Abstract: A photovoltaic cell assembly suitable for use in a dense array concentrated photovoltaic cell module includes a plurality of photovoltaic cells mounted on a substrate and a by-pass diode associated with each cell to allow the cell to be by-passed in the electrical circuit in the event that the cell fails or has low illumination. The diodes are positioned in the shadows of the cells. The diodes provide direct pathways for heat and electricity from the cells to the substrate.

Abstract: A method of operating a solar energy plant and a solar plant are disclosed. Thermal energy produced in the plant is used to heat a first volume of water and charge a hot store in the plant. Electricity produced in the plant operates a heat engine or other device, such as a refrigeration unit, to extract heat and consequently cool a second volume of water and charge a cold store. As desired, energy is transferred from the hot store to a heat engine and energy is transferred from the heat engine to the cold store to operate the heat engine to produce power in the plant.

Abstract: A photovoltaic cell assembly suitable for use in a dense array concentrated photovoltaic cell module includes a plurality of photovoltaic cells mounted on a substrate and a by-pass diode associated with each cell to allow the cell to be by-passed in the electrical circuit in the event that the cell fails or has low illumination. The diodes are positioned in the shadows of the cells. The diodes provide direct pathways for heat and electricity from the cells to the substrate.

Abstract: A photovoltaic cell assembly suitable for use in a dense array concentrated photovoltaic cell module includes a plurality of photovoltaic cells mounted on a substrate and a by-pass diode associated with each cell to allow the cell to be by-passed in the electrical circuit in the event that the cell fails or has low illumination. The diodes are positioned in the shadows of the cells. The diodes provide direct pathways for heat and electricity from the cells to the substrate.

Abstract: A method of operating a solar energy plant includes storing solar energy in a compressed air system of the plant by converting solar energy into electrical energy which operates a compressor of the compressed air system and produces compressed air and/or using solar energy as thermal energy that heats compressed air in the compressed air system of the plant.

Abstract: An assembly for extracting heat from a photovoltaic cell assembly for a receiver of a solar radiation-based electrical power generating system is disclosed. The assembly comprises a coolant chamber and a coolant member in the form of a plurality of heat transfer fingers of high thermal conductivity material that are located in the coolant chamber. The fingers have ends that are in thermal contact with the photovoltaic cell assembly and thereby facilitate heat transfer away from the assembly. The fingers are sufficiently flexible to accommodate differences in thermal expansion coefficient between the object and the fingers. The fingers have a relatively high surface area for heat transfer from the fingers to coolant that, in use, circulates through the coolant chamber.

Abstract: A receiver for a solar radiation-based electrical power generation system comprises a plurality of photovoltaic cells, with the cells being arranged in modules, with each module comprising one or more than one cell, and with the modules being arranged in subarrays, with each subarray comprising a plurality of modules. The receiver also comprises a support framework for the subarrays.

Abstract: A method of operating a solar energy plant includes storing solar energy in a compressed air system of the plant by converting solar energy into electrical energy which operates a compressor of the compressed air system and produces compressed air and/or using solar energy as thermal energy that heats compressed air in the compressed air system of the plant.

Abstract: A solar energy plant/system includes different combinations of solar energy receivers and arrangements of the receivers that make it possible to optimize solar energy collection and conversion into other forms of energy to maximize value.

Abstract: A photovoltaic cell assembly suitable for use in a dense array concentrated photovoltaic cell module includes a plurality of photovoltaic cells mounted on a substrate and a by-pass diode associated with each cell to allow the cell to be by-passed in the electrical circuit in the event that the cell fails or has low illumination. The diodes are positioned in the shadows of the cells. The diodes provide direct pathways for heat and electricity from the cells to the substrate.

Abstract: A photovoltaic device including a substantially planar photon source facing side, a plurality of edges extending around the perimeter defined by the photon source facing side, and an edge insulator arranged to prevent at least one edge of the plurality of edges from coming into electrical contact with a neighbouring electrically conductive element when the photovoltaic device is arranged as part of an array of photovoltaic devices.

Abstract: An assembly for extracting heat from a photovoltaic cell assembly for a receiver of a solar radiation-based electrical power generating system is disclosed. The assembly comprises a coolant chamber and a coolant member in the form of a plurality of heat transfer fingers of high thermal conductivity material that are located in the coolant chamber. The fingers have ends that are in thermal contact with the photovoltaic cell assembly and thereby facilitate heat transfer away from the assembly. The fingers are sufficiently flexible to accommodate differences in thermal expansion coefficient between the object and the fingers. The fingers have a relatively high surface area for heat transfer from the fingers to coolant that, in use, circulates through the coolant chamber.

Abstract: A solar energy plant/system includes different combinations of solar energy receivers and arrangements of the receivers that make it possible to optimize solar energy collection and conversion into other forms of energy to maximise value.

Abstract: A receiver for a solar radiation-based electrical power generation system comprises a plurality of photovoltaic cells, with the cells being arranged in modules, with each module comprising one or more than one cell, and with the modules being arranged in subarrays, with each subarray comprising a plurality of modules. The receiver also comprises a support framework for the subarrays.

Abstract: Protection apparatus for protecting a photovoltaic solar energy receiver from overheating due to concentrated solar radiation reflected from mirrors towards the receiver, the protection apparatus comprising: a shield arranged to move between a stowed position out of a path of solar radiation onto the receiver and a shielding position in the path of solar radiation, unless restrained in the stowed position; and a restraint mechanism for restraining the shield in the stowed position.

Abstract: A photovoltaic device comprising a substantially planar photon source facing side, a plurality of edges extending around the perimeter defined by the photon source facing side, and an edge insulator arranged to prevent at least one edge of the plurality of edges from coming into electrical contact with a neighbouring electrically conductive element when the photovoltaic device is arranged as part of an array of photovoltaic devices.

Abstract: A photovoltaic power module, comprising a substrate provided with a circuit, one or more photovoltaic cells mounted to the substrate and electrically connected to the circuit, and one or more bypass diodes, each corresponding to a respective one or more of the cells, wherein each of the diodes is located between the substrate and the cells and between conducting portions of the circuit.

Abstract: A photovoltaic power module (10), comprising a substrate (12) provided with a circuit, one or more photovoltaic cells (16) mounted to the substrate and electrically connected to the circuit, and one or more bypass diodes (20), each corresponding to a respective one or more of the cells, wherein each of the diodes is located between the substrate and the cells and between conducting portions (14) of the circuit. Solder (18) connects the bypass diode, the conducting portions, and the photovoltaic cell.

Abstract: A tracking system for tracking an object, the system having a first axis and a second axis perpendicular to the first axis. The first axis is at an angle to the vertical such that the object (or equivalently its path) does not intersect the first axis.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a mirror for a dish reflector of a system for generating electrical power from solar radiation is disclosed. The method includes the steps of: (a) shaping a blank of a deformable material to have a concave surface that is a required surface profile for a mirror; and (b) glueing, laminating or otherwise adhering together a back surface of a sheet of reflective glass and the concave surface of the shaped blank to form the mirror.