Patent Application
20140048135
1. Field of Invention
The invention relates generally to maximizing output from a concentrated photovoltaic (CPV) system. More specifically, the invention relates generally to a method and system of using a final optic element (FOE) to condition a concentrated image from either a reflective or refractive optical element acting as the solar energy collector or primary optical element (POE).
2. Description of Prior Art
Converting solar energy into electricity is often accomplished by directing the solar energy onto one or more photovoltaic cells. The photovoltaic cells are typically made from semiconductors, that can absorb energy from photons from the solar energy, and in turn generate electron flow within the cell. A solar panel is a group of these cells that are electrically connected and packaged so an array of panels can be produced; which is typically referred to as a flat panel system. An array of panels used together is typically referred to as a solar flat panel photovoltaic (PV) system. Solar systems are typically positioned so that on the average they receive rays of light directly from the sun.
Some solar energy systems employ solar collectors that concentrate and focus solar radiation onto a solar cell; which are referred to as Concentrated Photo Voltaic (CPV) systems. These solar energy collectors are called the primary optical element (POE) in a CPV system and are generally either a reflective type, that typically uses high reflectivity parabolic mirrors, or a refractive type, that typically uses Fresnel lenses. Receivers usually include an optic element just before the solar cell to collect and condition the concentrated light onto a photovoltaic cell that typically has a higher performance than cells used in flat panel systems. That optic is called the final optic element (FOE).
In most cases the FOE is also the secondary optic element, thus is often commonly referred to as the SOE, though the FOE may not be the second optic element. That is because sometimes there is an intermediate optic element between the POE and the FOE such as in a cassagrain-type concentration system. A cassagrain CPV system often has a parabolic mirror reflector as the POE and a hyperbolic mirror reflector as the SOE. The hyperbolic secondary optic condenses the overall depth of the system by reversing the direction of the light before it arrives at the FOE. Shortcut annotation for the type of optical system used is to catentate the optic elements as reflective (X) or refractive (R). Generally accepted designations for: (1) a system with a reflective POE and a refractive SOE is a XR system; (2) a cassagrain-type system is an XXR system; and (3) a Fresnel system is an RR system.
The amount of concentration achieved by a CPV system is typically measured in non-dimensional units called “suns”, which is the geometric ratio of a POE collection area to the active solar cell area. Concentrating or magnifying sunlight can produce 1000 times or more intense light flux onto a CPV receiver than that of a flat panel system. CPV system performance depends on the alignment of the POE and SOE optical path with the axis of the sun's light rays. If the optical path is not aligned with the axis, some or all of the projected sun rays (image) will fall outside of the solar cell receiver element.
Acceptance angle is a criterion for specifying off axis performance in a CPV system; and is defined as the off-axis angle at which the CPV power generated at the solar cell drops to 90% of that of the perfectly coaxial on-axis power. An appropriately designed FOE can greatly increase the acceptance angle of a CPV system. The concentration level and the “f” ratio are some of the factors that can impact the acceptance angle. The “f” ratio of the CPV system is the ratio of the aperture (POE diameter) to the focal length at the focal point which is usually at or near the top surface of the FOE. For a given focal length, as the concentration factor of a CPV system increases the f ratio decreases, and the cone angle of the concentrated light enlarges due to the increased geometric ratio of the FOE.
Maximizing conversion efficiency of the light to electricity requires uniform intensity of the ray bundle light energy (sometimes called the ‘flux’) when the light impinges on the solar cell. A non-uniform flux energy at the cell compromises the effective “fill factor” of the cell; which is a measure of open circuit performance versus the performance under load. The fill factor of a solar cell is one characteristic of self-losses, and usually measured under ideal conditions. Uneven flux often generates uneven current in the cell layers, which decreases the cell's operational fill factor, to decrease the solar cell power output. Extreme uneven flux affects the reliability and longevity of the solar cell by creating hot spots that overheat and stress the cell.
Increasing angles of incident light rays eventually decreases the power converted at the solar cell. Typical solar cells have substantially uniform conversion rates for angles of incidence ranging from zero to 60 degrees or less to a line normal with a surface of the cell. However, for angles of incidence above 60 degrees, the solar energy conversion response drops off rapidly.
In some embodiments, light from the reflector is collected and delivered to the solar cell with receiver optics that condition the light, to improve the acceptance angle, promote uniform intensity under varying image conditions, and limit the angle of incidence of rays to the solar cell. One technique employed is to use a final optic that employs a statistical mixing approach where entering rays semi-randomly are mixed into a homogeneous image at the cell. Generally the focal point of the entering rays is at or near the top edge of the optic. One example of a statistical optic is a kaleidoscope homogenizer with a long truncated prism, often with a convex dome lens element at the top entry surface. This optic system operates on the principle of reflecting some of the diverging light rays by total internal reflection (TIR) off steep sidewalls multiple times to produce a mixed and diffused image onto the solar cell. Prism sidewalls for statistical optics tend to be very steep as the homogenizing depends on the mixing effect of multiple internal reflections. A consequence is that each reflection increases the incident angle away from the axis of the optic resulting in increased incident angles of the rays at the exit surface at the solar cell. Thus this type of optic can be used only with limited cone angles of the incident bundle of rays (i.e. “f” ratio of the system is high).
Another technique for directing light rays is a deterministic method where the FOE optic maps the image always in a predictable non-random way. A common deterministic type FOE optic is a convex domed lens that attempts to focus the ray bundle as an image on the cell. Simple domed lenses are low in cost due to their small size and relatively non critical optical characteristics. However, to allow room for off axis movement, the on-axis image for a domed lens requires being focused in a reduced area in the center of the cell; which creates a center hot spot that can move under off axis conditions. Further, images produced by domed lenses are distorted and can only tolerate a very modest off axis condition compared to a kaleidoscope type optic. Thus, the suitability for domed lenses is limited to lower concentration systems. Kohler integration is another example of a type of deterministic optic that has been developed, which employ multiple dome lenses. Kohler integration optics produce better flux uniformity and a better acceptance angle than a simple domed optic on axis, but still suffer from inferior flux performance off-axis.
Figures of merit for a CPV design have been developed to evaluate the performance of FOE. One figure of merit, designated ‘CAP’, measures the acceptance angle performance of a FOE relatively independently of the concentration and is a represented as:
CAP=(Cg)0.5×sin(acpt_ang) Eqn. 1
Where Cg is the geometric concentration ratio defined as the area of the POE collector to the active area of the solar cell, and acpt_ang is the acceptance angle. Acceptance angles and CAP are generally calculated using geometric ray tracing simulating parallel rays from the sun. In reality, the operational acceptance angle will be reduced by the fact that sun rays are not strictly parallel, but occupy a cone of approximately 0.27 degrees. This is because the sun is not a point source at infinity, but has certain diameter and distance from the earth. Other figures of merit relate to the relative intensity variation at the exit of the FOE (at the solar cell). One is the ratio of the maximum flux to the mean flux, usually at a specified off axis angle. Another is the ratio of the minimum to maximum flux.
Provided herein is a method of and apparatus for directing light energy to a solar cell. In one example method a focused beam of light is received that has an axis and rays that diverge radially outward away from the axis after passing a focal area. Some of the diverging rays reflect from an outer periphery of the beam in a direction generally towards the axis to form an image with a uniform flux density superimposed onto the solar cell. The image is made up of reflected rays and rays that extend along a substantially straight path from the focal area. Optionally, some of the diverging rays are reflected no more than a single time. Alternatively, the method can further include refracting the beam of light, so that when the beam of light is received from a solar collector that is in an off axis position from the sun, the flux density of the image superimposed onto the solar cell remains substantially uniform. In an example, energy in the image at an off axis position of about 1.4° is about 90% of the energy of the image at an off axis position of about 0°. In one example embodiment, the method can further involve providing a prism element whose sides reflect by total internal reflection the some of the diverging rays, wherein the prism sides are disposed at an angle of about 7° to about 11° from an axis of the prism. The diverging rays can follow respective paths between the focal area and reflective sides, that when the paths are extended along straight uninterrupted lines define a projected image in a plane that is substantially parallel with the solar cell, wherein the projected image has an area about twice an area of the image on the solar cell. In one example, the rays are distinct from one another and are deterministically arranged.
Also provided herein is an example of a solar energy system that includes a solar cell and an optic made up of a truncated prism element with an inlet end, and a convex lens element adjacent the inlet end to refract the rays into a narrower concentrated beam towards an axis of the optic thus minimizing displacement of the beam of light away from the solar cell under off-axis conditions. The prism element also has an exit end disposed adjacent the solar cell, side walls that are at an angle with respect to the axis of the optic to produce TIR reflections and extend between the inlet end and exit end. When a concentrated beam of light having a focal area and made up of rays enters via the lens element, some of the rays diverge from the focal area and reflect from the side walls, and an image with a substantially uniform flux density is formed on the solar cell that is made up of the reflected rays and rays that travel along a substantially straight path from the focal area to the solar cell. In one alternate example, the prism has a substantially rectangular cross section and wherein the side walls are at angles of from about 7° to about 11° from the axis of the optic. The geometry and positioning of the optic ensure that the reflected rays can reflect no more than once from the side walls before encountering the solar cell. Further optionally included is a solar collector POE for forming the concentrated beam of light. The optic can be strategically disposed in a path of the beam of light so that the focal area is between the inlet end and exit end. In one example embodiment, further included is a circuit having an electrical load in electrical communication with the solar cell.
Also described herein is a method of forming an image on a solar cell. In this example a beam of light made up of rays that diverge from a focal area is received. A solar cell is provided in a path of some of the rays and an image is formed on the solar cell by deterministically reflecting the diverging rays that are on paths that extend outside of an outer perimeter of the solar cell and onto paths that intersect the solar cell. In one example, the beam of light is received from a solar collector that is off-axis from the sun at an acceptance angle of 1.4° where the energy in the image is at about 90% of an image formed when the solar collector is substantially on axis with the sun and the flux density is substantially uniform in density.
Some of the features and benefits of the present invention having been stated, others will become apparent as the description proceeds when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:
While the invention will be described in connection with the preferred embodiments, it will be understood that it is not intended to limit the invention to that embodiment. On the contrary, it is intended to cover all alternatives, modifications, and equivalents, as may be included within the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims.
The method and system of the present disclosure will now be described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings in which embodiments are shown. The method and system of the present disclosure may be in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the illustrated embodiments set forth herein; rather, these embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will be thorough and complete, and will fully convey its scope to those skilled in the art. Like numbers refer to like elements throughout.
It is to be further understood that the scope of the present disclosure is not limited to the exact details of construction, operation, exact materials, or embodiments shown and described, as modifications and equivalents will be apparent to one skilled in the art. In the drawings and specification, there have been disclosed illustrative embodiments and, although specific terms are employed, they are used in a generic and descriptive sense only and not for the purpose of limitation. Accordingly, the improvements herein described are therefore to be limited only by the scope of the appended claims.
In an alternate example, shown in side sectional view in
A projected path of the diverging rays 26 is illustrated by dashed line P shown extending downward and radially outward from the outer surface of the side walls 32.
In one example, the rays 26 are deterministically mapped by the configuration of the prism 30 to form a processed image 58 shown cast onto the solar cell 38 (
In
In one example of operation, the prism 30 and lens 50 are positioned such that a direct portion of the beam 46 passing through the lens 50 intersects the solar cell 38 and an indirect portion of the beam 46 passing through the lens 50 reflects a single time from the sides of the prism by TIR and is precisely superimposed onto the solar cell 38. In an example of deterministic mapping, the projected image 56 has lateral dimensions that are about twice the lateral dimensions of the solar cell 38 and has an area about four times the area of the solar cell 38. In an alternate example, the angle of the sidewalls 32 with the axis AX is adjusted to adjust the size and/or area of the image 58. The maximum angle between the sidewalls 32 and axis AX may be set by the acceptable incident angles to the solar cell 38. In an example embodiment, to optimize total flux of light energy cast onto the solar cell 58, the beam 46 received by optic 51 is substantially square and has a substantially homogenous flux density. In examples where the beam 46 is not square, sidewalls 32 in the prism 30 may lie at differing angles with respect to the axis AX, as the rays 26 entering the prism 30 from the lens 50 may have different angles depending on the dimension and/or shape of the lens 50.
In an alternate embodiment,
For the purposes of contrast and illustration, an alternate example of the optic 51 is shown in
Referring now to
Representative figures of merits for various types of FOE optics are shown in Table 1. More specifically, optic #1 is a commercial kaleidoscope, optic #2 is a commercial dome, optic #3 is an advance Kohler free form dome, and optic #4 is an example of an optic of the present disclosure. Note that a higher CAP and lower flux ratios are desired, and that good figures of merit become harder to achieve with higher Cg values. In one example, the optic element described herein has a height and thus volume that is one-half to one-third of a typical kaleidoscope homogenizer optic, thus reducing the cost of materials of the optic.
In addition to the superior acceptance angle and increased uniform field illumination, the deterministic final optic element (FOE) described herein has a faster “f” ratio with limited incident angles to the solar cell. The method and apparatus of the present disclosure improves solar cell electrical energy conversion in the solar system, enhances reliability of the solar cell, allows for greater tolerances in manufacturing of other components of the solar system, and reduces tracking accuracy requirements. With increasing off-axis angle of the present method and apparatus, the flux variation remains nearly constant across the operating range; unlike known designs that have much higher flux intensities as the angle increase. In addition, the optic element herein has a height and thus volume that is one-half to one-third of a typical kaleidoscope homogenizer optic; thus reducing the cost of materials of the optic. Another benefit realized by an example of the optic of the present disclosure is that smaller “f” ratios (focal length to POE aperture) can be used to eliminate the need for more expensive compound cassegrain type reflector systems requiring a secondary mirror to minimize depth of the CPV system between POE and FOE. This is due to the limit of one reflection per sun ray per side wall of the optic in the method described resulting in wider acceptable cone of input rays for the same output incident angles at the solar cell versus other multiple ray reflection optics.
The present invention described herein, therefore, is well adapted to carry out the objects and attain the ends and advantages mentioned, as well as others inherent therein. While a presently preferred embodiment of the invention has been given for purposes of disclosure, numerous changes exist in the details of procedures for accomplishing the desired results. These and other similar modifications will readily suggest themselves to those skilled in the art, and are intended to be encompassed within the spirit of the present invention disclosed herein and the scope of the appended claims.
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 61684460 | Aug 2012 | US |
