BEAM SPLITTING OF SOLAR LIGHT BY REFLECTIVE FILTERS

摘要

A photovoltaic system is described that improves energy efficiency (conversion of solar energy to electrical energy) by beam-splitting, via reflective filters, the incident solar light into a reflective portion and an exit portion. The reflective portion and the exit portion are directed to respective photovoltaic cells that convert the incident light energy into electrical energy. The concentrated solar light is collimated then split via reflective filters saving on the reflective filter area and reducing overall bulkiness of the beam-splitting system. Further, a cascade of multiple filters is used to split either the reflected spectra or the exit spectra of solar light.

主权项

1. A photovoltaic system comprising:
a concentrator configured to receive sunlight and focus the received light at one of a focus point and a focus line of the concentrator; a collimator positioned at the focus point and configured to convert the focused light into a parallel beam of light; a reflective filter positioned at a predetermined distance behind the collimator and disposed at a predetermined angle with respect to the collimator, the reflective filter being configured to receive and split the parallel beam of light into a first portion of light and a second portion of light; a first single junction photovoltaic cell configured to absorb the first portion of light and convert the absorbed first portion into electrical energy; and a second single-junction photovoltaic cell disposed behind the reflective filter and configured to absorb the second portion of light and convert the absorbed second portion into electrical energy, the second single junction photovoltaic cell being disposed perpendicular to the first single junction photovoltaic cell.