Semi-transparent photovoltaic module that comprises a front glass cover (1) and a rear glass cover (4), an array of bifacial cells (2) with a separation area between them and an array of rear refractive concentrators (3) that concentrate the rear light onto the rear surface of the bifacial cells. The invention is especially useful in photovoltaic agriculture applications for plantations that require a high level of insolation, or in integration into buildings that require high interior lighting.

This photovoltaic module includes: a power generating element; and a housing which is closed, the housing having: a concentrating portion provided with a lens configured to concentrate sunlight; a bottom portion in which the power generating element is disposed; and a side wall serving as an outer frame for the bottom portion and supporting the concentrating portion, wherein the lens includes: a glass substrate; and a silicone resin or an acrylic resin provided on the glass substrate, and the side wall is formed by use of PET (polyethylene terephthalate) or PBT (polybutylene terephthalate).

A compound polyhedral concentrator (CPOC) lens is disclosed with one smooth curved surface facing the sun and an inner surface comprised of a 3D pattern of interpenetrating minimum deviation prisms with a common origin facing the absorber. This new type of stationary solar concentrator is used to extend the acceptance angles by minimizing blocking and tip optical losses that are common with radial Fresnel design forms. Moreover, when considering the extended time period for non-tracking of the sun's movement commensurate with the increased acceptance angles the total energy collected using a combination of a CPOC lens and a photovoltaic device will be greater than the total energy collected using the photovoltaic device by itself.

This invention includes a Fresnel lens assembly positioned relative to an energy receiver, onto which the lens assembly focuses sunlight for collection and conversion. The Fresnel lens assembly includes a thin polymeric film with prisms molded into or attached to the film. This invention also includes an articulating energy receiver which can move closer to or farther away from the lens depending on the longitudinal angle of incidence of the sunlight relative to the lens, to maintain the best focus of sunlight on the energy receiver. The prisms in the present lens are specified to provide acceptable optical performance in the presence of relatively large longitudinal solar incidence angles, relatively smaller lateral solar incidence angles, in combination with the articulating energy receiver. The new lens assembly can further be deployed and supported as a thin flexible stretched membrane with tension maintaining the lens in proper position on orbit.

A compact low concentration photovoltaic (LCPV) apparatus totally enclosed in a protective clear dome against harsh environment without active cooling. A conical mirror reflector, a circular lens refractor and a planar circular crystalline silicon photovoltaic solar panel rotate simultaneously inside the dome to concentrate sun rays and instantly produce electricity. The mirror increases electrical current three times and the lens increases one time for total four times using low overall concentration of five to twenty times sun. The lens is offset from the plane parallel to the photovoltaic solar panel, while the panels forming the mirror are angled offset to a center axis perpendicular to the solar panel. The optical assembly and solar panel are mounted in a conical aluminum cage which is pivoted from a rotary turntable for the daily azimuth and altitude rotations. The dual axis movements consist of irregular intermittent increments of less than one second on time and less than two minutes off time while following the sun path. The electrical power produced is at least two times more than from fixed conventional crystalline silicon solar panel occupying the same planar surface area. LCPV dual tracking systems offer reduced electricity generation costs, reduced installation costs and increased flexibility in deployment.

A concentrator photovoltaic unit being an optical system base unit includes: a concentrating portion configured to converge sunlight; a cell configured to receive light converged by the concentrating portion to generate power; a package including a frame portion, the frame portion having insulating property and surrounding the cell, the package being in integrated relation with the cell; a shield plate provided between the concentrating portion and the cell, and including an opening allowing light converged by the concentrating portion to selectively pass therethrough; and a protection plate being a heat-resistant member provided on the frame portion to make the cell expose to the light and to shield the package, the protection plate being in contact with nothing but the frame portion, and securing a predetermined insulation distance from a live portion of the cell.

The invention relates to a solar lens panel (2) comprising a number of light collecting elements (2) placed next to one another and a number of light guides (4) corresponding to the number of light collecting elements (3); one light guide (4) including a light incident surface (5) is assigned to each light collecting element (3), and each light guide (4) is retained in a holding element (14) at a distance (8) from the light collecting elements (3); said distance (8) between the light collecting elements (3) and the light incident surfaces (5) of the light guides (4) corresponds at least approximately to the focal length of the light collecting elements (3). The light incident surfaces (5) of the light guides (4) are located inside the holding elements (14).

There is provided a method of producing a product. The method comprises: supplying electricity generated in a photovoltaic cell arrangement and a piston engine, respectively, to electrolytic and catalytic reactions that are heated by concentrated sunlight; reacting carbon dioxide and water in the heated electrolytic and catalytic reactions to form a pressurized product, such as pressurized methanol; and expanding the pressurized product in the piston engine to generate electricity. There is also provided a system for production of the product as well as devices to be used in the method or system.

The present application discloses a method of fabricating an anti-reflective film, comprising forming a zinc oxynitride layer on a substrate; annealing the zinc oxynitride layer; and etching the surface of the zinc oxynitride layer with an etching solution to form a micro lenses layer comprising a plurality of micro lenses on surface.

This photovoltaic module includes: a power generating element configured to receive light to generate power; and a housing which is closed, the housing having: a concentrating portion provided with a lens configured to concentrate sunlight; a bottom portion in which the power generating element is disposed; and a side wall serving as an outer frame for the bottom portion and supporting the concentrating portion. The side wall is formed from a resin and has at least one vent hole.