2103results about "Thermal-PV hybrid energy generation" patented technology

PCT No. PCT / NZ95 / 00084 Sec. 371 Date Feb. 28, 1997 Sec. 102(e) Date Feb. 28, 1997 PCT Filed Sep. 14, 1995 PCT Pub. No. WO96 / 08683 PCT Pub. Date Mar. 21, 1996A solar concentrator for producing usable power as heat and / or electricity uses a self-steering heliostat 1502 to concentrate solar radiation 1509 onto an absorbing surface such as, or including, a solar cell array 1511 capable of absorbing power from the radiation, meanwhile removing heat (such as from long-wave infra-red radiation or resistive losses) from the surface with fluid heat transfer means 1503, 1504, then making effective use of that low-grade heat. Thus the solar cell array is kept relatively cool and a larger proportion of the solar energy incident on the reflector unit is used. The invention uses electricity 1506 from the solar cells to move a transporting fluid through a heat exchanger 1504. Excess electricity may be available for local storage or use 1510, or feeding 1512 to the power distribution grid. Applications include warming swimming pools 1501, heating hot-water supplies using excess electricity, or warming, lighting and ventilating open spaces.

A concentrating photovoltaic module is provided which provides a concentration in the range of about 500 to over 1,000 suns and a power range of a few kW to 50 kW. A plurality of such modules may be combined to form a power plant capable of generating over several hundred megaWatts. The concentrating photovoltaic module is based on a Photovoltaic Cavity Converter (PVCC) as an enabling technology for very high solar-to-electricity conversions. The use of a cavity containing a plurality of single junction solar cells of different energy bandgaps and simultaneous spectral splitting of the solar spectrum employs a lateral geometry in the spherical cavity (where the cell strings made of the single junction cells operate next to each other without mutual interference). The purpose of the cavity with a small aperture for the pre-focused solar radiation is to confine (trap) the photons so that they can be recycled effectively and used by the proper cells. Passive or active cooling mechanisms may be employed to cool the solar cells.

A system and method for lower cost, high efficiency, thermophotovoltaic distributed generation includes: an emitter, a photovoltaic cell, and transient electrical energy storage.

A solar assembly comprising two components: a multi-functional solar collecting apparatus and a mounting embedment integrated with building construction material. The mounting embedment component is affixed to a building frame structure using standard construction techniques and receives the multi-functional solar collecting apparatus that is secured with fasteners. The multi-functional solar collecting apparatus converts solar energy to electrical energy using a photovoltaic grid mounted on a copper plate that provides even temperature dispersion across the plate and acts as a thermal radiator when the apparatus is used as a radiant cooler; and a plurality of interconnected heat transfer tubes located within the apparatus enclosure 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.

Disclosed are fixed solar-electric modules having arrays of solar concentrator assemblies capable of separately tracking movements through one or two degrees of rotational freedom to follow the movement of the sun daily and / or seasonally. The concentrators can include optical elements to direct and concentrate light onto photovoltaic and / or thermoelectric receivers for generation of electric current.

A radiant energy concentrating or collimating system comprising an enclosure that shields its contents from environmental effects while allowing radiant energy to transmit through its top window; a plurality of energy concentrating or collimating assemblies, each on its own pivot mechanism and each comprising a plurality of optics, a support structure and an energy conversion device that is mounted on a heat dissipating structure; a drive mechanism controlled by a microprocessor to rotate the said energy concentrating or collimating assemblies on two orthogonal axes in unison so the assemblies are oriented towards desired direction at any given time.

A photovoltaic (PV) module 10 assembled by automated processes. PV module 10 comprises solar cells electrically connected in a linear string 24. Encapsulant 26 surrounds solar cell string 24. Dielectric 30 is positioned between solar cell string 24 and a layer of encapsulant 26′. A glass layer is placed atop encapsulant 26. A terminal bar 19 is in electrical continuity with the electrical output of the solar cell at each end of solar cell string 24. Circuit connector 20 is in electrical continuity with terminal bar 19 and is used for electrical connection of one module to another in the field. Solar cell string 24 is mounted in a box-like structure comprised of an upper pan 14 and lower pan 16. Lower pan 16 defines a conduit for the flow of air beneath solar cell string 24. Module 10 is rotatably mountable in sunlight tracking array 100.

A solar cell unit comprising a substrate and a plurality of photovoltaic cells is provided. The substrate has a first end and a second end. The plurality of photovoltaic cells, which are linearly arranged on the substrate, comprises a first photovoltaic cell and a second photovoltaic cell. Each photovoltaic cell in the plurality of photovoltaic cells comprises (i) a back-electrode circumferentially disposed on the substrate, (ii) a semiconductor junction layer circumferentially disposed on the back-electrode, and, (iii) a transparent conductive layer circumferentially disposed on the semiconductor junction. The transparent conductive layer of the first photovoltaic cell in the plurality of photovoltaic cells is in serial electrical communication with the back-electrode of the second photovoltaic cell in the plurality of photovoltaic cells.

A concentrating photovoltaic module is provided which provides a concentration in the range of about 500 to over 1,000 suns and a power range of a few kW to 50 kW. A plurality of such modules may be combined to form a power plant capable of generating over several hundred megawatts. The concentrating photovoltaic module is based on a Photovoltaic Cavity Converter (PVCC) as an enabling technology for very high solar-to-electricity conversions. The use of a cavity containing a plurality of single junction solar cells of different energy bandgaps and simultaneous spectral splitting of the solar spectrum employs a lateral geometry in the spherical cavity (where the cell strings made of the single junction cells operate next to each other without mutual interference). The purpose of the cavity with a small aperture for the pre-focused solar radiation is to confine (trap) the photons so that they can be recycled effectively and used by the proper cells. Passive or active cooling mechanisms may be employed to cool the solar cells.

This invention describes a non-imaging, non-tracking, integrally-formed solar radiation concentrator that passively concentrates both diffuse and direct solar radiation onto photovoltaic cells to produce electricity, incorporating its features into a shingle-like element useful as a roofing material and in other structural applications. The substantially transparent, solar concentrating elements of the invention may also incorporate a system to remove waste energy in the form of heat that is not utilized in the generation of electricity. The invention further provides a thermal energy recovery system including a forced convection air system for removing waste heat from the concentrating shingle assembly and using it, if desired, for building space heat or domestic water heating.

A self-sustaining, portable, power station that may be moved by land, air, or sea to an area that has no utilities. The station is provided with solar panel arrays in communication with at least one electrical distribution and storage means. The derived electricity is used to power various systems including, albeit not limited to, a communications system, a water filtration system, a water distribution system to allow the public to draw potable water and provide basic hygiene. The electricity derived may also be used to run outside systems, such as schools, hospitals, or the like. The solar panel arrays are mounted on roller assemblies that can be easily slide between a stowed and deployed condition. The solar arrays include a plurality of solar panels that are supported by one or more hydraulic actuators to counter balance the weight of the solar panel whereby the solar panel can be easily positioned into the desired tilted orientation.

A Concentrating Photovoltaics (CPV) module includes a metal frame, a plurality of Fresnel lenses, a secondary reflective or refractive concentrator, multi-junction solar cells with up to 40% efficiency and a novel heat spreading material. The Fresnel lenses and the secondary concentrator focus the sun over 500 times to maximize the amount of photons collected by the solar cells and converted to electricity. A newly designed soft board material provides coefficient of thermal expansion (CTE) matched carrier for the solar cells and an efficient electrical connectivity method. The carrier board is attached to a specially formulated heat spreader made of graphite. At 40% the weight of aluminum and 18% the weight of copper, this specially formulated material offers thermal heat conductivity that is superior to copper. The combination of the above creates CPV modules with the highest efficiency and lowest cost per Watt.

Method and system for converting solar energy into electrical energy utilizing serially coupled multijunction-type photovoltaic cells in conjunction with a form of spectral cooling. The latter cooling is carried out by removing ineffective solar energy components from impinging concentrated light, inter alia, through the utilization of dichroics or the conversion of ineffective solar energy components to effective energy components by means of luminescence, phosphorescence, or fluorescence. Ineffective solar energy components are described as those exhibiting wavelengths outside the bandgap energy defined wavelength and an associated wavelength defined band of useful photon energy.

Methods and systems are provided for air conditioning, capturing combustion contaminants, desalination, and other processes using liquid desiccants.

A solar energy conversion package includes a photovoltaic (PV) cell, a thermionic or thermoelectric conversion unit and a thermal heating system. Solar radiation is concentrated by a lens or reflector and directed to the PV cell for electrical power conversion. A water circulation system maintains the PV cell at working temperatures. The thermionic or thermoelectric conversion cell is coupled between these cells in the thermal path to generate additional power. Additional efficiencies may be gained by partitioning the solar radiation with prisms or wavelength specific filters or reflective coatings into discrete spectrum segments optimized for each conversion unit for maximizing efficiency of electrical energy conversion and equipment design. Integrating all three of these conversion techniques produces a synergistic system that exceeds the performance conventional solar conversion systems.

A solar blackbody waveguide that captures and uses sunlight to heat a thermal working or heat transfer fluid. Solar cell arrays capture the sunlight. The arrays are movably mounted on solar towers to track the daily movement of the sun and to maintain the proper angle with the horizon throughout the year. The arrays direct the light into a series of light pipes to deliver the light into a solar coil located within an underground insulated pipeline. Energy from the light rays is absorbed by the solar coil and transferred to the thermal working fluid or heat transfer fluid flowing between the solar coil and the insulated pipeline. The energy laden thermal working or heat transfer fluid is removed from the downstream end of the insulated pipeline so that it can be used with existing technologies, such as with a combined cycle gas turbine, boiler, or steam generator.

A solar cell unit is provided that has a substrate having a first end and a second end, where at least a portion of the substrate is rigid and nonplanar. The solar cell unit has a plurality of photovoltaic cells linearly arranged on the substrate, including a first and second photovoltaic cell. Each photovoltaic cell in the plurality of photovoltaic cells comprises a back-electrode circumferentially disposed on the substrate, a semiconductor junction layer circumferentially disposed on the back-electrode, and a transparent conductive layer circumferentially disposed on the semiconductor junction. The transparent conductive layer of the first photovoltaic cell in the plurality of photovoltaic cells is in serial electrical communication with the back-electrode of the second photovoltaic cell in the plurality of photovoltaic cells.

Methods and systems are provided for air conditioning, capturing combustion contaminants, desalination, and other processes using liquid desiccants.

Methods and systems are provided for air conditioning, capturing combustion contaminants, desalination, and other processes using liquid desiccants.

Method and system for converting solar energy into electrical energy utilizing serially coupled multijunction-type photovoltaic cells in conjunction with a form of spectral cooling. The latter cooling is carried out by removing ineffective solar energy components from impinging concentrated light, inter alia, through the utilization of dichroics or the conversion of ineffective solar energy components to effective energy components by means of luminescence, phosphorescence, or fluorescence. Ineffective solar energy components are described as those exhibiting wavelengths outside the bandgap energy defined wavelength and an associated wavelength defined band of useful photon energy.

Methods and systems are provided for air conditioning, capturing combustion contaminants, desalination, and other processes using liquid desiccants.

A system for collecting wind and solar energy including a tower, a wind turbine, and a solar energy collector. The solar energy collector has a vertically oriented frame attached to the wind turbine. The solar energy collector is rotatably coupled to the bottom end of the tower to enable the vertically oriented frame and the wind turbine to rotate together about the tower axis. The vertically oriented frame has one or more photovoltaic panels for collecting solar energy. The solar energy collector can act as a wind foil to rotate the attached wind turbine in the direction of the wind. Alternatively, a motor can rotate the solar energy collector and wind turbine.

Methods and devices are presented that allow the harvest of electricity, heat and lighting simultaneously from a solar converter, often at less cost than conventional solar collectors. The converters use slats to intercept sunlight. Slat surfaces in the direct light path may be coated with photovoltaic (PV) material, or may be shaped to concentrate sunlight, allowing less PV material to capture reflected, concentrated light for improved economics. Forcing air flow past enclosed slats let the slats operate as PV heat sinks, heat absorbers, and heat exchangers capturing much of the solar energy that is not converted to electricity, as heat. Embodiments also allow passage of indirect light to supplement interior artificial lighting, often with positive aesthetic effects. These slatted apertures mitigate glare and overheating problems associated with typical skylights and some windows, allowing wider use as architectural elements. The devices also can be integrated into new building construction, and serve a dual purpose as building structural components.

A Concentrating Photovoltaics (CPV) module includes light weight housing, a number of Cassegrain type reflective solar concentrators, a number of multi-junction solar cells and a novel heat spreading system. The primary and secondary reflectors focus the sun over 500 times to maximize the amount of photons collected by the solar cells and converted to electricity. A newly designed soft board material provides coefficient of thermal expansion (CTE) matched carrier for the solar cells and an efficient electrical connectivity method. The carrier board is attached to a specially formulated heat spreader that is specially formulated to conduct heat longitudinally away from the solar cells. The combination of the above creates CPV modules with the highest efficiency and lowest cost per Watt.

A parabolic primary mirror (10) has a concave specular surface (12) that is constructed and positioned to receive solar energy and focus it towards a focal point. A secondary mirror (14) having a convex specular surface (16) is constructed and positioned to receive focused solar energy from the primary mirror and focus it onto an annular receiver (18). The annular receiver (18) may include an annular array of optical elements (100) constructed to receive solar energy from the secondary specular surface (14) and focus it onto a ring of discreet areas. A ring of solar-to-electrical conversion units are positioned on the ring of discreet areas. A sun sensor that allows accurate solar tracking to keep mirror system aligned with the sun.

A solar battery system with an improved effect of utilizing solar energy and a thermoelectric hybrid type solar battery system for furthermore recovering heat energy are provided. It is configured to include a solar battery panel 1 receiving sunlight at a light receiving surface 1a and supplying electricity generated by photoelectric conversion to the outside; a heat pipe 2 configured to have a serpentine thin hole provided therein with a sealed refrigerant fluid or configured to have a plate-shaped structure, for example, in a flat shape, a thin shape, furthermore, a thin film shape, wherein a surface of said plate-shaped structure on one end portion side is affixed to a back surface of said light receiving surface of said solar battery panel, and receiving heat H generated at said solar battery panel 1 from said one end portion 2a and conducting to the other end portion 2b; and a heat release part 3, such as a hot water generation part, receiving the heat from the other end portion 2b which is conducted in the heat pipe 2.

A photovoltaic array includes a plurality of generally planar cells, arranged in panels, a light collecting body having a solar energy collecting surface adapted to be oriented for receiving solar energy in a nominal direction which defines a nominal light source direction. The panels are spaced apart from each other in a direction perpendicular to the nominal light source direction and each has an active surface oriented on the body at an angle of less than 90 DEG relative to the nominal light source direction. The light collecting body is transmissive for redirecting light received on the light collecting surface onto the active surfaces of the panels.

An electrical power generator includes a concave reflector formed to reflect light parallel to its central axis toward the central axis, on a surface of an energy receiving structure that preferably has a surface covered with photovoltaic cells facing outward from the central axis in directions perpendicular to the central axis. A cooling fluid is circulated though channels in a structure mounting the photovoltaic cells. The concave reflector is mounted to pivot about two axes of revolution, being driven by one or two motors to track the movement of the sun across the sky.

Systems and methods for the desalination of water are disclosed. A system includes a concentrated solar power (CSP) system, the CSP system operable to concentrate solar energy to increase temperature and pressure of a heat transfer fluid and operable to produce steam utilizing heat from the heat transfer fluid; a photovoltaic (PV) system, the PV system operable to collect solar energy to produce electricity; a desalination system in fluid communication with the CSP system and in electrical communication with the PV system, the desalination system operable to produce desalinated water from a salt water source utilizing the steam from the CSP system and electricity from the PV system; and a pump station in fluid communication with the CSP system and the desalination system, and in electrical communication with the PV system, the pump station operable to transmit the desalinated water to consumers for use.