Transparent Sphere Light Concentrator for Bifacial PV
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current solar photovoltaic systems face inefficiencies in generating electricity from sunlight, particularly in concentrating and utilizing light effectively for optimal photovoltaic conversion.
Innovation Solution
The apparatus comprises a configuration of funnels, transparent solid spheres, and light emitting diodes (LEDs) that reflect and mix colored light, which is then focused through tubes to enhance light concentration and utilization by bifacial photovoltaic cells, allowing for improved energy generation both from sunlight and ultraviolet light sources.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If conventional solar photovoltaic systems are used, then electricity generation from sunlight occurs, but light concentration and utilization efficiency is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs spherical transparent refraction members (balls) with curved surfaces to concentrate light. The spherical geometry naturally focuses incoming light rays onto the photovoltaic cells, improving light concentration efficiency compared to flat conventional panels. This curvature-based focusing mechanism directly addresses the insufficient light utilization problem while maintaining high electricity generation efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces transparent refraction members (spherical balls) as intermediary elements between the light source and photovoltaic cells. These intermediary spheres refract and concentrate light onto the cells, enhancing the coupling between sunlight and the photovoltaic material. This intermediary mechanism resolves the contradiction by improving both energy utilization and electricity generation through the light-concentrating function of the spherical mediators.
2Productivity
If light is concentrated onto photovoltaic cells, then electricity generation improves, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the photovoltaic system into modular units, each consisting of a spherical refraction member coupled with photovoltaic cells. These modular segments can be independently configured and assembled, simplifying the overall system design despite the complex optical functions. Each module operates semi-independently, reducing the complexity of controlling the entire system while maintaining high energy conversion efficiency through localized light concentration.
Solution Approach 2:
The spherical refraction members utilize their own geometric properties (spherical curvature and refraction index) to automatically concentrate light onto the photovoltaic cells without requiring external control mechanisms. The spheres self-adjust based on incident light angles, performing the light-concentration function passively. This self-service characteristic reduces system complexity by eliminating the need for active optical control systems while maintaining high energy conversion efficiency.
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 configuration enhances the photovoltaic effect by concentrating light onto both inner and outer surfaces of bifacial solar cells, increasing electricity generation efficiency and enabling energy production even without direct sunlight through ultraviolet light conversion.
Implementation Method 1
a transparent solid sphere... configured with respect to each other so that light from the first light emitting diode... is reflected off of the inner surface of the first funnel into the transparent solid sphere, and then from the transparent solid sphere into the first end of the first tube
Implementation Method 2
generating electricity from solar photovoltaic cells... enhancing the photovoltaic effect by concentrating light onto both inner and outer surfaces of bifacial solar cells
Implementation Method 3
light from the first light emitting diode... is reflected off of the inner surface of the first funnel into the transparent solid sphere
Data Source
AI summary
An apparatus including a first funnel having an inner surface, a transparent solid sphere, a first tube having first and second ends, and a first light emitting diode device having an inner surface with a first light emitting diode. The first end of the first tube may be closer to the transparent solid sphere than the second end of the first tube. The first funnel, the transparent solid sphere, the first tube, and the first light emitting diode device may be configured with respect to each other so that light from the first light emitting diode of the first light emitting diode device is reflected off of the inner surface of the first funnel into the transparent solid sphere, and then from the transparent solid sphere into the first end of the first tube, through the first tube, and out from the second end of the first tube.