Concentrator-type photovoltaic (CPV) modules, receiver and sub-receivers and methods of forming same

US10416425B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignee

• X-Celeprint Limited · IE

Inventors

• Etienne Menard · Châteauroux, FR
• Christopher Bower · Raleigh, US
• Scott Burroughs · Raleigh, US
• Joe Carr · Toledo, US
• Bob Conner · Raleigh, US
• Sergiy Dets · Richmond, CA
• Bruce Furman · Palo Alto, US
• Matthew Meitl · Durham, US
• Michael Sullivan · Woodstock, US

Key dates

• Filing date: Feb 9, 2010
• Grant date: Sep 17, 2019
• Expiry date: Jun 20, 2030

Classification

• Technology area (CPC Y): Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
• CPC primary: Y02E10/52
• WIPO field: Optics
• WIPO sector: Instruments

Abstract

CPV modules include a back plate having an array of 1 mm2 or smaller solar cells thereon. A backplane interconnect network is also provided on the back plate. This backplane interconnect network operates to electrically connect the array of solar cells together. A front plate, which is spaced-apart from the back plate, is provided. This front plate includes an array of primary lenses thereon that face the array of solar cells. The front plate can be configured to provide a greater than 1000× lens-to-cell light concentration to the array of solar cells. To achieve this 1000× lens-to-cell light concentration, the primary lenses can be configured as plano-convex lenses having a lens sag of less than about 4 mm. An array of secondary optical elements may also be provided, which extend between the array of primary lenses and the array of solar cells.