| 摘要 |
A solar collector ( 100 ) is provided having increased efficiency and operating life, and reduced size and cost over conventional collectors. Generally, the collector ( 100 ) includes a three-dimensional array ( 110 ) of cells ( 104 ), including a base-layer ( 112 ) and at least one elevated-tier ( 114 ) above and separated from the base-layer, so that at least some light passes between cells of the tier to the base-layer. Preferably, the tier ( 114 ) includes cells ( 104 ) oriented to receive light reflected from the base-layer ( 112 ). More preferably, the array ( 100 ) is within an enclosure ( 108 ) having a bottom-wall ( 120 ) and sidewalls ( 122, 124 ) that reflect a portion of light incident thereon onto the cells ( 104 ). In one embodiment, the cells ( 104 ) include types of monolithic cells sensitive to different wavelengths of light, and the collector ( 100 ) further includes voltage converters ( 144 ) to match voltages from the different types of cells to a common output voltage. Optionally, cells ( 104 ) susceptible to damage by ultraviolet radiation are oriented to receive only reflected light.
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