Concentrating solar energy receiver

Abstract

There is disclosed herein a concentrating solar energy receiver comprising a primary parabolic reflector having a center and a high reflectivity surface on a concave side of the reflector and having a focal axis extending from the concave side of the reflector and passing through a focal point of the primary parabolic reflector; and a conversion module having a reception surface wherein the reception surface is spaced from the focal point by a predetermined distance and disposed to receive a predetermined cross section of radiant solar energy reflected from the concave side of the primary parabolic reflector for conversion to electrical energy in the conversion module. In one aspect, the conversion module includes a reception surface comprising a planar array of at least one photovoltaic solar cell. In another aspect, the conversion module includes a reception surface coupled to a thermal cycle engine. The mechanical output of the thermal cycle engine drives an electric generator.

Description

technical field [0001] The present invention relates generally to the field of solar energy conversion and, more particularly, to solar concentration receivers. Background technique [0002] Devices that collect and convert solar energy can be classified as concentrating and non-concentrating. The non-concentrating type uses detection arrays or receiving devices to intercept parallel, non-concentrating solar rays, such as photovoltaic cell solar panels or hot water pipes, and its output is directly proportional to the array area. Concentrating solar collector applications such as parabolic reflectors or lens assemblies focus the energy of the rays so that the concentrated rays form a denser beam of energy. The concentration of energy beams can improve the efficiency of converting solar radiation into electricity, or increase the amount of thermal energy collected by solar radiation to heat water, etc. In typical solar concentration receivers, incident solar radiation is ty...

AI Technical Summary

Problems solved by technology

Second, most of the infrared portion of the solar radiation spectrum cannot be efficiently converted into electricity by means of currently available low-mass conversion devices such as solar cells

On the contrary, such excess infrared energy collected by the reflector will heat the conversion device, which will affect the conversion efficiency of the solar cell

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