Title: Modular off-axis solar concentrator

Abstract

A solar concentrator including a housing defining a vertical axis and including a receiving wall connected to a reflecting wall to define an internal volume and an opening into the internal volume, wherein the reflecting wall defines at least one primary optical element, and wherein at least a portion of the reflecting wall includes a layer of reflective material, the housing further including a cover connected to the receiving wall and the reflecting wall to seal the opening, and at least one receiver mounted on the receiving wall such that a vertical axis of the receiver is disposed at a non-zero angle relative to the vertical axis of the housing, the receiver including at least one photovoltaic cell.

Inventors:

Plesniak, Adam P; Hall, John C

Issue Date:

2015-01-27

Research Org.:

The Boeing Company, Chicago, IL (United States)

Sponsoring Org.:

USDOE

OSTI Identifier:

1168682

Patent Number(s):

8940999

Application Number:

12/632,268

Assignee:

The Boeing Company (Chicago, IL)

Patent Classifications (CPCs):

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

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

Show more

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

F24S2023/874 - {Reflectors formed by assemblies of adjacent similar reflective facets}
F24S2080/015 - {Plastics}
F24S23/30 - with lenses
F24S23/74 - with trough-shaped or cylindro-parabolic reflective surfaces
F24S23/82 - {characterised by the material or the construction of the reflector}
F24S80/50 - Elements for transmitting incoming solar rays and preventing outgoing heat radiation
F24S80/58 - characterised by their mountings or fixing means

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

H01L31/052 - Cooling means directly associated or integrated with the PV cell, e.g. integrated Peltier elements for active cooling or heat sinks directly associated with the PV cells
H01L31/054 - Optical elements directly associated or integrated with the PV cell, e.g. light-reflecting means or light-concentrating means
H01L31/0547 - {comprising light concentrating means of the reflecting type, e.g. parabolic mirrors, concentrators using total internal reflection}

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

Y - NEW / CROSS SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES Y10 - TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC Y10T - TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER US CLASSIFICATION

Y10T29/49355 - Solar energy device making

Show less

DOE Contract Number:  

FC36-07G017052

Resource Type:

Patent

Country of Publication:

United States

Language:

English

Subject:

14 SOLAR ENERGY