According to some embodiments, the present invention provides a novel photovoltaic solar cell system from photovoltaic modules that are vertically arrayed in a stack format using thin film semiconductors selected from among organic and inorganic thin film semiconductors. The stack cells may be cells that are produced in a planar manner, then vertically oriented in an angular form, also termed herein tilted, to maximize the light capturing aspects. The use of a stack configuration system as described herein allows for the use of a variety of electrode materials, such as transparent materials or semitransparent metals. Light concentration can be achieved by using fresnel lens, parabolic mirrors or derivatives of such structures. The light capturing can be controlled by being reflected back and forth in the photovoltaic system until significant quantities of the resonant light is absorbed. Light that passes to the very end and can be reflected back through the device by beveling or capping the end of the device with a different refractive index material, or alternatively using a reflective surface. The contacting between stacked cells can be done in series or parallel. According to some embodiments, the present invention uses a concentrator architecture where the light is channeled into the cells that contain thermal fluid channels (using a transparent fluid such as water) to absorb and hence reduce the thermal energy generation.

A solar panel includes photovoltaic cells; fingers; and busbars, heat exchangers in contact with the busbar (s) for receiving heat from the busbar by conductivity; and refrigeration means or retiring heat from the heat exchanger(s) to an ambient. Heat exchangers may be selected among: electrically insulant heat exchangers provided in several discrete locations of the busbar(s); or exchanging duct(s) located along the busbar(s) or portions thereof, within which a cooling fluid flows. Refrigeration may be selected from Peltier thermoelectrical refrigerating elements; and a refrigerating machine including: evaporator; compressor; condenser; refrigerating ducts through which a cooling fluid flows; and an expansion valve located on the refrigerating ducts. It limits shadowing provided by cooling systems in the previous art.

One or more embodiments of the present invention are directed to a photovoltaic system. The system comprises photovoltaic cells, arranged side-by-side to form an array of photovoltaic cells. It further involves a cooling device, which comprises one or more layers, wherein the layers extend opposite to the array of photovoltaic cells and in thermal communication therewith, for cooling the cells, in operation. The one or more layers are structured such that a thermal resistance of the photovoltaic system varies across the array of photovoltaic cells, so as to remove heat from photovoltaic cells of the array with different heat removal rates, in operation. One or more embodiments of the present invention are further directed to related systems and methods for cooling such photovoltaic systems.

According to some embodiments, the present invention provides a novel photovoltaic solar cell system from photovoltaic modules that are vertically arrayed in a stack format using thin film semiconductors selected from among organic and inorganic thin film semiconductors. The stack cells may be cells that are produced in a planar manner, then vertically oriented in an angular form, also termed herein tilted, to maximize the light capturing aspects. The use of a stack configuration system as described herein allows for the use of a variety of electrode materials, such as transparent materials or semitransparent metals. Light concentration can be achieved by using fresnel lens, parabolic mirrors or derivatives of such structures. The light capturing can be controlled by being reflected back and forth in the photovoltaic system until significant quantities of the resonant light is absorbed. Light that passes to the very end and can be reflected back through the device by beveling or capping the end of the device with a different refractive index material, or alternatively using a reflective surface. The contacting between stacked cells can be done in series or parallel. According to some embodiments, the present invention uses a concentrator architecture where the light is channeled into the cells that contain thermal fluid channels (using a transparent fluid such as water) to absorb and hence reduce the thermal energy generation.

A solar energy collector includes a generally tubular housing or multiple tubular housings each having an open end for receipt of solar rays which are then reflected from a generally conical mirror within the housing onto solar cells lining the inside surface of the housing. Various mechanisms are utilized to favorably orient the housing or otherwise direct the solar rays and to maximize the incidence of reflected solar rays onto solar cells.

A solar power generation assembly includes a first canopy wing positioned at a first predetermined inclination and a second canopy wing positioned at a second predetermined inclination, wherein the first and second canopies form a dual-incline structure and a main gutter is disposed between the first and second canopies. Additionally, at least one mounting rail gutter extends perpendicular to the main gutter and a secondary gutter extends parallel to the main gutter, wherein the secondary gutter directs precipitation to the mounting rail gutter and the mounting rail gutter directs precipitation into the main gutter, wherein the secondary gutter, the mounting rail gutter, and the main gutter are configured to provide both mounting and precipitation management functionality to the solar power generation assembly.

Disclosed is a lighter than air vehicle comprising a first envelope, a second envelope located inside the first envelope, and a tube connecting the first envelope to the second envelope. The first envelope and the second envelope are spaced apart so as to define a chamber between the first envelope and the second envelope. The chamber is filled with a lighter than air gas. A first opening of the tube is located at an external surface of the first envelope. A second opening of the tube is located at an internal surface of the second envelope, the second opening of the tube being at an opposite end of the tube to the first opening of the tube.

One or more embodiments of the present invention are directed to a photovoltaic system. The system comprises photovoltaic cells, arranged side-by-side to form an array of photovoltaic cells. It further involves a cooling device, which comprises one or more layers, wherein the layers extend opposite to the array of photovoltaic cells and in thermal communication therewith, for cooling the cells, in operation. The one or more layers are structured such that a thermal resistance of the photovoltaic system varies across the array of photovoltaic cells, so as to remove heat from photovoltaic cells of the array with different heat removal rates, in operation. One or more embodiments of the present invention are further directed to related systems and methods for cooling such photovoltaic systems.

A single-stack, solar power receiver comprising both a thermal absorber layer and a photovoltaic cell layer. The stack includes an aerogel layer, that is optically transparent and thermally insulating (OTTI); a spectrally selective high thermal conductivity (SSTC) thermal absorber layer; a bottom OTTI layer; and a PV cell layer. The SSTC layer includes a set of fins that substantially blocks solar radiation absorption in the band where PV cells are most sensitive. Photons with energies above or below this band block range are absorbed by the fins and the absorbed heat is conducted to pipes in the fin structure carrying a heated thermal working fluid to heat storage. Photons with energy in the band block range are reflected by the SSTC fins to the PV cell layer. The bottom OTTI aerogel layer keeps the PV cell operating near ambient temperature. The PV cell converts incident solar radiation to electrical energy.

The application proposes a distributed solar energy concentrating and splitting utilization system, comprising N concentrating and splitting optical modules, each of the concentrating and splitting modules comprising of a condensing mechanism, a splitting mechanism and a photovoltaic power generating device, wherein the splitting mechanism is located at the spotlight. The light receiving surface of the light condensing mechanism and the light receiving surface of the light splitting mechanism are oppositely arranged. The light splitting film is arranged on the light receiving surface of the light splitting mechanism, and a light transmitting hole is arranged on the light condensing mechanism for collecting sunlight and irradiating the light splitting mechanism. The light splitting mechanism is used to receive the sunlight condensed by the light converging mechanism and splitting light through the light splitting film, and the light transmitted through the light splitting mechanism is irradiated to the photovoltaic power generating device for photovoltaic power generation. The reflected light of the mechanism passes through the light transmission hole of the condenser mechanism. In the application, photovoltaic power generation is achieved through optical concentrating and spectroscopic methods and the basic requirements of plant lighting are satisfied, so that solar energy can be efficiently and comprehensively utilized.