Planar solar concentrators using subwavelength gratings
US9442227B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Jul 5, 2012 |
| Grant date | Sep 13, 2016 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jan 8, 2033 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY02E10/52
- WIPO fieldOptics
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
Light concentration of order more than 10 times using sub-wavelength diffraction gratings integrated on top and bottom surface of a planar glass substrate is claimed. The invention discloses designing of subwavelength gratings, with period less than the wavelength of light, which can effectively guide the incoming solar radiation into the glass substrate. The subwavelength gratings so designed eliminate long wavelength IR light with energy below the band gap of solar cell completely thus reducing the heating of the solar cell and eliminating the extra cooling requirement (size) thus increasing the efficacy. The subwavelength gratings integrated on top of low cost planar glass substrates and can be used for solar photovoltaic and other applications for heating/cooling purposes.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.