摘要:
The present invention relates to a solar energy collector suitable for use in a solar energy collection system. The solar energy collection system includes the collector, a stand that supports the collector and a tracking system that causes the collector to track movements of the sun along at least one axis. The collector includes one or more reflector panels, one or more solar receivers, and a support structure that physically supports the reflector panels and solar receivers. Some designs involve a reflector panel that has a compound curvature. That is, the reflector panel has a convex shape along one direction and a concave shape in another direction. In another aspect of the invention, the collector includes a space frame support structure.
摘要:
In one aspect of the present invention, a photovoltaic cell for use in a solar collector is described. The photovoltaic cell includes two electrically conductive layers that are positioned on a surface of a semiconductor substrate. The first conductive layer is adhered to and in direct contact with a surface of the semiconductor substrate. The second conductive layer has a different composition from and is substantially more electrically conductive than the first conductive layer. There are multiple spaced apart pinning regions that are distributed through an interface between the first and second conductive layers. The pinning regions, help locally anchor the two layers. Some aspects of the present invention relate to the use of pinning regions in other types of optical or electrical components.
摘要:
Modern optoelectronic components have very tight coupling tolerances. Small misalignments of a strong lens that occur during the alignment and bonding process seriously degrade optical coupling. A weak lens is actively mounted using a flexure to correct misalignments of the strong lens. Since the weak lens does not exert as much steering force on a beam for a similar movement as the strong lens, misalignments that may occur during weak lens positioning and bonding do not appreciably degrade coupling.
摘要:
Concentrating solar collector systems that utilize a concentrating reflector to direct incident solar radiation to a solar receiver are described. In one aspect, the reflective surface is arranged to direct light to the receiver in a non-imaging manner in which the solar rays reflected from the opposing edges of the reflective surface are generally directed towards a central portion of the solar receiver. Rays reflected from selected central portions of the reflective surface are directed closer to the edges of the receiver than the solar rays reflected from the edges of the reflective surface. The described reflectors are generally intended for use in solar collector systems that track movements of the sun along at least one axis.
摘要:
The present invention relates to a solar energy collector suitable for use in a solar energy collection system. The solar energy collection system includes the collector, a stand that supports the collector and a tracking system that causes the collector to track movements of the sun along at least one axis. The collector includes one or more reflector panels, one or more solar receivers, and a space frame support structure that physically supports the reflector panels and solar receivers. In a particular embodiment, the space frame support structure includes struts that extend through a gap between the reflector panels to support the one or more receivers.
摘要:
In one aspect of the present invention, a solar energy collection system that includes multiple longitudinally adjacent collectors is described. The collectors are coupled end to end to form a collector row. Each collector includes a reflector, one or more solar receivers and a support structure. There is a space between the support structures of adjacent collectors in the collector row, where the reflectors of the adjacent collectors extend beyond the underlying support structures to form a substantially continuous reflective surface over the space. A coupling device is positioned in the space between the tube assemblies. The coupling device connects and helps to rotate the support structures of the adjacent collectors. Some embodiments relate to various types of coupling devices and collector arrangements.
摘要:
One aspect of the invention relates to an arrangement for use in a concentrating solar collector that involves a solar receiver that is covered by a shielding mirror. The shielding mirror is attached with and positioned over the solar receiver to help deflect incident light away from the underlying solar receiver. In various embodiments, the shielding mirror is arranged to direct the light to a photovoltaic cell on another solar receiver. Another aspect of the invention pertains to a concentrating solar collector that utilizes the above arrangement.
摘要:
The present invention relates to a solar energy collector suitable for use in a solar energy collection system. The solar energy collection system includes the collector, a stand that supports the collector and a tracking system that causes the collector to track movements of the sun along at least one axis. The collector includes one or more reflector panels, one or more solar receivers, and a support structure that physically supports the reflector panels and solar receivers. Some designs involve a reflector panel that has a compound curvature. That is, the reflector panel has a convex shape along one direction and a concave shape in another direction. In another aspect of the invention, the collector includes a space frame support structure.
摘要:
In one aspect of the present invention, a reflector for use in a solar collector will be described. The reflector includes a thin film reflective coating that is positioned on a layer. For example, the layer may be a substrate that physically supports the reflective coating or a protective layer. There are multiple spaced apart pinning regions that are distributed through an interface between the layer and the thin film reflective coating. The pinning regions locally anchor the reflective coating to the layer. Some aspects of the present invention relate to the use of pinning regions in other types of optical or electrical components.
摘要:
The present invention relates to a solar energy collector suitable for use in a solar energy collection system. The solar energy collection system includes the collector, a stand that supports the collector and a tracking system that causes the collector to track movements of the sun along at least one axis. The collector includes one or more reflector panels, one or more solar receivers, and a support structure that physically supports the reflector panels and solar receivers. Some designs involve a reflector panel that has a compound curvature. That is, the reflector panel has a convex shape along one direction and a concave shape in another direction. In another aspect of the invention, the collector includes a space frame support structure.