Patent application number | Description | Published |
20090032084 | OPTIMIZATION OF GROUND COVERAGE OF TERRESTRIAL SOLAR ARRAY SYSTEM - A concentrator photovoltaic solar cell array for terrestrial use for generating electrical power from solar radiation including a central support which is rotatable about its central longitudinal axis, a support frame carried by, and rotatable with respect to, the central support about an axis orthogonal to said central longitudinal axis, and a solar array mounted on the support frame. The solar cell array includes a plurality of Fresnel concentrator lenses and multijunction III-V compound semiconductor solar cells each producing in excess of 10 watts of DC power. An actuator is provided for rotating the central support and the support frame so that the solar cell array is maintained substantially orthogonal to the rays of the sun as the sun traverses the sky. | 02-05-2009 |
20090032086 | TERRESTRIAL SOLAR ARRAY INCLUDING A RIGID SUPPORT FRAME - A concentrator photovoltaic solar cell array system includes a central support mountable on a surface and a solar cell array including triple junction III-V semiconductor compound solar cell receivers and a support frame coupled to the solar cell array and carried by, and rotatable with respect to, the central support about an axis orthogonal to the central longitudinal axis. The support frame can include (i) a first frame assembly coupled to the solar cell array and (ii) a second frame assembly coupled to the first frame assembly arranged to increase the rigidity thereof. The system also has an actuator for rotating the central support and the support frame as well as pivoting the support frame so as to adjust its angle with respect to the earth's surface, so that the solar cell array is maintained substantially orthogonal to the rays from the sun as the sun traverses the sky. | 02-05-2009 |
20090032090 | METHOD FOR ASSEMBLING A TERRESTRIAL SOLAR ARRAY INCLUDING A RIGID SUPPORT FRAME - A method for assembling a concentrator photovoltaic solar cell array system for producing energy from the sun includes installing a foundation on a surface and coupling a central support to the foundation. A cross member is coupled to the central support and one or more inclined arms are coupled to the cross member and the central support. A support frame, which includes a first frame assembly arranged to couple to one or more solar cell subarrays, is coupled to the cross member. One or more solar cell subarrays are coupled to the first frame assembly thereby forming a solar cell array, wherein each solar cell subarray includes a plurality of triple junction III-V semiconductor compound solar cell receivers. To enable rotation of at least a portion of the central support coupled to the support frame, an actuator is installed. | 02-05-2009 |
20090199890 | Solar cell receiver for concentrated photovoltaic system for III-V semiconductor solar cell - A solar cell module comprises an array of lenses, corresponding secondary optical elements and corresponding solar cell receivers. The solar cell receiver includes a solar cell having one or more III-V compound semiconductor layers, a diode coupled in parallel with the solar cell and connector for coupling to other solar cell receivers. The module includes a housing that supports the lenses such that each lens concentrates solar energy onto its respective solar cell. | 08-13-2009 |
20090199891 | SOLAR CELL RECEIVER FOR CONCENTRATED PHOTOVOLTAIC SYSTEM FOR III-V SEMICONDUCTOR SOLAR CELL - A solar cell module comprises an array of lenses, corresponding secondary optical elements and corresponding solar cell receivers. The solar cell receiver includes a solar cell having one or more III-V compound semiconductor layers, a diode coupled in parallel with the solar cell and connector for coupling to other solar cell receivers. The module includes a housing that supports the lenses such that each lens concentrates solar energy onto its respective solar cell. | 08-13-2009 |
20100037935 | Concentrated Photovoltaic System Modules Using III-V Semiconductor Solar Cells - A solar cell module to convert light to electricity. The module may include a housing with a first side and an opposing spaced-apart second side. A plurality of lenses may be positioned on the first side of the housing, and a plurality of solar cell receivers may be positioned on the second side of the housing. Each of the plurality of solar cell receivers may include a III-V compound semiconductor multifunction solar cell. Each may also include a bypass diode coupled with the solar cell. At least one optical element may be positioned above the solar cell to guide the light from one of the lenses onto the solar cell. Each of said solar cell receivers may be disposed in an optical path of one of the lenses. The lens and the at least one optical element may concentrate the light onto the respective solar cell by a factor of 1000 or more to generate in excess of 25 watts of peak power. | 02-18-2010 |
20100101630 | Terrestrial Solar Tracking Photovoltaic Array with Slew Speed Reducer - A terrestrial solar tracking photovoltaic array with a longitudinal support that may be constructed of discrete sections. The overall length of the array may be adjusted depending upon the necessary size of the array. A drive may be configured to rotate the longitudinal support about a first axis. The drive may include a slew speed reducer. Solar cell modules are positioned along the longitudinal support and may each include a rectangular case with a plurality of lenses that are positioned over corresponding receivers. Linkages may be connected to frames and are axially movable along the longitudinal support to rotate the solar cell modules within second planes that are each orthogonal to the first plane to further track the sun during the course of the day. | 04-29-2010 |
20100101632 | Terrestrial Solar Tracking Photovoltaic Array With Offset Solar Cell Modules - Terrestrial solar tracking photovoltaic arrays that may include a modular design that is sized and weighted to facilitate installation with a small amount of manpower. The array may further be adapted to be adjusted during or after installation to accommodate the necessary power requirements. The terrestrial solar tracking photovoltaic array may include a torque tube that may be constructed of discrete sections. A drive may be connected to the torque tube to rotate the torque tube. A number of solar cell modules may be connected to the torque tube. The modules may be positioned at offsetting angular orientations depending upon their distance away from the drive. This offset positioning compensates for twisting distortion of the torque tube caused by the drive rotating the torque tube. At one point of rotation, each of the solar cell modules may be substantially aligned in a common plane. | 04-29-2010 |
20100102200 | Terrestrial Solar Tracking Photovoltaic Array - A terrestrial solar tracking photovoltaic array that may include an elongated frame configured to mount solar cell modules in a longitudinally-extending and spaced-apart arrangement. The frame is able to rotate each of the solar cell modules along a first axis to simultaneously track the elevation of the sun during the course of a day. The frame is also able to rotate each solar cell array module along second axes that are substantially perpendicular to the first axis to track the azimuthal position of the sun during the course of the day. | 04-29-2010 |
20110155217 | Concentrated Photovoltaic System Modules Using III-V Semiconductor Solar Cells - A solar cell receiver for use in a concentrating solar system which concentrates the solar energy onto a solar cell for converting solar energy to electricity. The solar cell receiver may include a solar cell mounted on a support and with one or more III-V compound semiconductor layers. An optical element may be positioned over the solar cell and have an optical channel with an inlet that faces away from the solar cell and an outlet that faces towards the solar cell. A frame may be positioned over the support and extend around the solar cell with the frame having an inner side that extends above the support and faces towards the optical element. An encapsulant may be positioned over the support and contained between the optical element and the frame. The encapsulant may have enlarged heights at contact points with the optical element and the frame and a reduced height between the contact points away from the optical element and the frame. The solar cell receiver may be used in a solar cell module. | 06-30-2011 |
20110263067 | Methods of Forming a Concentrating Photovoltaic Module - Solar cell modules for converting solar energy into electrical energy. The modules includes a housing formed from three separate members that are attached together to form an interior space. A top member extends across an open side of the housing and includes one or more lenses. One or more solar cell receivers are positioned within the interior space of the house and are aligned with one or more of the lenses to receive and convert the solar energy into electrical energy. | 10-27-2011 |
20130014805 | VENTING ASSEMBLY FOR CONCENTRATING PHOTOVOLTAIC SYSTEM MODULEAANM Vaid; SunilAACI North BrunswickAAST NJAACO USAAGP Vaid; Sunil North Brunswick NJ USAANM Zawadzki; Peter AllenAACI ClintonAAST NJAACO USAAGP Zawadzki; Peter Allen Clinton NJ USAANM Hering; GaryAACI Belle MeadAAST NJAACO USAAGP Hering; Gary Belle Mead NJ USAANM Blumenfeld; PhilipAACI AlbuquerqueAAST NMAACO USAAGP Blumenfeld; Philip Albuquerque NM US - Solar cell modules for converting solar energy into electrical energy, such as used in a concentrating photovoltaic system. The modules have a first ventilating opening in the module housing; and a ventilating subassembly mounted on the module housing and disposed over the ventilating opening in the module housing. The ventilating subassembly has a housing having a first chamber adjacent to and in communication with the first ventilating opening in the module housing; a second chamber adjacent to the first chamber, the second chamber having a second ventilating opening to the external environment; and a filter membrane separating the first chamber from the second chamber to allow air to flow between the first chamber and the second chamber through the filter membrane. | 01-17-2013 |
20130167905 | Terrestrial Solar Tracking Photovoltaic Array with Offset Solar Cell Modules - Terrestrial solar tracking photovoltaic arrays that may include a modular design that is sized and weighted to facilitate installation with a small amount of manpower. The array may further be adapted to be adjusted during or after installation to accommodate the necessary power requirements. The terrestrial solar tracking photovoltaic array may include a torque tube that may be constructed of discrete sections. A drive may be connected to the torque tube to rotate the torque tube. A number of solar cell modules may be connected to the torque tube. The modules may be positioned at offsetting angular orientations depending upon their distance away from the drive. This offset positioning compensates for twisting distortion of the torque tube caused by the drive rotating the torque tube. At one point of rotation, each of the solar cell modules may be substantially aligned in a common plane | 07-04-2013 |