Photovoltaic Skylight Lens Array With Lateral Tracking
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional concentrated photovoltaic systems are costly due to the use of expensive high-efficiency multi-junction solar cells and dual-axis tracking systems, making them less competitive on a cost per watt basis compared to other photovoltaic solutions.
Innovation Solution
The use of patterned glass cylindrical lens arrays with elongate solar cells and lateral displacement tracking systems, which focus sunlight onto strip solar cells, reducing the need for dual-axis tracking and minimizing semiconductor material usage, while allowing for self-regulated solar heat gain and diffuse daylight entry.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If conventional concentrated photovoltaic systems use expensive high-efficiency multi-junction solar cells and dual-axis tracking systems, then conversion efficiency is improved, but cost per watt increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces expensive multi-junction solar cells with cheaper crystalline silicon solar cells. While silicon cells have lower individual efficiency, the overall system achieves competitive productivity through cost-effective materials and simplified tracking mechanisms, reducing both material costs and system complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The patent integrates multiple functions into a single system: the tracking mechanism simultaneously optimizes light capture for silicon solar cells while the same structure supports the concentrated photovoltaic configuration. This multi-functional approach reduces overall device complexity while maintaining productivity
2Measurement precision
If conventional concentrated photovoltaic systems use dual-axis tracking systems, then sunlight tracking accuracy is improved, but system cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the dual-axis tracking requirement and replaces it with a simpler single-axis or fixed mounting system. By taking out the complex dual-axis mechanism and using alternative optical concentration approaches, the system maintains adequate sunlight tracking accuracy while significantly reducing device complexity and cost
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the tracking parameter from dual-axis mechanical movement to either single-axis movement or fixed orientation with optical compensation. This parameter change in the tracking system reduces mechanical complexity while maintaining sufficient accuracy for the concentrated photovoltaic application
3Quantity of substance
If concentrated photovoltaic systems use high concentration ratios, then semiconductor material usage is reduced, but heat management complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces heat sinks and thermal management components as intermediary elements between the solar cells and the environment. These intermediaries efficiently dissipate the concentrated heat without requiring complex active cooling systems, thereby reducing semiconductor material usage while keeping heat management complexity manageable
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes thermal expansion principles in the design of heat dissipation structures. By incorporating materials and structures that naturally expand and contract with temperature changes, the system manages heat from high concentration ratios without adding complex active thermal control 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
This approach results in cost-effective electricity generation, reduced material costs, and improved efficiency by using single-axis tracking systems, while providing multifunctional benefits like solar heat control and daylight entry, thus making the system more competitive on a cost per watt basis.
Implementation Method 1
A lens array comprises a plurality of lenses oriented along a common axis, with each lens being configured to concentrate light incident thereon towards the elongate solar cells
Implementation Method 2
elongate solar cells...absorb the direct sunlight and convert it to electricity
Data Source
AI summary
Certain examples relate to improved solar photovoltaic systems, and/or methods of making the same. Certain improved building-integrated photovoltaic systems may include concentrated photovoltaic skylights having a cylindrical lens array. The skylight may include an insulated glass unit, which may improve the solar heat gain coefficient. The photovoltaic skylight and lens arrays may be used in combination with strip solar cells and lateral displacement tracking systems. Such techniques may advantageously help to reduce cost per watt related, in part, to the potentially reduced amount of semiconductor material to be used for such example embodiments. A photovoltaic skylight may permit diffuse daylight to pass through into an interior of a building so as to provide lighting inside the building, while the strip solar cells absorb the direct sunlight and convert it to electricity.