A solar radiation concentrating system (1) comprises at least two reflectors (12, 16) successively arranged along an optical path (4) of the system (1) so that a first (12) of the two reflectors (12, 16) reflects the radiation towards a second (16) of the two reflectors (12, 16). The reflectors (12, 16) have such spectral characteristics as to be capable of highly reflecting the radiation in a reflection range of wavelengths and absorbing the radiation in an absorption range of wavelengths, wherein the absorption range of wavelengths of the first reflector (12) substantially includes the absorption range of wavelengths of the second reflector (16).

Solar energy plant

Disclosed is a photovoltaic module including a plurality of concentrators each having a light-incident plane and a reflection plane, and photo detectors. Each photo detector is in contact with one of the concentrators. The module is capable of effectively trapping light and effectively generating power throughout the year even if the module is established such that sunlight at the equinoxes is made incident on the light-incident planes not in a perpendicular manner but instead obliquely, for example, in the case where the module is established in contact with a curved plane of a roof, or the like. In this module, each concentrator is formed into such a shape as to satisfy a relationship in which the light trapping efficiency of first incident light tilted rightwardly from the normal line of the light-incident plane in the cross-section including the light-incident plane, reflection plane and photo detector is larger than the light trapping efficiency of second incident light tilted leftwardly from the normal line in the above cross-section. Also, these concentrators are arranged in one direction.

Photovoltaic device, photovoltaic module and establishing method of photovoltaic system

An apparatus for converting solar energy to thermal and electrical energy including a photovoltaic grid for converting the concentrated solar energy into electrical energy mounted on a copper plate that provides even temperature dispersion across the plate and acts as a thermal radiator when the apparatus is used in the radiant cooling mode; and a plurality of interconnected heat transfer tubes located within the enclosure and disposed on the plane below the copper plate but conductively coupled to the copper plate for converting the solar energy to thermal energy in a fluid disposed within the heat transfer tubes. Fresnel lenses are affixed to the apparatus on mountings for concentrating the solar energy on to the photovoltiac grid and functioning as a passive solar tracker.

Combined solar electric power and liquid heat transfer collector panel

A solar electric conversion unit and system includes substantially increased efficiency with reduced losses and increased acceptance angles. The system employs a short focal length fresnel lens extruded to further include depending side walls. The free edges of the sides carry a heat sink supporting a photovoltaic cell. The extruded side walls function as light pipes for carrying light directly to the photovoltaic cell. The walls are reflective inwardly of the unit to further avoid loss of stray light.

Solar electric conversion unit and system

A hybrid solar energy generating system for effectively utilizing the total solar spectrum gathered by a solar ray concentrator. The system includes a first solar ray receiver having fluid-cooled photovoltaic solar cells for generating electricity and low-temperature heat. A second solar ray receiver is provided for generating high-temperature heat. A lens focuses the solar rays on the first receiver. A selective transmitting heat-mirror is positioned between the lens and the first solar ray receiver for reflecting selected portions of the solar ray spectrum to the second solar ray receiver and passing essentially the remaining solar ray spectrum to the first solar ray receiver. The heat-mirror reflects all solar rays having wavelengths longer than the long-wave spectral response cut-off of the photovoltaic solar cells and a selected part of the solar rays having wavelengths shorter than the long-wave spectral response cut-off. The heat-mirror spectral profile shape is modified to maximize the conversion of solar energy to high-temperature heat while causing only a minimal decrease in the generation of photovoltaic electricity.

Hybrid solar energy generating system

A combined solar converter which has a photovoltaic cell for converting the energy of solar radiation of a particular range of wavelengths to electricity and which has a thermal heat absorber spaced from the cell which converts solar radiation of longer wavelengths passing from the cell to useful heat. A method of utilizing solar energy comprising the step of subjecting a photovoltaic cell to solar radiation to convert energy of a particular range of wavelengths to which the cell is sensitive to electricity and transferring long wave radiations passing from a cell to a heat absorber spaced from the cell where the energy of the long wave radiation is transferred to useful heat.

Dorel J. Damsker

Papers

Combined solar conversion