Monolithic Concentration Optic with Subwavelength Patterns
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current photovoltaic modules face challenges in achieving high efficiency and compactness, particularly in space applications, where weight and compactness are critical, and in terrestrial applications, where cost and efficiency are paramount, due to limitations in multijunction structures and concentration techniques.
Innovation Solution
A photovoltaic module incorporating a monolithic concentration optic device with subwavelength patterns in a structured material, providing both focusing and diffraction functions, which includes refractive and diffractive structures to optimize light collection and spectral separation, allowing for a compact and efficient design suitable for both terrestrial and space applications.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If multijunction structures are used to increase efficiency, then conversion efficiency is improved, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple optical functions (focusing, spectral separation, chromatic aberration correction) into a single monolithic concentration optic device with subwavelength patterns, eliminating the need for separate optical components and reducing overall system complexity while maintaining high conversion efficiency
Solution Approach 2:
The concentration optic device performs multiple functions simultaneously: it focuses light onto the photovoltaic cell, separates the solar spectrum into different wavelength bands, and corrects chromatic aberrations, thereby achieving high efficiency without proportionally increasing complexity
2Quantity of substance
If concentration factors are increased to reduce cell surface area, then material cost is reduced, but optical precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs subwavelength patterns with dimensions smaller than the wavelength of incident light, fundamentally changing the optical parameters to achieve high concentration factors while maintaining diffraction-limited precision and reducing sensitivity to manufacturing tolerances
Solution Approach 2:
The concentration optic device integrates refractive and diffractive structures in a single monolithic component, combining the advantages of both approaches to achieve high precision light focusing and spectral separation with relaxed manufacturing requirements
3Volume of moving object
If Fresnel lenses with microprisms are used for light concentration, then compactness is improved, but chromatic aberration increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges refractive and diffractive optical elements into a single hybrid concentration optic device, where the diffractive subwavelength patterns compensate for the chromatic aberrations inherent in refractive Fresnel lens structures, achieving compactness without sacrificing optical precision
Solution Approach 2:
The diffractive subwavelength patterns act as an intermediary that corrects the chromatic aberrations produced by the refractive microprism structure, enabling the compact Fresnel lens design to achieve diffraction-limited performance across the solar spectrum
4Device complexity
If deployment systems are simplified for space applications, then device complexity is reduced, but structural integrity may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent integrates the concentration optic device directly with the photovoltaic cell in a monolithic structure, eliminating separate deployment mechanisms and reducing complexity while ensuring structural integrity through direct bonding and mechanical integration
Solution Approach 2:
The monolithic concentration optic device serves as both the optical element and the structural component, performing optical functions while maintaining mechanical integrity without requiring additional deployment systems or complex assembly mechanisms
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 solution enhances the performance of photovoltaic modules by improving light collection efficiency, reducing thermal management constraints, and enabling a compact, lightweight design that eliminates the need for complex deployment systems in space applications and reduces costs in terrestrial applications.
Implementation Method 1
said concentration optic device is a monolithic component and comprises at least one diffractive structure comprising subwavelength patterns
Implementation Method 2
said patterns having at least one dimension less than or equal to the average illumination wavelength λc situated between λmin and λmax divided by the refractive index of said structured material
Data Source
AI summary
A photovoltaic module comprises at least one photovoltaic cell and one concentration optic device, to be illuminated by a light flux emitting at at least one illumination wavelength belonging to a band of wavelengths defined by a minimum wavelength and a maximum wavelength, the band of wavelengths being that of the solar radiation of the order of [380 nm-1600 nm]. The concentration optic device is a monolithic component and comprises at least one diffractive structure comprising subwavelength patterns, defined in a structured material; the patterns having at least one dimension less than or equal to the average illumination wavelength divided by the refractive index of the structured material; the patterns being separated from one another by subwavelength distances, defined between centres of adjacent patterns; the concentration optic device ensuring at least one focusing function and one diffraction function. A solar panel comprising the photovoltaic module is also provided.