Low-cost efficient solar panels
US9780722B1 · kind B1 · utility
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Mar 5, 2007 |
| Grant date | Oct 3, 2017 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Nov 11, 2030 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY02E10/52
- WIPO fieldThermal processes and apparatus
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
A solar panel that attains very low cost/Watt objectives is achieved by applying an optical concentrator with planar symmetry in combination with a simple 1-axis tracking system. The concentrator uses a Cassegrain optical system to provide moderate concentration factors that can be adjusted by varying the ratio of the focal lengths of the concave and convex reflecting surfaces. Concentrator dimensions can be scaled to any convenient size. They can be arrayed in parallel to form a solar panel that has the same form factor as a 1-sun solar panel. One-axis tracking is achieved by simply rotating the collector elements in synchronism so the sun is maintained in the plane of symmetry for each of the collector elements that comprise the panel.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.