Abstract: An illumination device having an optical waveguide stage to which is optically coupled a light-projecting stage. The illumination device accepts light from a small isotropic light source such as a light emitting diode or a bulb coupled to the optical waveguide stage. The illumination device spreads the light over a wide area while also collimating it to form a beam. The light-projecting stage and the optical waveguide stage are made of thin slabs of optically transmissive material.

Abstract: A photovoltaic light guide solar concentration apparatus has a deflecting layer, a light-guide layer optically coupled to the deflecting layer, a secondary optic and a photovoltaic cell. The photovoltaic concentration apparatus has a central optical axis that, in operation, is parallel to incident sunlight. A deflecting layer includes a plurality of focusing elements symmetrically arranged with respect to the central optical axis. The light-guide layer is optically coupled to the plurality of focusing elements of the deflecting layer. The light-guide layer has a reflective surface and a plurality of opposite facets symmetrically arranged with respect to the central axis and focused sunlight from the deflection layer enters the light-guide layer and is directed and trapped by the reflective surface and the opposite facets and guided inside the light-guide layer towards an exit aperture through total internal reflections.

Abstract: A solar energy concentration system that uses a light-guide solar panel (LGSP) to trap light inside a dielectric or other transparent panel and propagates the light to one of the panel edges for harvesting solar energy by a collector such as a photovoltaic cell. This allows for very thin modules whose thickness is comparable to the height of the solar energy collector. This eliminates the depth requirements inherent in traditional concentrated photovoltaic solar energy systems.

Abstract: A photovoltaic solar-light concentration apparatus comprises a focusing layer having a plurality of focusing elements disposed adjacent to each other. A waveguide optically coupled and separated from the focusing layer has an exit surface and a plurality of deflecting elements. Each of the deflecting elements receives a band shaped solar-light beam from a corresponding focusing element. The deflecting elements are shaped and disposed so as to deflect and trap the solar-light beams inside the waveguide at an angle that insures total internal reflection. This concentrated solar-light is conveyed along a main direction perpendicular to the exit surface towards a single or multi junction photovoltaic cell coupled to the waveguide via a secondary optical element. The multi junction PV cell is customized to respond to the spectral light emerging from the waveguide as changed by the partial absorption through the optics that is molded of a plastic resin.

Abstract: An illumination device having an optical waveguide stage to which is optically coupled a light-projecting stage. The illumination device accepts light from a small isotropic light source such as a light emitting diode or a bulb coupled to the optical waveguide stage. The illumination device spreads the light over a wide area while also collimating it to form a beam. Alternatively, the light beam can also be shaped in a variety of ways. The light-projecting stage and the optical waveguide stage are made of thin slabs of optically transmissive material.

Abstract: A light concentrating photovoltaic system and method is provided to address potential degradation in performance of optical concentrator and PV cell assemblies, whether due to misalignments of various components within the optical concentrator (such as light guides, focusing elements and the like), misalignment between the optical concentrator and the PV cell, or other anomalies or defects within any such component. Within a single apparatus, a number of optical concentrators and corresponding sunlight receiver assemblies (including the PV cell) are provided each with a corresponding integrated power efficiency optimizer to adjust the output voltage and current of the PV cell resulting from differing efficiencies between each one of the concentrator-receiver assemblies.

Abstract: A solar concentrator comprising: A luminescent layer having luminescent particles capable of becoming excited by absorbing solar light of a first absorption frequency and, once excited, being capable of being stimulated to emit luminescent light at a first emission frequency. A light source for generating a pump light of the first emission frequency for stimulating the excited luminescent particles having absorbed solar light such that when the pump light traveling in a direction of travel stimulates the luminescent particles having absorbed solar light at the first absorption frequency the luminescent particles emit luminescent light at the first emission frequency in the direction of travel of the pump light, intensifying the pump light. A light guide adjacent to and optically coupled with the luminescent layer, the light-guide for assisting in guiding the intensified pump light via total internal reflection to a light collection area.

Abstract: The present invention is that of a solar energy system that uses a light-guide solar panel (LGSP) to trap light inside a dielectric or other transparent panel and propagates the light to one of the panel edges for harvesting by a solar energy collector such as a photovoltaic cell. This allows for very thin modules whose thickness is comparable to the height of the solar energy collector. This eliminates the depth requirements inherent in traditional concentrated photovoltaic solar energy systems.

Abstract: The present invention is that of a solar energy system that uses a light-guide solar panel (LGSP) to trap light inside a dielectric or other transparent panel and propagates the light to one of the panel edges for harvesting by a solar energy collector such as a photovoltaic cell. This allows for very thin modules whose thickness is comparable to the height of the solar energy collector. This eliminates eliminating the depth requirements inherent in traditional concentrated photovoltaic solar energy systems.

Abstract: The present invention is that of a solar energy system that uses a light-guide solar panel (LGSP) to trap light inside a dielectric or other transparent panel and propagates the light to one of the panel edges for harvesting by a solar energy collector such as a photovoltaic cell. This allows for very thin modules whose thickness is comparable to the height of the solar energy collector. This eliminates eliminating the depth requirements inherent in traditional concentrated photovoltaic solar energy systems. A light guide solar panel has a deflecting layer, a light guide layer and a solar cell in optical communication with the light guide layer. The deflecting layer receives light at a first surface and inputs the light into the light guide layer. The light guide layer propagates the light to the solar cell, which is aligned generally parallel to the input surface.

Abstract: The present invention is that of a solar energy system that uses a light-guide solar panel (LGSP) to trap light inside a dielectric or other transparent panel and propagates the light to one of the panel edges for harvesting by a solar energy collector such as a photovoltaic cell. This allows for very thin modules whose thickness is comparable to the height of the solar energy collector. This eliminates eliminating the depth requirements inherent in traditional concentrated photovoltaic solar energy systems.

Abstract: An illumination device having an optical waveguide stage to which is optically coupled a light-projecting stage. The illumination device accepts light from a small isotropic light source such as a light emitting diode or a bulb coupled to the optical waveguide stage. The illumination device spreads the light over a wide area while also collimating it to form a beam. The light-projecting stage and the optical waveguide stage are made of thin slabs of optically transmissive material.

Abstract: A solar panel assembly with a first group of spaced-apart solar energy collector modules and a second group of spaced-apart solar energy collector modules. The first and second groups lie in respective parallel planes, which define an air gap therebetween, and are staggered with respect to each other. The staggering of the groups allows for light not harvested by the first row to be harvested by the second row and provides a low dead-space characteristic for the solar panel assembly. The gap between the planes and the space between individual solar energy collector modules of a same group allow for improved heat dissipation in the modules and for the solar panel assembly to offer low resistance to wind.

Abstract: A solar panel window for mounting to a building. The window has an interior pane and an exterior pane adjacent to each other. The exterior pane has a first ridged surface and the interior pane has a second ridged surface, which is complementary to the first ridged surface. The exterior and interior panes are secured together with their ridged surfaces facing each other. A plurality of photovoltaic solar cells are mounted on the first ridged surface of the exterior pane. The solar panel window allows light impinging thereon through a pre-determined viewing angle to be transmitted inside the building. Light impinging on the window outside the pre-determined viewing angled is directed to the plurality of solar cells.

Abstract: The present invention is that of a solar energy system that uses a light-guide solar panel (LGSP) to trap light inside a dielectric or other transparent panel and propagates the light to one of the panel edges for harvesting by a solar energy collector such as a photovoltaic cell. This allows for very thin modules whose thickness is comparable to the height of the solar energy collector. This eliminates eliminating the depth requirements inherent in traditional concentrated photovoltaic solar energy systems.