Micro-Structured Solar Collector for Tracking-Free Light Concentration
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing solar energy collecting systems are heavy due to the need for solar tracking systems and often require additional materials like water, limiting their efficiency and practicality.
Innovation Solution
A solar energy collecting system with a substrate and micro-structure that refracts or reflects solar light onto lateral surfaces for absorption by solar cells, utilizing a micro/nano-scale structure with anti-reflective and water-repellent properties to enhance efficiency and reduce system weight and volume.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If solar tracking systems are used to direct solar cells to face the sun, then solar energy collection efficiency is improved, but system weight increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces mechanical solar tracking systems with optically passive micro-structures that automatically refract and reflect sunlight to the solar cell regardless of incident angle. The micro-structures on the substrate surface create optical paths that guide light to the solar cell without requiring mechanical movement or active tracking mechanisms, thereby eliminating the weight penalty while maintaining high collection efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The micro-structures on the substrate surface automatically adapt to incoming sunlight from various angles through their geometric design, refracting and reflecting light internally to the solar cell without external control. The system serves itself by using the incident light's own properties and the fixed micro-structure geometry to achieve concentration, eliminating the need for active tracking components.
2Productivity
If mirrors are used to collect and reflect solar light, then solar energy collection is improved, but system complexity and weight increase due to tracking requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces active mirror-based optical systems with passive micro-structures integrated into the substrate. These micro-structures perform the light-guiding function through fixed geometric features that refract and reflect light internally, eliminating the need for movable mirrors, actuators, and control systems while achieving comparable or superior light collection.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges the light collection, guidance, and concentration functions into a single integrated substrate with surface micro-structures. Rather than using separate mirrors, mounts, and tracking mechanisms, the substrate itself performs all optical functions through its engineered surface features, significantly reducing system complexity.
3Volume of stationary object
If water is used to conduct solar light, then device volume is reduced, but additional material requirements and system complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces water-based light conduction with solid-state micro-structures that are permanently integrated into the substrate. These micro-structures provide durable, maintenance-free light guidance without requiring consumable or replaceable materials like water, eliminating the need for fluid management systems while maintaining compact form factor.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses solid substrate materials with engineered micro-structures to achieve light conduction and concentration functions that were previously requiring water. The composite structure of the substrate with integrated micro-features provides both mechanical support and optical functionality, eliminating the need for separate water-based conduction media.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The system achieves a 5.28 times higher solar energy collecting efficiency per unit area compared to no collection case, with a wider viewing angle and lower costs, eliminating the need for reflective and diffusion films, and suitable for plastic substrates with a low-temperature process.
Implementation Method 1
Solar light penetrates the first and the second surface and is refracted or reflected by the first micro-structure to leave the substrate via the lateral surface
Implementation Method 2
Solar light penetrates the first and the second surface and is refracted or reflected by the first micro-structure to leave the substrate via the lateral surface
Implementation Method 3
The first surface is coated by a water repellent material comprising polyvinylidene fluoride, polysulfone, reactive modifying agent with a water-free polymer, silicon rubber, Acrylonitrile-Butadien-Styrene, or PTFE
Implementation Method 4
The first surface is coated by a water repellent material
Data Source
AI summary
A solar energy collecting system includes a substrate and at least one solar chip. The substrate includes a first surface, a second surface and a plurality of lateral surfaces, wherein the first surface faces the second surface, the lateral surfaces are adjacent to the first and second surfaces, and a first micro structure is formed on the first or the second surface. The solar chip is near one of the lateral surfaces. Solar light penetrates the first and the second surface and is refracted or reflected by the first micro structure to leave the substrate via the lateral surface and be absorbed by the solar chip.