Autonomous solar tracking in flat-plate photovoltaic panels using kirigami-inspired microstructures

US10637391B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignee

• THE REGENTS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN · US

Inventors

• Stephen R. Forrest · Ann Arbor, US
• Kyusang Lee · Ann Arbor, US
• Matthew Shlian · Ann Arbor, US
• Chih-Wei Chien · Baoshan, TW
• Peicheng Ku · Ann Arbor, US
• Aaron Lamoreux · Ann Arbor, US
• Max Shtein · Princeton, US

Key dates

• Filing date: Nov 28, 2014
• Grant date: Apr 28, 2020
• Expiry date: May 26, 2036

Classification

• Technology area (CPC Y): Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
• CPC primary: Y02P70/50
• WIPO field: Electrical machinery, apparatus, energy
• WIPO sector: Electrical engineering

Abstract

There is disclosed Kirigami-inspired structures for use in solar tracking applications. When coupled with thin-film active materials, the disclosed microstructures can track solar position and maximize solar power generation. In one embodiment, there is disclosed a photovoltaic system comprising a single-axis, or multi-axis solar tracking structure comprising a support structure made of a flexible material having a defined unit cell structure, and a flexible photovoltaic cell disposed on the support structure. There is also disclosed methods of making such structures in which the photovoltaic cell is mounted to the support structure by a direct-attachment bonding processes such as cold-welding.