Figure 1. Note the focal point of the light is not on the solar cell but beyond the cell 5 in Figure 1, as the intention is to achieve an even concentration of light energy across the whole surface of the solar cell or panel.
Reflections can be set wider than a given panel so that when the sun moves across the sky the concentrated light stills falls on the solar panel without the need for an expensive system to track the sun.
DESCRIPTION
The invention is for curved reflective surfaces 1 in Figure 2 that will capture a quantity of light energy, concentrate this light and focus the energy onto a solar cell or panel. The reflector is supported on a stable base 3 in Figure 2. This is connected by an arrangement of flexible joints 2 in Figure 2 to allow the reflector to be positioned in the optimal alignment to utilize the light energy to its maximum advantage. Reflectors can be made from a number of materials such as plastics, glass or metals having a reflective surface.
Bases can be weighted, magnetic, vacuumed or fixed. Interconnection support with flexible joints for the positioning can be swivel, ball or any type of moveable joint as well as being of any flexible construction or material. The base, support and reflector can be made in such a way that these can be folded or assembled into a flat pack arrangement for ease of shipping or portability.

Claims (4)

  1. Claims 1. A method of increasing the amount of light energy falling on a solar cell or cells by the use of a reflector or reflectors.
  2. 2, in the method according to claim 1, reflectors can be made of light weight materials.
  3. 3. in the method according to claim 1. reflectors can be light weight and portable.
  4. 4. in the method according to claim 1. reflectors can be optimized to collect the available light over a given period of time without the need of equipment to track the sunlight.
    5, in the method according to claim 1, reflectors can be a standalone system and do not form part of the solar panels or cells, 6. in the method according to claim 1, the system of solar cells, panels and reflectors can be integrated into one unit.7. in the method according to claim 1. reflectors can be made from various materials such as plastics, glass, metals etc. 8. in the method according to claim 1, reflectors can be made from materials for the optimization of the light wavelength required by the solar cells.9. in the method according to claim 1, solar panels or cells do not have to be in alignment with the light source.10. In the method according to claim 1. reflectors can be made to fold flat to assist portability.ii. in the method according to claim 1, reflectors are used to direct energy from the light source towards the solar cells, 12. In the method according to claim 1, power outputs exceed the rating of solar panels can be achieved.13. in the method according to claim 1. the energy obtained from the cooling systems used to cool solar cell or cells can be used to generate hot water.14. in the method according to claim 1 reflectors can be one reflective surface or made up of a number of small reflectors,
GB1102570.7A 2011-02-14 2011-02-14 Apparatus for increasing the output power of solar cells Withdrawn GB2488113A (en)

Priority Applications (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
GB1102570.7A GB2488113A (en) 2011-02-14 2011-02-14 Apparatus for increasing the output power of solar cells

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
GB1102570.7A GB2488113A (en) 2011-02-14 2011-02-14 Apparatus for increasing the output power of solar cells

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
GB201102570D0 GB201102570D0 (en) 2011-03-30
GB2488113A true GB2488113A (en) 2012-08-22

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Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
GB1102570.7A Withdrawn GB2488113A (en) 2011-02-14 2011-02-14 Apparatus for increasing the output power of solar cells

Country Status (1)

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Cited By (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
WO2016093682A1 (en) * 2014-12-09 2016-06-16 Instituto Superior Autónomo De Occidente A.C. Solar stove with auxiliary reflectors and automatic movement

Citations (9)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
FR2446447A1 (en) * 1978-12-05 1980-08-08 Comp Generale Electricite Solar panel providing electrical and thermal outputs - has photovoltaic cells mounted on heat collector, carried longitudinally by mirrored reflectors
US5180441A (en) * 1991-06-14 1993-01-19 General Dynamics Corporation/Space Systems Division Solar concentrator array
DE20220390U1 (en) * 2002-01-31 2003-06-05 Ahland Andreas Collector system for sunlight to illuminate photovoltaic absorber has fixed two-dimensional mirror with frame on which light absorber strip moves
US20040031517A1 (en) * 2002-08-13 2004-02-19 Bareis Bernard F. Concentrating solar energy receiver
US20070137691A1 (en) * 2005-12-19 2007-06-21 Cobb Joshua M Light collector and concentrator
WO2007103994A2 (en) * 2006-03-08 2007-09-13 Light Prescriptions Innovators, Llc Multi-junction solar cells with a homogenizer system and coupled non-imaging light concentrator
WO2007121971A1 (en) * 2006-04-24 2007-11-01 Optoelettronica Italia S.R.L. Radiation concentrating device
DE102008021730A1 (en) * 2007-05-01 2008-11-06 Samland und Aatz GbR (vertretungsberechtigte Gesellschafter: Thomas Samland, 78166 Donaueschingen, Bernd Aatz, 79244 Münstertal) Solar system for converting solar electromagnetic radiation energy into electrical energy, has absorber arranged parallel to rotation axes of reflectors in center of module, and solar cells arranged in rows
US20100236626A1 (en) * 2009-03-20 2010-09-23 Skyline Solar, Inc. Reflective surface for solar energy collector

Patent Citations (9)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
FR2446447A1 (en) * 1978-12-05 1980-08-08 Comp Generale Electricite Solar panel providing electrical and thermal outputs - has photovoltaic cells mounted on heat collector, carried longitudinally by mirrored reflectors
US5180441A (en) * 1991-06-14 1993-01-19 General Dynamics Corporation/Space Systems Division Solar concentrator array
DE20220390U1 (en) * 2002-01-31 2003-06-05 Ahland Andreas Collector system for sunlight to illuminate photovoltaic absorber has fixed two-dimensional mirror with frame on which light absorber strip moves
US20040031517A1 (en) * 2002-08-13 2004-02-19 Bareis Bernard F. Concentrating solar energy receiver
US20070137691A1 (en) * 2005-12-19 2007-06-21 Cobb Joshua M Light collector and concentrator
WO2007103994A2 (en) * 2006-03-08 2007-09-13 Light Prescriptions Innovators, Llc Multi-junction solar cells with a homogenizer system and coupled non-imaging light concentrator
WO2007121971A1 (en) * 2006-04-24 2007-11-01 Optoelettronica Italia S.R.L. Radiation concentrating device
DE102008021730A1 (en) * 2007-05-01 2008-11-06 Samland und Aatz GbR (vertretungsberechtigte Gesellschafter: Thomas Samland, 78166 Donaueschingen, Bernd Aatz, 79244 Münstertal) Solar system for converting solar electromagnetic radiation energy into electrical energy, has absorber arranged parallel to rotation axes of reflectors in center of module, and solar cells arranged in rows
US20100236626A1 (en) * 2009-03-20 2010-09-23 Skyline Solar, Inc. Reflective surface for solar energy collector

Cited By (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
WO2016093682A1 (en) * 2014-12-09 2016-06-16 Instituto Superior Autónomo De Occidente A.C. Solar stove with auxiliary reflectors and automatic movement

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