Abstract: A solar concentrator assembly includes a pair of rails coupled together only by one or more backpans which are mounted between the pair of rails. The rails are configured to resist a portion of a cantilever deflection along the length of the rails. The backpans seat solar concentrator arrays and are configured to provide torsional rigidity and deflection resistance in at least one direction orthogonal to the cantilever deflection.

Abstract: A system may include an optical element including a surface defining a recess, conductive material disposed within the recess, and a solder mask disposed over a portion of the conductive material. The solder mask may define an aperture through which light from the optical element may pass. Some aspects provide creation of an optical element including a surface defining a recess, deposition of conductive material on the surface such that a portion of the deposited conductive material is disposed within the recess, and substantial planarization of the surface to expose the portion of the conductive material disposed within the recess.

Abstract: A system may include an optical element including a surface defining a recess, conductive material disposed within the recess, and a solder mask disposed over a portion of the conductive material. The solder mask may define an aperture through which light from the optical element may pass. Some aspects provide creation of an optical element including a surface defining a recess, deposition of conductive material on the surface such that a portion of the deposited conductive material is disposed within the recess, and substantial planarization of the surface to expose the portion of the conductive material disposed within the recess.

Abstract: The present invention is a combination non-imaging concentrator in which at least one surface or volume is incorporated as an optical element to increase obliquity of reflection at walls of a light guide. The combination non-imaging concentrator may be used in a solar energy system to receive solar radiation from optical components and then output the solar radiation to a photovoltaic cell for conversion to electricity. One or more lenses may be formed integrally with the light guide, or may be used in conjunction with the light guide as separate components.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to an apparatus and method for improving the total power output from a field of solar energy systems. The invention provides a field level tracker controller which calculates an improved positioning of individual solar energy systems and communicates those configurations to trackers in the field. An algorithm stored in the controller calculates the improved configuration for the solar energy systems based on factors such as solar movement, shade patterns generated by surrounding structures, and measured output of the energy systems. Improved positioning may include individual energy systems being directed to a stowed position to maximize the power output of the field as a whole.

Abstract: Solar panels and assembled arrays thereof include a collection of relatively compact, high-capacity power units. Optical components of each power unit include a front window or surface glazing, a primary mirror, secondary mirror and receiver assembly. Primary and secondary mirrors are defined by respective perimeters, at least a portion of which may be substantially coplanar and in contact with the front window. Some primary mirrors are configured with a perimeter of alternating full and truncated sections, and are curved to a base portion forming a pilot hole therein. Receiver assembly mechanical components include an alignment tube for mating with the primary mirror's pilot hole and for housing a photovoltaic solar cell. A base plate provided adjacent to the alignment tube serves to radiate heat emitted by the solar cell, and in some embodiments an additional heat sink provides further passive cooling.

Abstract: A system may include a solar cell, a support defining an opening over the solar cell and comprising a retention feature, and an optical element disposed within the opening. The optical element may include a location feature engaged with the retention feature of the support. In some aspects, the optical element includes an upper surface to receive concentrated light and a lower surface through which light passes to the solar cell, and the location feature is disposed between the upper surface and the lower surface. The retention feature may be a lip defining the opening over the solar cell, and/or the location feature may consist of a notch defined by an edge of the optical element.

Abstract: An apparatus for collecting solar energy includes a receptacle adapted for receiving solar thermal energy; an insert located within the receptacle, the insert being a heat pipe adapted to transfer heat; and an absorption device positioned proximate to and substantially conforming to at least a portion of an internal surface of the receptacle and thermally coupled to the insert. The insert enters the receptacle substantially at a cross-sectional center of the receptacle, and further inside the receptacle, the insert shifts to become closer to the absorption fin.

Abstract: The present invention is a contoured backpan for a solar concentrator array. The backpan has depressions integrally formed in its bottom surface for seating solar concentrator modules. The depressions, in combination connecting toughs, provide a structure which is able to support an array of solar concentrators. Optional stiffening members may be attached to fee backpan to provide additional structural rigidity, as well as to support a front panel for the array.

Abstract: A Cassegrain-type concentrating solar collector cell includes primary and secondary mirrors disposed on opposing convex and concave surfaces of a light-transparent (e.g., glass) optical element. Light enters an aperture surface surrounding the secondary mirror, and is reflected by the primary mirror toward the secondary mirror, which re-reflects the light onto a photovoltaic cell. The photovoltaic cell is mounted on a central portion of heat spreader that extends over the primary mirror. The heat spreader transmits waste heat from the photovoltaic cell in a manner that evenly distributes the heat over the optical element, thereby maximizing the radiation of heat from the aperture surface into space. The heat spreader includes a thick copper layer formed on a flexible substrate (e.g., polyimide film) that is patterned with radial arms that facilitate mounting onto the convex surface of the optical element.

Abstract: A system may include acquisition of power information from a signal line in accordance with a first signal characteristic. The power information is associated with power generated by a solar collector, and the first signal characteristic is substantially orthogonal to a corresponding signal characteristic of at least one noise source associated with the signal line. In some aspects, a solar tracking error associated with the solar collector is determined based on the acquired power information, a servo feedback signal is determined based on the acquired power information, and determination of the solar tracking error includes determination of the solar tracking error based on the servo feedback signal.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a device and method for securing optical elements in a solar energy system. Molded securing devices are fixed directly to the front panel of a solar energy system to provide for secure, aligned placement of optical components. In some embodiments, the peripheral edge of a front panel may be encapsulated by the molded device to provide alignment of peripheral optical elements and a secure water resistant seal between the front panel and a backpan. In other embodiments, molded securing devices may be positioned away from the peripheral edge to assist in alignment of central optical elements.

Abstract: A mount for a semiconductor device has a first surface with at least one contact region and a second surface. The mount has a substrate to receive the second surface of the semiconductor device and a planar element. The planar element has an aperture sized to surround the semiconductor. A first surface of the planar element is mounted to the substrate and is located to surround the semiconductor device such that the semiconductor device is aligned by the aperture. The mount further has means for mounting the semiconductor device to the substrate in an aligned position. Some embodiments include a method of making and/or using such a mount.

Abstract: A Cassegrain-type concentrating solar collector cell includes primary and secondary mirrors disposed on opposing convex and concave surfaces of a light-transparent (e.g., glass) optical element. Light enters an aperture surface surrounding the secondary mirror, and is reflected by the primary mirror toward the secondary mirror, which re-reflects the light onto a photovoltaic cell. The photovoltaic cell is mounted on a central portion of heat spreader that extends over the primary mirror. The heat spreader transmits waste heat from the photovoltaic cell in a manner that evenly distributes the heat over the optical element, thereby maximizing the radiation of heat from the aperture surface into space. The heat spreader includes a thick copper layer formed on a flexible substrate (e.g., polyimide film) that is patterned with radial arms that facilitate mounting onto the convex surface of the optical element.

Abstract: A solar thermal energy collector manifold is provided. The manifold is connected to solar collector tubes for collecting solar energy. A fluid is used to transfer the heat collected from the collector tubes. The manifold includes an inlet path for receiving the fluid, a fluid flow path for transferring the fluid to the solar collector tubes, and an outlet path for outputting the heated fluid. To facilitate the flow paths, the manifold includes a plate with depressions.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a device and method for shaping optical components with improved uniformity and higher throughput. A curved oven provides a plurality of sequential chambers arranged in a curved path, with walls separating the chambers. The walls of the chambers may have openings shaped to match the profile of shaping molds and pedestals which are transported through the oven. An optional dual temperature control system may provide for the separate temperature regulation of upper and lower regions of the chambers. Optical components, such as for solar energy sytems, are manufactured by conveying material and molds on a transport system through the curved oven and shaping them by controlled heat and vacuum assisted slumping. The chambers may be grouped into regions, with the materials undergoing different processes as they traverse each region.

Abstract: A monolithic multijunction photovoltaic device is disclosed which comprises two or more photovoltaic cells between two surfaces. Each of the photovoltaic cell materials include a first region exhibiting an excess of a first charge carrier and a second region exhibiting an excess of a second charge carrier. Contacts are connected to the regions of the photovoltaic cells in configurations that allow excess current to be extracted as useful energy. In one embodiment, a first contact is electrically connected to a second region of a first material, a second contact is electrically connected to a first region of the first material, a third contact is electrically connected to a first region of a second material, and a fourth contact is electrically connected to a third material. In other embodiments, the contacts may be positioned on the surfaces of the monolithic device to minimize shadowing.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to an apparatus and method for improving the power output of a solar energy system. A field level inverter controller is described that may improve the power output of individual solar energy systems in a field of solar energy systems by controlling the inverter voltage applied to strings of solar energy units in a solar energy system connected in parallel to an inverter. An inverter load voltage for an improved power output may be calculated or derived empirically. An algorithm stored in the controller may calculate an improved load voltage for the inverters based on factors such as string geometry, solar movement and shade patterns generated by surrounding structures. Improved power output may be empirically determined by the field level inverter controller when the inverter controller directs an inverter to sweep a range of voltage values until a maximum output is detected.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to an apparatus and method for improving the total power output from a field of solar energy systems. The invention provides a field level tracker controller which calculates an improved positioning of individual solar energy systems and communicates those configurations to trackers in the field. An algorithm stored in the controller calculates the improved configuration for the solar energy systems based on factors such as solar movement, shade patterns generated by surrounding structures, and measured output of the energy systems. Improved positioning may include individual energy systems being directed to a stowed position to maximize the power output of the field as a whole.

Abstract: A solar thermal energy collector manifold is provided. The manifold is connected to solar collector tubes for collecting solar energy. A fluid is used to transfer the heat collected from the collector tubes. The manifold includes an inlet path for receiving the fluid, a fluid flow path for transferring the fluid to the solar collector tubes, and an outlet path for outputting the heated fluid. To facilitate the flow paths, the manifold includes a plate with depressions.