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Title: Apparatus for enhancing the output of photovoltaic solar cells. [parabolic concentrator with cooling system]

Patent ·
OSTI ID:7315759

An array of photovoltaic cells and a parabolic concentrator for concentrating solar energy onto the cells is described. A watertight chamber includes a solar energy pervious window adjacent the focus of the parabolic concentrator. The solar cell array is disposed within the chamber in alignment with the window. A quantity of water is disposed in the chamber, the quantity being sufficient to absorb heat energy so as to limit the temperature rise of the solar cell array during periods of solar energy impingement thereon. The watertight chamber has sufficient external surface area that the heat energy stored therein is transferred away during nonsolar energy producing periods of the dirunal cycle.

Assignee:
Beam Engineering, Inc.
Patent Number(s):
US 3988166
OSTI ID:
7315759
Resource Relation:
Patent File Date: Filed date 7 Jan 1975
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English