PHOTOVOLTAIC SOLAR POWER PLANT ASSEMBLY COMPRISING AN OPTICAL STRUCTURE FOR REDIRECTING LIGHT
20250357888 ยท 2025-11-20
Inventors
Cpc classification
Y02B10/20
GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
F24S23/77
MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
F24S20/66
MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
F24S2023/83
MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
F24S23/11
MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
F24S20/67
MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
F24S23/82
MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
Y02E10/40
GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
Y02E10/52
GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
International classification
Abstract
A photovoltaic solar power plant assembly and a method of using the assembly to generate power are disclosed. The assembly includes an array of photovoltaic solar modules arranged in a solar module surface, and an optical structure for redirecting light towards the solar module surface, having redirected light emitting surface. The optical structure includes a planar optical waveguide which has a parallel first and second planar waveguide surfaces, wherein the first planar waveguide surface extends parallel to the redirected light emitting surface, wherein the first planar waveguide surface is at least partially covered by a photonic layer which is configured to provide an angular restriction of a light emission from the planar waveguide through the redirected light emitting surface, a light scattering and/or luminescent material, which material is arranged as particles in the planar optical waveguide and/or in a layer which at least partially covers the second planar waveguide surface.
Claims
1. A photovoltaic solar power plant assembly comprising an array of photovoltaic solar modules arranged in a photovoltaic solar module surface, and an optical structure for redirecting light comprising a redirected light emitting surface, wherein the optical structure for redirecting light comprises: a planar optical waveguide, wherein the planar optical waveguide comprises: a first and second planar waveguide surface which are substantially parallel to each other, a peripheral edge, and a light scattering and/or luminescent material, which light scattering and/or luminescent material is arranged as particles in the planar optical waveguide and/or in a layer which at least partially covers said second planar waveguide surface, wherein said planar first waveguide surface extends substantially parallel to said redirected light emitting surface, wherein said first planar waveguide surface is at least partially covered by a photonic layer, wherein said photonic layer is configured to provide an angular restriction of a light emission exiting the planar optical waveguide through said redirected light emitting surface, wherein the photovoltaic solar module surface and the redirected light emitting surface are arranged so that the redirected light emitting surface is facing the photovoltaic solar module surface so that the angular restricted light emission exiting the planar optical waveguide is directed towards the photovoltaic solar module surface, wherein the photonic layer comprises a dielectric surface coating, and wherein the dielectric surface coating is configured to provide the angular restriction for light with a wavelength above a predetermined wavelength exiting the planar optical waveguide, and wherein the second planar waveguide surface of the planar optical waveguide provides an incident surface for light to pass into the planar optical waveguide, and is arranged at a side of the planar optical waveguide facing away from the photovoltaic solar module surface.
2. The photovoltaic solar power plant assembly according to claim 1, wherein the second planar waveguide surface comprises a second photonic layer, wherein the second photonic layer comprises a dielectric surface coating, and/or wherein the second photonic layer is substantially the same as the first planar waveguide surface.
3. The photovoltaic solar power plant assembly according to claim 1, wherein the dielectric surface coating is configured to allow a transmission of light exiting the planar optical waveguide when said light inside said planar optical waveguide has an angle of incidence on the dielectric surface coating below 25 degrees.
4. The photovoltaic solar power plant assembly according to claim 1, wherein the second planar waveguide surface comprises a second photonic layer, wherein the second photonic layer is configured to allow a transmission of light entering the planar optical waveguide when said light has a wavelength below the predetermined wavelength.
5. The photovoltaic solar power plant assembly to claim 1, wherein the photonic layer is according configured to provide no angular restriction for light with predetermined wavelength to at a wavelength below said least partially pass through the photonic layer into the planar optical waveguide.
6. The photovoltaic solar power plant assembly according to claim 1, wherein the luminescent material is configured to emit light with a wavelength above 700 nm when irradiated with sun light.
7. The photovoltaic solar power plant assembly according to claim 1, wherein the light scattering and/or luminescent material comprises quantum dots, nanocrystals, dyes or pigments, and/or wherein the light scattering and/or luminescent material comprises organic or inorganic diffusers, and/or nano or micro textures.
8. The photovoltaic solar power plant assembly according to claim 7, wherein the quantum dots, nanocrystals, dyes or pigments, are configured to emit light with a wavelength above 700 nm when irradiated with sun light.
9. The photovoltaic solar power plant assembly according to claim 1, wherein the optical structure for redirecting light comprises a lens array, wherein the lens array is arranged such that the redirected light emitting surface is arranged in between the planar optical waveguide and the lens array, and/or wherein the lens array is configured to concentrate the redirected light onto photovoltaic solar modules.
10. The photovoltaic solar power plant assembly according to claim 1, wherein the optical structure for redirecting light comprises a substantially rigid carrier.
11. The photovoltaic solar power plant assembly according to claim 10, wherein said substantially rigid carrier comprises a polymer material, preferably comprising one or more of polytetra-fluoroethylene (PTFE), polyethylene, polypropylene, polystyrene, polyvinyl-chloride, and polyurethane.
12. The photovoltaic solar power plant assembly according to claim 1, wherein at least said redirected light emitting surface comprises an anti-soiling surface and/or a hydrophobic surface.
13. The photovoltaic solar power plant assembly according to claim 1, wherein the dielectric surface coating comprises a dielectric thin film stack.
14. The photovoltaic solar power plant assembly according to claim 1, wherein said predetermined wavelength is a wavelength in a range from 700 to 900 nm.
15. The photovoltaic solar power plant assembly according to claim 1, wherein the light scattering and/or luminescent material is only arranged as particles in the planar optical waveguide.
16. A method of converting solar energy into electrical power comprising exposing a photovoltaic solar power plant assembly according to claim 1 to sunlight.
17. A photovoltaic solar power plant assembly comprising an array of photovoltaic solar modules arranged in a photovoltaic solar module surface, and an optical structure for redirecting light comprising a redirected light emitting surface, wherein the optical structure for redirecting light comprises: a planar optical waveguide, wherein the planar optical waveguide comprises: a first and second planar waveguide surface which are substantially parallel to each other, a peripheral edge, and a light scattering and/or luminescent material, which light scattering and/or luminescent material is arranged as particles in the planar optical waveguide and/or in a layer which at least partially covers said second planar waveguide surface, wherein said first planar waveguide surface extends substantially parallel to said redirected light emitting surface, wherein said first planar waveguide surface is at least partially covered by a photonic layer, wherein said photonic layer is configured to provide a narrowed escape cone of a light emission exiting the planar optical waveguide through said redirected light emitting surface, wherein the photovoltaic solar module surface and the redirected light emitting surface are arranged so that the redirected light emitting surface is facing the photovoltaic solar module surface so that light of the narrowed escape cone that exits from the planar optical waveguide can be directed towards the photovoltaic solar module surface, and wherein the second planar waveguide surface of the planar optical waveguide provides an incident surface for light, and is arranged at a side of the planar optical waveguide facing away from the photovoltaic solar module surface.
18. The photovoltaic solar power plant assembly according to claim 17, wherein the dielectric surface coating is configured to allow a transmission of light exiting the planar optical waveguide when said light inside said planar optical waveguide has an angle of incidence on the dielectric surface coating below 25 degrees, thus wherein the escape cone has an angle of 25 degrees between the cone surface and a center line of the escape cone.
Description
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0062] The invention will be elucidated on the basis of an exemplary embodiment shown in the attached drawings, in which:
[0063]
[0064]
[0065]
[0066]
[0067]
[0068]
[0069]
[0070]
[0071]
[0072]
[0073]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0074]
[0075] In a first example, the photovoltaic solar power plant 10 comprises an array of photovoltaic solar modules 11, and optical structures 12 for redirecting light. The photovoltaic solar modules 11 are vertically mounted bifacial photovoltaic solar modules having a first side 13 facing the direction where the sun is position around noon; which is due south on the Northern Hemisphere and due north of the Southern Hemisphere. Accordingly, the first side 13 of the bifacial photovoltaic solar modules is arranged to collect direct light and/or diffuse light from the sun.
[0076] As schematically shown the photovoltaic solar modules 11 are mounted on the ground adjacent a building 15. On a wall of said building 15 which is facing the photovoltaic solar modules 11, several optical structures 12 for redirecting light are mounted. The optical structures 12 allow to capture direct light and/or diffuse light from the sun, and are configured to emit at least part of the captured solar energy towards a second side 14 of the bifacial photovoltaic solar modules 11.
[0077] In a second example, the photovoltaic solar power plant 20 comprises an array of photovoltaic solar modules 21, and an optical structures 22 for redirecting light. The photovoltaic solar modules 21 are vertically mounted bifacial photovoltaic solar modules having a first side 23 facing the direction where the sun is position around noon; which is due south on the Northern Hemisphere and due north of the Southern Hemisphere. Accordingly, the first side 23 of the bifacial photovoltaic solar modules is arranged to collect direct light and/or diffuse light from the sun.
[0078] As schematically shown the photovoltaic solar modules 21 are mounted on the roof of a building 25. Furthermore, said building 25 comprises a wall which is facing the photovoltaic solar modules 21, wherein on said wall the optical structure 22 for redirecting light is mounted. The optical structures 22 allow to capture direct light and/or diffuse light from the sun, and are configured to emit at least part of the captured solar energy towards a second side 24 of the bifacial photovoltaic solar modules 21.
[0079] In a third example the photovoltaic solar power plant 30 comprises an array of photovoltaic solar modules 31, and optical structures 32 for redirecting light. The photovoltaic solar modules 31 are vertically mounted bifacial photovoltaic solar modules which are mounted in along a North-South direction. Accordingly, the Eastward facing side 33 of the photovoltaic solar modules 31 can collect direct light and/or diffuse light from the sun in the morning, and the Westward facing side 33 of the photovoltaic solar modules 31 can collect direct light and/or diffuse light from the sun in the afternoon.
[0080] As schematically shown the photovoltaic solar modules 31 are mounted on a roof of a building 35. In between the photovoltaic solar modules 31, several optical structures 32 are mounted on the same roof. The optical structures 32 allow to capture direct light and/or diffuse light from the sun, and are configured to emit at least part of the captured solar energy towards a side 33, 33 of the bifacial photovoltaic solar modules 31 adjacent to the corresponding optical structure 32.
[0081] The optical structures 12, 22, 32 for redirecting light may comprise just a diffuse reflective layer arranged on a substantially rigid carrier, which carrier may comprise a polymer material.
[0082] Preferably, the optical structures 12, 22, 32 comprise photonic material for diffused light concentration and collimation as described in more detail below.
[0083]
[0084]
[0085] The first planar waveguide surface 62 is covered by a photonic layer 65. The photonic layer 65 comprises a dielectric surface coating, in particular a stack of dielectric thin films 66 of two or more high refractive index materials.
[0086] The second planar waveguide surface 63 is covered by a diffuse reflective coating 67, preferably wherein the diffuse reflecting coating 67 is configured to provide a Lambertian reflector.
[0087] Inside the planar optical waveguide 61, luminescent material 68 is arranged, which luminescent material 68 of this example is configured to substantially absorb light with a wavelength below 700 nm, and to substantially emit light with a wavelength above 700 nm.
[0088]
[0089] Accordingly, from the light with a wavelength above 700 nm, as emitted by the luminescent material 68, the light with an angle of incident of about 25 degrees or smaller can exit the redirected light emitting surface 64, which results in angular restriction of the emitted light with a wavelength above 700 nm to the directions of the escape cone 69 as indicated in
[0090] Since the photonic layer 65 is substantially transparent for light with a wavelength below 700 nm, there is no angular restriction and light with a wavelength below 700 nm coming from all directions in het hemisphere 70 above the photonic layer 65 can at least partially pass through the photonic layer 65 into the waveguide 61.
[0091]
[0092] It is noted that dielectric thin film structures offer a lot of freedom for optimization of the angle-selective emission. Accordingly, it is very likely that more complex photonic layers with more dielectric layers and/or more than two dielectric layer materials can produce a photonic layer with optical properties which are even more in accordance with the theoretical picture of
[0093]
[0094] The optical structures 82 for redirecting light comprise a substantially rigid carrier which is molded in a shape so that a photovoltaic solar module surface of the vertically mounted bifacial photovoltaic solar modules and an upward facing side of the part 83 of the optical structure 82 adjacent to photovoltaic solar module surface enclose an acute angle.
[0095] The upward facing side of the optical structures 82 for redirecting light are provided with the planar optical waveguide, the photonic layer and the diffuse reflective coating of the example of
[0096] As shown in
[0097]
[0098] The optical structure according to this example comprises a planar optical waveguide 91, having a first planar waveguide surface 92 and second planar waveguide surface 93 which are substantially parallel to each other. Said first planar waveguide surface 92 extends substantially parallel to a redirected light emitting surface 94.
[0099] The first planar waveguide surface 92 is covered by a first photonic layer 95. The first photonic layer 95 comprises a dielectric surface coating, in particular a stack of dielectric thin films 96 of two or more high refractive index materials. Preferably, the first photonic layer 95 is configured to provide a reflectivity which at least approaches the theoretical example of
[0100] The second planar waveguide surface is 93 covered by a second photonic layer 97. The second photonic layer 97 also comprises a dielectric surface coating, in particular a stack of dielectric thin films 98 of two or more high refractive index materials. The second photonic layer 97 may be configured: [0101] to provide a reflectivity which least at approaches the theoretical example of
[0103] Inside the planar optical waveguide 91, luminescent material 99 is arranged, which luminescent material 99 of this example is configured to substantially absorb light with a wavelength below 700 nm, and to substantially emit light with a wavelength above 700 nm. In addition, the planar optical waveguide 91 may also be provided with particles of a light scattering material.
[0104] Accordingly, from the light with a wavelength above 700 nm, as emitted by the luminescent material 99, the light with an angle of incident of about 25 degrees or smaller can exit the redirected light emitting surface 94, which results in an angular restriction of the emitted light with a wavelength above 700 nm to the directions of the escape cone 100 as indicated in
[0105] When the second planar waveguide surface 93 is provided with the same photonic layer 97 as the first planar waveguide surface 92, ten there will also be an angular restriction of the emitted light with a wavelength above 700 nm to the directions of the escape cone 100 at a side of the waveguide 91 facing away from the redirected light emitting surface 94, as indicated in
[0106] Since the second photonic layer 97 is substantially transparent for light with a wavelength below 700 nm, there is no angular restriction and light with a wavelength below 700 nm coming from all directions in het hemisphere 101 above the second photonic layer 97 can at least partially pass through the second photonic layer 97 into the waveguide 91.
[0107] It is noted that since the first photonic layer 95 is also substantially transparent for light with a wavelength below 700 nm. So direct sun light with a wavelength below 700 nm may at least partially pass through the optical structure 90 onto the photovoltaic solar cells of the photovoltaic solar module 102 which is arranged adjacent the optical structure 90.
[0108] It is further noted that the optical structure 90 for redirecting light may also comprise a lens array 103, 103, preferably an array of Fresnel lenses, which is arranged such that the redirected light emitting surface 94 is arranged in between the planar optical waveguide 91 and the lens array 103, 103. The lens array 103, 103 is configured to concentrate the redirected light 100 onto photovoltaic solar modules 102.
[0109]
[0110] The optical structure again comprises a planar optical waveguide 110, having a first planar waveguide surface 111 and second planar waveguide surface 112 which are substantially parallel to each other, as depicted in
[0111] At least said first planar waveguide surface 111 is covered by a photonic layer, which may comprise an array of plasmonic resonators 114 and/or an array of dielectric photonic crystals 115, as schematically shown in
[0112] The second planar waveguide surface 112 may be covered by a diffuse reflective coating, as in the example of
[0113]
[0114]
[0115] The optical structures 121, 131 for redirecting light comprising redirected light emitting surface 123, 133, which are arranged at an upward facing side of the sculptured optical structures 121, 131. The optical structures 121, 131 for redirecting light comprises a diffuse reflective which layer is arranged at said redirected light emitting surface 123, 133. Alternatively, the optical structures 121, 131 for redirecting light are provided with the planar optical waveguide, the photonic layer and the diffuse reflective coating of the example of
[0116] In the first example of
[0117] In the second example of
[0118] Both construction 121, 131 are relatively light-weighed and can be easily transported and handled when constructing a photovoltaic solar plant assembly according to the invention.
[0119] Furthermore, said redirected light emitting surfaces 123, 133 may be provided with an anti-soiling surface, preferably a hydrophobic surface. Preferably, said hydrophobic surface comprises a coating of fluorinated polymers and/or hydrophobic nanostructures.
[0120] It is to be understood that the above description is included to illustrate the operation of the preferred embodiments and is not meant to limit the scope of the invention. From the above discussion, many variations will be apparent to one skilled in the art that would yet be encompassed by the scope of the present invention.
[0121] In summary, the invention relates to a photovoltaic solar power plant assembly and a method of using said assembly to generate power. The assembly comprises an array of photovoltaic solar modules arranged in a solar module surface, and an optical structure for redirecting light towards said solar module surface, comprising a redirected light emitting surface. The optical structure comprises: [0122] a planar optical waveguide which comprises a parallel first and second planar waveguide surfaces, wherein said planar first waveguide surface extends parallel to said redirected light emitting surface, wherein said first planar waveguide surface is at least partially covered by a photonic layer which is configured to provide an angular restriction of a light emission from the planar waveguide through said redirected light emitting surface, and [0123] a light scattering and/or luminescent material, which material is arranged as particles in the planar optical waveguide and/or in a layer which at least partially covers said second planar waveguide surface.