Integrated solar energy conversion system, method, and apparatus

Abstract

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.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0001]1. Technical Field[0002]The present invention relates in general to harnessing solar energy and, in particular, to an improved system, method, and apparatus for integrating the conversion of solar energy into a variety of usable energy forms.[0003]2. Description of the Related Art[0004]In the prior art, solar energy conversion systems attempt to use a single energy conversion mechanism to achieve an efficiency that would make them economically feasible. Reaching a sufficiently high rate of power conversion for broad-based economic viability is difficult if not impossible at present and has restrained the growth of the solar energy industry.[0005]For example, one national solar power program achieved about 34% electric conversion efficiency at 660 suns concentration. Despite the high conversion compared with the commercial state of the art, this system's single conversion process only utilized a portion of the spectrum efficiently. However, that solut...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0008]In one embodiment, solar radiation is initially concentrated by lenses or reflectors to reduce the cost of highly efficient conversion units (e.g., target concentration of 200:1; range 10:1 to 1000:1). The light is directed to a PV cell with a conversion efficiency rating of about 14% (e.g., SOTA commercial) to 28.5% (e.g., SOTA space) to electrical power, while absorbing much of the excess energy as heat. To maintain the PV cell at an acceptable temperature for long life, a water circulation system is used to pull off excess thermal energy. The hot water may be used for hot water applications, heating, radiant flooring in domestic applications, and / or low quality heating for commercial applications.

[0010]The integrated approach of the present invention uses components within their operating limits and produces more electrical energy than previously possible while remaining within engineering parameters to optimize output with respect to the local solar environment and the needs of the user. In addition, these very high efficiency units can be readily incorporated into inherently modular designs at a high economic return on investment.

Problems solved by technology

Integrating all three types of these solar conversion techniques in a concentrated configuration produces a synergistic system that exceeds the performance of present solar conversion systems.

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