Solaria Corporation Patent applications |
Patent application number | Title | Published |
20140216522 | HORIZONTAL BALANCED SOLAR TRACKER - In an example, the present invention provides a solar tracker apparatus. In an example, the apparatus comprises a center of mass with an adjustable hanger assembly configured with a clam shell clamp assembly on the adjustable hanger assembly and a cylindrical torque tube comprising a plurality of torque tubes configured together in a continuous length from a first end to a second end such that the center of mass is aligned with a center of rotation of the cylindrical torque tubes to reduce a load of a drive motor operably coupled to the cylindrical torque tube. Further details of the present example, among others, can be found throughout the present specification and more particularly below. | 08-07-2014 |
20130206208 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR DETERMINING PLACEMENT OF PHOTOVOLTAIC STRIPS USING DISPLACEMENT SENSORS - A method for forming a solar energy collection device includes receiving a sheet of glass comprising glass material, wherein the sheet of glass includes a plurality of light concentrating geometric features, measuring geometric characteristics for the plurality of light concentrating geometric features, mathematically calculating predicted light concentration characteristics for each of the plurality of light concentrating geometric features in response to the geometric characteristics, determining placement locations for a plurality of PV strips in response to the predicted light concentration characteristics for each of the plurality of light concentrating geometric features, and securing the plurality of PV strips relative to the sheet of glass in response to the placement locations for the plurality of PV strips. | 08-15-2013 |
20130192661 | LARGE AREA CONCENTRATOR LENS STRUCTURE AND METHOD - A solar module includes a substrate member, a plurality of photovoltaic strips arranged in an array configuration overlying the substrate member, and a concentrator structure comprising extruded glass material operably coupled to the plurality of photovoltaic strips. A plurality of elongated convex regions are configured within the concentrator structure. The plurality of elongated convex regions are respectively coupled to the plurality of photovoltaic strips. Each of the plurality of elongated convex regions includes a length and a convex surface region characterized by a radius of curvature, each of the elongated convex regions being configured to have a magnification ranging from about 1.5 to about 5. A coating material rendering the glass self-cleaning overlies the plurality of elongated convex regions. | 08-01-2013 |
20130032194 | SOLAR CELL STRUCTURE INCLUDING A PLURALITY OF CONCENTRATOR ELEMENTS WITH A NOTCH DESIGN AND PREDETERMINED RADII AND METHOD - A solar cell concentrator structure includes a first concentrator element having a first aperture region and a first exit region including a first back surface region and a first corner region. The structure also includes a second concentrator element integrally formed with the first concentrator element. The second concentrator element includes a second aperture region and a second exit region-including a second back surface region and a second corner region. Additionally, the structure includes a first radius of curvature of 0.10 mm and less characterizing the first corner structure and the second corner structure, a first coupling region between the first exit region and a first surface region of a first photovoltaic device. The structure further includes a second radius of curvature of 0.10 mm and less characterizing a region between the first concentrator element and the second concentrator element. | 02-07-2013 |
20120295388 | LARGE AREA CONCENTRATOR LENS STRUCTURE AND METHOD - A solar module includes a substrate member, a plurality of photovoltaic strips arranged in an array configuration overlying the substrate member, and a concentrator structure comprising extruded glass material operably coupled to the plurality of photovoltaic strips. A plurality of elongated convex regions are configured within the concentrator structure. The plurality of elongated convex regions are respectively coupled to the plurality of photovoltaic strips. Each of the plurality of elongated convex regions includes a length and a convex surface region characterized by a radius of curvature, each of the elongated convex regions being configured to have a magnification ranging from about 1.5 to about 5. A coating material rendering the glass self-cleaning overlies the plurality of elongated convex regions. | 11-22-2012 |
20120275042 | NOTCH STRUCTURE FOR CONCENTRATING MODULE AND METHOD OF MANUFACTURE USING PHOTOVOLTAIC STRIPS - The invention provides a solar concentrator structure including a first concentrating element. The first concentrating element includes a first aperture region, a first exit region, a first side and a second side. The solar concentrator structure further includes a second or more concentrating elements integrally coupled with the first concentrating element in a parallel manner. The second concentrating element includes a second aperture region, a second exit region, the third side, and a fourth side. The third side joins with the second side to form an apex notch structure characterized by a radius of curvature. Additionally, the solar concentrator structure includes a separation region by a width separating the first exit region from the second exit region and a triangular region including the apex notch structure and a base defined by the separation region and a refractive index of about 1 characterizing the triangular region. | 11-01-2012 |
20120234390 | METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR INTEGRATED SOLAR CELL USING A PLURALITY OF PHOTOVOLTAIC REGIONS - A solar cell device has a back cover member, which includes a surface area and a back area, and a plurality of photovoltaic regions disposed overlying the surface area of the back cover member. The plurality of photovoltaic regions may occupy a total photovoltaic spatial region. The device has an encapsulating material overlying a portion of the back cover member and a front cover member coupled to the encapsulating material. An interface region is provided along at least a peripheral region of the back cover member and the front cover member. A sealed region is formed on at least the interface region to form an individual solar cell from the back cover member and the front cover member. The total photovoltaic spatial region/the surface area of the back cover may be at a ratio of about 0.80 and less for the individual solar cell. | 09-20-2012 |
20120211052 | PHOTOVOLTAIC STRIP SOLAR MODULES AND METHODS - A light energy collection device includes a glass layer having light concentrators for receiving light and for concentrating concentrated light, the light concentrators are elongated and substantially parallel manner to a first edge of the glass layer, wherein pitches of the light concentrators vary along the length generally within the range of approximately 5.5-5.8 mm, strings of multiple PV strips extending in a parallel manner to a second edge (perpendicular to the first edge) of the glass layer, wherein a string of PV strips includes: electrodes extending substantially parallel to the second edge, PV strips electrically coupled to the electrodes and extending substantially parallel to the first edge, wherein pitches of the PV strips vary along their length according to varying pitches of the light concentrators, wherein the PV strips receive concentrated light and output electrical energy in response to the concentrated light. | 08-23-2012 |
20120167948 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR FORMING PHOTOVOLTAIC MODULES - A method for forming a solar energy collection device includes determining physical concentration characteristics for a plurality of light concentrating geometric features of a sheet of transparent material, determining placements for a plurality of photovoltaic strips in response to the physical concentration characteristics for the plurality of light concentrating geometric features, wherein the placements for each of the plurality of photovoltaic strips is associated with a two-dimensional displacement and an offset angle, placing the plurality of photovoltaic strips onto a stage in response to two-dimensional displacements and offset angles associated with each of the plurality of photovoltaic strips, and electrically coupling the plurality of photovoltaic strips with a plurality of conductors to form a photovoltaic assembly. | 07-05-2012 |
20120167947 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR FORMING PHOTOVOLTAIC MODULES USING DARK-FIELD IV CHARACTERISTICS - A method for forming a solar energy collection device includes receiving a first photovoltaic string comprising a first plurality of photovoltaic strips coupled via a first plurality of conductors, wherein the first photovoltaic string is tested to have a first dark-field current/voltage characteristic, receiving a second photovoltaic string comprising a second plurality of photovoltaic strips coupled via a second plurality of conductors, wherein the second photovoltaic string is tested to have a second dark-field current/voltage characteristic, electrically coupling the first photovoltaic string and the second photovoltaic string, and wherein the first dark-field current/voltage characteristic is substantially similar to the second dark-field current/voltage characteristic. | 07-05-2012 |
20120167946 | HIGH IMPACT AND LOAD BEARING SOLAR GLASS FOR A CONCENTRATED LARGE AREA SOLAR MODULE AND METHOD - A solar module device. The device has a substrate having a surface region. The device has one or more photovoltaic regions overlying the surface region of the substrate. In a preferred embodiment, each of the photovoltaic strips is derived from dicing a solar cell in to each of the strips. Each of the strips is a functional solar cell. The device also has an impact resistant glass member having a plurality of elongated concentrating elements spatially arranged in parallel configuration and operably coupled respectively to the plurality of elongated concentrating elements. Preferably, the impact resistant glass has a strength of at least 3× greater than a soda lime glass, e.g., conventional soda lime glass for conventional solar cells, e.g., a low iron soda lime glass. In a preferred embodiment, the impact resistant glass member comprises a planar region and a concentrator region comprising the plurality of elongated concentrating element spatially arranged in parallel configuration. | 07-05-2012 |
20120167945 | PHOTOVOLTAIC DEVICES HAVING SHAPED CONCENTRATOR MEMBERS - Photovoltaic devices having shaped concentrator members. The present invention is directed to solar energies. More specifically, various embodiments of the present invention provide a shaped concentrator member that is used as a part of concentrated solar panel. The shape concentrator member includes semi-cylindrically shaped concentrator elements arranged and spaced in parallel to one another. At the edges of the shaped concentrator member, there are flat edge regions that include flat surfaces. There are other embodiments as well. | 07-05-2012 |
20120125049 | CONCENTRATING MODULE AND METHOD OF MANUFACTURE FOR PHOTOVOLTAIC STRIPS - A glass concentrator for manufacture of solar energy conversion module is provided including a webbing that has a load sustenance characteristic and a hail impact resistance characteristic based on a first thickness of the webbing. The concentrator also includes a plurality of elongated concentrating elements integrally formed with the webbing. Each of the elongated concentrating elements has an aperture region, an exit region and two side regions, which bears a geometric concentration characteristic provided by a highly reflective side regions and an aperture-to-exit. scale ratio in a range from about 1.8 to about 4.5. The glass concentrator can be attached with a plurality of photovoltaic strips cumulatively on each and every exit regions and clamped with a rigid or flexible back cover member to form a solar concentrator module for converting sunlight to electric energy. The solar concentrator module based on certain embodiments meets the industrial qualification standards. | 05-24-2012 |
20120067398 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR LAMINATING PHOTOVOLTAIC STRUCTURES - A method for forming a laminated photovoltaic structure includes providing a sheet of transparent material having light concentrating features, disposing adhesive material adjacent to the sheet of transparent material, disposing photovoltaic strips adjacent to the adhesive material, wherein the photovoltaic strips are positioned relative to the sheet of transparent material in response to exitant light characteristics of the light concentrating features, wherein photovoltaic strips are coupled via associated bus bars, wherein gap regions are located between bus bars of neighboring photovoltaic strips, disposing a rigid layer of material adjacent to the photovoltaic strips to form a composite photovoltaic structure; and thereafter laminating the composite photovoltaic structure to fill the gap regions with adhesive material and to form the laminated photovoltaic structure, wherein adhesive material adheres to the bus bars. | 03-22-2012 |
20120067397 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR DETERMINING PLACEMENT OF PHOTOVOLTAIC STRIPS USING DISPLACEMENT SENSORS - A method for forming a solar energy collection device includes receiving a sheet of glass comprising glass material, wherein the sheet of glass includes a plurality of light concentrating geometric features, measuring geometric characteristics for the plurality of light concentrating geometric features, mathematically calculating predicted light concentration characteristics for each of the plurality of light concentrating geometric features in response to the geometric characteristics, determining placement locations for a plurality of PV strips in response to the predicted light concentration characteristics for each of the plurality of light concentrating geometric features, and securing the plurality of PV strips relative to the sheet of glass in response to the placement locations for the plurality of PV strips. | 03-22-2012 |
20110315196 | SOLAR CELL STRUCTURE INCLUDING A PLURALITY OF CONCENTRATOR ELEMENTS WITH A NOTCH DESIGN AND PREDETERMINED RADII AND METHOD - A solar cell concentrator structure includes a first concentrator element having a first aperture region and a first exit region including a first back surface region and a first corner region. The structure also includes a second concentrator element integrally formed with the first concentrator element. The second concentrator element includes a second aperture region and a second exit region-including a second back surface region and a second corner region. Additionally, the structure includes a first radius of curvature of 0.10 mm and less characterizing the first corner structure and the second corner structure, a first coupling region between the first exit region and a first surface region of a first photovoltaic device. The structure further includes a second radius of curvature of 0.10 mm and less characterizing a region between the first concentrator element and the second concentrator element. | 12-29-2011 |
20110260733 | FABRICATION PROCESS FOR PHOTOVOLTAIC CELL - A photovoltaic strip is physically separated from a semiconductor wafer utilizing physical sawing or other techniques. In accordance with one embodiment, a type of semiconductor wafer is first determined by interrogating the wafer to identify one or more of its optical, thermal, or electrical characteristics. This information regarding substrate type is then communicated to a separation apparatus, which then accomplishes precise physical separation of the substrate into discrete strips. Electrical performance of the strips may be tested prior to their incorporation into an assembled solar cell, where they are coupled to a concentrating element utilizing an elastomer encapsulant. | 10-27-2011 |
20110240096 | LARGE AREA CONCENTRATOR LENS STRUCTURE AND METHOD CONFIGURED FOR STRESS RELIEF - A solar module. The solar module includes a substrate member. a plurality of photovoltaic strips arranged in an array configuration overlying the substrate member. In a specific embodiment, the solar module includes a concentrator structure comprising extruded glass material operably coupled to the plurality of photovoltaic strips. A plurality of elongated annular regions are configured within the concentrator structure. The plurality of elongated annular regions are respectively coupled to the plurality of photovoltaic strips, which are configured to one or more bus bars to maintain a desired stress range. | 10-06-2011 |
20110186107 | SYSTEM AND MODULE FOR SOLAR MODULE WITH INTEGRATED GLASS CONCENTRATOR - A solar module includes a photovoltaic region having an elongated shape. At least one bus bar pad overlies portions of the photovoltaic region. The solar module includes an electrically conductive region configured along a periphery region of the photovoltaic region to expose an interior surface region of the photovoltaic strip. A finger structure configured to conduct electrical current generated in the photovoltaic regions overlies the electrically conductive region. | 08-04-2011 |
20110186104 | SOLAR MODULE WINDOW SHADE APPARATUS AND METHOD - A solar module system includes a first transparent substrate member, a second transparent substrate member, and a plurality of photovoltaic members configured in a spatial manner sandwiched between the first substrate member and the second substrate member to allow at least a first portion of light to be transmitted and a second portion of light to be blocked. The system also has one or more inverter devices coupled to the solar module and configured to convert direct current to alternating current. The system may have an electrical cord comprising a first end and a second end, the first end being coupled to the one or more inverter devices and the second end comprising at least a pair of electrodes. The system can be used for indoor use or other application. | 08-04-2011 |
20110168232 | Method and System for Providing Tracking for Concentrated Solar Modules - According to an embodiment, the present invention provides a system for collecting solar energy. The system includes a solar panel, the solar panel comprising a plurality of photovoltaic strips, the plurality of photovoltaic strips including a first strip and a second strip, the first strip and the second strip being substantially parallel to each other, the plurality of photovoltaic strips being electrically coupled to one another, the solar panel including a front cover member, the front cover member including a plurality of concentrator elements, the plurality of photovoltaic strips being aligned to the plurality of concentrator elements, the plurality of concentrator elements including a first concentrator element and a second concentrator element, the first concentrator element and the second concentrator element being separated by a notch, the first concentrator being associated with a first angle and a second angle, | 07-14-2011 |
20110017264 | THERMAL MANAGEMENT METHOD AND DEVICE FOR SOLAR CONCENTRATOR SYSTEMS - A photovoltaic device. The photovoltaic device includes a photovoltaic region including a surface region and characterized by a first thermal expansion constant. The surface region includes a first portion and a second portion, the second portion includes a first edge region and a second edge region. The photovoltaic device includes a concentrator element comprising substantially of a polymer material and being characterized by a second thermal expansion constant. The concentrator element includes an aperture region and an exit region. The photovoltaic device includes an elastomer material to couple the first portion of the surface region of the photovoltaic region to the exit region of the concentrator element, while the first edge region and the second edge region remain exposed. The first edge region and the second edge region allow for compensation by at least thermal expansion of the concentrator element for a change in temperature ranging from about −45 Degrees Celsius to about 95 Degrees Celsius to maintain the exit region to be optically coupled to the photovoltaic region. | 01-27-2011 |
20110017263 | METHOD AND DEVICE FOR FABRICATING A SOLAR CELL USING AN INTERFACE PATTERN FOR A PACKAGED DESIGN - A method and device of fabricating a photovoltaic strip. The method includes providing a photovoltaic cell having a front surface and a back surface and forming a first grid pattern on the front surface and second grid pattern on the back surface. The first grid pattern includes a first plurality of strip columns in parallel in a first direction and a plurality of grid lines in parallel in a second direction perpendicularly crossing the first plurality of strip columns. The second grid pattern includes a plurality of blocks separated by a plurality of streets parallel in the second direction and a second plurality of strip columns parallel in the first direction. The method further includes dicing the photovoltaic cell along the plurality of streets into a plurality of photovoltaic strips. Each of the plurality of photovoltaic strips includes at least one of the plurality of grid lines. | 01-27-2011 |
20100294338 | Large Area Concentrator Lens Structure and Method - A solar module includes a substrate member, a plurality of photovoltaic strips arranged in an array configuration overlying the substrate member, and a concentrator structure comprising extruded glass material operably coupled to the plurality of photovoltaic strips. A plurality of elongated convex regions are configured within the concentrator structure. The plurality of elongated convex regions are respectively coupled to the plurality of photovoltaic strips. Each of the plurality of elongated convex regions includes a length and a convex surface region characterized by a radius of curvature, each of the elongated convex regions being configured to have a magnification ranging from about 1.5 to about 5. A coating material rendering the glass self-cleaning overlies the plurality of elongated convex regions. | 11-25-2010 |
20100282317 | METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR ASSEMBLING A SOLAR CELL USING A PLURALITY OF PHOTOVOLTAIC REGIONS - A solar cell device. The device has a housing member. The device also has a lead frame member coupled to the housing member. In a preferred embodiment, the lead frame member has at least one photovoltaic strip thereon, which has a surface region and a back side region. The device has an optical elastomer material having a first thickness overlying the surface region of the photovoltaic surface. The device has a second substrate member comprising at least one optical concentrating element thereon. The optical concentrating element has a first side and a second side. The device has a first interface within a vicinity of the surface region and the first thickness of the optical elastomer material and a second interface within a vicinity of the second side and the optical elastomer material. In a specific embodiment, the optical concentrating element is coupled to the surface region of the photovoltaic strip such that the optical elastomer material is in between the surface region of the photovoltaic strip and the second side of the optical concentrating element. In a specific embodiment, the device has a spacing comprising essentially the optical elastomer material between the second side of the optical concentrating element and the surface region of the photovoltaic strip. The device has a plurality of particles having a predetermined dimension (e.g., non-compressible and substantially non-deformable particles) spatially disposed overlying the surface region of the photovoltaic strip and within a second thickness of the optical elastomer material to define the spacing between the surface region and the second side of the optical concentrating element. In a specific embodiment, the first interface is substantially free from one or more gaps (e.g., air gaps and/or pockets) and the second interface substantially free from one or more gaps to form a substantially continuous optical interface from the first side of the optical concentrating element, through the first interface, and through the second interface to the photovoltaic strip. | 11-11-2010 |
20100282316 | Solar Cell Concentrator Structure Including A Plurality of Glass Concentrator Elements With A Notch Design - A solar concentrator structure including a plurality of glass concentrator elements with a notch design. According to an embodiment, the present invention provides a solar cell concentrator structure. The structure includes an outside surface. The structure also includes an inside surface, the inside surface being substantially flat. The structure includes a first concentrator element integrally formed on the outside surface, the first concentrator element having a first curved surface, the curved surface being characterized by a radius of at least 1 mm, the curved surface having a first flat region of at least 0.25 mm, the flat region being at least 4 mm from the inside surface. The structure includes a second concentrator element integrally formed with the first concentrator element and the outside surface, the second concentrator element including a second curved surface and a second flat region. | 11-11-2010 |
20100071753 | Solar Cell Structure Including A Plurality Of Concentrator Elements With A Notch Design And Predetermined Radii and Method - A solar cell concentrator structure includes a first concentrator element having a first aperture region and a first exit region including a first back surface region and a first corner region. The structure also includes a second concentrator element integrally formed with the first concentrator element. The second concentrator element includes a second aperture region and a second exit region-including a second back surface region and a second corner region. Additionally, the structure includes a first radius of curvature of 0.25 mm and less characterizing the first corner structure and the second corner structure, a first coupling region between the first exit region and a first surface region of a first photovoltaic device. The structure further includes a second radius of curvature of 0.15 mm and less characterizing a region between the first concentrator element and the second concentrator element. | 03-25-2010 |
20090266403 | SOLDER REPLACEMENT BY CONDUCTIVE TAPE MATERIAL - A method of forming a solar device. The method includes providing one or more photovoltaic cells having a front surface region and a back surface region. The method includes providing a first conductor element having a first side operably coupled to a first region of the front surface region of the one or more photovoltaic cells and a second side. In a specific embodiment, the conductor element includes a first anisotropic conducting tape material or a first conducting tape material, the first conducting element having a first thickness, a first length, and a first width. The method performs a bonding process to cause the first conductor element to conduct electric current in a first selected direction. | 10-29-2009 |
20090188563 | Solar Cell Structure Including A Plurality of Concentrator Elements With A Notch Design and Predetermined Radii and Method - A solar cell concentrator structure includes a first concentrator element having a first aperture region and a first exit region including a first back surface region and a first corner region. The structure also includes a second concentrator element integrally formed with the first concentrator element. The second concentrator element includes a second aperture region and a second exit region-including a second back surface region and a second corner region. Additionally, the structure includes a first radius of curvature of 0.25 mm and less characterizing the first corner structure and the second corner structure, a first coupling region between the first exit region and a first surface region of a first photovoltaic device. The structure further includes a second radius of curvature of 0.15 mm and less characterizing a region between the first concentrator element and the second concentrator element. | 07-30-2009 |
20090152745 | METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR MANUFACTURING INTEGRATED MOLDED CONCENTRATOR PHOTOVOLTAIC DEVICE - A method for manufacturing an integrated solar cell and concentrator. The method includes providing a first photovoltaic region and a second photovoltaic region disposed within a first mold member. A second mold member is coupled to the first mold member to form a cavity region. The cavity region forms a first concentrator region overlying a vicinity of the first photovoltaic region and a second concentrator region overlying a vicinity of the second photovoltaic region. The method includes transferring a molding compound in a fluidic state into the cavity region to fill the cavity region with the molding compound and initiating a curing process of the molding compound to form a first concentrator element and a second concentrator element overlying the respective photovoltaic regions. | 06-18-2009 |
20090151770 | METHOD AND MATERIAL FOR COUPLING SOLAR CONCENTRATORS AND PHOTOVOLTAIC DEVICES - A method and system for manufacturing an integrated concentrator photovoltaic device is disclosed. In an embodiment, the invention includes a one step process using a sheet of coupling material provided in a pre-arranged pattern to couple an array of photovoltaic members to an array of respective optical concentrating members. In another embodiment, the invention includes an integrated concentrator photovoltaic device made by coupling a photovoltaic member and an optical concentrating member together through an encapsulant or coupling layer formed from a sheet member of coupling materials possessing a pre-arranged pattern | 06-18-2009 |
20090120487 | Method and System for Assembling A Solar Cell Using a Plurality of Photovoltaic Regions - A solar cell device. The device has a housing member. The device also has a lead frame member coupled to the housing member. In a preferred embodiment, the lead frame member has at least one photovoltaic strip thereon, which has a surface region and a back side region. The device has an optical elastomer material having a first thickness overlying the surface region of the photovoltaic surface. The device has a second substrate member comprising at least one optical concentrating element thereon. The optical concentrating element has a first side and a second side. The device has a first interface within a vicinity of the surface region and the first thickness of the optical elastomer material and a second interface within a vicinity of the second side and the optical elastomer material. In a specific embodiment, the optical concentrating element is coupled to the surface region of the photovoltaic strip such that the optical elastomer material is in between the surface region of the photovoltaic strip and the second side of the optical concentrating element. In a specific embodiment, the device has a spacing comprising essentially the optical elastomer material between the second side of the optical concentrating element and the surface region of the photovoltaic strip. The device has a plurality of particles having a predetermined dimension (e.g., non-compressible and substantially non-deformable particles) spatially disposed overlying the surface region of the photovoltaic strip and within a second thickness of the optical elastomer material to define the spacing between the surface region and the second side of the optical concentrating element. In a specific embodiment, the first interface is substantially free from one or more gaps (e.g., air gaps and/or pockets) and the second interface substantially free from one or more gaps to form a substantially continuous optical interface from the first side of the optical concentrating element, through the first interface, and through the second interface to the photovoltaic strip. | 05-14-2009 |
20090056806 | Solar cell structure including a plurality of concentrator elements with a notch design and predetermined radii and method - A solar cell concentrator structure includes a first concentrator element having a first aperture region and a first exit region including a first back surface region and a first corner region. The structure also includes a second concentrator element integrally formed with the first concentrator element. The second concentrator element includes a second aperture region and a second exit region-including a second back surface region and a second corner region. Additionally, the structure includes a first radius of curvature of 0.25 mm and less characterizing the first corner structure and the second corner structure, a first coupling region between the first exit region and a first surface region of a first photovoltaic device. The structure further includes a second radius of curvature of 0.15 mm and less characterizing a region between the first concentrator element and the second concentrator element. | 03-05-2009 |
20090056788 | NOTCH STRUCTURE FOR CONCENTRATING MODULE AND METHOD OF MANUFACTURE USING PHOTOVOLTAIC STRIPS - The invention provides a solar concentrator structure including a first concentrating element. The first concentrating element includes a first aperture region, a first exit region, a first side and a second side. The solar concentrator structure further includes a second or more concentrating elements integrally coupled with the first concentrating element in a parallel manner. The second concentrating element includes a second aperture region, a second exit region, the third side, and a fourth side. The third side joins with the second side to form an apex notch structure characterized by a radius of curvature. Additionally, the solar concentrator structure includes a separation region by a width separating the first exit region from the second exit region and a triangular region including the apex notch structure and a base defined by the separation region and a refractive index of about 1 characterizing the triangular region. | 03-05-2009 |
20090038343 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR MANUFACTURING SOLAR CONCENTRATORS USING GLASS PROCESS - A method for manufacturing a glass concentrator for a solar module. The method includes providing a glass material in a molten state and processing the glass material in the molten state to form a ribbon glass including a first surface and a second surface. Additionally, the method includes subjecting the first surface to one or more drum members to form a plurality of concentrating structures while continuously passing the ribbon glass via the second surface over a plurality of rollers. Each of the concentrating structures includes an aperture region, an exit region, and one or more reflection regions. The aperture region is configured to receive incoming light and the one or more reflection regions are configured to concentrate the received incoming light to the exit region. The method further includes cutting the ribbon glass into one or more sheets of glasses including a predetermined number of the plurality of concentrating structures. | 02-12-2009 |
20080289689 | CONCENTRATING MODULE AND METHOD OF MANUFACTURE FOR PHOTOVOLTAIC STRIPS - A glass concentrator for manufacture of solar energy conversion module is provided including a webbing that has a load sustenance characteristic and a hail impact resistance characteristic based on a first thickness of the webbing. The concentrator also includes a plurality of elongated concentrating elements integrally formed with the webbing. Each of the elongated concentrating elements has an aperture region, an exit region and two side regions, which bears a geometric concentration characteristic provided by a highly reflective side regions and an aperture-to-exit scale ratio in a range from about 1.8 to about 4.5. The glass concentrator can be attached with a plurality of photovoltaic strips cumulatively on each and every exit regions and clamped with a rigid or flexible back cover member to form a solar concentrator module for converting sunlight to electric energy. The solar concentrator module based on certain embodiments meets the industrial qualification standards. | 11-27-2008 |
20080236740 | Method and system for manufacturing solar panels using an integrated solar cell using a plurality of photovoltaic regions - A solar panel apparatus and method. The apparatus has an optically transparent member comprising a predetermined thickness and an aperture surface region. The apparatus has a solar cell coupled to a portion of the optically transparent member. In a specific embodiment, the solar cell includes a transparent polymeric member and a plurality of photovoltaic regions provided within a portion of the transparent polymeric member. In a specific embodiment, the plurality of photovoltaic regions occupies at least about 10 percent of the aperture surface region of the transparent polymeric member and less than about 80% of the aperture surface region of the transparent polymeric member. | 10-02-2008 |
20080236664 | Method and system for assembling a solar cell package - Method and system for assembling a solar cell package. According to an embodiment, the present invention provides a method for fabricating solar cells for a solar panel. The method includes providing a first substrate member comprising a plurality of photovoltaic strips thereon. The method also includes providing an optical elastomer material overlying a portion of the first substrate member. The method further includes aligning a second substrate member comprising a plurality of optical concentrating elements thereon such that at least one of the optical concentrating elements being operably coupled to at least one of the plurality of photovoltaic strips, the second substrate member comprising an aperture surface region and an exit surface region. In addition, the method includes coupling the first substrate member to the second substrate member to form an interface region along a first peripheral region of the first substrate member and along a second peripheral region of the second substrate member. | 10-02-2008 |
20080236651 | SOLAR CELL CONCENTRATOR STRUCTURE INCLUDING A PLURALITY OF CONCENTRATOR ELEMENTS WITH A NOTCH DESIGN AND METHOD HAVING A PREDETERMINED EFFICIENCY - A solar cell concentrator structure. The structure has a first concentrator element, which has a first aperture region and a first exit region. The structure has a second concentrator element integrally formed with the first concentrator element. In a specific embodiment, the second concentrator element includes a second aperture region and a second exit region. The structure has a separation region provided between the first concentrator element and the second concentrator element. In a specific embodiment, the separation region is characterized by a width separating the first exit region from the second exit region. In a specific embodiment, the structure has a radius of curvature of 0.15 mm and less characterizing a region between the first concentrator element and the second concentrator element. In a specific embodiment, the structure has a triangular shaped region including an apex defined by the radius of curvature and a base defined by the separation region. In a preferred embodiment, a refractive index of about 1 characterizes the triangular region. | 10-02-2008 |
20080236650 | Method and system for manufacturing solar panels using an integrated solar cell using a plurality of photovoltaic regions - A solar panel apparatus and method. The apparatus has an optically transparent member comprising a predetermined thickness and an aperture surface region. The apparatus has a solar cell coupled to a portion of the optically transparent member. In a specific embodiment, the solar cell includes a transparent polymeric member and a plurality of photovoltaic regions provided within a portion of the transparent polymeric member. In a specific embodiment, the plurality of photovoltaic regions occupies at least about 10 percent of the aperture surface region of the transparent polymeric member and less than about 80% of the aperture surface region of the transparent polymeric member. | 10-02-2008 |
20080236649 | Method and system for manufacturing solar panels using an integrated solar cell using a plurality of photovoltaic regions - A solar panel apparatus and method. The apparatus has an optically transparent member comprising a predetermined thickness and an aperture surface region. The apparatus has a solar cell coupled to a portion of the optically transparent member. In a specific embodiment, the solar cell includes a transparent polymeric member and a plurality of photovoltaic regions provided within a portion of the transparent polymeric member. In a specific embodiment, the plurality of photovoltaic regions occupies at least about 10 percent of the aperture surface region of the transparent polymeric member and less than about 80% of the aperture surface region of the transparent polymeric member. | 10-02-2008 |
20080235949 | Method and system for manufacturing solar panels using an integrated solar cell using a plurality of photovoltaic regions - A solar panel apparatus and method. The apparatus has an optically transparent member comprising a predetermined thickness and an aperture surface region. The apparatus has a solar cell coupled to a portion of the optically transparent member. In a specific embodiment, the solar cell includes a transparent polymeric member and a plurality of photovoltaic regions provided within a portion of the transparent polymeric member. In a specific embodiment, the plurality of photovoltaic regions occupies at least about 10 percent of the aperture surface region of the transparent polymeric member and less than about 80% of the aperture surface region of the transparent polymeric member. | 10-02-2008 |