| 摘要 |
A low cost mass-produced solar module that extracts both electricity and heat from the sun. One or more reflectors held by a frame reflect the sun's heat into an absorber. Each reflector rotates about its axle to keep its reflected solar energy focused on the absorber. In one embodiment, solar heat is focused to heat fluid that flows to thermodynamic engines that convert the heat to electricity. Engine waste heat is also captured for use as building heat, home hot water or industrial process heat. In another embodiment, solar heat is focused onto photovoltaic devices that directly convert light into electricity. The fluid that cools the photovoltaic devices can be used for building heat, home hot water or industrial process heat. The frame shields the reflectors from ambient wind loads, supports reflector axles accurately and simplifies installation on roofs or walls of buildings. The frame, reflectors, absorber and ancillary components comprise a module that can be shipped, installed and operated by low skill. Most components are fabricated using “double wall” construction formed by two face sheets held apart by a core that reduces their weight and their cost. Reflector surfaces are curved to focus the sun and to provide additional strength. Module design includes methods to install, maintain and verify proper functioning of the modules. In addition, methods show how electrical energy can be derived from the module, both circulating fluids that power thermodynamic engines and by photovoltaic cells that are cooled by the circulating fluid. Sensors contained in the modules detect aberrant behavior and optimize reflector trajectories to extract the most solar heat available. Communication between modules allows optimization of an array of modules. |
