Abstract: Techniques for cooling concentrating solar collector systems are provided. In one aspect, an apparatus for cooling a photovoltaic cell includes a heat exchanger having a metal plate with a bend therein that positions a first surface of the metal plate at an angle of from about 100 degrees to about 150 degrees relative to a second surface of the metal plate, and a plurality of fins attached to a side of the metal plate opposite the first surface and the second surface; a vapor chamber extending along the first surface and the second surface of the metal plate, crossing the bend; and a cladding material between the vapor chamber and the heat exchanger, wherein the cladding material is configured to thermally couple the vapor chamber to the heat exchanger. A photovoltaic system and method for operating a photovoltaic system are also provided.

Abstract: Techniques for providing high-capacity, re-workable connections in concentrated photovoltaic devices are provided. In one aspect, a lead frame package for a photovoltaic device is provided that includes a beam shield; and one or more lead frame connectors affixed to the beam shield, wherein the lead frame connectors are configured to provide connection to the photovoltaic device when the photovoltaic device is assembled to the lead frame package. A photovoltaic apparatus is also provided that includes a lead frame package assembled to a photovoltaic device. The lead frame package includes a beam shield and one or more lead frame connectors affixed to the beam shield, wherein the lead frame connectors are configured to provide connection to the photovoltaic device.

Abstract: Techniques for cooling concentrating solar collector systems are provided. In one aspect, an apparatus for cooling a photovoltaic cell includes a heat exchanger having a metal plate with a bend therein that positions a first surface of the metal plate at an angle of from about 100 degrees to about 150 degrees relative to a second surface of the metal plate, and a plurality of fins attached to a side of the metal plate opposite the first surface and the second surface; a vapor chamber extending along the first surface and the second surface of the metal plate, crossing the bend; and a cladding material between the vapor chamber and the heat exchanger, wherein the cladding material is configured to thermally couple the vapor chamber to the heat exchanger. A photovoltaic system and method for operating a photovoltaic system are also provided.

Abstract: Techniques for cooling concentrating solar collector systems are provided. In one aspect, an apparatus for cooling a photovoltaic cell includes a heat exchanger having a metal plate with a bend therein that positions a first surface of the metal plate at an angle of from about 100 degrees to about 150 degrees relative to a second surface of the metal plate, and a plurality of fins attached to a side of the metal plate opposite the first surface and the second surface; a vapor chamber extending along the first surface and the second surface of the metal plate, crossing the bend; and a cladding material between the vapor chamber and the heat exchanger, wherein the cladding material is configured to thermally couple the vapor chamber to the heat exchanger. A photovoltaic system and method for operating a photovoltaic system are also provided.

Abstract: Techniques for cooling concentrating solar collector systems are provided. In one aspect, an apparatus for cooling a photovoltaic cell includes a heat exchanger having a metal plate with a bend therein that positions a first surface of the metal plate at an angle of from about 100 degrees to about 150 degrees relative to a second surface of the metal plate, and a plurality of fins attached to a side of the metal plate opposite the first surface and the second surface; a vapor chamber extending along the first surface and the second surface of the metal plate, crossing the bend; and a cladding material between the vapor chamber and the heat exchanger, wherein the cladding material is configured to thermally couple the vapor chamber to the heat exchanger. A photovoltaic system and method for operating a photovoltaic system are also provided.

Abstract: In one aspect, an interposer assembly for housing a photovoltaic device includes a frame, formed from an electrically insulating material, having a center opening with a shape/size complementary to a shape/size of the photovoltaic device thus permitting the photovoltaic device to fit within the center opening in the frame when the photovoltaic device is housed in the assembly; a beam shield on the frame having a cup-shaped inner cavity to aid in routing of light to the photovoltaic device, wherein a side of the beam shield facing the frame has one or more recesses present therein; and one or more interposer connectors positioned between the frame and the beam shield such that the interposer connectors fit within the recesses in the beam shield, and wherein a portion of each of the interposer connectors extends into the center opening of the frame.

Abstract: Techniques for providing high-capacity, re-workable connections in concentrated photovoltaic devices are provided. In one aspect, a lead frame package for a photovoltaic device is provided that includes a beam shield; and one or more lead frame connectors affixed to the beam shield, wherein the lead frame connectors are configured to provide connection to the photovoltaic device when the photovoltaic device is assembled to the lead frame package. A photovoltaic apparatus is also provided that includes a lead frame package assembled to a photovoltaic device. The lead frame package includes a beam shield and one or more lead frame connectors affixed to the beam shield, wherein the lead frame connectors are configured to provide connection to the photovoltaic device.