Title: Solar concentrator with asymmetric tracking-integrated optics

Abstract

A method is provided for using asymmetrically focused photovoltaic conversion in a hybrid parabolic trough solar power system. Light rays received in a plurality of transverse planes are concentrated towards a primary linear focus in an axial plane, orthogonal to the transverse planes. T band wavelengths of light are transmitted to the primary linear focus, while R band wavelengths of light are reflected towards a secondary linear focus in the axial plane. The light received at the primary linear focus is translated into thermal energy. The light received at the secondary linear focus is asymmetrically focused along a plurality of tertiary linear foci, orthogonal to the axial plane. The focused light in each tertiary linear focus is concentrated into a plurality of receiving areas and translated into electrical energy. Asymmetrical optical elements are used having an optical input interfaces elongated along rotatable axes, orthogonal to the axial plane.

Inventors:

Wheelwright, Brian; Pan, Wei; Tweet, Douglas

Issue Date:

Tue Oct 10 00:00:00 EDT 2017

Research Org.:

Sharp Laboratories of America, Inc., Camas, WA (United States)

Sponsoring Org.:

USDOE

OSTI Identifier:

1532030

Patent Number(s):

9787247

Application Number:

14/577,842

Assignee:

Sharp Laboratories of America, Inc. (Camas, WA)

Patent Classifications (CPCs):

F - MECHANICAL ENGINEERING F24 - HEATING F24S - SOLAR HEAT COLLECTORS

H - ELECTRICITY H01 - BASIC ELECTRIC ELEMENTS H01L - SEMICONDUCTOR DEVICES

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F - MECHANICAL ENGINEERING F24 - HEATING F24S - SOLAR HEAT COLLECTORS

F24S23/31 - {having discontinuous faces, e.g. Fresnel lenses}
F24S23/74 - with trough-shaped or cylindro-parabolic reflective surfaces
F24S23/79 - with spaced and opposed interacting reflective surfaces

H - ELECTRICITY H01 - BASIC ELECTRIC ELEMENTS H01L - SEMICONDUCTOR DEVICES

H01L31/0543 - {comprising light concentrating means of the refractive type, e.g. lenses}
H01L31/0547 - {comprising light concentrating means of the reflecting type, e.g. parabolic mirrors, concentrators using total internal reflection}

H - ELECTRICITY H02 - GENERATION H02S - GENERATION OF ELECTRIC POWER BY CONVERSION OF INFRA-RED RADIATION, VISIBLE LIGHT OR ULTRAVIOLET LIGHT, e.g. USING PHOTOVOLTAIC [PV] MODULES

H02S40/20 - Optical components
H02S40/44 - Means to utilise heat energy, e.g. hybrid systems producing warm water and electricity at the same time

Y - NEW / CROSS SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES Y02 - TECHNOLOGIES OR APPLICATIONS FOR MITIGATION OR ADAPTATION AGAINST CLIMATE CHANGE Y02E - REDUCTION OF GREENHOUSE GAS [GHG] EMISSIONS, RELATED TO ENERGY GENERATION, TRANSMISSION OR DISTRIBUTION

Y02E10/40 - Solar thermal energy
Y02E10/52 - PV systems with concentrators
Y02E10/60 - Thermal-PV hybrids

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DOE Contract Number:  

AR0000465

Resource Type:

Patent

Resource Relation:

Patent File Date: 2014-12-19

Country of Publication:

United States

Language:

English