Method of improving the efficiency of loosely packed solar cells in dense array applications

Abstract

An increased efficiency Concentrator Photovoltaic System having a plurality of solar cells laterally spaced from each other on a substrate panel. The solar cells are mounted on metal traces that support the cells and provide a path for the electrical output of the individual cells. Ribbons or wires, which provide a connection between the front contact of the solar cells to the appropriate metal traces form a circuit connecting the cells in desired configurations, Intercellular areas are provided between the lateral edges of the respective solar cells. A plurality of tubular enclosures are mounted directly above the solar cells. The top edge of the tubular enclosures have a circumference greater than the circumference of the bottom edges of the tubular enclosures. The inner surfaces of the tubular enclosure walls are reflective and direct solar rays to the respective solar cells thereby increasing the efficiency of the Photovoltaic system.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE[0001]This application is a continuation application of U.S. Ser. No. 10 / 969,577, filed on Oct. 20, 2004, which claims the priority of U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 60 / 512,888, filed on Oct. 20, 2003, all of which are incorporated herein.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0002]1. Field of the invention[0003]The present invention relates to the assembly of solar cells into an array for the conversion of solar energy from a large area concentrator, typically a parabolic reflector or the optical equivalent constructed of mirror segments, either flat or figured, into electricity. More specifically it applies to the methodology of maximizing the fraction of sunlight captured by the concentrator that is converted into electrical power.[0004]2. Prior Art[0005]Traditional one sun solar panels are made by simply bonding solar cells to a substrate, such as aluminum honeycomb panels, and interconnecting the cells with metal ribbons front to back. The cells are spaced slightly a...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

"The present invention provides a method for utilizing the light falling between active areas of loosely packed solar cells. It also provides protection from highly concentrated sunlight to the areas between cells, allowing them to act as protective enclosures for interconnecting wiring and discrete diodes. The invention includes a matrix of reflective surfaces interconnected tent fashion, over the intercellular areas of the substrate. These reflective surfaces reflect the sunlight back to the active areas of the solar cells. The reflective surfaces can be oriented symmetrical about an axis normal to the substrate or skewed to accommodate a conical beam of concentrated sunlight. The invention can be made using various manufacturing techniques such as electron beam welding, laser welding, laser cutting, chemical etching, and injection molding."

Problems solved by technology

Furthermore the entire front surface area of the cell may not be active due to the necessity of a front surface contact to which the ribbons are bonded.

Excessive spacing might lead to a slightly higher manufacturing cost due to a larger than necessary substrate, and a marginally lower system efficiency, but from a practical standpoint packing density is not a major concern for one sun solar panels.

Concentrator PV systems, systems which use ancillary optics to intensify the light striking the solar cell, make the available illuminated area a cost driven commodity since the light striking the solar cells is no longer free, but has been preconditioned by costly hardware.

Every bit of concentrated sunlight that falls between the active areas of solar cells is lost, resulting directly in reduced system efficiency.

Images