US20130112239A1 - Solar energy receiver - Google Patents
Solar energy receiver Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- US20130112239A1 US20130112239A1 US13/442,740 US201213442740A US2013112239A1 US 20130112239 A1 US20130112239 A1 US 20130112239A1 US 201213442740 A US201213442740 A US 201213442740A US 2013112239 A1 US2013112239 A1 US 2013112239A1
- Authority
- US
- United States
- Prior art keywords
- solar energy
- energy receiver
- contact
- receiver
- active
- 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.)
- Abandoned
Links
- 238000005286 illumination Methods 0.000 claims abstract description 17
- 239000000853 adhesive Substances 0.000 claims description 27
- 230000001070 adhesive effect Effects 0.000 claims description 27
- 239000000758 substrate Substances 0.000 claims description 26
- 238000004891 communication Methods 0.000 claims description 12
- 229910052751 metal Inorganic materials 0.000 claims description 12
- 239000002184 metal Substances 0.000 claims description 12
- 238000001465 metallisation Methods 0.000 claims description 11
- 230000007246 mechanism Effects 0.000 claims description 9
- 230000002093 peripheral effect Effects 0.000 claims description 8
- 238000001816 cooling Methods 0.000 claims description 7
- 229910000679 solder Inorganic materials 0.000 claims description 4
- 229910052710 silicon Inorganic materials 0.000 claims description 3
- 239000010703 silicon Substances 0.000 claims description 3
- 238000000034 method Methods 0.000 abstract description 27
- 239000012530 fluid Substances 0.000 abstract description 5
- XLYOFNOQVPJJNP-UHFFFAOYSA-N water Substances O XLYOFNOQVPJJNP-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 abstract description 4
- 239000010410 layer Substances 0.000 description 19
- 239000000463 material Substances 0.000 description 14
- 239000011440 grout Substances 0.000 description 13
- 230000003287 optical effect Effects 0.000 description 13
- 239000004020 conductor Substances 0.000 description 9
- 230000005855 radiation Effects 0.000 description 7
- 230000001965 increasing effect Effects 0.000 description 6
- 238000004519 manufacturing process Methods 0.000 description 6
- 239000008393 encapsulating agent Substances 0.000 description 5
- 238000012546 transfer Methods 0.000 description 5
- 238000013459 approach Methods 0.000 description 4
- 230000008901 benefit Effects 0.000 description 4
- 238000006243 chemical reaction Methods 0.000 description 4
- 230000004907 flux Effects 0.000 description 4
- 239000007788 liquid Substances 0.000 description 4
- 229920001296 polysiloxane Polymers 0.000 description 4
- 239000012790 adhesive layer Substances 0.000 description 3
- 238000013461 design Methods 0.000 description 3
- 230000005611 electricity Effects 0.000 description 3
- 239000002803 fossil fuel Substances 0.000 description 3
- 239000002356 single layer Substances 0.000 description 3
- RYGMFSIKBFXOCR-UHFFFAOYSA-N Copper Chemical compound [Cu] RYGMFSIKBFXOCR-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 2
- 239000004593 Epoxy Substances 0.000 description 2
- XEEYBQQBJWHFJM-UHFFFAOYSA-N Iron Chemical compound [Fe] XEEYBQQBJWHFJM-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 2
- 239000004642 Polyimide Substances 0.000 description 2
- NIXOWILDQLNWCW-UHFFFAOYSA-N acrylic acid group Chemical group C(C=C)(=O)O NIXOWILDQLNWCW-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 2
- 238000009835 boiling Methods 0.000 description 2
- 230000008568 cell cell communication Effects 0.000 description 2
- 229910052802 copper Inorganic materials 0.000 description 2
- 239000010949 copper Substances 0.000 description 2
- 238000005260 corrosion Methods 0.000 description 2
- 230000007797 corrosion Effects 0.000 description 2
- 239000004643 cyanate ester Substances 0.000 description 2
- 150000001913 cyanates Chemical class 0.000 description 2
- 238000010586 diagram Methods 0.000 description 2
- 239000003989 dielectric material Substances 0.000 description 2
- 238000005516 engineering process Methods 0.000 description 2
- 230000002708 enhancing effect Effects 0.000 description 2
- 238000005259 measurement Methods 0.000 description 2
- 239000000203 mixture Substances 0.000 description 2
- 150000003071 polychlorinated biphenyls Chemical class 0.000 description 2
- 229920001721 polyimide Polymers 0.000 description 2
- 239000004814 polyurethane Substances 0.000 description 2
- 229920002635 polyurethane Polymers 0.000 description 2
- 230000008569 process Effects 0.000 description 2
- VYPSYNLAJGMNEJ-UHFFFAOYSA-N Silicium dioxide Chemical compound O=[Si]=O VYPSYNLAJGMNEJ-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 1
- 230000006978 adaptation Effects 0.000 description 1
- 229910052782 aluminium Inorganic materials 0.000 description 1
- XAGFODPZIPBFFR-UHFFFAOYSA-N aluminium Chemical compound [Al] XAGFODPZIPBFFR-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 1
- PNEYBMLMFCGWSK-UHFFFAOYSA-N aluminium oxide Inorganic materials [O-2].[O-2].[O-2].[Al+3].[Al+3] PNEYBMLMFCGWSK-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 1
- 230000009286 beneficial effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 229910002056 binary alloy Inorganic materials 0.000 description 1
- 230000015556 catabolic process Effects 0.000 description 1
- 239000000919 ceramic Substances 0.000 description 1
- 238000000576 coating method Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000002860 competitive effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 150000001875 compounds Chemical class 0.000 description 1
- 239000012141 concentrate Substances 0.000 description 1
- 239000012809 cooling fluid Substances 0.000 description 1
- PMHQVHHXPFUNSP-UHFFFAOYSA-M copper(1+);methylsulfanylmethane;bromide Chemical compound Br[Cu].CSC PMHQVHHXPFUNSP-UHFFFAOYSA-M 0.000 description 1
- 230000007423 decrease Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000006731 degradation reaction Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000009977 dual effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000005538 encapsulation Methods 0.000 description 1
- 239000005038 ethylene vinyl acetate Substances 0.000 description 1
- 230000001747 exhibiting effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000009313 farming Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000002349 favourable effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 229920002313 fluoropolymer Polymers 0.000 description 1
- 239000004811 fluoropolymer Substances 0.000 description 1
- 239000011888 foil Substances 0.000 description 1
- 239000005350 fused silica glass Substances 0.000 description 1
- 229920000554 ionomer Polymers 0.000 description 1
- 229910052742 iron Inorganic materials 0.000 description 1
- 150000002739 metals Chemical class 0.000 description 1
- 238000012986 modification Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000004048 modification Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000000465 moulding Methods 0.000 description 1
- 208000029278 non-syndromic brachydactyly of fingers Diseases 0.000 description 1
- 238000012858 packaging process Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000000059 patterning Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000000149 penetrating effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000010248 power generation Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000012545 processing Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000004044 response Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000007789 sealing Methods 0.000 description 1
- 239000004065 semiconductor Substances 0.000 description 1
- 238000004513 sizing Methods 0.000 description 1
- 239000000126 substance Substances 0.000 description 1
- 238000004381 surface treatment Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000004083 survival effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 239000005341 toughened glass Substances 0.000 description 1
- 238000003466 welding Methods 0.000 description 1
Images
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
- H01L31/052—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
- H01L31/0525—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 including means to utilise heat energy directly associated with the PV cell, e.g. integrated Seebeck elements
-
- 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
- H01L31/042—PV modules or arrays of single PV cells
-
- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F24—HEATING; RANGES; VENTILATING
- F24S—SOLAR HEAT COLLECTORS; SOLAR HEAT SYSTEMS
- F24S50/00—Arrangements for controlling solar heat collectors
- F24S50/20—Arrangements for controlling solar heat collectors for tracking
-
- G—PHYSICS
- G01—MEASURING; TESTING
- G01S—RADIO DIRECTION-FINDING; RADIO NAVIGATION; DETERMINING DISTANCE OR VELOCITY BY USE OF RADIO WAVES; LOCATING OR PRESENCE-DETECTING BY USE OF THE REFLECTION OR RERADIATION OF RADIO WAVES; ANALOGOUS ARRANGEMENTS USING OTHER WAVES
- G01S3/00—Direction-finders for determining the direction from which infrasonic, sonic, ultrasonic, or electromagnetic waves, or particle emission, not having a directional significance, are being received
- G01S3/78—Direction-finders for determining the direction from which infrasonic, sonic, ultrasonic, or electromagnetic waves, or particle emission, not having a directional significance, are being received using electromagnetic waves other than radio waves
- G01S3/782—Systems for determining direction or deviation from predetermined direction
- G01S3/785—Systems for determining direction or deviation from predetermined direction using adjustment of orientation of directivity characteristics of a detector or detector system to give a desired condition of signal derived from that detector or detector system
- G01S3/786—Systems for determining direction or deviation from predetermined direction using adjustment of orientation of directivity characteristics of a detector or detector system to give a desired condition of signal derived from that detector or detector system the desired condition being maintained automatically
- G01S3/7861—Solar tracking systems
-
- 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
- H01L31/02—Details
- H01L31/02002—Arrangements for conducting electric current to or from the device in operations
- H01L31/02005—Arrangements for conducting electric current to or from the device in operations for device characterised by at least one potential jump barrier or surface barrier
- H01L31/02008—Arrangements for conducting electric current to or from the device in operations for device characterised by at least one potential jump barrier or surface barrier for solar cells or solar cell modules
- H01L31/0201—Arrangements for conducting electric current to or from the device in operations for device characterised by at least one potential jump barrier or surface barrier for solar cells or solar cell modules comprising specially adapted module bus-bar structures
-
- 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
- H01L31/02—Details
- H01L31/0224—Electrodes
- H01L31/022408—Electrodes for devices characterised by at least one potential jump barrier or surface barrier
- H01L31/022425—Electrodes for devices characterised by at least one potential jump barrier or surface barrier for solar cells
- H01L31/022433—Particular geometry of the grid contacts
-
- 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
- H01L31/0248—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 characterised by their semiconductor bodies
- H01L31/0352—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 characterised by their semiconductor bodies characterised by their shape or by the shapes, relative sizes or disposition of the semiconductor regions
- H01L31/035272—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 characterised by their semiconductor bodies characterised by their shape or by the shapes, relative sizes or disposition of the semiconductor regions characterised by at least one potential jump barrier or surface barrier
- H01L31/035281—Shape of the body
-
- H01L31/0424—
-
- 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
- H01L31/042—PV modules or arrays of single PV cells
- H01L31/048—Encapsulation of modules
-
- 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
- H01L31/042—PV modules or arrays of single PV cells
- H01L31/05—Electrical interconnection means between PV cells inside the PV module, e.g. series connection of PV cells
- H01L31/0504—Electrical interconnection means between PV cells inside the PV module, e.g. series connection of PV cells specially adapted for series or parallel connection of solar cells in a module
-
- 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
- H01L31/042—PV modules or arrays of single PV cells
- H01L31/05—Electrical interconnection means between PV cells inside the PV module, e.g. series connection of PV cells
- H01L31/0504—Electrical interconnection means between PV cells inside the PV module, e.g. series connection of PV cells specially adapted for series or parallel connection of solar cells in a module
- H01L31/0508—Electrical interconnection means between PV cells inside the PV module, e.g. series connection of PV cells specially adapted for series or parallel connection of solar cells in a module the interconnection means having a particular shape
-
- 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
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H02—GENERATION; CONVERSION OR DISTRIBUTION OF ELECTRIC POWER
- H02S—GENERATION OF ELECTRIC POWER BY CONVERSION OF INFRARED RADIATION, VISIBLE LIGHT OR ULTRAVIOLET LIGHT, e.g. USING PHOTOVOLTAIC [PV] MODULES
- H02S20/00—Supporting structures for PV modules
- H02S20/30—Supporting structures being movable or adjustable, e.g. for angle adjustment
- H02S20/32—Supporting structures being movable or adjustable, e.g. for angle adjustment specially adapted for solar tracking
-
- 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
- Y02E10/47—Mountings or tracking
-
- 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
Definitions
- the solar energy receiver includes a support structure, a plurality of active photovoltaic (PV) devices disposed on the support structure.
- Each PV device includes an active receiver element and one or more non-active elements.
- the plurality of PV devices are arranged such that active receiver element of a first PV device at least partially hides a non-active element of a second PV device from incident light.
- the active receiver element comprises a reflector and wherein the reflector comprises a central reflector and/or a peripheral reflector.
- the solar energy receiver may include a plurality of active PV devices.
- the plurality of extent sensors are configured to track a position of the sun in the sky and provide the position information to the tracking mechanism.
- the tracking mechanism is configured to orient the solar energy receiver based on the position information received from the plurality of extent sensors.
- the tracking mechanism further includes tracking control unit configured to receive the position information from the plurality of extent sensors and a positioning structure and determine an orientation for the solar energy receiver and a motor control unit configured to receive coordinates for the orientation from the tracking control unit and operate one or more motors to orient the solar energy receiver in the desired orientation.
- FIG. 4 shows a simplified plan view of another alternative embodiment utilizing the shingling approach, with shaped cells arranged in an annular manner.
- grout refers to illuminated receiver area that is incapable of converting light into electricity.
- grout typically comprises busbars, interconnects, traces, and the spacing between solar cells.
Landscapes
- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
- Electromagnetism (AREA)
- General Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
- Condensed Matter Physics & Semiconductors (AREA)
- Computer Hardware Design (AREA)
- Microelectronics & Electronic Packaging (AREA)
- Power Engineering (AREA)
- Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
- Sustainable Development (AREA)
- Sustainable Energy (AREA)
- Radar, Positioning & Navigation (AREA)
- Remote Sensing (AREA)
- Thermal Sciences (AREA)
- Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
- Combustion & Propulsion (AREA)
- Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
- General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Photovoltaic Devices (AREA)
Abstract
Embodiments of the present invention may utilize one or more techniques, alone or in combination, to maximize a surface area of a receiver that is configured to convert light into another form of energy. One technique enhances collection efficiency by controlling a size, shape, and/or position of a cell relative to an expected illumination profile under various conditions. Another technique positions non-active elements (such as electrical contacts and/or interconnects) on surfaces likely to be shaded from incident light by other elements of the receiver. Another technique utilizes embodiments of interconnect structures occupying a small footprint. According to certain embodiments, the receiver may be cooled by exposure to a fluid such as water or air.
Description
- This application claims benefit under 35 USC §119(e) to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/475,483 filed on Apr. 14, 2011, the disclosure of which is incorporated by reference herein in its entirety for all purposes.
- Solar radiation is the most abundant energy source on earth. However, attempts to harness solar power on large scales have so far failed to be economically competitive with most fossil-fuel energy sources.
- One reason for the lack of adoption of solar energy sources on a large scale is that fossil-fuel energy sources have the advantage of economic externalities, such as low-cost or cost-free pollution and emission. Another reason for the lack of adoption of solar energy sources on a large scale is that the solar flux is not intense enough for direct conversion at one solar flux to be cost effective. Solar energy concentrator technology has sought to address this issue. For example, solar radiation energy is easily manipulated and concentrated using refraction, diffraction, or reflection to produce solar radiation energy having many thousands of times the initial flux. This can be done using only modest materials such as refractors, diffractors and reflectors.
- Specifically, solar radiation is one of the most easy energy forms to manipulate and concentrate. It can be refracted, diffracted, or reflected to many thousands of times the initial flux utilizing only modest materials.
- With so many possible approaches, there have been a multitude of previous attempts to implement low cost solar energy concentrators. So far, however, solar concentrator systems cost too much to compete unsubsidized with fossil fuels, in part because of large amounts of material and large areas that that solar collectors occupy. The large amounts of materials used to make solar concentration systems and the large areas that are occupied by solar concentration systems render solar concentration systems unsuitable for large-scale solar farming.
- Accordingly, there is a need in the art for improved apparatuses and methods for the collection of solar energy.
- Embodiments of the present invention may utilize one or more techniques, alone or in combination, to maximize a surface area of a receiver that is configured to convert light into another form of energy, for example, electricity. One embodiment of the present invention provides a technique that enhances collection efficiency of the receiver by controlling a size, shape, and/or position of a photo-sensitive cell relative to an expected illumination profile under various conditions. Another technique described herein positions non-active elements (such as electrical contacts and/or interconnects) on surfaces likely to be shaded from incident light by other elements of the receiver. Another technique utilizes embodiments of interconnect or contact structures occupying a small footprint. According to certain embodiments, the receiver may be cooled by exposure to a fluid such as water or air.
- Another embodiment of the present invention provides a solar energy receiver that includes location sensors for determining location of the Sun at any given time and providing the location information to a tracking system that can orient the solar receiver optimally.
- Certain embodiments of the present invention provide a solar energy receiver. The solar energy receiver includes a support structure, a plurality of active photovoltaic (PV) devices disposed on the support structure. Each PV device includes an active receiver element and one or more non-active elements. The plurality of PV devices are arranged such that active receiver element of a first PV device at least partially hides a non-active element of a second PV device from incident light. In some embodiments, the active receiver element comprises a reflector and wherein the reflector comprises a central reflector and/or a peripheral reflector. In some embodiments, the support structure further comprises a thermally conducting substrate having an upper surface and an opposing lower surface, a metal layer disposed on the lower surface, one or more cooling channels coupled to the lower surface, and a printed circuit board (PCB) coupled to the upper surface. In some embodiments, the active PV cells are non-square in shape. In one embodiment, the plurality of active PV devices are disposed in an annular arrangement.
- Another embodiment of the present invention provides a solar energy receiver that includes a first photovoltaic (PV) device and a second PV device. The first PV device comprises a first front surface and a first front contact disposed on the first front surface and having a first electrical polarity. The first front contact occupies a portion of the first front surface. The first PV device further includes a first back surface and a first back contact disposed on the first back surface that has a second electrical polarity opposite to the first electrical polarity. The first back contact occupies a portion of the first back surface. The second PV device comprises a second front surface and a second front contact disposed on the second front surface and having a third electrical polarity. The second front contact occupies a portion of the second front surface. The second PV cell also includes a second back surface and a second back contact disposed on the second back surface and having a fourth electrical polarity opposite to the third electrical polarity. The second back contact occupies a portion of the second back surface. In some embodiments, the second front contact of the second PV device underlies the first back contact of the first PV device and wherein only the portion of the first back surface of the first PV device overlies the second front surface of the second PV device.
- In some embodiments, the solar energy receiver includes a third photovoltaic (PV) device that includes a third front surface and a third front contact disposed on the third front surface and having a fifth electrical polarity. The third front contact occupies a portion of the third front surface. The third PV device also includes a third back surface and a third back contact disposed on the third back surface and having a sixth electrical polarity opposite to the fifth electrical polarity. The third back contact occupies a portion of the third back surface. In this solar energy receiver, the second back contact of the second PV device overlies the third front contact of the third PV device and wherein only the portion of the second back surface of the second PV device overlies the third front surface of the third PV device. In some embodiments, the shape of the first and/or the second PV device can be non-square such as a rectangle, a trapezoid, or a polygon.
- In some embodiments, the second front contact of the second PV device is electrically connected to the first back contact of the first PV device using an electrically conducting adhesive. In other embodiments, the second front contact of the second PV device is electrically connected to the first back contact of the first PV device using a connection stack. In an embodiment, the connection stack can be multi-layered.
- Other embodiments of the present invention provide a system that includes a solar energy receiver, a plurality of extent sensors coupled to the solar energy receiver, and a tracking mechanism coupled to the solar energy receiver. The solar energy receiver may include a plurality of active PV devices. The plurality of extent sensors are configured to track a position of the sun in the sky and provide the position information to the tracking mechanism. The tracking mechanism is configured to orient the solar energy receiver based on the position information received from the plurality of extent sensors. The tracking mechanism further includes tracking control unit configured to receive the position information from the plurality of extent sensors and a positioning structure and determine an orientation for the solar energy receiver and a motor control unit configured to receive coordinates for the orientation from the tracking control unit and operate one or more motors to orient the solar energy receiver in the desired orientation.
- These and other embodiments of the present invention, as well as its features and some potential advantages are described in more detail in conjunction with the text below and attached figures.
-
FIGS. 1A-1B show perspective views of front-contact photovoltaic (PV) cells according to an embodiment of the present invention. -
FIG. 2 shows a simplified plan view of a receiver according to an embodiment of the present invention. -
FIG. 2A is a simplified exploded view showing the placement of one active cell on the support of the receiver according to an embodiment of the present invention. - FIGS. 2A1-2A3 show various views of another embodiment of a multi-prong contact structure according to an embodiment of the present invention.
-
FIG. 2B shows a simplified generic cross-sectional view of a receiver structure according to an embodiment of the present invention. -
FIG. 2C shows an enlarged view of a portion of the receiver showing the serial connection of the cells according to an embodiment of the present invention. -
FIG. 2D shows a more detailed cross-sectional view of the receiver according to an embodiment of the present invention. -
FIG. 2E shows a plan view of an embodiment a single ring of cells according to an embodiment of the present invention. -
FIG. 2F shows a simplified generic cross-sectional view of an alternative embodiment of a receiver employing multiple printed circuit boards. -
FIG. 3A shows a simplified cross-sectional view a receiver employing the shingling technique according to an embodiment of the present invention. -
FIG. 3B shows a simplified cross-sectional view of an alternative embodiment of a receiver employing the shingling technique. -
FIG. 4 shows a simplified plan view of another alternative embodiment utilizing the shingling approach, with shaped cells arranged in an annular manner. -
FIG. 4A shows a perspective view of a shaped cell utilized in the embodiment shown inFIG. 4 . -
FIG. 4B shows a simplified perspective view of a shaped cell utilized in the embodiment shown inFIG. 4 . -
FIG. 4C shows a simplified cross-sectional view of a shaped cell utilized in the embodiment shown inFIG. 4 . - FIG. 4C1 shows a simplified cross-sectional view of a connection stack, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.
- FIG. 4C2 shows a simplified cross-sectional view of another connection stack, in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention.
- FIG. 4C3 shows a simplified cross-sectional view of a connection stack, in accordance with yet another embodiment of the present invention.
- FIG. 4C4 shows a simplified cross-sectional view of a connection stack, in accordance with still another embodiment of the present invention.
- FIG. 4C5 shows a simplified cross-sectional view of a connection stack in order to access positive and negative terminals of an annulus of cells in accordance with still another embodiment of the present invention.
-
FIG. 5 shows a simplified schematic diagram of a solar receiver with extent sensors positioned outside the illuminated area according to an embodiment of the present invention. -
FIG. 5A shows a simplified schematic diagram of a solar receiver with extent sensors positioned straddling the illuminated area according to an embodiment of the present invention. -
FIG. 6 shows a simplified control schematic for closed loop error processing of extent sensor signals according to an embodiment of the present invention. - Embodiments of receivers in accordance with the present invention may be employed in connection with optical collector devices, including but not limited to those utilizing inflatable concentrators as described in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/843,531, filed Aug. 22, 2007, which is incorporated by reference in its entirety herein for all purposes.
- U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/227,093, filed Sep. 7, 2011, disclosing a solar collector having a receiver positioned external to an inflation space or volume, is incorporated by reference in its entirety herein for all purposes. Embodiments of the present invention may share one or more characteristics in common with the apparatuses disclosed in that patent application.
- U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/720,429, filed on Mar. 9, 2010, describing mounting structures and other concepts, is also incorporated by reference in its entirety herein for all purposes.
- U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/015,339 filed on Jan. 27, 2011 describing mounting structures and other concepts is also incorporated by reference in its entirety herein for all purposes.
- Receivers according to particular embodiments may share one or more features with those described in U.S. Patent Publication No. 2008/0135095, which is also incorporated by reference herein for all purposes.
- Further incorporated by reference herein for all purposes, is U.S. Patent Publication No. 2010/0295383, which describes various embodiments of power plants. Embodiments of receivers in accordance with the present invention may be incorporated into power plants exhibiting one or more features disclosed in that patent application.
- Embodiments of the present invention relate to receiver structures for use in harnessing solar energy. Receivers typically comprise an array of individual active elements that are sensitive to incoming light.
-
FIG. 1A shows a perspective view of one such active element including a front-contact photovoltaic (PV)cell 100. Front-contact PV cell 100 receives incident light 101 throughfront surface 102, and generates electrical power therefrom. - The electrical power generated within
cell 100 flows through conductingfingers 104 in electrical communication withbusbar 106, which together form a comb-like structure 107 as illustrated inFIG. 1B .Busbar 106 typically serves as the negative node of the front contact PV cell. Back surface 108 of front-contact PV cell 100bears conducting layer 110 serving as the positive node of the front-contact PV cell. - Individual solar cells can have relatively low voltages determined by the band gap of the semiconductor(s) used, and non-idealities present within PV devices. For example if the PV cell of
FIG. 1A comprises silicon, then an output voltage of about 0.6 V can be expected. Multi junction cells can have higher voltages. Accordingly, a receiver may comprise multiple solar cells connected in series in order to obtain a higher output voltage. - One challenge in developing a multi-element receiver for Concentrated Photovoltaic (CPV) applications is reducing or eliminating surface area of the receiver that is occupied by non-active elements. As used herein, the term ‘grout’ refers to illuminated receiver area that is incapable of converting light into electricity. Typically grout comprises busbars, interconnects, traces, and the spacing between solar cells.
- Accordingly, embodiments of the present invention employ various methods, alone or in combination, to minimize or eliminate the grout. In certain embodiments, the shapes of the active cells are chosen to minimize grout. In certain embodiments, elements of the receiver are positioned to hide non-active elements under other elements of the receiver, for example, reflectors or active elements. Other techniques which may be employed include the use of an interconnect structure having a small footprint, the use of an interconnect as an optical element itself, the use of back contact cells, and the use of shingling wherein non-active portions of the cells overlap one another. These are described in detail below.
- Solar cell manufacturing techniques allow PV cells to be in non-rectangular shapes. A shaped PV cell may be tessellated so as to minimize the spacing between cells and grout.
- Attachment of a PV cell to the receiver and the associated electrical connections may greatly influence the function of a CPV receiver. The attachment vehicle may be a conducting or an insulating adhesive depending on the type of electrical communication desired. As used herein the term “electrically conducting adhesive” or ECA includes but is not limited to solder, epoxy, acrylic, polyimide, polyurethanes, cyanate esters, silicone, or the like and combinations thereof that allow electrical communication through the material. As used herein the term “insulating adhesive” includes but is not limited to epoxy, acrylic, polyimide, polyurethanes, cyanate esters, silicone, or the like and combinations thereof that does not allow electrical communication through the material.
- For example,
FIGS. 2-2D shows simplified views of areceiver 200 according to one embodiment of the present invention.Receiver 200 comprises asupport 202 bearing a plurality of discreteactive elements 204 that are connected in series. In this particular embodiment,receiver 200 includes aninner ring 206 and anouter ring 208 which support a plurality of front-contact PV cells 210 havingbusbars 211. - As illustrated in
FIG. 2 , eachPV cell 210 is in the shape of a trapezoid comprising approximately the same area, such that a uniform illumination profile will generate approximately the same amount of current in each cell. In this embodiment,PV cells 210 may be shaped as angular wedges or trapezoids in order to create a circle-like shape. As front contact cells are used,busbars 211 may be grouped together oninside ring 206 and/oroutside ring 208, where they can underlie optical elements such ascentral reflector 240 orperipheral reflector 242 in such a way as to avoid shading of the active cell area. For example, the corresponding exploded view of receive 200 as illustrated inFIG. 2A shows a portion of thecentral reflector 240 overhanging thebusbar 211 of the front contact cell. - In certain embodiments, single or multiple rings of cells may be used in such a way as to minimize grout by covering with inner and outer optical elements. Here, for example, two annuli of cells are combined, with series connections made cell-to-cell around the inner and outer rings.
Inner ring 206 andouter ring 208 may be connected in series on a single layer PCB using a throughhole 252 connection on the inside of the inner ring as illustrated inFIG. 2 . Hidingbusbars 211 and other non-active components (such asbypass diodes 250, throughhole connections 252, or temperature sensors 254) under optical elements in this manner, minimizes grout by reflecting or refracting light that would usually be lost back onto the cell active area. -
FIG. 2A is a simplified exploded view showing the placement of one active cell on thesupport 202 according to an embodiment of the present invention. In particular, afirst portion 212 a ofconductor layer 212 that is present on the surface ofsupport 202 extends from underneath the cell to establish electrical communication with the positive node through alayer 215 of conducting adhesive.Soldermask 260 can also be present overconductor layer 212 and dielectric 224 (shown inFIG. 2B ). -
FIG. 2A shows that asecond conductor 220 extends upward to establish electrical communication withbusbar 211 on the top surface of the cell, again through conductingadhesive layer 215. In one embodiment, grout is minimized by creating a compact electrical connection from the top of a cell to the PCB level.FIG. 2A shows thatconductor 220 exhibits a multi-prong structure with one ormultiple legs 220 a in order to minimize the area needed to create a two terminal connection from a front contact cell. This small footprint interconnect method provides the needed electrical connectivity, while being flexible enough to allow for thermal expansion mismatch between differing materials. - FIGS. 2A1-2A3 show various views of an elongated embodiment of a
multi-prong contact structure 290, which may be used to make contact with a busbar of a larger cell. In particular, the portion 290 a of the elongated multi-prong contact facing the cell extends along close to a full expected length of the busbar, to maximize electrical contact therewith. By contrast, the opposite portion 290 b of the elongatedmulti-prong contact 290 facing thesupport 220 a (and conducting traces patterned thereon) does not extend the full length of the busbar, leaving space on the PCB trace for the contact with the backside of the cell. - In certain embodiments, contacts (including the multi-pronged contact) and/or interconnects may themselves comprise an optical element. For example in some embodiments, the shape of the non-active element can be chosen to minimize shading. Also, particular embodiments may have the contact or interconnect be configured to reflect light back onto the active cell area of the receiver. The multi-pronged contact may be combined with the cell to create a package, using a conducting adhesive. In addition to conducting adhesives, techniques such as ultrasonic or laser welding may be used. Such combination of the contact and cell into a single package may facilitate high volume production utilizing simple automated assembly through the use of pick and place technology. The underside contact of the package may be attached to the board using conducting adhesive. Connections may be made for series, parallel, or combinations thereof
-
FIG. 2B shows a simplified generic cross-sectional view of areceiver 200 according to an embodiment of the present invention. In particular, this figure shows thecell 210 in contact withsupport 202 through solder/adhesive layer 215.Support 202 comprises a Printed Circuit Board (PCB) 218 in contact with asubstrate 222 having favorable thermally conducting and physical structural support properties. In some embodiments,substrate 222 can include thermally conductive material such as aluminum or copper. -
PCB 218 in turn comprises conductor layer 212 (typically patterned traces) such as copper, overlying a dielectric layer 224 (which may have through holes penetrating there through). Examples of materials that may be used for the dielectric layer include but are not limited insulating adhesives with high thermal conductivity, ceramics such as alumina, aluminum nitride, or proprietary compounds such as COOLAM™ available from DuPont of Wilmington, Del., and THERMAL CLAD® available from The Bergquist Company of Chanhassen, Minn. Anencapsulant 219 and transmissiveoptical element 221 seal and weatherize the receiver as well as provide mechanical protection for the cells. Sealing the cells and interconnects is important in order to minimize performance degradation that can arise, for example, from corrosion or electromigration of the solar cell metallization. The encapsulation material is chosen to match the index of refraction of the transmissive element and minimize reflection. Examples of materials that can be used asencapsulant 219 include but are not limited to silicones, ionomers, or ethylene vinyl acetate (EVA). - As illustrated in
FIG. 2B , the backside ofsubstrate 222 includes integral raisedportions 222 a definingchannels 226 in-between twoadjacent portions 222 a.Channels 226 increase the surface area ofsubstrate 222 and increase heat transfer for natural or forced convection cooling. Such channels may also be formed through reliefs. Skiving may also be used to increase the surface area ofsubstrate 222. A fluid (such as air or water) can be circulated through these channels and can constitute a cooling system that can be used to control the temperature of the receiver. -
FIG. 2C shows an enlarged view of the inner ring portion of the receiver showing the serial connection of the cells according to an embodiment of the present invention. The positive terminal of afirst cell 220 is coupled to aconnector 256 throughtrace 212 b. From there on, each adjacent cell has itspositive node 212 a connected to the negative node of the next cell around the ring. At the final cell in the inner ring the negative node is also coupled toconnector 256 viatrace 212 c. The rings also may be in serial connection with one another. Wires can be routed fromconnector 256 throughhole 252 to connect the inner ring in series with the outer ring via a connector of the outer ring. Outer ring connections can be made in a similar manner as that of the inner ring described above. -
FIG. 2D shows a more detailed cross-sectional view ofreceiver 200 taken along line D-D′ ofFIG. 2 .FIG. 2D shows that resulting positive and negative nodes for the inner and outer strings of active devices can be connected with each other and with external circuitry throughhole 252 and using wires fromconnectors 256.Positive node 276 from the outer ring can be connected with thenegative node 272 of the inner ring producing a serial connection of all the cells with the remaining leads 274 and 278. - Transmissive
optical element 221 may be refractive and/or shaped include and/or homogenizing properties. Homogenizing properties can be obtained through coatings or surface treatments, which minimize loss.Central reflector element 240 andperipheral reflector element 242 can have homogenizing properties as well. Examples of materials that can be used as transmissiveoptical element 221 include but are not limited to low iron tempered glass, fluoropolymers, fused silica, silicone, etc. Certain embodiments of the present invention may include traces and or interconnects across the top surface of the support. This grout can also be covered with optical elements used to reflect or refract light back onto the active area. -
FIG. 2D also showsreceiver 200 as further comprising central reflectingelement 240 and peripheral reflectingelement 242. These reflecting elements serve to re-direct light incident on the central and peripheral portions to the active elements for collection. This further enhances the collection efficiency ofreceiver 200 and also increases tolerance for tracking the source of illumination (e.g. the sun moving across the sky). - In the particular embodiment illustrated in
FIGS. 2-2D ,busbars 211 and connections between the active devices on each ring are positioned proximate to the corresponding (central or peripheral) reflecting element. In this manner, the surface area ofreceiver 200, which is prone to shading by a reflecting element, can be allocated for the necessary but non-active function of routing electrical power between the photo-sensitive elements. This in turn frees up other surface area onreceiver 200 to be occupied by the active elements able to convert incident light into electrical energy. Such allocation of receiver surface area to active elements increases collection efficiency. -
FIG. 2E shows an embodiment of asolar receiver 200 composed of asingle ring 207 ofdual busbar cells 264. The embodiment illustrated inFIG. 2E offers better conversion efficiency for non-uniform illumination profiles. In this embodiment, themulti-prong contact 220 is reduced to a single leg.Receiver 200 also incorporatesextent sensor elements 255, which are described in detail below. Embodiments illustrated inFIGS. 2-2E provide close contact between the PV cells through bonding of layers fromPV cell 210, solder/adhesive 215,conductor 217, dielectric 224, and substrate 222 (which together form a thermal stack). This minimizes contact resistance and thermal resistance leading to a lower cell temperature and more efficient cell operation. - It is desirable to have a high concentration of solar radiation on the photovoltaic cells because it reduces the amount of expensive photovoltaic material in the system. This also increases the conversion efficiency of the cells. The portion of the incident sunlight not converted to electricity by the photovoltaic cells is absorbed and converted to heat.
- Since the conversion efficiency of common photovoltaic cells decreases with increasing temperature, it may be desirable that the system include a heat exchanger that can remove the heat from the cells to keep their temperature as low as possible. In fact, at very high solar concentrations, system survival may depend upon efficient heat removal. One technique for efficient heat removal may be to keep the distance over which the heat must flow as small as possible. One possible mechanism is to provide heat exchangers with small physical dimensions, in particular thin layers of materials comprising the thermal stack. The back side of the PCB or the metal substrate that is in thermal communication with the PV cells may feature pins, channels or other geometrical features to enhance heat transfer, as described above. Such geometrical features in combination with a flow of cooling fluid such as air or water, may serve to keep the temperature of the receiver within desirable levels.
- In order to reduce the overall receiver module cost as well as the cost of the cooling system and its operation, it may be desirable to cool the solar module at the lowest possible fluid flow rate and pressure drop. Turbulent flow may be used to draw hot liquid from the wall chaotically through the bulk of the liquid. Most liquid heat exchangers for solar cooling employ cooling tubes, which require a high Reynolds number to benefit from eddy-based transport of hot liquid from the wall. If the channel is reduced in size to increase the Reynolds number to improve eddy transport, the pressure drop increases. If the channel diameter is increased at constant Reynolds number, the flow rate increases. Natural convection of heat from the PC board and/or substrate can be enhanced by any combination of eddying, forced convection, nucleate boiling, and film boiling. Moreover, a surface area of the PCB and/or substrate available for heat transfer can be increased by techniques such as texturing or molding. In some embodiments, forced convection techniques may also be employed.
- The present invention is not limited to the particular receivers of
FIGS. 2-2E , and one skilled in the art will realize that variations are possible. For example, while the embodiments disclosed above include a single PCB, this is not required and alternative embodiments could employ multiple PCBs as is shown generically inFIG. 2F . In embodiments utilizing multiple PCBs, patterning of the conductor and conducting vias in the various layers can accommodate a variety of routing paths in a manner analogous to the interconnect metallization schemes commonly implemented in integrated circuit design. Such flexibility in routing may afford further opportunity for placement and sizing of active devices to maximize collection efficiency. - The various techniques employed by embodiments of the present invention may be used on single or multilayer interconnect levels. Single layer designs reduce cost and simplify thermal stack, enhancing heat transfer. Multilayer designs may allow for more complex topologies and smaller critical footprints. While
FIGS. 2-2E illustrates embodiments of receivers comprising a plurality of front contact cells, the present invention is not limited to this particular form of active element. According to alternate embodiments, back contact cells may be connected directly onto the substrate and routed to give the desired circuit configuration using a single or multilayer PCB with minimal grout loss. Back contact cells may have various contact patterns according to their type. Back junction, emitter wrap through, or metallization wrap through PV cells may be used in conjunction with the PCB, in order to create desirable combinations of connections on a single layer or on multiple layers. PV cells formed utilizing through hole contacts or vias may also be used. This process is generally known as “through silicon via” or TSV. - It is to be noted that the present invention is not limited to embodiments utilizing active devices (e.g., PV cells) of any particular shape or arranged in any particular spatial orientation. For example, the
receiver 200 ofFIGS. 2-2E comprises a plurality of trapezoidal active elements arranged in an annular fashion on a circular support, however, this is not required. Alternative embodiments could utilize active devices having other shapes, arranged in a different manner, and/or on supports that are other than circular in shape, and still remain within the scope of the present invention. -
FIGS. 3A and 3B illustrate a receiver according to another embodiment of the present invention. The embodiments illustrated inFIGS. 3A-3B employ a “shingling” technique where abottom contact 340 of onecell 300 is attached to abusbar 311 of anothercell 300. This creates a step height difference equal to the thickness ofcell 300, plus the thickness of any attachment medium. The overlap is designed such that the bottom cell is not shaded and additional contacts are not required to produce a series connection. The tilted spatial orientation of the embodiments ofFIGS. 3A-3B allows a region of the active area of a frontcontact PV cell 300 to overlapnon-active busbar 311 of next front contact PV cell 305, increasing collection efficiency. It also eliminates the need for a multi-prong structure for adjacent cell connections thereby reducing cost. Further, the shingling method allows contact along the long direction of the cells, allowing grid lines to traverse the cell, thereby minimizing series resistance. - Receiver topologies and interconnects based on the shingling technique described above can utilize thermally conducting and insulating adhesives and combinations thereof In the embodiments of
FIGS. 3A-3B , the PV cells are connected electrically using the conducting adhesive 340, and are isolated from each by direct mounting in the thermally conductive but electrically insulatingadhesive 342.Substrate 302 may be faceted to create a flat surface as inFIG. 3A , or it may not be as shown inFIG. 3B . Conducting adhesive 340 and insulating adhesive 342 may be chosen based upon chemical compatibility with the cell metallization and other metals that they contact in order to avoid corrosion issues. - Different rows or annuli of cells can be connected together using a thin sheet of conductive metal chemically compatible with the adhesive. The thin sheet metal connections may be used to create different series/parallel interconnect topologies as desired. Such an approach eliminates certain steps in conventional substrate fabrication and cell packaging processes, resulting in cheaper and faster production of multi-element receivers with minimal grout.
- Embodiments of the present invention may employ the shingling technique described above to create receivers that have a square or rectangular shape, or other shapes including circular. Shingling may be used with active cells of rectangular or other shapes such as polygons, angular wedges (trapezoids having opposite surfaces curved), and others depending on the area that is to be covered. According to particular embodiments, trapezoids or angular wedges may be shingled together to produce a circular topology with minimal grout.
FIG. 4 shows such an embodiment utilizing cells arranged in an annular manner. Such a configuration may be useful where the illumination profile is expected to be circular in shape. - Shingling may also be used on three dimensional surfaces to create non-flat surfaces. For example,
FIG. 3A shows a planar substrate. A non-planardielectric material 342 is formed betweenfront contact cells 300 and theplanar surface 302 a ofsubstrate 302. The edge of onecell 300 overlaps a portion of the adjacent cell 305, to which it is electrically connected through conducting adhesive 340 andbusbars 311. Anencapsulant 380 overlies the cells. A transmissiveoptical element 333 overlies encapsulate 380. In some embodiments, cells may be arranged in shapes to approximate cylinders, polyhedra, or other complex shapes of arbitrary geometry. -
FIG. 3B shows another embodiment utilizing shingling. As illustrated inFIG. 3B , the top surface ofsubstrate 302 is not planar, but rather comprises a plurality of inclined facets. This embodiment, similar to the one illustrated inFIG. 3A , allows the non-active receiver elements (e.g.,busbar 311, conducting adhesive 340, etc.) to be shaded by an overlapping portion of the adjacent active receiver element thereby enhancing the utilization of receiver surface area and increasing efficiency. A non-planar substrate surface as shown inFIG. 3B can reduce the average thickness of adhesive 342 which in turn can improve heat transfer and reduce temperature difference betweencells 300, 305 andsubstrate 302 which improves efficiency and mechanical robustness. In some embodiments, faceted surfaces reduce the thickness of the dielectric material and improve thermal performance. -
FIG. 4 shows a simplified plan view of a receiver according to another embodiment of the present invention. As illustrated, receiver uses the shingling technique to approximate an annular shape. A single ring is composed of a plurality of shapedsolar cells 400. This ring may or may not be used with acentral reflector 410 and aperipheral reflector 412. -
FIG. 4A shows an individual shapedcell 400 according to an embodiment of the present invention.Cell 400 includes anon-active busbar 406, a plurality of fingers, 404, and anactive area 402.Busbar 406 andfingers 404 form a comb-like structure 407. The bottom region of the cell contains ametallization layer 409 with acontact surface 408. The edge of thecell 405 is shown.Cell 400 can utilize a short finger length reducing electrical communication distance to the busbar, which minimizes losses due to non-uniform illumination. Thisfinger spacing 403 can be adjusted to provide optimal efficiency for a given concentration ratio. In some embodiments, the optimal finger spacing may be non-uniform along the length ofcell 400. -
FIG. 4B shows a perspective view of the tiling or shingling of the cells into a receiver. Electrical communication between cells is established via aconnection stack 440. A dielectric 442 insulates the cells fromsubstrate 430 and provides thermal communication betweencells 400 andsubstrate 430. Dielectric 442 may be a thermally conductive insulating adhesive.Substrate 430 may or may not be actively cooled by circulating a fluid and may or may not be faceted. In this particular embodiment, the shingling angle is higher on the inside of the ring than on the outside. In some embodiments, the shingling angle is a function of receiver radius.Edge 405 of each cell is also an active element. This particular embodiment results in a very low grout loss, approaching zero, and eliminates the need for a multi-prong interconnect structure, and may lead to a cheaper manufacturing process. -
FIG. 4C shows a more detailed, but still simplified, side view of the receiver ofFIG. 4 according to an embodiment of the present invention. As illustrated inFIG. 4C , the receiver includes a transmissiveoptical element 433 overlying anencapsulant 480. -
Encapsulant 480 is used to bind the various PV cells together and provide structural support to the receiver. Electrical communication between the PV cells is established throughconnection stack 440 which is in contact withcell metallization surface 408 andbusbar 406.Stack 440 may be composed of three or more layers, 440 a, 440 b, and 440 c. Composition of eachlayer - Examples of composition of
stack 440 are illustrated in FIGS. 4C1 through 4C4 according to an embodiment of the present invention. For example, FIG. 4C1 shows thatstack 440 can include three identical layers of electrically conducting adhesive 450 in contact with the back surface metallization of one cell and thebusbar 406 of an adjacent cell. Such a connection provides for a series connection between cells. - FIG. 4C2 illustrates a
connection stack 440 that includes a thinconducting metal layer 452 sandwiched between two layers of electrically conducting adhesive 450 thereby electrically connecting adjacent cells. In some embodiments, thethin conducting metal 452 can be used to provide electrical communication to external circuitry such as bypass diodes.Metal 452 extends radially in the view shown inFIG. 4 . FIG. 4C3 and 4C4 show examples ofconnection stacks 440 and how power output terminal connections may be made. An electrically insulating adhesive 454 electrically isolates theback surface metallization 408 and busbar region of 406 of adjacent cells. This allows for a single terminal or polarity to be connected to an external circuit. The stack shown in FIG. 4C4 may be connected to the same backside metallization surface 408 of cell in FIG. 4C3, as illustrated in FIG. 4C4. This allows the opposite polarity terminal to 4C3 to be connected to an external circuit.Dielectric 442 insulates thethin metal conductor 452 from electrical communication with other cells or the substrate. - FIG. 4C5 shows a flattened perspective view of
FIG. 4C illustrating the use of a connection stack to provide access to positive and negative circuit terminals. The backside metallization surface is typically positive polarity (+), while busbar, 406 is negative (−) for common p-type front contact solar cells. For a single annulus of cells to all be connected in series, access to the busbar offirst cell 415 in the series and access to back contact of the last cell inseries 416 is needed. This is obtained by the use of two electrically conducting adhesive layers connecting two metal foil orribbon layers 452 that extend beyond the extent of thecells 400. These two metal layers are isolated electrically from one another by the use of an electrically insulatingadhesive 454. - As is well known, the position of the sun in the sky continually changes during the daytime as the earth rotates. In order to receive the maximum amount of radiation from the sun, it is desirable that the receiver directly faces the sun as much as possible. In order to determine the optimal position of the receiver with respect to the sun, it is advantageous to determine the position of the sun at any given time. Once the position of the sun is determined, the receiver can be moved/focused accordingly to receive the maximum radiation from the sun.
- The position of the sun in the sky can be calculated directly using the date, time, and geographical location of the receiver. In practice; however, variations in such factors as terrain, manufacturing, and/or assembly of the receiver limit the tracking accuracy of this purely analytical approach. A more accurate tracking system utilizing sensors can provide a more robust system capable of the tight tracking tolerances required for CPV power generation. The sensors can help more accurate tracking of the sun thereby increasing receiver power output.”
-
FIG. 5 illustrates a solar receiver including tracking sensors according to an embodiment of the present invention. As illustrated inFIG. 5 , fine trackingextent sensor elements 501 are placed just outside the illuminatedregion 500 on asolar receiver 502.Extent sensors 501 make use of the printed circuit board functions of the solar receiver. In some embodiments,extent sensors 501 can be electrically and mechanically connected to traces or pads via the printed circuit board of the receiver substrate. In this embodiment,extent sensors 501 are placed in symmetric co-linear pairs along an X axis and a Y axis. -
Sensors 501 may be optical or thermoelectric devices including but not limited to photovoltaic cells, photodiodes, thermopiles, or pyroelectrics. Using photovoltaic cell material may be beneficial due to the cell's ability to withstand concentrated sunlight and produce an electrical signal that is proportional to the illumination level. Ifsensors 501 are identical or calibrated, they will give the same response for a given illumination intensity and function as follows. For example, when the receiver is pointed ideally, the signals fromsensors 501 at the extent of the spot will be equal and minimal The position error of a mispointed receiver can be resolved into orthogonal basis vector components. When the receiver is mispointed, the signal from the perimeter sensor pairs in the x- and/or y-axis will be unequal. The magnitude of the difference in signals from any sensor pair will vary proportionally to the degree of the mispointing component along that particular axis. The characteristic curve of the difference in power signals along each axis can easily be linearized for small pointing errors. - For concentrating systems with variable focal length,
extent sensors 501 may also be used to control the size (e.g., area) and disposition of illuminatedregion 500. For example, when the solar spot is of ideal size, the signal from the fourperimeter sensors 501 will be equal and minimal. The solar spot size is proportional to the sums of the signals of the four sensors. Thus, minimizing differences between the sensor pairs and bounding the value of the sum of the sensor signals can yield an illuminated region that is both centered and of the desired illumination intensity. - In some embodiments, the extent sensors may be used to provide continuous spatial position information over a given range or to provide binary information. For example, when
sensors 501 are deployed as continuous spatial measurement devices, a balance betweensensors 501 on each axis is sought. - When the sensors are deployed as discrete spatial measurement devices, a threshold energy for each extent sensor may be defined such that when the threshold is met the signal goes from ‘off’, binary 0 to ‘on’, binary 1. The sum and difference equations required for control can then be represented in boolean form for a binary system.
- There are many different arrangements of extent sensors as shown in
FIGS. 5 and 5A . Extent sensors may be located in, out, or straddling the illumination region.FIG. 5A illustratessensors 501 straddlingillumination region 500. In some embodiments, symmetrical or asymmetrical configurations for the sensors may be used with an even or odd number of extent sensor elements. In some embodiments, sensors may also be rotated at an angle relative to the principle axes. -
FIG. 6 illustrates an example feed-back control scheme utilizing both coarse and fine tracking according to an embodiment of the present invention. Coarse elevation and azimuth (“ELE” and “AZI) are calculated given the geographical position of the structure and the time and date. Extent sensor electrical signals are read and interpreted. Adjustments are then made to the position of the structure by actuating ELE or AZI motors. This loop runs continuously or at specified time intervals providing accurate position control of the illumination region on the solar receiver. -
Positioning structure 606 includes a frame on which a solar receiver can be mounted. Thus,positioning structure 606 provides the support for the solar receiver and associated electronics.Positioning structure 606 has an associated geographical location and elevation information. In in application, we refer to the geographical location for positioningstructure 606 is referred to as the “coarse” position. Usually,positioning structure 606 is placed on the ground and may have associated elevation information. - Sensors 501 (e.g., extent sensors described above) may be mounted directly on the solar energy receiver and may determine position information for the Sun. The position information determined by
sensors 501 is communicated to trackingcontrol system 602.Tracking control system 602 receives inputs fromsensors 501 about the location of the Sun and the geographical location of positioningstructure 606. Based on that information, trackingcontrol system 602 determines the optimal orientation for the solar receiver. Once the optimal orientation is determined, trackingcontrol system 606drives motors motor driver 604 to orient the solar receiver in the desired orientation. -
Tracking control system 602 continually receives position information frompositioning structure 606 andsensors 501 and based on that, adjusts the positioning structure so that the solar receiver is oriented in a manner so as to collect maximum solar energy. - The tracking system illustrated in
FIG. 6 can be deployed in either online tracking or offline calibration to account for terrain variation. In some embodiments, the tracking system can be directly integrated into the online closed-loop control algorithm or it can be used simply as a range governor during online tracking. In some applications the tracking system may be used in an offline closed-loop calibration process, in which data gathered is used to create an open-loop calibration transform applied to either the position command or the observed error. - Having thus described exemplary embodiments of the present invention, it should be noted by those skilled in the art that the within disclosures are exemplary only and that various other alternatives, adaptations, and modifications may be made within the scope of the present invention. Accordingly, the present invention is not limited to the specific embodiments as illustrated herein, but is only limited by the following claims.
Claims (29)
1. A solar energy receiver comprising:
a support structure;
a plurality of active photovoltaic (PV) devices disposed on the support structure, each PV device including an active receiver element and one or more non-active elements;
wherein the plurality of PV devices are arranged such that active receiver element of a first PV device at least partially hides a non-active element of a second PV device from incident light.
2. The solar energy receiver of claim 1 wherein the second PV device is adjacent to the first PV device.
3. The solar energy receiver of claim 1 wherein the plurality of active PV devices comprise back contact PV cells.
4. The solar energy receiver of claim 3 wherein the back contact PV cells include at least one of: through silicon via (TSV) cells, emitter cells, or metallization wrap through cells.
5. The solar energy receiver of claim 1 wherein the plurality of active PV devices comprise front contact PV cells.
6. The solar energy receiver of claim 5 wherein:
a busbar of a first front contact PV cell is in electrical communication with a back contact of a second front contact PV cell through an electrically conducting adhesive.
7. The solar energy receiver of claim 6 wherein the electrically conducting adhesive includes a solder.
8. The solar energy receiver of claim 1 wherein the active receiver element comprises a reflector and wherein the reflector comprises a central reflector and/or a peripheral reflector.
9. The solar energy receiver of claim 1 wherein the non-active element comprises an electrical interconnect between two adjacent active PV devices.
10. The solar energy receiver of claim 9 wherein the plurality of the active PV devices comprise front contact PV cells and wherein the front contact PV cells are arranged in an annulus.
11. The solar energy receiver of claim 1 wherein the support structure comprises:
a thermally conducting substrate having an upper surface and an opposing lower surface;
a metal layer disposed on the lower surface;
one or more cooling channels coupled to the lower surface; and
a printed circuit board (PCB) coupled to the upper surface.
12. The solar energy receiver of claim 1 wherein each of the plurality of active PV devices are non-square in shape.
13. The solar energy receiver of claim 1 wherein the one or more non-active elements comprise an interconnect, a busbar, a contact, a through hole, or a diode.
14. The solar energy receiver of claim 1 wherein the plurality of active PV devices are disposed in an annular arrangement.
15. A solar energy receiver comprising:
a first photovoltaic (PV) device comprising:
a first front surface and a first front contact disposed on the first front surface, the first front contact having a first electrical polarity, wherein the first front contact occupies a portion of the first front surface; and
a first back surface and a first back contact disposed on the first back surface, the first back contact having a second electrical polarity opposite to the first electrical polarity, wherein the first back contact occupies a portion of the first back surface; and
a second PV device comprising:
a second front surface and a second front contact disposed on the second front surface, the second front contact having a third electrical polarity, wherein the second front contact occupies a portion of the second front surface; and
a second back surface and a second back contact disposed on the second back surface, the second back contact having a fourth electrical polarity opposite to the third electrical polarity, wherein the second back contact occupies a portion of the second back surface;
wherein the second front contact of the second PV device underlies the first back contact of the first PV device and wherein only the portion of the first back surface of the first PV device overlies the second front surface of the second PV device.
16. The solar energy receiver of claim 15 further comprising:
a third photovoltaic (PV) device comprising:
a third front surface and a third front contact disposed on the third front surface, the third front contact having a fifth electrical polarity, wherein the third front contact occupies a portion of the third front surface; and
a third back surface and a third back contact disposed on the third back surface, the third back contact having a sixth electrical polarity opposite to the fifth electrical polarity, wherein the third back contact occupies a portion of the third back surface; and
wherein the second back contact of the second PV device overlies the third front contact of the third PV device and wherein only the portion of the second back surface of the second PV device overlies the third front surface of the third PV device.
17. The solar energy receiver of claim 15 wherein the first PV device, the second PV device, and the third PV device are disposed in a shingle arrangement.
18. The solar energy receiver of claim 15 wherein the second front contact of the second PV device is electrically connected to the first back contact of the first PV device using an electrically conducting adhesive.
19. The solar energy receiver of claim 15 wherein the second front contact of the second PV device is electrically connected to the first back contact of the first PV device using a connection stack.
20. The solar energy receiver of claim 19 wherein the connection stack comprises a plurality of layers.
21. The solar energy receiver of claim 15 further comprising a substrate configured to support the first PV device and the second PV device.
22. The solar energy receiver of claim 21 wherein the substrate comprises one or more facets and each PV device is aligned in a facet.
23. The solar energy receiver of claim 22 wherein a first facet is disposed in a first plane and a second facet is disposed in a second plane different from the first plane.
24. The solar energy receiver of claim 15 wherein a shape of the first PV device is one of: a rectangle, a trapezoid, or a polygon.
25. The solar energy receiver of claim 15 further comprising one or more extent sensors configured to track a position of sun.
26. A system comprising:
a solar energy receiver including a plurality of photovoltaic (PV) devices;
a plurality of extent sensors coupled to the solar energy receiver; and
a tracking mechanism coupled to the solar energy receiver,
wherein the plurality of extent sensors are configured to track a position of the sun in the sky and provide the position information to the tracking mechanism; and
wherein the tracking mechanism is configured to orient the solar energy receiver based on the position information received from the plurality of extent sensors, the tracking mechanism comprising:
a tracking control unit configured to receive the position information from the plurality of extent sensors and determine an orientation for the solar energy receiver; and
a motor control unit configured to receive coordinates for the orientation from the tracking control unit and operate one or more motors to orient the solar energy receiver in the determined orientation.
27. The system of claim 26 wherein the solar energy receiver has an associated illumination region and wherein the plurality of extent sensors are located along a periphery of the illumination region.
28. The system of claim 26 wherein the solar energy receiver has an associated illumination region and wherein the plurality of extent sensors are used to control an area of the illumination region.
29. The system of claim 26 wherein the plurality of extent sensors are mounted on the solar energy receiver.
Priority Applications (3)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
US13/442,740 US20130112239A1 (en) | 2011-04-14 | 2012-04-09 | Solar energy receiver |
US15/815,420 US11652180B2 (en) | 2011-04-14 | 2017-11-16 | Solar energy receiver |
US18/313,847 US20230275174A1 (en) | 2011-04-14 | 2023-05-08 | Solar energy receiver |
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
US201161475483P | 2011-04-14 | 2011-04-14 | |
US13/442,740 US20130112239A1 (en) | 2011-04-14 | 2012-04-09 | Solar energy receiver |
Related Child Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
US15/815,420 Continuation US11652180B2 (en) | 2011-04-14 | 2017-11-16 | Solar energy receiver |
Publications (1)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
---|---|
US20130112239A1 true US20130112239A1 (en) | 2013-05-09 |
Family
ID=48222870
Family Applications (3)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
US13/442,740 Abandoned US20130112239A1 (en) | 2011-04-14 | 2012-04-09 | Solar energy receiver |
US15/815,420 Active US11652180B2 (en) | 2011-04-14 | 2017-11-16 | Solar energy receiver |
US18/313,847 Pending US20230275174A1 (en) | 2011-04-14 | 2023-05-08 | Solar energy receiver |
Family Applications After (2)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
US15/815,420 Active US11652180B2 (en) | 2011-04-14 | 2017-11-16 | Solar energy receiver |
US18/313,847 Pending US20230275174A1 (en) | 2011-04-14 | 2023-05-08 | Solar energy receiver |
Country Status (2)
Country | Link |
---|---|
US (3) | US20130112239A1 (en) |
WO (1) | WO2013106061A1 (en) |
Cited By (43)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US20130320376A1 (en) * | 2012-05-29 | 2013-12-05 | Essence Solar Solutions Ltd. | Frame holder |
US20150035496A1 (en) * | 2013-07-30 | 2015-02-05 | Ford Global Technologies, Llc | Multilayered bus bar |
US20150221803A1 (en) * | 2014-02-05 | 2015-08-06 | Solar Junction Corporation | Monolithic multijunction power converter |
WO2016126416A1 (en) * | 2015-02-02 | 2016-08-11 | Solarcity Corporation | Bifacial photovoltaic module using heterojunction solar cells |
US9496429B1 (en) | 2015-12-30 | 2016-11-15 | Solarcity Corporation | System and method for tin plating metal electrodes |
US9496427B2 (en) | 2013-01-11 | 2016-11-15 | Solarcity Corporation | Module fabrication of solar cells with low resistivity electrodes |
US9502590B2 (en) | 2012-10-04 | 2016-11-22 | Solarcity Corporation | Photovoltaic devices with electroplated metal grids |
US9577129B1 (en) * | 2014-06-16 | 2017-02-21 | Solaero Technologies Corp. | Flexible glass support for a solar cell assembly |
US9624595B2 (en) | 2013-05-24 | 2017-04-18 | Solarcity Corporation | Electroplating apparatus with improved throughput |
US9761744B2 (en) | 2015-10-22 | 2017-09-12 | Tesla, Inc. | System and method for manufacturing photovoltaic structures with a metal seed layer |
US9773928B2 (en) | 2010-09-10 | 2017-09-26 | Tesla, Inc. | Solar cell with electroplated metal grid |
US9800053B2 (en) | 2010-10-08 | 2017-10-24 | Tesla, Inc. | Solar panels with integrated cell-level MPPT devices |
US9842956B2 (en) | 2015-12-21 | 2017-12-12 | Tesla, Inc. | System and method for mass-production of high-efficiency photovoltaic structures |
US9865754B2 (en) | 2012-10-10 | 2018-01-09 | Tesla, Inc. | Hole collectors for silicon photovoltaic cells |
US9887306B2 (en) | 2011-06-02 | 2018-02-06 | Tesla, Inc. | Tunneling-junction solar cell with copper grid for concentrated photovoltaic application |
US9899546B2 (en) | 2014-12-05 | 2018-02-20 | Tesla, Inc. | Photovoltaic cells with electrodes adapted to house conductive paste |
WO2018106639A1 (en) * | 2016-12-08 | 2018-06-14 | Gang Shi | Method of interconnecting shingled pv cells |
US10074755B2 (en) | 2013-01-11 | 2018-09-11 | Tesla, Inc. | High efficiency solar panel |
US10084099B2 (en) | 2009-11-12 | 2018-09-25 | Tesla, Inc. | Aluminum grid as backside conductor on epitaxial silicon thin film solar cells |
US10084107B2 (en) | 2010-06-09 | 2018-09-25 | Tesla, Inc. | Transparent conducting oxide for photovoltaic devices |
US10115838B2 (en) | 2016-04-19 | 2018-10-30 | Tesla, Inc. | Photovoltaic structures with interlocking busbars |
US10115839B2 (en) | 2013-01-11 | 2018-10-30 | Tesla, Inc. | Module fabrication of solar cells with low resistivity electrodes |
CN109168324A (en) * | 2015-12-30 | 2019-01-08 | 各星有限公司 | Advanced interconnection method for photovoltaic string and module |
US20190013428A1 (en) * | 2016-02-19 | 2019-01-10 | Corner Star Limited | Connection cells for photovoltaic modules |
TWI650871B (en) * | 2017-12-12 | 2019-02-11 | 茂迪股份有限公司 | Encapsulation material of lamination type solar cell module and method for manufacturing solar cell module |
US10309012B2 (en) | 2014-07-03 | 2019-06-04 | Tesla, Inc. | Wafer carrier for reducing contamination from carbon particles and outgassing |
US10620294B2 (en) | 2011-11-16 | 2020-04-14 | Cool Earth Solar, Inc. | Inflated tubular solar concentrators |
US20200119684A1 (en) * | 2017-09-08 | 2020-04-16 | The Regents Of The University Of Michigan | Electromagnetic Energy Converter |
US10672919B2 (en) | 2017-09-19 | 2020-06-02 | Tesla, Inc. | Moisture-resistant solar cells for solar roof tiles |
FR3092215A1 (en) * | 2019-01-28 | 2020-07-31 | Groupe Adeo | Device equipped with crystalline silicon type photovoltaic cells with surfaces of various geometries |
US10930808B2 (en) | 2017-07-06 | 2021-02-23 | Array Photonics, Inc. | Hybrid MOCVD/MBE epitaxial growth of high-efficiency lattice-matched multijunction solar cells |
US11050383B2 (en) | 2019-05-21 | 2021-06-29 | Nextracker Inc | Radial cam helix with 0 degree stow for solar tracker |
JP6941252B1 (en) * | 2021-03-05 | 2021-09-29 | ジョジアン ジンコ ソーラー カンパニー リミテッド | Cell string structure and photovoltaic modules and their manufacturing methods |
US11159120B2 (en) | 2018-03-23 | 2021-10-26 | Nextracker Inc. | Multiple actuator system for solar tracker |
CN113606633A (en) * | 2021-06-29 | 2021-11-05 | 国网天津市电力公司电力科学研究院 | Heating system with double-glass double-faced PV/T assembly and heat pump coupled and control method thereof |
US11190128B2 (en) | 2018-02-27 | 2021-11-30 | Tesla, Inc. | Parallel-connected solar roof tile modules |
US11211514B2 (en) | 2019-03-11 | 2021-12-28 | Array Photonics, Inc. | Short wavelength infrared optoelectronic devices having graded or stepped dilute nitride active regions |
US20210408312A1 (en) * | 2020-06-29 | 2021-12-30 | Jinko Green Energy (Shanghai) Management Co., LTD | Photovoltaic module, solar cell and method for manufacturing thereof |
US11245354B2 (en) | 2018-07-31 | 2022-02-08 | Tesla, Inc. | Solar roof tile spacer with embedded circuitry |
US11258398B2 (en) | 2017-06-05 | 2022-02-22 | Tesla, Inc. | Multi-region solar roofing modules |
US11271122B2 (en) | 2017-09-27 | 2022-03-08 | Array Photonics, Inc. | Short wavelength infrared optoelectronic devices having a dilute nitride layer |
US11387771B2 (en) | 2018-06-07 | 2022-07-12 | Nextracker Llc | Helical actuator system for solar tracker |
US11437534B2 (en) | 2018-02-20 | 2022-09-06 | Tesla, Inc. | Inter-tile support for solar roof tiles |
Families Citing this family (2)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
CN111130438B (en) * | 2019-12-19 | 2020-12-15 | 嘉兴华竹电子有限公司 | Can hide protective cradle of solar photovoltaic board |
CN114975660A (en) * | 2022-06-04 | 2022-08-30 | 骥志(江苏)新能源科技有限公司 | Light-weight laminated photovoltaic module based on ultrathin toughened glass |
Citations (11)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US3769091A (en) * | 1972-03-31 | 1973-10-30 | Us Navy | Shingled array of solar cells |
US4089705A (en) * | 1976-07-28 | 1978-05-16 | The United States Of America As Represented By The Administrator Of The National Aeronautics And Space Administration | Hexagon solar power panel |
US6303853B1 (en) * | 1998-08-06 | 2001-10-16 | Jx Crystals Inc. | Shingle circuits for thermophotovoltaic systems |
US6414235B1 (en) * | 1999-03-30 | 2002-07-02 | Daniel Luch | Substrate and collector grid structures for integrated series connected photovoltaic arrays and process of manufacture of such arrays |
US20050263180A1 (en) * | 2004-06-01 | 2005-12-01 | Alan Montello | Photovoltaic module architecture |
US20070089780A1 (en) * | 2003-10-02 | 2007-04-26 | Scheuten Glasgroep | Serial circuit of solar cells with integrated semiconductor bodies, corresponding method for production and module with serial connection |
US20090235972A1 (en) * | 2006-04-26 | 2009-09-24 | Hitachi Chemical Company, Ltd. | Adhesive tape and solar cell module using the same |
US20110073161A1 (en) * | 2010-03-29 | 2011-03-31 | Sedona Energy Labs, Limited Company | High efficiency counterbalanced dual axis solar tracking array frame system |
US20110259406A1 (en) * | 2010-04-26 | 2011-10-27 | BioSolar Inc. | Photovoltaic module backsheet, materials for use in module backsheet, and processes for making the same |
US20120125391A1 (en) * | 2010-11-19 | 2012-05-24 | Solopower, Inc. | Methods for interconnecting photovoltaic cells |
US20120180862A1 (en) * | 2011-01-13 | 2012-07-19 | Henry Hieslmair | Non-contacting bus bars for solar cells and methods of making non-contacting bus bars |
Family Cites Families (17)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US4617421A (en) * | 1985-04-01 | 1986-10-14 | Sovonics Solar Systems | Photovoltaic cell having increased active area and method for producing same |
US6531653B1 (en) * | 2001-09-11 | 2003-03-11 | The Boeing Company | Low cost high solar flux photovoltaic concentrator receiver |
US20050022857A1 (en) * | 2003-08-01 | 2005-02-03 | Daroczi Shandor G. | Solar cell interconnect structure |
US7155870B2 (en) * | 2004-06-18 | 2007-01-02 | Powerlight Corp. | Shingle assembly with support bracket |
GB0509862D0 (en) * | 2005-05-13 | 2005-06-22 | Whitfield Solar Ltd | Concentrating solar collector |
JP2007294866A (en) * | 2006-03-31 | 2007-11-08 | Sanyo Electric Co Ltd | Photovoltaic module |
WO2008019349A2 (en) * | 2006-08-04 | 2008-02-14 | Solopower, Inc. | Thin film solar cell with finger pattern |
KR101101464B1 (en) * | 2007-05-09 | 2012-01-03 | 히다치 가세고교 가부시끼가이샤 | Conductor connection member, connection structure, and solar cell module |
US8231934B2 (en) * | 2008-11-26 | 2012-07-31 | E. I. Du Pont De Nemours And Company | Conductive paste for solar cell electrode |
USD600200S1 (en) * | 2008-12-10 | 2009-09-15 | Armageddon Energy Inc. | Solar panel arrangement |
US9995507B2 (en) * | 2009-04-15 | 2018-06-12 | Richard Norman | Systems for cost-effective concentration and utilization of solar energy |
US8048814B2 (en) * | 2009-05-19 | 2011-11-01 | Innovalight, Inc. | Methods and apparatus for aligning a set of patterns on a silicon substrate |
CN102460338B (en) * | 2009-05-19 | 2014-08-13 | 最大输出可再生能源公司 | Architecture for power plant comprising clusters of power-generation devices |
EP2309547B1 (en) * | 2009-10-06 | 2012-12-12 | Samsung SDI Co., Ltd. | Photoelectric conversion device |
US20110277825A1 (en) * | 2010-05-14 | 2011-11-17 | Sierra Solar Power, Inc. | Solar cell with metal grid fabricated by electroplating |
EP2395563A1 (en) * | 2010-06-10 | 2011-12-14 | Megawatt Solar, Inc. | Receivers for Concentrating Photovoltaic Systems and Methods for Fabricating the Same |
CN108091705B (en) | 2014-05-27 | 2019-07-02 | 太阳能公司 | Stacking formula solar cell module |
-
2012
- 2012-04-09 US US13/442,740 patent/US20130112239A1/en not_active Abandoned
- 2012-04-10 WO PCT/US2012/032923 patent/WO2013106061A1/en active Application Filing
-
2017
- 2017-11-16 US US15/815,420 patent/US11652180B2/en active Active
-
2023
- 2023-05-08 US US18/313,847 patent/US20230275174A1/en active Pending
Patent Citations (11)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US3769091A (en) * | 1972-03-31 | 1973-10-30 | Us Navy | Shingled array of solar cells |
US4089705A (en) * | 1976-07-28 | 1978-05-16 | The United States Of America As Represented By The Administrator Of The National Aeronautics And Space Administration | Hexagon solar power panel |
US6303853B1 (en) * | 1998-08-06 | 2001-10-16 | Jx Crystals Inc. | Shingle circuits for thermophotovoltaic systems |
US6414235B1 (en) * | 1999-03-30 | 2002-07-02 | Daniel Luch | Substrate and collector grid structures for integrated series connected photovoltaic arrays and process of manufacture of such arrays |
US20070089780A1 (en) * | 2003-10-02 | 2007-04-26 | Scheuten Glasgroep | Serial circuit of solar cells with integrated semiconductor bodies, corresponding method for production and module with serial connection |
US20050263180A1 (en) * | 2004-06-01 | 2005-12-01 | Alan Montello | Photovoltaic module architecture |
US20090235972A1 (en) * | 2006-04-26 | 2009-09-24 | Hitachi Chemical Company, Ltd. | Adhesive tape and solar cell module using the same |
US20110073161A1 (en) * | 2010-03-29 | 2011-03-31 | Sedona Energy Labs, Limited Company | High efficiency counterbalanced dual axis solar tracking array frame system |
US20110259406A1 (en) * | 2010-04-26 | 2011-10-27 | BioSolar Inc. | Photovoltaic module backsheet, materials for use in module backsheet, and processes for making the same |
US20120125391A1 (en) * | 2010-11-19 | 2012-05-24 | Solopower, Inc. | Methods for interconnecting photovoltaic cells |
US20120180862A1 (en) * | 2011-01-13 | 2012-07-19 | Henry Hieslmair | Non-contacting bus bars for solar cells and methods of making non-contacting bus bars |
Cited By (62)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US10084099B2 (en) | 2009-11-12 | 2018-09-25 | Tesla, Inc. | Aluminum grid as backside conductor on epitaxial silicon thin film solar cells |
US10084107B2 (en) | 2010-06-09 | 2018-09-25 | Tesla, Inc. | Transparent conducting oxide for photovoltaic devices |
US9773928B2 (en) | 2010-09-10 | 2017-09-26 | Tesla, Inc. | Solar cell with electroplated metal grid |
US9800053B2 (en) | 2010-10-08 | 2017-10-24 | Tesla, Inc. | Solar panels with integrated cell-level MPPT devices |
US9887306B2 (en) | 2011-06-02 | 2018-02-06 | Tesla, Inc. | Tunneling-junction solar cell with copper grid for concentrated photovoltaic application |
US10620294B2 (en) | 2011-11-16 | 2020-04-14 | Cool Earth Solar, Inc. | Inflated tubular solar concentrators |
US9825194B2 (en) | 2012-05-29 | 2017-11-21 | Essence Solar Solutions Ltd. | Self aligning soldering |
US20130320376A1 (en) * | 2012-05-29 | 2013-12-05 | Essence Solar Solutions Ltd. | Frame holder |
US8900911B2 (en) * | 2012-05-29 | 2014-12-02 | Essence Solar Solutions Ltd. | Frame holder |
US9917224B2 (en) | 2012-05-29 | 2018-03-13 | Essence Solar Solutions Ltd. | Photovoltaic module assembly |
US9502590B2 (en) | 2012-10-04 | 2016-11-22 | Solarcity Corporation | Photovoltaic devices with electroplated metal grids |
US9865754B2 (en) | 2012-10-10 | 2018-01-09 | Tesla, Inc. | Hole collectors for silicon photovoltaic cells |
US9496427B2 (en) | 2013-01-11 | 2016-11-15 | Solarcity Corporation | Module fabrication of solar cells with low resistivity electrodes |
US10164127B2 (en) | 2013-01-11 | 2018-12-25 | Tesla, Inc. | Module fabrication of solar cells with low resistivity electrodes |
US10115839B2 (en) | 2013-01-11 | 2018-10-30 | Tesla, Inc. | Module fabrication of solar cells with low resistivity electrodes |
US10074755B2 (en) | 2013-01-11 | 2018-09-11 | Tesla, Inc. | High efficiency solar panel |
US9624595B2 (en) | 2013-05-24 | 2017-04-18 | Solarcity Corporation | Electroplating apparatus with improved throughput |
US9270102B2 (en) * | 2013-07-30 | 2016-02-23 | Ford Global Technologies, Inc. | Multilayered bus bar |
US20150035496A1 (en) * | 2013-07-30 | 2015-02-05 | Ford Global Technologies, Llc | Multilayered bus bar |
US20150221803A1 (en) * | 2014-02-05 | 2015-08-06 | Solar Junction Corporation | Monolithic multijunction power converter |
US11233166B2 (en) | 2014-02-05 | 2022-01-25 | Array Photonics, Inc. | Monolithic multijunction power converter |
US10439083B1 (en) | 2014-06-16 | 2019-10-08 | Solaero Technologies Corp. | Flexible glass support for a solar cell assembly |
US9577129B1 (en) * | 2014-06-16 | 2017-02-21 | Solaero Technologies Corp. | Flexible glass support for a solar cell assembly |
US10309012B2 (en) | 2014-07-03 | 2019-06-04 | Tesla, Inc. | Wafer carrier for reducing contamination from carbon particles and outgassing |
US9899546B2 (en) | 2014-12-05 | 2018-02-20 | Tesla, Inc. | Photovoltaic cells with electrodes adapted to house conductive paste |
US9947822B2 (en) | 2015-02-02 | 2018-04-17 | Tesla, Inc. | Bifacial photovoltaic module using heterojunction solar cells |
WO2016126416A1 (en) * | 2015-02-02 | 2016-08-11 | Solarcity Corporation | Bifacial photovoltaic module using heterojunction solar cells |
US10181536B2 (en) | 2015-10-22 | 2019-01-15 | Tesla, Inc. | System and method for manufacturing photovoltaic structures with a metal seed layer |
US9761744B2 (en) | 2015-10-22 | 2017-09-12 | Tesla, Inc. | System and method for manufacturing photovoltaic structures with a metal seed layer |
US9842956B2 (en) | 2015-12-21 | 2017-12-12 | Tesla, Inc. | System and method for mass-production of high-efficiency photovoltaic structures |
JP2019501540A (en) * | 2015-12-30 | 2019-01-17 | コーナー・スター・リミテッドCorner Star Limited | Interconnection method for photovoltaic strings and modules |
US9496429B1 (en) | 2015-12-30 | 2016-11-15 | Solarcity Corporation | System and method for tin plating metal electrodes |
US20190019909A1 (en) * | 2015-12-30 | 2019-01-17 | Corner Star Limited | Advanced interconnect method for photovoltaic strings and modules |
CN109168324A (en) * | 2015-12-30 | 2019-01-08 | 各星有限公司 | Advanced interconnection method for photovoltaic string and module |
US20190013428A1 (en) * | 2016-02-19 | 2019-01-10 | Corner Star Limited | Connection cells for photovoltaic modules |
US10115838B2 (en) | 2016-04-19 | 2018-10-30 | Tesla, Inc. | Photovoltaic structures with interlocking busbars |
WO2018106639A1 (en) * | 2016-12-08 | 2018-06-14 | Gang Shi | Method of interconnecting shingled pv cells |
US11289617B2 (en) * | 2016-12-08 | 2022-03-29 | Gang SHI | Method of interconnecting shingled PV cells |
US11258398B2 (en) | 2017-06-05 | 2022-02-22 | Tesla, Inc. | Multi-region solar roofing modules |
US10930808B2 (en) | 2017-07-06 | 2021-02-23 | Array Photonics, Inc. | Hybrid MOCVD/MBE epitaxial growth of high-efficiency lattice-matched multijunction solar cells |
US11935978B2 (en) * | 2017-09-08 | 2024-03-19 | The Regents Of The University Of Michigan | Electromagnetic energy converter |
US20200119684A1 (en) * | 2017-09-08 | 2020-04-16 | The Regents Of The University Of Michigan | Electromagnetic Energy Converter |
US10672919B2 (en) | 2017-09-19 | 2020-06-02 | Tesla, Inc. | Moisture-resistant solar cells for solar roof tiles |
US11271122B2 (en) | 2017-09-27 | 2022-03-08 | Array Photonics, Inc. | Short wavelength infrared optoelectronic devices having a dilute nitride layer |
TWI650871B (en) * | 2017-12-12 | 2019-02-11 | 茂迪股份有限公司 | Encapsulation material of lamination type solar cell module and method for manufacturing solar cell module |
US11437534B2 (en) | 2018-02-20 | 2022-09-06 | Tesla, Inc. | Inter-tile support for solar roof tiles |
US11190128B2 (en) | 2018-02-27 | 2021-11-30 | Tesla, Inc. | Parallel-connected solar roof tile modules |
US11159120B2 (en) | 2018-03-23 | 2021-10-26 | Nextracker Inc. | Multiple actuator system for solar tracker |
US11711051B2 (en) | 2018-03-23 | 2023-07-25 | Nextracker Llc | Multiple actuator system for solar tracker |
US11283395B2 (en) | 2018-03-23 | 2022-03-22 | Nextracker Inc. | Multiple actuator system for solar tracker |
US11387771B2 (en) | 2018-06-07 | 2022-07-12 | Nextracker Llc | Helical actuator system for solar tracker |
US11245354B2 (en) | 2018-07-31 | 2022-02-08 | Tesla, Inc. | Solar roof tile spacer with embedded circuitry |
WO2020157400A1 (en) | 2019-01-28 | 2020-08-06 | Groupe Adeo | Device equipped with crystalline silicon photovoltaic cells having surfaces with varied geometries |
FR3092215A1 (en) * | 2019-01-28 | 2020-07-31 | Groupe Adeo | Device equipped with crystalline silicon type photovoltaic cells with surfaces of various geometries |
US11211514B2 (en) | 2019-03-11 | 2021-12-28 | Array Photonics, Inc. | Short wavelength infrared optoelectronic devices having graded or stepped dilute nitride active regions |
US11050383B2 (en) | 2019-05-21 | 2021-06-29 | Nextracker Inc | Radial cam helix with 0 degree stow for solar tracker |
US11705859B2 (en) | 2019-05-21 | 2023-07-18 | Nextracker Llc | Radial cam helix with 0 degree stow for solar tracker |
US20210408312A1 (en) * | 2020-06-29 | 2021-12-30 | Jinko Green Energy (Shanghai) Management Co., LTD | Photovoltaic module, solar cell and method for manufacturing thereof |
US11362226B1 (en) * | 2021-03-05 | 2022-06-14 | Zhejiang Jinko Solar Co., Ltd. | Solar cell string, photovoltaic module and manufacturing methods therefor |
JP6941252B1 (en) * | 2021-03-05 | 2021-09-29 | ジョジアン ジンコ ソーラー カンパニー リミテッド | Cell string structure and photovoltaic modules and their manufacturing methods |
JP2022135851A (en) * | 2021-03-05 | 2022-09-15 | ジョジアン ジンコ ソーラー カンパニー リミテッド | Cell string structure, photovoltaic module and manufacturing methods therefor |
CN113606633A (en) * | 2021-06-29 | 2021-11-05 | 国网天津市电力公司电力科学研究院 | Heating system with double-glass double-faced PV/T assembly and heat pump coupled and control method thereof |
Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
---|---|
WO2013106061A1 (en) | 2013-07-18 |
US11652180B2 (en) | 2023-05-16 |
US20180145201A1 (en) | 2018-05-24 |
US20230275174A1 (en) | 2023-08-31 |
Similar Documents
Publication | Publication Date | Title |
---|---|---|
US20230275174A1 (en) | Solar energy receiver | |
JP5016251B2 (en) | Concentrating optical energy collector using solid optical components | |
US8809671B2 (en) | Optoelectronic device with bypass diode | |
EP1630875A2 (en) | Photovoltaic laminate backplane with optical concentrator | |
US9595627B2 (en) | Photovoltaic panel | |
US20120167942A1 (en) | Low-concentration flat profile photovoltaic modules | |
US20090064994A1 (en) | Concentrating solar collector | |
US20110120526A1 (en) | Monolithic Low Concentration Photovoltaic Panel Based On Polymer Embedded Photovoltaic Cells And Crossed Compound Parabolic Concentrators | |
JP2011003896A (en) | Receiver structure for photovoltaic concentrator system comprising group iii-v compound semiconductor solar cell | |
PT10687U (en) | MODULE OF CONCENTRATED PHOTOVOLTAIC SYSTEM USING SEMICONDUCTOR SOLAR CELLS III-V | |
US9905718B2 (en) | Low-cost thin-film concentrator solar cells | |
US20150027513A1 (en) | Semiconductor substrate for a photovoltaic power module | |
US20120024347A1 (en) | Solar package structure and method for fabricating the same | |
RU2395136C1 (en) | Photovoltaic module | |
JP2005217357A (en) | Three-dimensional configuration solar cell and three-dimensional configuration solar cell module | |
US20140352758A1 (en) | Solar cell module | |
WO2014037722A1 (en) | Concentrated photovoltaic (cpv) cell module with secondary optical element and method of fabrication | |
US20180294370A1 (en) | Hybrid solar module | |
WO2014037721A1 (en) | Concentrated photovoltaic (cpv) cell arrangement, module and method of fabrication | |
US20190353882A1 (en) | Solar concentrator apparatus and solar collector array | |
US20090255566A1 (en) | Solar cell modules | |
RU2475888C1 (en) | Photovoltaic module design | |
US20170125623A1 (en) | Device for harvesting direct light and diffuse light from a light source | |
JP2019170145A (en) | Condensation-type solar battery module and condensation-type photovoltaic power generation system | |
Wiesenfarth et al. | Challenges for thermal management and production technologies in concentrating photovoltaic (CPV) modules |
Legal Events
Date | Code | Title | Description |
---|---|---|---|
STCB | Information on status: application discontinuation |
Free format text: ABANDONED -- FAILURE TO RESPOND TO AN OFFICE ACTION |
|
AS | Assignment |
Owner name: COOL EARTH SOLAR, INC., CALIFORNIA Free format text: ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST;ASSIGNORS:LIPTAC, JOHN;DENTINGER, PAUL;LAMKIN, ROBERT;AND OTHERS;SIGNING DATES FROM 20171126 TO 20171127;REEL/FRAME:044241/0667 |
|
AS | Assignment |
Owner name: SUNPOWER CORPORATION, CALIFORNIA Free format text: ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST;ASSIGNOR:COOL EARTH SOLAR, INC.;REEL/FRAME:044721/0248 Effective date: 20171205 |