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Title: Photovoltaic solar concentrator

Patent ·
OSTI ID:1082448

A photovoltaic solar concentrator is disclosed with one or more transverse-junction solar cells (also termed point contact solar cells) and a lens located above each solar cell to concentrate sunlight onto the solar cell to generate electricity. Piezoelectric actuators tilt or translate each lens to track the sun using a feedback-control circuit which senses the electricity generated by one or more of the solar cells. The piezoelectric actuators can be coupled through a displacement-multiplier linkage to provide an increased range of movement of each lens. Each lens in the solar concentrator can be supported on a frame (also termed a tilt plate) having three legs, with the movement of the legs being controlled by the piezoelectric actuators.

Research Organization:
Sandia National Lab. (SNL-NM), Albuquerque, NM (United States)
Sponsoring Organization:
USDOE
DOE Contract Number:
AC04-94AL85000
Assignee:
Sandia Corporation (Albuquerque, NM)
Patent Number(s):
8,329,503
Application Number:
12/957,082
OSTI ID:
1082448
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English

References (3)

Silicon point contact concentrator solar cells journal August 1985
Microstructure to substrate self-assembly using capillary forces journal March 2001
Design criteria for Si point-contact concentrator solar cells journal October 1987

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