SUNLIGHT CONCENTRATING AND HARVESTING DEVICE.

摘要

Device for concentrating and harvesting sunlight comprising: A panel having rigid layer (12) having a patterned electrical circuit thereon (30). An array of sunlight concentrating and harvesting units, each unit being formed by at least one rigid element and a portion of the rigid layer; and including: a rigid optical concentrating element (50), a photovoltaic cell (24) sandwiched within the panel for converting sunlight into electrical energy, and an electrical conductor (30). The electrical conductor being the primary heat sink for the photovoltaic cell, the photovoltaic cell being primarily cooled via conduction. The electrical conductor and the optical concentrating element being dimensioned and arranged within the unit such that the electrical conductor does not materially impede transmission of sunlight to the photovoltaic cell. The electrical conductor transmitting electrical and thermal energy received from the photovoltaic cell away from the unit.