Light Collection and Concentration System

Abstract

A light collection and concentration system includes a primary light concentrator, a light transport structure, and a light directing structure optically associated with the primary light concentrator. The system may include an optional secondary light concentrator. Each unit-system includes a plurality of the primary light concentrators and a respective plurality of the light directing structures, and only a single light transport structure. A photo-voltaic (PV) cell may advantageously be associated with each unit-system. Solar radiation is focused by the primary concentrators onto respective light directing structures incorporated in a low aspect ratio, sheet-type waveguide light transport structure. Each respective light directing structure intercepts the focused light and deflects it transversely to travel along the length of the light transport structure primarily via total internal reflection (TIR) towards an exit-end of the light transport structure, where it can be input to the PV cell. The optional secondary light concentrator may further concentrate the light out-coupled from the transport structure into the PV cell.

Description

RELATED APPLICATION DATA[0001]The instant application claims priority to Spanish priority application No. P200803237 filed in the Spanish Patent and Trademark Office on Nov. 12, 2008.BACKGROUND[0002]1. Field of the Invention[0003]Embodiments of the invention generally pertain to a light collection and concentration system. More particularly, embodiments on the invention are directed to a solar radiation collection and concentration system and components thereof; methods for light collection, transport, and concentration; and applications of said solar radiation collection and concentration system and components thereof; and, most particularly to a solar energy-concentrated photo-voltaic (CPV) system.[0004]2. Description of Related Art[0005]Numerous solar energy systems and components that make up these systems have been proposed and developed over the 20th century to present. Despite this longstanding effort and the enormous resources devoted to it, solar energy systems available to...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

"The invention is a light collection and concentration system that uses a primary light concentrator to collect and concentrate solar radiation. The system includes a thin sheet waveguide with a single light transport structure that guides the concentrated light to a secondary light concentrator, which then out-couples the light into a PV cell. The system can be designed with various shapes and geometries to optimize the concentration of light. The technical effects of the invention include improved light concentration and improved light utilization."

Problems solved by technology

Despite this longstanding effort and the enormous resources devoted to it, solar energy systems available today are not competitive in terms of cost and efficiency with alternative forms of energy production for commercial and residential settings.

The resulting increase in number of components raises both the system cost and potential system failure rate.

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