Tubular luminescence photovoltaic array

摘要

A photovoltaic solar cell system is provided which comprises a hollow light tube of substantially conventional design of optically transparent material, generally square cross section and preselected length and width and having on the outer surfaces thereof longitudinally extending triangularly shaped grooves defining a plurality of ridges having triangular cross section along the tube length, each ridge having a 90 DEG apex angle and surfaces along its length defining a 45 DEG angle with the inner surfaces of the tube; light concentrating optics are operatively connected to one end of the tube for directing light into the tube; and a plurality of solar cells are disposed on the outer surfaces of the tube in a rectangular array of size corresponding to tube size with the photoactive surfaces of the cells facing inwardly of the tube. The tube may be hermetically sealed and either evacuated or filled with inert gas in certain applications.