Solar cell array
US4162174A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Mar 10, 1978 |
| Grant date | Jul 24, 1979 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Mar 10, 1998 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY02E10/52
Abstract
A semiconductor solar-cell array including a plurality of adjacent solar cell segments, each segment comprising a number of series-connected unit solar cells, and the series connected unit solar cells from each segment being electrically connected in parallel with the series-connected unit solar cells from other segments. Concentrated solar radiation is focused on the upper surface of the solar-cell array wherein the periphery of the focused image is contained within the upper surface area. The series-parallel connection of the unit solar cells and solar cell segments provides maximum utilization of incident solar radiation to thereby increase solar cell output. In addition, the series-parallel connection scheme allows the array to operate effectively without imposing stringent requirements as to solar-tracking precision in order to maintain the focused image at a fixed location on the upper surface of the cell.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.