U.S. patent application number 09/256454 was filed with the patent office on 2001-07-19 for photovoltalic device, photovoltaic module and establishing method of photovoltaic system.
Invention is credited to MINEMURA, JUNKO, MIYAMURA, YOSHINORI, MURAMATSU, SHIN-ICHI, OHTSUKA, HIROYUKI, TSUTSUI, KEN, UEMATSU, TSUYOSHI, WARABISAKO, TERUNORI, YAZAWA, YOSHIAKI.
Application Number | 20010008144 09/256454 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 12702964 |
Filed Date | 2001-07-19 |
United States Patent
Application |
20010008144 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
UEMATSU, TSUYOSHI ; et
al. |
July 19, 2001 |
PHOTOVOLTALIC DEVICE, PHOTOVOLTAIC MODULE AND ESTABLISHING METHOD
OF PHOTOVOLTAIC SYSTEM
Abstract
Disclosed is a photovoltaic module including a plurality of
concentrators each having a light-incident plane and a reflection
plane, and photo detectors each being in contact with one of the
concentrators, which is capable of effectively trapping light and
effectively generating power throughout the year even if the module
is established such that sunlight at the equinoxes is made incident
on the light-incident planes not perpendicularly but obliquely from
the right, upper side, for example, in the case where the module is
established in contact with a curved plane of a roof or the like.
In this module, each concentrator is formed into such a shape as to
satisfy a relationship in which the light trapping efficiency of
first incident light tilted rightwardly from the normal line of the
light-incident plane in the cross-section including the
light-incident plane, reflection plane and photo detector is larger
than the light trapping efficiency of second incident light tilted
leftwardly from the normal line in the above cross-section, and
these concentrators are arranged in one direction.
Inventors: |
UEMATSU, TSUYOSHI;
(KODAIRA-SHI, JP) ; WARABISAKO, TERUNORI;
(NISHITAMA-GUM, JP) ; YAZAWA, YOSHIAKI;
(HOUYA-SHI, JP) ; MIYAMURA, YOSHINORI;
(NISHITAMA-GUN, JP) ; TSUTSUI, KEN;
(NISHITAMA-GUN, JP) ; MURAMATSU, SHIN-ICHI;
(KODAIRA-SHI, JP) ; OHTSUKA, HIROYUKI;
(HACHIOJI-SHI, JP) ; MINEMURA, JUNKO;
(KOKUBUNJI-SHI, JP) |
Correspondence
Address: |
FAY SHARPE BEALL FAGAN
MINNICH & MCKEE
104 EAST HUME AVENUE
ALEXANDRIA
VA
22301
|
Family ID: |
12702964 |
Appl. No.: |
09/256454 |
Filed: |
February 23, 1999 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
136/246 ;
250/203.4; 250/216; 257/E31.13; 359/726; 359/727; 359/742 |
Current CPC
Class: |
Y02E 10/52 20130101;
H01L 31/0547 20141201; Y02B 10/12 20130101; F24S 23/00 20180501;
Y02B 10/20 20130101; F24S 23/80 20180501; Y02E 10/44 20130101; H01L
31/0236 20130101; G02B 19/0042 20130101; Y02B 10/10 20130101; G02B
19/0028 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
136/246 ;
359/726; 359/727; 359/742; 250/203.4; 250/216 |
International
Class: |
H01L 031/00; G02B
017/00; H01J 040/14 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Feb 26, 1998 |
JP |
10-044850 |
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A photovoltaic module comprising: a plurality of concentrators
each having a light-incident plane and a reflection plane; and
photo detectors arranged such that at least part of the surface of
each of said photo detectors is in contact with one of said
concentrators; wherein the refractive index of said concentrator is
larger than that of the environment outside said light-incident
plane of said concentrator; said concentrator has such a shape as
to make the light trapping efficiency of first incident light
different from the light trapping efficiency of second incident
light, said first incident light and said second incident light
being respectively tilted rightwardly and leftwardly from the
normal line of said light-incident plane in the cross-section
including said light-incident plane, said reflection plane, and
said photo detector; and said plurality of concentrators are
arranged such that the large-and-small relationship, in said
plurality of concentrators, between the light trapping efficiency
of said first incident light and the trapping efficiency of said
second incident light corresponds to the large-and-small
relationship, in one concentrator, between the light trapping
efficiency of said first incident light and the light trapping
efficiency of said second incident light.
2. A photovoltaic module comprising: a plurality of concentrators
each having a light-incident plane and a reflection plane; and
photo detectors arranged such that at least part of the surface of
each of said photo detectors is in contact with one of said
concentrators; wherein the refractive index of said concentrator is
larger than that of the environment outside said light-incident
plane of said concentrator; two kinds of incident light, which have
been made equiangularly, symmetrically incident on said
light-incident plane at two points located equidistant from an
arbitrary point on said light-incident plane in the cross-section
including said light-incident plane, said reflection plane and said
photo detector, go along optical paths asymmetric to each other
with respect to said arbitrary point; and said plurality of
concentrators are arranged such that said relationship between the
two kinds of incident light going along the asymmetric optical
paths is given for each of said plurality of concentrators.
3. A photovoltaic module comprising: a plurality of concentrators
each having a light-establishing incident plane and a reflection
plane; and photo detectors arranged such that at least part of the
surface of each of said photo detectors is in contact with one of
said concentrators; wherein the refractive index of said
concentrator is larger than that of the environment outside said
light-incident plane of said concentrator; said plurality of
concentrators are connected to each other such that each of said
light-incident planes is continuous to the adjacent one of said
light-incident planes; and two kinds of incident light, which have
been made equiangularly, symmetrically on each of said
light-incident planes of said concentrators at two points located
equidistant in said connecting direction from an arbitrary point on
said light-incident plane, go along optical paths asymmetric to
each other with respect to said arbitrary point.
4. A photovoltaic module comprising: a plurality of concentrators
each having a light-incident plane and a reflection plane; and
photo detectors arranged such that at least part of the surface of
each of said photo detectors is in contact with one of said
concentrators; wherein the refractive index of said concentrator is
larger than that of the environment outside said light-incident
plane of said concentrator; an angle formed between said
light-incident plane and a linear portion of said reflection plane,
in the cross-section including said light-incident plane, said
reflection plane and said photo detector, is less than 45.degree.;
said photo detector is located opposite to the portion, crossing
said linear portion of said reflection plane at said angle, of said
light-incident plane in said cross-section; and said plurality of
concentrator are arranged such that said portions, each crossing
said linear portion of said reflection plane at said angle, of said
light-incident planes and said photo detectors are alternately
arranged.
5. A photovoltaic module according to claim 4, wherein said photo
detector is mounted such that the light-receiving plane of said
photo detector is located at a position having a plane portion
parallel to said light-incident plane.
6. A photovoltaic module according to claim 4, wherein said photo
detector is mounted such that the light-receiving plane of said
photo detector is located at a position having a plane portion
perpendicular to said light-incident plane.
7. A photovoltaic module according to claim 4, wherein said photo
detector is mounted at a position at which the light-receiving
plane of said photo detector crosses said light-incident plane at a
non-right angle.
8. A photovoltaic module according to any one of claims 1 to 7,
wherein said light-incident plane of said concentrator has
irregularities.
9. A photovoltaic module according to any one of claims 1 to 8,
wherein the light-receiving plane of said photo detector has
irregularities.
10. A photovoltaic module according to any one of claims 1 to 9,
wherein at least each connecting portion between the adjacent two
pieces of said concentrators is made from an elastic material and
capable of being wound.
11. A photovoltaic module according to any one of claims 1 to 10,
wherein said photo detector is formed into a cylindrical or
spherical shape.
12. A photovoltaic module according to any one of claims 1 to 11,
wherein said photo detector is formed into a hollow shape which is
to be filled with a coolant.
13. A photovoltaic module according to any one of claims 1 to 12,
wherein said reflection plane has an interference thin film which
is formed on the surface, on the inner side of said concentrator,
of said reflection plane.
14. A photovoltaic module according to any one of claims 1 to 13,
wherein said reflection plane has irregularities in the direction
perpendicular to said cross-section including said light-incident
plane, said reflection plane and said photo detector.
15. A photovoltaic module according to any one of claims 1 to 14,
wherein said concentrator has a first medium in contact with said
reflection plane and a second medium in contact with said first
medium; the refractive index of said first medium is different from
that of said second medium; and the interface between said first
and second media is formed into a shape with irregularities in the
direction perpendicular to said cross-section including said
light-incident plane, said reflection plane and said photo
detector.
16. A photovoltaic module according to claim 14 or 15, wherein said
irregularities have projections and depressions, and projections
extending outwardly from said reflection plane side are formed of a
curved line or a kinked line similar to the curved line.
17. A photovoltaic module according to any one of claims 14 to 16,
wherein said projections and depressions of said irregularities are
laterally symmetric to each other with respect to a point
positioned in the direction of said projections and
depressions.
18. A photovoltaic device comprising: a concentrator having a
light-incident plane and a reflection plane; and a photo detector
arranged such that at least part of the surface of said photo
detector is in contact with said concentrator; wherein the
refractive index of said concentrator is larger than that of the
environment outside said light-incident plane of said concentrator;
said reflection plane forms a straight line in the cross-section
having said light-incident plane, said reflection plane and said
photo detector; and the extension of a portion, in contact with
said photo detector of said concentrator, of said reflection plane
crosses said light-incident plane at a non-right angle.
19. A photovoltaic device comprising: a concentrator having a
light-incident plane and a reflection plane; and a photo detector
arranged such that at least part of the surface of said photo
detector is in contact with said concentrator; wherein the
refractive index of said concentrator is larger than that of the
environment outside said light-incident plane of said concentrator;
and said reflection plane forms a straight line and a curved line
or a kinked line similar to said curved line in the cross-section
including said light-incident plane, said reflection plane and said
photo detector.
20. A photovoltaic device comprising: a concentrator having a
light-incident plane and a reflection plane; and a photo detector
arranged such that at least part of the surface of said photo
detector is in contact with said concentrator; wherein the
refractive index of said concentrator is larger than that of the
environment outside said light-incident plane of said concentrator;
said reflection plane forms a circular-arc and a straight line in
the cross-section including said light-incident plane, said
reflection plane and said photo detector; said circular-arc is
positioned in a region surrounded by two straight lines which are
perpendicular to said light-incident plane and pass through both
the ends of said circular-arc; the light-receiving plane of said
photo detector is tilted from said light-incident plane; and at
least part of said photo detector is located in a fan-shaped region
obtained by connecting both the ends of said circular-arc to the
rotational center of said circular-arc, or located in a region
spaced a distance equivalent to one-third the radius of said
circular-arc away from said fan-shaped region.
21. A photovoltaic device comprising: a concentrator having a
light-incident plane and a reflection plane; and a photo detector
arranged such that at least part of the surface of said photo
detector is in contact with said concentrator; wherein the
refractive index of said concentrator is larger than that of the
environment outside said light-incident plane of said concentrator;
said reflection plane forms a circular-arc and a straight line in
the cross-section including said light-incident plane, said
reflection plane and said photo detector; said circular-arc is
positioned inside and outside a region surrounded by two straight
lines which are perpendicular to said light-incident plane and pass
through both the ends of said circular-arc; and at least part of
said photo detector is located in a fan-shaped region obtained by
connecting both the ends of said circular-arc to the rotational
center of said circular-arc, or located in a region spaced a
distance equivalent to one-third the radius of said circular-arc
away from said fan-shaped region.
22. A photovoltaic device according to claim 20 or 21, wherein at
least part of said photo detector exists on a line connecting a
point on said circular-arc to said rotational center of said
circular-arc.
23. A photovoltaic device according to claim 22, wherein at least
part of said photo detector exists outside said concentrator, and
an electrode is formed on the portion, positioned outside said
concentrator, of said photo detector.
24. A photovoltaic module including a plurality of photovoltaic
devices described in any one of claims 18 to 23, wherein said
concentrator of said photovoltaic device has such a shape as to
make the light trapping efficiency of first incident light
different from the light trapping efficiency of second incident
light, said first incident light and said second incident light
being respectively tilted rightwardly and leftwardly from the
normal line of said light-incident plane in the cross-section
including said light-incident plane, said reflection plane, and
said photo detector; and said concentrators in said plurality of
photovoltaic devices are arranged such that the large-and-small
relationship, in said concentrators, between the light trapping
efficiency of said first incident light and the trapping efficiency
of said second incident light corresponds to the large-and-small
relationship, in one concentrator, between the light trapping
efficiency of said first incident light and the light trapping
efficiency of said second incident light.
25. A photovoltaic module including a plurality of photovoltaic
devices described in any one of claims 18 to 23, wherein two kinds
of incident light, which have been made equiangularly,
symmetrically incident on said light-incident plane at two points
located equidistant from an arbitrary point on said light-incident
plane in the cross-section of said photovoltaic device including
said light-incident plane, said reflection plane and said photo
detector, go along optical paths asymmetric to each other with
respect to said arbitrary point; and said concentrators of said
plurality of photovoltaic devices are arranged such that said
relationship between the two kinds of incident light going along
the asymmetric optical paths is given for each of said
concentrators.
26. A photovoltaic module including a plurality of photovoltaic
devices described in any one of claims 18 to 23, wherein said
concentrators of said plurality of photovoltaic devices are
connected to each other such that each of said light-incident
planes is continuous to the adjacent one of said light-incident
planes; and two kinds of incident light, which have been made
equiangularly, symmetrically on each of said light-incident planes
of said concentrators at two points located equidistant in said
connecting direction from an arbitrary point on said light-incident
plane, go along optical paths asymmetric to each other with respect
to said arbitrary point.
27. A method of establishing a photovoltaic system using a
photovoltaic module described in any one of claims 1, 4 to 17, and
24, comprising the step of: establishing said photovoltaic module
in a state in which sunlight at the equinoxes is tilted from the
normal line of said light-incident plane of each of said
concentrators; wherein said first or second incident light side of
each of said concentrators, corresponding to the larger light
trapping efficiency, or the portion, crossing said linear portion
of said reflection plane at said angle, of said light-incident
plane in each of said concentrators is directed in the tilting
direction of said sunlight.
28. A method of establishing a photovoltaic system using a
photovoltaic module described in any one of claims 2, 3, 5 to 17,
25, and 26 comprising the step of: said photovoltaic module in a
state in which sunlight at the equinoxes is tilted from the normal
line of said light-incident plane of each of said concentrators;
wherein said first or second incident light side of each of said
concentrators, corresponding to the larger one of the different
light trapping efficiencies, of first incident light and second
incident light, said first incident light and said second incident
light being respectively tilted rightwardly and leftwardly from the
normal line of said light-incident plane in the cross-section
including said light-incident plane, which are different due to
said asymmetric optical paths of said two kinds of incident light,
is directed in the tilting direction of said sunlight.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] 1. Field of the Invention
[0002] The present invention relates to a photovoltaic device, a
photovoltaic module, and a method of establishing a photovoltaic
system.
[0003] 2. Description of the Prior Art
[0004] A photovoltaic module intended to reduce the area of a photo
detector by increasing a ratio of the area of a light-incident
plane of a concentrator to the area of the photo detector (area of
light-incident plane/area of photo detector), that is, a
concentrating ratio, is disclosed, for example, in Japanese Patent
Laid-open (International Publication) No. Hei 6-511602.
[0005] The cross-section of the above photovoltaic module is shown
in FIG. 3(a). A first concentrator 16 and a second concentrator 17,
each of which is composed of a light-incident plane 1, a reflection
plane 2, and a medium 4, are arranged laterally, symmetrically to
each other. An angle formed between the light-incident plane 1 and
the reflection plane 2 is made smaller than 45.degree., to make the
concentrating ratio larger than 1, thereby making the area of a
photo detector 5 smaller than that of the light-incident plane 1.
The concentrating ratio can be made larger by making smaller the
above angle; however, since the theoretical limit of the
concentrating ratio lies at about 10, the lower limit of the above
angle is set at about 5.7.degree..
[0006] A photovoltaic module including a cover glass portion 200
provided on first and second concentrators 16 and 17, shown in FIG.
4(a), is disclosed in a document "Prototype Photovoltaic Roof
Tiles, 13th European Photovoltaic Solar Energy Conference, Nice,
France, October 1995, pp. 1483-1486".
[0007] The above document also discloses a photovoltaic module as
shown in FIG. 5(a), in which the light-receiving plane of a photo
detector 5 is arranged in the direction perpendicular to the
light-incident planes of the first and second concentrators 16 and
17.
[0008] The above-described prior art photovoltaic modules are each
established such that the light-incident planes are tilted from the
horizontal plane by an angle equivalent to the latitude of an
establishing location in order to allow sunlight at the equinoxes
to be made perpendicularly incident on the light-incident planes.
For example, if the module is established at a location in Tokyo
which lies at 34.degree. in the northern hemisphere, the
light-incident planes are tiled to the south by 34.degree. from the
horizontal plane.
[0009] For the module with no glass cover portion 200, as shown in
FIG. 6, the first and second concentrators 16 and 17 are generally
designed to trap sunlight incident from the narrow portion (right
end) in cross-section of, for example, the concentrator 17 in the
direction nearly parallel to the light-incident plane (incident
angle: nearly 90.degree.); sunlight incident at an angle which
becomes small from nearly 90.degree. to 0.degree. (normal to the
light-incident plane); and sunlight incident at an angle which
becomes large from 0.degree. to 24.degree.. These states are
illustrated on the upper sides of the first and second
concentrators 16 and 17 in FIG. 6. It should be noted that the
incident angle 24.degree. corresponds to the tilt angle of the
earth axis with respect to the revolution plane of the earth. The
moving angles of sunlight throughout the year are illustrated on
the upper side in FIG. 6.
[0010] If the photovoltaic module is established such that sunlight
400, 401 at the spring equinox and sunlight 400, 401 at the
autumnal equinox are both made perpendicularly incident on the
light-incident planes 1 as shown in FIG. 3(a), the module can
effectively generate power throughout the year including a period
from the spring equinox to the summer solstice 24.degree. offset
from the spring equinox and a period from the autumnal equinox to
the winter solstice 24.degree. offset from the autumnal
equinox.
[0011] The photovoltaic module, however, is not necessarily
established such that sunlight at the equinoxes is made usually
perpendicularly incident on the light-incident planes. That is to
say, the module is sometimes established in contact with a curved
plane of, for example, a roof. In this case, as shown in FIG. 3(b),
the sunlight 400, 401 at the spring equinox and sunlight 400, 401
at the autumnal equinox are both made obliquely incident on the
light-incident planes 1. As a result, the sunlight 400 is trapped
by the second concentrator 17; however, the sunlight 401 is not
trapped by the first concentrator 16. This cause an inconvenience
in reducing the light trapping efficiency of the module.
[0012] For the module with the glass cover portion 200 as shown in
FIG. 4(a), the plane causing total reflection, that is, the
light-incident plane is shifted from a lower plane 32 of the cover
glass sheet 200, which is equivalent to the light-incident planes
of the module shown in FIG. 3(a), to an upper plane 1 of the cover
glass portion 200. As a result, of the sunlight allowed to be
trapped for the module with no cover glass portion 200, light 402
cannot be trapped by the module with the cover glass portion 200 to
be thus escaped to the outside. This causes an inconvenience in
reducing the light trapping efficiency of the module. The above
reduction in light trapping efficiency similarly occurs in the case
where the module with the cover glass portion 200 is, as shown in
FIG. 4(b), established such that sunlight at the equinoxes is not
made perpendicularly incident on the light-incident plane. To be
more specific, as shown in FIGS. 4(a) and 4(b), the light 402
having been made incident on the second concentrator 17 is
reflected from the reflection plane 2, being subjected to total
reflection from the light-incident plane 1, and enters the first
concentrator 16. At this time, since the first concentrator 16 is
arranged laterally symmetrically to the second concentrator 17, the
incident light 402 entering the first concentrator 16 cannot be
trapped in the photo detector 5 to be thus escaped to the
outside.
[0013] Even for the module shown in FIG. 5(a) and the module, shown
in FIG. 5(b), established such that sunlight at equinoxes is not
made perpendicularly incident on the light-incident planes, since
first and second concentrators 16 and 17 are arranged in the same
manner as that for those shown in FIGS. 3(a) and 3(b) respectively,
these modules have the same problem associated with the reduction
in the light trapping efficiency.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0014] An object of the present invention is to provide a
photovoltaic module including a plurality of concentrators each
having a light-incident plane and a reflection plane, and photo
detectors each being in contact with one of the concentrators,
which is capable of effectively trapping light and effectively
generating power throughout the year even if the module is
established such that sunlight at the equinoxes is made incident on
the light-incident planes not perpendicularly but obliquely from
the right, upper side, for example, in the case where the module is
established in contact with a curved plane of a roof or the
like
[0015] To achieve the above object, according to the present
invention, there is provided a photovoltaic module including: a
plurality of concentrators each having a light-incident plane and a
reflection plane; and photo detectors arranged such that at least
part of the surface of each of the photo detectors is in contact
with one of the concentrators; wherein the refractive index of the
concentrator is larger than that of the environment outside the
light-incident plane of the concentrator; the concentrator has such
a shape as to make the light trapping efficiency of first incident
light different from the light trapping efficiency of second
incident light, the first incident light and the second incident
light being respectively tilted rightwardly and leftwardly from the
normal line of the light-incident plane in the cross-section
including the light-incident plane, the reflection plane, and the
photo detector; and the plurality of concentrators are arranged
such that the large-and-small relationship, in the plurality of
concentrators, between the light trapping efficiency of the first
incident light and the trapping efficiency of the second incident
light corresponds to the large-and-small relationship, in one
concentrator, between the light trapping efficiency of the first
incident light and the light trapping efficiency of the second
incident light.
[0016] Here, the first incident light and the second incident light
are only for specifying the shape of one concentrator and
arrangement of a plurality of the concentrators, and therefore,
they are not necessarily actual sunlight. The light trapping
efficiency is defined by a ratio between light incident on the
concentrator and part of the light entering the photo detector. In
terms of power generation, the light trapping efficiency is defined
by a ratio between the light incident on the concentrator and part
of the incident light contributing to power generation. As long as
a plurality of concentrators satisfy the above large-and-small
relationship between the light trapping efficiencies of first
incident light and second incident light, the ratio between the
light trapping efficiencies may vary depending on the manner of
establishing the photovoltaic module and the like.
[0017] According to the present invention, there is also provided a
photovoltaic module including: a plurality of concentrators each
having a light-incident plane and a reflection plane; and photo
detectors arranged such that at least part of the surface of each
of the photo detectors is in contact with one of the concentrators;
wherein the refractive index of the concentrator is larger than
that of the environment outside the light-incident plane of the
concentrator; two kinds of incident light, which have been made
equiangularly, symmetrically incident on the light-incident plane
at two points located equidistant from an arbitrary point on the
light-incident plane in the cross-section including the
light-incident plane, the reflection plane and the photo detector,
go along optical paths asymmetric to each other with respect to the
arbitrary point; and the plurality of concentrators are arranged
such that the relationship between the two kinds of incident light
going along the asymmetric optical paths is given for each of the
plurality of concentrators.
[0018] Here, the two kinds of incident light are only for
specifying the shape of one concentrator and arrangement of a
plurality of the concentrators, and therefore, they are not
necessarily actual sunlight.
[0019] According to the present invention, there is also provided a
photovoltaic module including: a plurality of concentrators each
having a light-incident plane and a reflection plane; and photo
detectors arranged such that at least part of the surface of each
of the photo detectors is in contact with one of the concentrators;
wherein the refractive index of the concentrator is larger than
that of the environment outside the light-incident plane of the
concentrator; the plurality of concentrators are connected to each
other such that each of the light-incident planes is continuous to
the adjacent one of the light-incident planes; and two kinds of
incident light, which have been made equiangularly, symmetrically
on each of the light-incident planes of the concentrators at two
points located equidistant in the connecting direction from an
arbitrary point on the light-incident plane, go along optical paths
asymmetric to each other with respect to the arbitrary point.
[0020] Here, the two kinds of incident light are only for
specifying the shape of one concentrator and arrangement of a
plurality of the concentrators, and therefore, they are not
necessarily actual sunlight.
[0021] The concrete forms of the photovoltaic device and
photovoltaic module capable of increasing a light trapping
efficiency and an establishing method of a photovoltaic system will
be disclosed in preferred embodiments of the present invention to
be described later.
[0022] According to the present invention, it is possible to
enhance a light trapping efficiency of incident light having an
asymmetric distribution and trapped by a photo detector, and also
to form a photovoltaic system capable of ensuring a light trapping
efficiency of incident light trapped by a photo detector even if
the concentrator has, under the light-incident plane, a cover glass
portion composed of only a medium.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0023] FIG. 1 is a sectional view showing the configuration of a
concentrator photovoltaic module according to the present
invention;
[0024] FIG. 2 is a sectional view showing the configuration of the
concentrator photovoltaic module shown in FIG. 1 in which a cover
glass portion is additionally provided;
[0025] FIGS. 3(a) and 3(b) are sectional views showing the
configuration of a prior art concentrator photovoltaic module;
[0026] FIGS. 4(a) and 4(b) are views showing the configuration of
another prior art concentrator photovoltaic module in which a cover
glass portion is additionally provided;
[0027] FIGS. 5(a) and 5(b) are views showing the configuration of a
further prior art concentrator photovoltaic module in which a photo
detector is arranged in the vertical direction;
[0028] FIG. 6 is a view illustrating the incidence of sunlight on
the concentrators of the prior art concentrator photovoltaic module
shown in FIGS. 3(a) and 3(b);
[0029] FIG. 7 is a sectional view showing the configuration of a
concentrator photovoltaic module of the present invention in which
a reflection plane is composed of a linear reflection plane and a
circular-arc reflection plane;
[0030] FIG. 8 is a sectional view showing the configuration of the
concentrator photovoltaic module shown in FIG. 7 in which a cover
glass portion is additionally provided;
[0031] FIGS. 9(a) to 9(c) are sectional views each showing the
configuration of a concentrator photovoltaic device of the present
invention, which includes a concentrator composed of a linear
light-incident plane and a linear reflection plane, and a photo
detector perpendicular to or tilted from the light-incident
plane;
[0032] FIGS. 10(a) and 10(b) are sectional views each showing the
configuration of a concentrator photovoltaic module of the present
invention in which the concentrator photovoltaic devices shown in
FIG. 9(b) are arranged in one direction;
[0033] FIGS. 11(a) to 11(d) are sectional views each showing the
configuration of a concentrator photovoltaic device of the present
invention in which a reflection plane in cross-section forms a
straight line and a circular-arc;
[0034] FIGS. 12(a) and 12(b) are sectional views each showing the
configuration of a concentrator photovoltaic module of the present
invention in which the concentrator photovoltaic devices shown in
FIG. 11(c) are arranged in one direction;
[0035] FIGS. 13(a) and 13(b) are sectional views each showing the
configuration of a concentrator photovoltaic device of the present
invention, which includes a reflection plane whose cross-section
forms a straight line and a circular-arc, wherein the device is
modified to increase the concentrating ratio by reducing the radius
of the photo detector;
[0036] FIGS. 14(a) to 14(d) are sectional views each showing the
configuration of a concentrator photovoltaic device of the present
invention in which the device is modified to increase the
concentrating ratio by changing the arrangement of the photo
detector;
[0037] FIGS. 15(a) to 15(b) are sectional views each showing the
configuration of a concentrator photovoltaic module of the present
invention in which the concentrator photovoltaic devices shown in
each of FIGS. 13(a), 13(b) and FIGS. 14(a) to 14(d) are arranged in
one direction;
[0038] FIG. 16 is a sectional view showing the configuration of a
concentrator photovoltaic device of the present invention in which
a second medium is provided in addition to a first medium;
[0039] FIG. 17 is a sectional view showing the configuration of a
concentrator photovoltaic device of the present invention in which
the concentrator photovoltaic device shown in FIG. 16 is provided
with a cover glass portion;
[0040] FIG. 18 is a sectional view showing the configuration of a
concentrator photovoltaic device of the present invention in which
a cover glass portion is integrated with one or more of media;
[0041] FIG. 19 is a sectional view showing the configuration of a
concentrator photovoltaic device of the present invention in which
a photo detector is formed into a circular shape in
cross-section;
[0042] FIGS. 20(a) to 20(d) are sectional views each showing the
configuration of a concentrator photovoltaic device of the present
invention in which the concentrator photovoltaic device shown in
FIG. 13(a) is formed into a two-dimensional shape in
cross-section;
[0043] FIG. 21 is a view three-dimensionally showing the structure
of the concentrator photovoltaic device, for example, shown in
FIGS. 14(a) to 14(d);
[0044] FIG. 22(a) is a view showing the three-dimensional structure
of a reflection plane, of a concentrator photovoltaic device,
improved for enhancing a light trapping efficiency, and FIGS. 22(b)
and 22(c) are diagrams showing the groove structure of the
reflection plane shown in FIG. 22(a);
[0045] FIGS. 23(a) to 22(c) are diagrams each showing the groove
structure of the reflection plane, shown in FIGS. 22(a) to 22(c) in
which the shape of the grooves is modified;
[0046] FIGS. 24(a) and 24(b) are diagrams each showing another
groove structure of the reflection plane, in which a second medium
is buried in the grooves formed in the first medium on the
reflection plane side;
[0047] FIGS. 25(a) and 25(b) are sectional views each showing the
configuration of a concentrator photovoltaic device of the present
invention, in which an electrode is provided on a portion,
positioned outside a concentrator, of a photo detector;
[0048] FIGS. 26(a) and 26(b) are sectional views each showing the
configuration of a concentrator photovoltaic device of the present
invention, in which an electrode is provided on a portion,
positioned outside a concentrator, of a photo detector;
[0049] FIGS. 27(a) and 27(b) are sectional views each showing the
configuration of a concentrator photovoltaic device of the present
invention, in which the linear reflection plane and the
circular-arc reflection plane shown in FIGS. 13(a) and 13 (b) are
modified;
[0050] FIG. 28 is a sectional view showing a concentrator
photovoltaic device in which a rounded or chipped shapened portion
of a medium is buried with a second medium;
[0051] FIGS. 29(a) to 29(e) are sectional views each showing the
concrete structure of a reflection plane of a concentrator of a
concentrator photovoltaic device of the present invention;
[0052] FIGS. 30(a) and 30(b) are views showing the structure of a
concentrator photovoltaic module including concentrator
photovoltaic devices according to a first embodiment of the present
invention;
[0053] FIGS. 31(a) and 31(b) are views showing the structure of a
concentrator photovoltaic module including concentrator
photovoltaic devices according to a second embodiment of the
present invention;
[0054] FIGS. 32(a) to 32(c) are views showing the structure of a
concentrator photovoltaic module including concentrator
photovoltaic devices according to a third embodiment of the present
invention;
[0055] FIGS. 33(a) and 33(b) are views showing the structure of a
concentrator photovoltaic module including concentrator
photovoltaic devices according to a fourth embodiment of the
present invention;
[0056] FIG. 34 is a sectional view showing the configuration of a
concentrator photovoltaic module according to a fifth embodiment of
the present invention;
[0057] FIG. 35 is a top view showing the configuration of a
concentrator photovoltaic module according to a sixth embodiment of
the present invention;
[0058] FIG. 36 is a sectional view showing the configuration of a
concentrator photovoltaic module according to a seventh embodiment
of the present invention;
[0059] FIG. 37 is a perspective view showing the configuration of a
concentrator photovoltaic module according to an eighth embodiment
of the present invention;
[0060] FIGS. 38(a) to 38(c) are views showing the configuration of
a concentrator photovoltaic module according to a ninth embodiment
of the present invention; and
[0061] FIGS. 39(a) to 39(f) are views each showing the
configuration of a concentrator photovoltaic device according to a
tenth embodiment of the present invention, in which the surface
structure of a photo detector is modified.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0062] Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention
will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.
[0063] The concrete configuration of one mode of a photovoltaic
module of the present invention will be described with reference to
FIG. 1. In the photovoltaic module, the cross-section including
light-incident planes 1, reflection planes 2, and photo detectors 3
is configured as shown in FIG. 1. To be more specific, the
photovoltaic module does not include the first concentrators 16
used in the prior art module shown in FIGS. 5(a) and 5(b) but
includes only second concentrators 17-1 , 17-2, 17-3, . . .
arranged in one direction.
[0064] The second concentrators 17-1, 17-2, 17-3, . . . are
generally designed to trap sunlight incident from the narrow
portion (right end) in cross-section of, for example, the
concentrator 17-1 in the direction nearly parallel to the
light-incident plane (incident angle: nearly 90.degree.); sunlight
incident at an angle which becomes small from nearly 90.degree. to
0.degree. (normal to the light-incident plane); and sunlight
incident at an angle which becomes large from 0.degree. to
24.degree. (see FIG. 6).
[0065] Even if the above module is established such that sunlight
30 at the equinoxes is made incident on the light-incident plane 1
not perpendicularly but obliquely from the right, upper side of
FIG. 1, for example, even if the module is established in contact
with the curved plane of a roof or the like, the second
concentrators 17-1, 17-2, 17-3, . . . can trap the light 30. It
should be noted that in the case where the module is established in
the above state, light 31 obliquely traveling from the left, upper
side of FIG. 1 to the light-incident plane 1, which light is
difficult to be trapped by the second concentrators 17-1, 17-2,
17-3, . . . , does not exist. In this way, the module can
effectively trap incident light and effectively generate power
throughout the year including a period from the spring equinox to
the summer solstice 24.degree. offset from the spring equinox and a
period from the autumnal equinox to the winter solstice 24.degree.
offset from the autumnal equinox.
[0066] Even if the above module is established, like the prior art
module, such that sunlight at the equinoxes is made perpendicularly
incident on the light-incident planes 1, the module can effectively
generate power throughout the year.
[0067] FIG. 2 is a view showing a photovoltaic module in which each
of the second concentrators 17-1, 17-2, 17-3, . . . shown in FIG. 1
has on the light-incident 1 side a portion composed of only a
medium 4 (hereinafter, referred to as "cover glass portion 200").
The module shown in FIG. 2 can trap light perpendicularly incident
on the light-incident plane and light incident on the
light-incident plane obliquely from the right, upper side, which
have been difficult to be trapped by the prior art module, by the
photo detector of the adjacent second concentrator. This eliminates
the above problem occurring in the prior art module, which problem
is associated with reduction in light trapping efficiency caused by
provision of the cover glass portion 200. It should be noted that
the portion composed of only the medium 4 is referred to the cover
glass portion 200 on the basis of the reason that such a medium 4
is generally made from glass; however, the medium 4 may be made
from a plastic material or the like.
[0068] The above description is made by example of the
cross-section including the light-incident planes 1, reflection
planes 2 and photo detectors 5, which cross-section is taken on the
direction where the photo detectors extend vertically from the
front to the back of the drawing; however, the same description can
be of course made even by example of another cross-section
including the light-incident planes 1, reflection planes 2 and
photo detectors 5, which cross-section is tilted from the above
cross-section.
[0069] Photovoltaic modules of the present invention, in each of
which a reflection plane in cross-section is composed a linear
reflection plane 2 and a circular-arc reflection plane 3, will be
described with reference to FIGS. 7 and 8. In the module shown in
FIG. 7, the back surface of the photo detector 5 is in contact with
each concentrator. In the module having a cover glass portion 200
shown in FIG. 8, both the surfaces of the photo detector 5 are in
contact with each concentrator. In each of the structures shown in
FIGS. 7 and 8, it is effective to adopt the photo detector 5 of a
bifacial type in which light is made incident on both the surfaces
of the photo detector 5.
[0070] Photovoltaic devices of the present invention, each of which
has a concentrator whose cross-section includes a linear
light-incident plane 1, a linear reflection plane 2, and a medium 4
filling a space surrounded by the light-incident plane 1 and
reflection plane 2, and which has a photo detector 5 in contact
with the medium 4, will be described with reference to FIGS. 9(a)
to 9(c). As shown in FIG. 9(a), with respect to a contact portion,
in contact with the medium, of the photo detector, if the straight
line connecting one end of the above contact portion on the
light-incident plane side to the other end of the contact portion
on the reflection plane side is perpendicular to the light-incident
plane 1, light perpendicularly incident on the light-incident plane
1 and light 31 incident on the light-incident plane 1 obliquely
from the left, upper side of the figure are all reflected from the
reflection plane 2 and then made incident on the photo detector 5.
In general, the spectral reflectance of the reflection plane 2 is
not 100%, that is, part of the light is absorbed in the reflection
plane 2. In this regard, it may be desirable to adopt a structure
in which incident light is less reflected from the reflection plane
2 until it is made incident on the photo detector 5, that is, the
incident light is made directly incident on the photo detector 5 as
much as possible. This is effective to enhance the efficiency of
trapping incident light by the photo detector, that is, the light
trapping efficiency. To realize such a structure, it is effective
to make the straight line connecting the above both ends of the
contact portion of the photo detector not perpendicular but oblique
from the light-incident plane 1 as shown in FIGS. 9(b) and 9(c). In
particular, the structure shown in FIG. 9(b), in which the straight
line connecting the above both ends of the photo detector 5 is
perpendicular to the reflection plane 2, makes it possible to
minimize the area of the photo detector 5, and hence to reduce the
area of the photo detector 5 used for the concentrator photovoltaic
device.
[0071] For each of the above photovoltaic devices with no cover
glass portion 200, the concentrating characteristic can be improved
by arranging the concentrators in the direction shown in FIG.
10(a). Similarly, for each of the above photovoltaic devices with
the cover glass portion 200, the concentrating characteristic can
be improved by arranging the concentrators in the direction shown
in FIG. 10(b).
[0072] Photovoltaic devices of the present invention, each
including a concentrator in which a reflection plane in
cross-section is composed of a linear reflection plane and a
circular-arc reflection plane, will be described with reference to
FIGS. 11(a) to 11(d). In each structure, a circular-arc reflection
plane 3 exists in a space surrounded by two straight lines which
are perpendicular to a light-incident plane 1 and pass through both
ends of the circular-arc reflection plane 3. For the concentrator
having such a structure, if a photo detector 5 is arranged in
parallel to the light-incident plane 1, there may occur an
inconvenience. That is to say, when a plurality of the
concentrators are modularized, an electrode 18 formed on the photo
detector in one concentrator is brought in contact with the
adjacent concentrator. Consequently the plurality of concentrators
cannot be closely arranged. On the contrary, for the modules shown
in FIGS. 11(a) to 11(d), since the photo detector 5 is arranged
obliquely from the photo-incident plane 1, it is possible to
prevent the electrode 18 in one concentrator from being brought in
contact with the adjacent concentrator and hence to closely arrange
a plurality of the concentrators. Even in this case, if the
straight line connecting the center 7 of the circle constituting
part of the circular-arc reflection plane 3 to the end, on the
reflection plane 2 side, of the circular-arc reflection plane 3 is
perpendicular to the reflection plane 2 as shown in FIG. 11(c), the
radius of the circular-arc of the circular-arc reflection plane 3
is minimized. This makes it possible to minimize the area of the
photo detector 5.
[0073] For each of the above photovoltaic devices with no cover
glass portion 200, the concentrating characteristic can be improved
by arranging the concentrators in the direction shown in FIG.
12(a). Similarly, for each of the above photovoltaic devices with
the cover glass portion 200, the concentrating characteristic can
be improved by arranging the concentrators in the direction shown
in FIG. 12(b).
[0074] A photovoltaic device of the present invention, including a
concentrator in which a reflection plane in cross-section is
composed of a linear reflection plane and a circular-arc reflection
plane, will be described with reference to FIGS. 13(a) and 13(b).
The device has a sectional structure capable of increasing the
ratio of the area of a light-incident plane 1 to the area of a
photo detector 5 (area of light-incident plane/area of photo
detector), that is, increasing the concentrating ratio. In this
structure, at least part of the circular-arc reflection plane 3 of
the concentrator includes an additional circular-arc reflection
plane 3 positioned outside a region surrounded by two straight
lines 33 which are perpendicular to the light-incident plane 1 and
pass through both the ends of the circular-arc reflection plane 3.
With this structure, it is possible to make the radius of the photo
detector 5 smaller than that of the photo detector 5 in the
structure shown in FIGS. 11(a) to 11(d), and hence to reduce the
area of the photo detector 5. In addition, it is ideal to mount the
photo detector 5 on the radius of the circular-arc of the
circular-arc reflection plane 3. In this structure, as shown in
FIGS. 14(a) to 14(d), the photo detector 5 can be arranged along a
line connecting one end of the circular-arc reflection plane 3 to
the rotational center 7 of the circular-arc reflection plane 3, or
the photo detector 5 can be arranged along a line connecting a
point other than the end of the circular-arc reflection plane 3 to
the rotational center 7. Also as shown in FIG. 14(c), the photo
detector 5 may be arranged such that the straight line connecting
the end, on the reflection plane 2 side, of the circular-arc
reflection plane 3 to the rotational center 7 is perpendicular to
the linear reflection plane 2. This is effective to maximize the
concentrating ratio.
[0075] For each of the above photovoltaic devices with no cover
glass portion 200, the concentrating characteristic can be improved
by arranging the concentrators in the direction shown in FIG.
15(a). Similarly, for each of the above photovoltaic devices with
the cover glass portion 200, the concentrating characteristic can
be improved by arranging the concentrators in the direction shown
in FIG. 15(b).
[0076] In the concentrators described above, the medium 4 is
specified only in that the refractive index thereof is larger than
that of the environment outside the light-incident plane. The
medium 4, however, is sometimes composed of a plurality of parts,
or it is sometimes composed of a plurality of regions different in
refractive index. For example, as shown in FIG. 16, a portion
inside a boundary 11 of a circular-arc reflection plane 3 can be
formed of a second medium 36. In this case, the second medium 36 is
formed separately from the medium 4 and is then bonded to the
medium 4 with an adhesive, to form a concentrator. In the case
where the medium is composed of a combination of separate parts, if
the parts are made from the same material, the refractive indexes
of the parts are identical to each other; however, if the parts are
made from different materials, the refractive indexes of the parts
are different from each other. Even in the latter case, if the
refractive index of each part is larger than that of the
environment outside the light-incident plane, it is possible to
obtain the same optical characteristics of the concentrator as
those described above. However, in order to make the light trapping
efficiency higher, it is desirable to increase the refractive index
of each part constituting the medium. Also, in the case where the
adhesive is sufficiently thin, the refractive index of the adhesive
may be smaller than that of the peripheral medium; however, it may
be desirable that the adhesive be made from a material having a
refractive index near that of the peripheral medium. If the medium
is made from transparent glass or transparent plastic, the
refractive index of the medium is generally in a range of about
1.45 to 1.55.
[0077] FIG. 17 is a sectional view showing the configuration of a
photovoltaic device of the present invention in which the
photovoltaic device shown in FIG. 16 is provided with a cover glass
sheet 19. In this example, the cover glass portion is configured as
the separate cover glass sheet 19 which is combined with the
triangular medium 4 and the circular-arc second medium 36. FIG. 18
is a sectional view showing the configuration of a photovoltaic
device of the present invention in which a cover glass portion is
integrated with the other medium 4 portion. In this way, the medium
may be made from a plurality of materials or formed of regions
having different refractive indexes, or it may be made from a
single material. Also, if there exists a local portion, such as an
adhesive layer, having a small refractive index, the same effect of
the present invention can be obtained. In this way, respective
parts of the medium are not required to exhibit the same refractive
index, and they may be made from different materials such as glass,
plastic and oil. Also each part of the medium, described above, may
be further divided into sections made from different materials or
into sections having different optical characteristics such as
refractive indexes.
[0078] A photovoltaic device of the present invention, including a
photo detector 5 formed into a circular shape in cross-section,
will be described with reference to FIG. 19. If the photo detector
formed into a spherical or cylindrical shape is provided in the
concentrator having the shape shown in FIGS. 11(a) to 11(d), the
cross-section of the concentrator including the photo detector 5
becomes that shown in FIG. 19. In the example shown in FIG. 19, the
entire photo detector exists in the concentrator; however, part of
the concentrator may project outward from the concentrator.
[0079] FIG. 20(a) shows an example in which the photo detector 5
shown in FIG. 19 is provided in the photovoltaic device shown in
FIG. 13(a) and 13(b). Further, as shown in FIGS. 20(b), 20(c) and
20(d), the photo detector 5 may be formed into another
two-dimensional shape in cross-section, such as a circular,
rectangular or triangular shape containing a hollow portion 38.
Such a structure of the photo detector 5, containing the hollow
portion 38, is effective to cool the photo detector with a fluid
flowing through the hollow portion 38 or to collect the heat
generated from the photo detector through the hollow portion 38. If
the photo detector is configured as a photoelectric transducer
composed of a semiconductor device, the output is generally
enhanced by cooling the photo detector. In this case, the output of
the photo detector can be enhanced by cooling the photo detector
with water as the fluid flowing through the hollow portion 38. In
addition to this, the photo detector having the hollow portion 38
can be used as a hot water preparation device. In this case, the
photo detector may be formed into a circular, rectangular, or
triangular shape having the hollow portion 38 shown in FIGS. 20(b),
20(c) and 20(d). The photoelectric transducer 5 may be formed over
the entire surface or on part of the surface.
[0080] FIG. 21 is a view three-dimensionally showing the
above-described structure, for example, the structure shown in each
of FIGS. 14(a) to 14(d). In the following description, the
direction perpendicular to a light-incident plane 1 is referred to
as "Y-direction"; the direction in which a reflection plane 2
crosses the light-incident plane 1 is referred to as "Z-direction";
and the direction perpendicular to these Y-direction and
Z-direction is referred to as "X-direction". FIG. 22(a) shows a
three-dimensional structure of the reflection plane 2 of the
above-described structure, which plane is modified to further
enhance the light trapping efficiency; and FIGS. 22(b) and 22(c)
are diagrams each showing a groove structure formed in the
reflection plane 2. As shown in these figures, the reflection plane
2 has grooves extending along the X-direction. In this way, the
reflection plane 2 having the shape which forms a straight line in
X-Y cross-section and which forms a groove structure in Z-Y
cross-section reflects light obliquely, thereby increasing the
incident angle of light when the light having been reflected from
the reflection plane 2 is made incident on the light-incident plane
1 again. Consequently, the light which is escaped to the outside in
the case of the structure with no groove structure can be subjected
to total reflection from the light-incident plane 1, so that a
large amount of light can be confined in the concentrator, thereby
increasing the possibility of arrival of the light at the photo
detector 5, that is, increasing the light trapping efficiency. The
cross-sectional shape of the grooves may be curved waves, for
example, sine-curved waves; however, in this case, the above effect
becomes small because at a portion parallel to or nearly parallel
to the Z-axis, an angle between light incident on the portion from
the upper side and the light reflected from the portion becomes
small. For this reason, it may be desirable that the grooves be
formed into shapes in cross-section with no portion parallel to the
Z-axis, for example, triangular wavers as shown in FIG. 22(b).
Further, the grooves may be formed into shapes shown in FIG. 22(c),
in which the slope of each groove is curved and the vertex of the
groove is sharpened. In each of the grooves shown in FIG. 22(c),
first incident light 108 incident on the slope at a position on the
medium 4 side, that is, near the upper side of the figure is
reflected at a large angle, while second incident light 109
incident on the slope at a position near the bottom is reflected at
a small angle, so that even if an average tilt angle of the slope
is made large, the light reflected from one-side slope of the
groove is prevented from being impinged on the other-side slope of
the groove. In particular, it may be desirable that the
cross-sectional shape 12 of the groove of the reflection plane in
the Z-Y direction be composed of a curved shape projecting opposite
to the medium 4, that is, downwardly in the figure. These grooves
are preferably formed in the X-direction; however, they may be
tilted somewhat from the X-direction. Even in this case, the same
effect can be obtained. The above curved shapes of the grooves may
be approximated by a plurality of planes or may be replaced with a
combination of curved portions and plane portions.
[0081] FIGS. 23(a) to 23(c) show modifications of the above grooves
of the reflection plane. In the structure shown in FIG. 23(a), the
sectional shape 12 of the grooves is designed such that the
portions on the right side 13 and left side 14 with respect to an
arbitrary point have the same shape. On the contrary, in the
structure shown in each of FIGS. 23(b) and 23(c), the sectional
shape 12 of the grooves is designed such that the portion on the
right side 13 is symmetric to the portion on the left side 14;
however, on each of the right and left sides 13 and 14, the shape
of a specific one of the grooves is different from that of the
adjacent one. By applying this design of the grooves to the
concentrator, for example, shown in FIG. 22(a), light can be
concentrated at a specific position of the photo detector 5. The
distribution of light concentrated on the photo detector 5,
obtained by applying the above design of the grooves, is effective
to enhance the photoelectric transfer efficiency, for example, by
arranging electrodes at portions of the photo detectors, on which
portions light is weakly made incident.
[0082] As described above, the light trapping efficiency can be
enhanced by forming the groove structure in the reflection plane;
however, in this case, it is required to form a large number of
grooves in the reflection plane. On the contrary, the structure
shown in each of FIGS. 24(a) and 24(b) exhibits the same effect
using, as the grooves, a groove-like interface between two media
having different refractive indexes. As shown in FIG. 24(a), the
shape of the end portion, on the reflection plane 35 side, of the
cross-section of a medium 4 is taken as a groove structure which is
then buried with a second medium 36 having a refractive index
different from that of the first medium 4, and the flat reflection
plane 35 is formed on the back side of the second medium 36. This
is effective to enhance the light trapping efficiency. When light 6
is made incident on the above groove structure, it is refracted
from the interface 37 between the first medium 4 and the second
medium 36, being reflected from the reflection plane 35, and is
refracted from the interface 37 again. The final light is tilted
from the light having been made initially incident on the interface
37. This means that the groove structure shown in FIG. 24(a)
exhibits the same function as that of the reflection plane having
the groove structure shown in FIGS. 22(a) to 22(c). The refractive
index of the second medium 36 may be larger or smaller than that of
the first medium 4 insofar as it is different from the refractive
index of the first medium 4. However, from the viewpoint of
enhancing the light trapping efficiency, it is desirable to make
the refractive index of the second medium 36 smaller than that of
the first medium 4. In this case, the refractive index of the
second medium 36 may become equal to or smaller than that of the
environment outside the light-incident plane. Also as an angle
formed between the light incident on the interface 37 from the
medium 4 side and the reflection plane 35 becomes smaller, the
incident light 6 is, although the second medium 36 is provided,
reflected into the medium 4 at the same angle as that given in the
case where the second medium 36 is not provided and only the
reflection plane 35 exists. As a result, the light trapping
efficiency can be made higher than that obtained by the structure
having the groove-like reflection plane shown in FIGS. 22(a) to
22(c). The shape of the interface 37 may be composed of a
combination of curved planes as shown in FIG. 24(b). While the
above description is made by example of the structure in which the
first and second media 4 and 36 located on both the sides of the
interface have the different refractive indexes, a region in which
the refractive indexes of the first and second media 4 and 36 are
continuously changed may exist at the interface and its
neighborhood. In this case, same effect of the present invention
can be also obtained.
[0083] In the above description, the shape of each part of the
concentrator is specified using the straight line, curved line,
circular-arc, plane, or curved plane shape, it may be considered
that the above-specified shape of each part of the concentrator
causes irregularities or distortion within an allowable error range
due to a manufacturing error upon actual manufacture of the
concentrator. Also, it may be considered that the shape of each
part of the concentrator may be changed, for example, a sharpened
portion of the above structure may be rounded in accordance with a
requirement from the viewpoint of the manufacturing technique.
However, as long as a main part of the concentrator is
substantially formed into the above-described shape, the
above-described effect can be of course obtained.
[0084] A photovoltaic device of the present invention, having the
structure in which power generated from a photo detector 5 is
outputted from an electrode 18 without reducing the light trapping
efficiency, will be described with reference to FIGS. 25(a) and
25(b). In the structure shown in FIG. 25(a), the radius of a
circular-arc reflection plane is smaller than the length of the
photo detector 5 extending from the center of the circular-arc of
the circular-arc reflection plane to the end point, on the photo
detector 5 side, of a reflection plane 2. Meanwhile, in the
structure shown in FIG. 25(b), the radius of the circular-arc
reflection plane is larger than the above length of the photo
detector 5. With this structure, it is possible to form the
electrode 18 on a portion, positioned outside the concentrator, of
the photo detector 5 or a part continuous thereto, and hence to
eliminate the reduction in light trapping efficiency due to
shadowing by the electrode 18 formed on the photo detector 5
positioned in the concentrator, that is, the shadow loss. The
photovoltaic device shown in each of FIGS. 26(a) and 26(b) exhibits
the same effect.
[0085] A photovoltaic device of the present invention, in which the
linear reflection plane 2 and circular-arc reflection plane 3 of
the structure, for example, described with reference to FIGS. 13(a)
and 13(b) are modified, will be described with reference to FIGS.
27(a) and 27(b). The light trapping efficiency of the concentrator
shown in FIGS. 13(a) and 13(b) is largely dependent on an angle 23
formed between the light-incident plane 1 and linear reflection
plane 2. As the angle 23 becomes larger, the light trapping
efficiency is enhanced; however, the concentrating ratio is
reduced. In this regard, it may be desirable to make the angle 23
as small as possible within a range in which the light trapping
efficiency is not reduced so much. In the case where the refractive
index of the medium 4 is 1.5, the angle 23 is preferably set at
about 22.degree.. However, it may be considered that the angle 23
may be made smaller for the increasing the concentrating ratio or
made larger for increasing the light trapping efficiency in
accordance with the application. With the angle 23 kept constant,
the concentrating ratio can be increased without reducing the light
trapping efficiency by forming part, on the circular-arc reflection
plane 3 side, of the linear reflection plane 2 into a kinked line
or curved line. In the structure shown in FIG. 27(a) in which the
linear reflection plane 2 is modified, only a portion 29 between a
point 25 of the linear reflection plane 2 and the circular-arc
reflection plane is formed into a shape such as a parabolic curved
line or a kinked line similar thereto. Here, the point 25 is
defined such that of incident light desired to be introduced to a
photo detector 5 shown in FIG. 27(a), light 26 most tilted on the
circular-arc reflection plane 3 side is reflected from the linear
reflection plane 2 at the point 25 and is made incident on an end
point 27, on the circular-arc reflection plane 3 side, of a
light-incident plane 1. With this configuration, it is possible to
improve the concentrating ratio without reducing the light trapping
efficiency, although the size of the circular-arc reflection plane
3 is made small by a value equivalent to a straight line 201
connecting the intersection between the extension of the photo
detector 5 and the extension of the linear reflection plane 2 to
the intersection between the photo detector 5 and the circular-arc
reflection plane 3. The structure in which the circular-arc
reflection plane 3 is modified will be described in FIG. 27(b). If
an angle formed between each of two straight lines, which connect a
portion, most remote from the circular-arc reflection plane 3, of
the photo detector 5 to both the ends of the circular-arc
reflection plane 3, and incident light crossing the straight line
is distributed in a range of 0 to 180.degree., all the incident
light cannot be introduced in the photo detector 5 unless the
circular-arc reflection plane 3 is formed into a perfect
circular-arc. The angle formed between the incident light and the
straight line, however, is actually not distributed in the range of
0 to 180.degree.. Accordingly, the area of the photo detector 5 can
be reduced with the light trapping efficiency little lowered even
if the shape of the circular-arc reflection plane 3 is changed into
a curved line 112 having a large curvature or a curved line 113
having a small curvature. Each of the curved lines 112 and 113 may
be replaced with a kinked line similar thereto. The above effect
can be obtained for the photovoltaic device with a cover glass
portion.
[0086] In the structures described above, there may sometimes occur
an inconvenience in which a sharpened portion of the medium 4
becomes round or chipped on the basis of some manufacturing reason
as shown in FIG. 28. In this case, by burying such a portion with a
second medium 20, it is possible to obtain the same light trapping
efficiency as that for the case in which the medium 4 has no defect
in shape.
[0087] As the concrete structure of the reflection plane of the
above concentrator, there may be considered a structure shown in
FIG. 29(a) in which a reflection material layer 114 is formed on
the surface of the medium 4 by vapor-deposition of a metal. In such
a structure, as shown in FIG. 29(b), a lamination layer 22 made
from a resin can be formed on the back face of the reflection
material layer 114 for protecting the reflection material layer 114
and medium 4, and further protecting the photo detector and
electric wiring. Since the lamination layer 22 is provided opposite
to the medium 4 with respect to the reflection material layer 114,
incident light does not pass through the lamination layer 22, and
accordingly, the lamination layer 22 is not necessarily made from a
transparent material. Also, as shown in FIG. 29(c), the reflection
plane can be simply formed by preparing the lamination layer 22
formed of a soft material sheet, for example, a plastic sheet,
forming the reflection material layer 114 on the surface of the
lamination layer 22, and bonding the reflection material layer 114
to the medium 4 with an adhesive layer 39. In the structure shown
in FIG. 29(d), the reflection material layer 114 is sandwiched
between a sheet layer 40 and the lamination layer 22. This
structure is advantageous in using the medium 4 having the flat
underside. Further, as shown in FIG. 29(e), an interference thin
film 115 composed of a single layer or multiple layers having a
refractive index smaller than that of the medium 4 may be provided
on the surface, on the inner side of the concentrator, of the
reflection plane. This is effective to enhance the reflectance of
the reflection plane. In this case, by suitably combining the
refractive index and thickness of the interference thin film 115
with each other, the reflectance of light in a specific wavelength
range reflected from the reflection plane can be strengthened or
weakened. The concentrator including the interference thin film 115
exhibits a specific color when it is viewed from the outside. In
addition, the reflectance of light in a specific wavelength range
reflected from the reflection plane can be strengthened or weakened
without use of the interference thin film 115 by suitably selecting
the material of the reflection material layer 114. The reflection
material layer 114 may be made from silver or aluminum. In this
case, it is possible to form a reflection plane having a high
reflectance against the wavelength of sunlight. As described above,
various structures of the reflection plane can be adopted, and the
actual structure of the reflection plane may be a combination of
these structures, which may be further combined with an adhesive
layer as needed. The refractive index of the adhesive is preferably
close to that of the medium; however, if the thickness of the
adhesive layer is small, the refractive index of the adhesive may
be different from that of the medium.
[0088] The present invention will be more clearly understood with
reference to the following embodiments:
[0089] Embodiment 1
[0090] FIG. 30(a) shows the structure of a concentrator
photovoltaic module including concentrator photovoltaic devices
according to a first embodiment of the present invention, and FIG.
30(b) shows the cross-section of the structure in the X-direction
shown in FIG. 30(a). The basic structure of the module is the same
as the concentrating structure shown in FIGS. 13(a) and 13(b).
First, medium 4, each having a triangular shape in cross-section
and being made from an acrylic resin, were bonded by means of
ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymer (EVA) on a cover glass sheet 19
formed of a tempered glass having a thickness of 3 mm. Photo
detectors 5, each being configured as a bifacial solar cell made
from a crystalline silicon semiconductor, were bonded on the medium
4 by means of EVA. To position an electrode 18 provided on each
solar cell outside a concentrating reflection plane, the radius of
a circular-arc reflection plane 3 is made smaller than the length
of the photo detector 5. Each second medium 20 having the
circular-arc reflection plane 3 was formed by vapor-depositing
silver in vacuum on the surface of a fan shaped acrylic resin. The
second medium 20 were bonded on the medium 4 and the photo
detectors 5 by means of EVA, and the medium 4, photo detectors 5,
electrodes 18, and circular-arc reflection planes 3 were covered
with a sheet 22 serving as a lamination sheet. The sheet 22 has a
reflection plane which is made from silver and has a groove
structure along the X-direction as shown in FIG. 29(d). The bonding
of the sheet 22 was performed using EVA. The thickness of the
concentrator including the cover glass sheet was set at 6 mm. An
angle 23 formed between the reflection plane 2 and a light-incident
plane 1 was set at 25.degree.. The electrodes 18 are alternated in
positive and negative sides in the vertical direction from the
front to the back of the drawing. The electrodes 18 of a pair of
the adjacent solar cells are connected in parallel to each other,
and then connected to the electrodes of another pair of the solar
cells in series to each other. With this structure, the
concentrating ratio was 4.2, and the light trapping efficiency of
sunlight was 84% (including a loss caused at the light-incident
planes 1 having a reflectance of about 4% and a loss caused at the
silver reflection planes having a reflectance of about 95%).
[0091] The above description is made by example of the structure in
which the angle formed in the reflection plane 2 and the
light-incident plane 1 is set at 25.degree., such an angle is
determined in consideration of a relationship between the light
trapping efficiency and the concentrating ratio. To make higher the
concentrating ratio, the angle may be made smaller. For example,
the concentrating ratio can be enhanced to about 7.5 by making
small the angle to about 15.degree.. In this case, however, the
light trapping efficiency is reduced to about 65%. If the angle is
made small to a value less than 15.degree., the light trapping
efficiency is rapidly reduced. Meanwhile, in the case where the
concentrating ratio is not required to be increased so much, the
angle formed between the reflection plane 2 and the light-incident
plane 1 may be made large to about 35.degree.. In this case, the
concentrating ratio is held at about 2.8, and the light trapping
efficiency can be increased to about 94%. If the angle is set at
45.degree., the concentrating ratio becomes about 2, which is
nearly equal to that of a bifacial photo detector with no
concentrating structure. This means that the concentrating effect
is substantially lost. Accordingly, the angle is required to be in
a range of less than 45.degree..
[0092] Embodiment 2
[0093] FIGS. 31(a) and 31(b) show the structure of a concentrator
photovoltaic module including concentrator photovoltaic devices
according to a second embodiment of the present invention. The
basic sectional structure of the module in the X-direction is the
same as the structure shown in FIGS. 9(a) to 9(c). The module was
prepared in the same manner as that in the first embodiment except
that the circular-arc reflection planes were not formed. Further,
in this embodiment, the bifacial solar cell in the first embodiment
was changed into a unifacial solar cell. This is because in this
module, light is made incident on each photo detector 5 only from
the medium 4 side. When sunlight is made incident on the photo
detector 5, the irradiation intensity on the lower side of the
right surface of the photo detector 5 in the figure becomes lower.
For this reason, an electrode 21 on the light-incident plane side
was provided on the lower side of the photo detector 5, to thereby
enhance the light trapping efficiency. An angle formed between the
reflection plane 2 and the light-incident plane 1 was set at
22.degree.. With this structure, the concentrating ratio was 2.6,
and the light trapping efficiency of sunlight was 87% (including a
loss caused at the light-incident planes 1 having a reflectance of
about 4% and a loss caused at the silver reflection planes having a
reflectance of about 95%).
[0094] The above description is made by example of the structure in
which the angle formed in the reflection plane 2 and the
light-incident plane 1 is set at 22.degree., such an angle is
determined in consideration of a relationship between the light
trapping efficiency and the concentrating ratio. To make higher the
concentrating ratio, the angle may be made smaller. For example,
the concentrating ratio can be enhanced to about 3.8 by making
small the angle to about 15.degree.. In this case, however, the
light trapping efficiency is reduced to about 68%. If the angle is
made small to a value less than 15.degree., the light trapping
efficiency is rapidly reduced. Meanwhile, in the case where the
concentrating ratio is not required to be increased so much, the
angle formed between the reflection plane 2 and the light-incident
plane 1 may be made large to about 35.degree.. In this case, the
concentrating ratio is held at about 1.4, and the light trapping
efficiency can be increased to about 96%. If the angle is set at
45.degree., the concentrating ratio becomes about 1. This means
that the concentrating effect is lost. Accordingly, the angle is
required to be in a range of less than 45.degree..
[0095] Embodiment 3
[0096] FIGS. 32(a) to 32(c) show the structure of a concentrator
photovoltaic module including concentrator photovoltaic devices
according to a third embodiment of the present invention. In this
embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 32(b) and 32(c), the basic sectional
structure of the module in the X-direction is the same as the
structure shown in FIG. 8. The module in this embodiment was
prepared basically in the same manner as that in the first
embodiment. Light reflected from concentrators is made incident on
both the side surfaces of the module in the Z-direction and
X-direction. To make effective use of such light, the side surfaces
of the module were stuck with reflection sheets into reflection
planes 44 and 45. The peripheral portion of the module was covered
with an aluminum frame 107 to increase the mechanical strength. A
photo detector 5 is desirable to be arranged on a line connecting
the rotational center 7 of the circular-arc of a circular-arc
reflection plane 3 to a point on the circular-arc reflection plane
3. However, to continuously integrate media 4 of the adjacent ones
of the concentrators with each other, as shown in FIG. 32(b), part
of the circular-arc reflection plane 3 on the photo detector 5 side
in each concentrator was buried within the medium 4. Further, as
shown in FIG. 32(c), in each concentrator, the photo detector 5 was
offset from the straight line connecting the end of the
circular-arc reflection plane 3 and the rotational center 7 thereof
onto the light-incident plane 1 side, to thereby continuously
integrate the media 4 with each other by molding. In the case where
the photo detector 5 is offset from the desired position, the light
trapping efficiency is reduced. If the offset of the photo detector
5 from the desired position is set at a value equivalent to
one-fifth the radius of the circular-arc reflection plane 3, the
light trapping efficiency is reduced by about 5%. If the offset of
the photo detector 5 is set at a value equivalent to one-third the
radius of the circular-arc reflection plane 3, the light trapping
efficiency is reduced by about 10%. Further, if the offset of the
photo detector 5 is set at a value more than one-third the radius
of the circular-arc reflection plane 3, the light trapping
efficiency is rapidly reduced. As a result, the offset of the photo
detector 5 from the desired position is preferably set at a value
equal to or less than one-third the radius of the circular-arc
reflection plane 3.
[0097] Embodiment 4
[0098] FIGS. 33(a) and 33(b) show the structure of a concentrator
photovoltaic module including concentrator photovoltaic devices
according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention. The
sectional shape of the light-incident plane of each of the
concentrators in the previous embodiments forms the straight line.
In order to keep the light trapping efficiency at a high value, the
sectional shape of the light-incident plane is desirable to form
the straight line. However, if the design characteristics and
prevention of adverse effect exerted by reflection take precedence
over the power generation efficiency, as shown in FIGS. 33(a) and
33(b), the light-incident plane may be designed to have
two-dimensional or three-dimensional fine irregularities 94. For
the module including concentrators each having the light-incident
plane having above fine irregularities 94, it is possible to obtain
a high light trapping efficiency by designing each concentrator
such that a macroscopic plane 93 having the average value of
heights of the fine irregularities 94 is taken as the
above-described flat light-incident plane of the concentrator. If
the height 95 of the fine irregularities 94 is equal to one-fifth
the average cycle of the fine irregularities 94, the light trapping
efficiency is reduced by about 18%. If the height 95 is more than
one-fifth the average cycle of the fine irregularities 94, the
light trapping efficiency is rapidly reduced. Meanwhile, to keep
the reduction in light trapping efficiency at about 10%, the height
95 is desirable to be equal to or less than one-tenth the average
cycle of the fine irregularities 94. The light trapping efficiency
is substantially not dependent on whether the cycle of the finely
irregular structure is short (see FIG. 33(a)) or long (see FIG.
33(b)). In this embodiment, to reduce the adverse effect exerted by
reflection, the fine irregularities having a sine-curve
cross-section (cycle: 10 mm, height: 0.2 mm) shown in FIG. 33(b) is
applied to the basic structure shown in FIG. 32(c). In this case,
the reduction in light trapping efficiency is suppressed at 3%.
[0099] Embodiment 5
[0100] FIG. 34 shows the sectional structure of a concentrator
photovoltaic module according to a fifth embodiment of the present
invention. In this structure, part of light 6, which has been made
incident on the rightmost concentrator 48 obliquely in the
X-direction of the figure from the right, upper side, travels in
the concentrator 48 and then enters the adjacent concentrator 49.
Accordingly, the quantity of light incident on a photo detector 5
provided in the rightmost concentrator 48 is smaller than that of
light incident on the photo detector 5 provided in the adjacent
concentrator 49. With respect to each concentrator put between the
concentrators located at both the ends of the module, part of light
having been incident on the light-incident plane of the
concentrator enters one of the adjacent concentrators; however,
part of light enters the concentrator from the other of the
adjacent concentrators. Accordingly, the variation in quantity of
incident light incident on the photo detector little occurs between
these intermediate concentrators. Also, light being made incident
on the photo detector 5 provided in the leftmost concentrator 50 is
reflected from a reflection mirror 45 provided at the end surface
of the module and is made incident on the photo detector 5 provided
in the concentrator 50; and part of light having been made incident
on the adjacent right concentrator enters the photo detector 5
provided in the concentrator 50. As a result, the quantity of the
light incident on the photo detector 5 provided in the concentrator
50 is larger than that of light incident on the photo detector 5
provided in any one of the other concentrators. For this reason, it
may be undesirable to connect the output of the photo detector
provided in the rightmost concentrator or the leftmost concentrator
in series or parallel to the outputs of the photo detectors
provided in the other concentrators. As the measure for this, it
may be considered that the size of the rightmost or leftmost
concentrator is changed or a light shielding portion is provided
therein depending on an increase or decrease in current of the
rightmost or leftmost concentrator in order to match the quantity
of incident light at the rightmost or leftmost concentrator with
that at another intermediate concentrator. In this method, however,
it is difficult to design the optimum structure in consideration of
a change in incident angle of incident light. On the other hand, by
connecting the outputs of the photo detectors provided in the
rightmost and leftmost concentrators in parallel to each other, the
outputs of the photo detectors provided in the rightmost and
leftmost concentrators become nearly twice the output of the photo
detector in another intermediate concentrator even if the incident
angle of incident light is varied. As a result, the energy of the
incident light can be effectively used by connecting, in series or
in parallel, the outputs of the rightmost and leftmost
concentrators connected in parallel to each other to the outputs of
the photo detectors of the other concentrators. In this embodiment,
the structure shown in FIG. 32(c) is used as a basic structure, and
as shown in FIG. 34, the outputs of the photo detectors 5 provided
in the rightmost concentrator 48 and the leftmost concentrator 50
are connected in parallel to each other, and are connected in
parallel to the outputs of a plurality of photoelectric transducers
5 provided in the other concentrators 49 which are connected in
parallel to each other. Then, a collection of the photo detectors
in parallel to each other are connected in series to each
other.
[0101] Embodiment 6
[0102] FIG. 35 is a top view showing the structure of a
concentrator photovoltaic module according to a sixth embodiment of
the present invention. The structure of this embodiment is the same
as that of the fifth embodiment except that while the incident
light is tilted in the X-direction in the fifth embodiment, the
incident light is tilted in the Z-direction of FIG. 35 in this
embodiment. When light 6 coming from the lower side of FIG. 35 is
made incident on the incident-plane of a concentrator 51, part of
the light 6 enters the adjacent concentrator 52 and is then made
incident on a photo detector 5 provided in the concentrator 52.
Accordingly, in this module, by connecting the output of the photo
detector provided in the lowermost concentrator 51 in parallel to
the output of the photo detector provided in the uppermost
concentrator 53 and connecting the above outputs in parallel or
series to the outputs of the photo detectors provided in the other
concentrators, it is possible to achieve the optimum wiring for
effectively utilizing the energy of the incident light. In this
embodiment, which basically adopts the structure shown in FIG.
31(b), as shown in FIG. 35, the output of the photo detector 5
provided in the lowermost concentrator 51 is connected in parallel
to the output of the photo detector 5 provided in the uppermost
concentrator 53, and these outputs are connected in series to the
outputs of the photo detectors 5 provided in the other
concentrators 52 which are connected in parallel to each other. If
the reflection plane of such a connector has the groove structure
extending in the X-direction, reversely to the above description,
the light 6 coming from the lower side of the figure into the
concentrator 51 is reflected downwardly from the reflection plane 2
of the concentrator 51, and is reflected from the side surface of
the module. Part of the light reflected from the side surface is
made incident on the photo detector of the concentrator 51.
Meanwhile, part of the light reflected from the side surface is
made incident on the concentrator 53 and is then made incident on
the adjacent concentrator 52. Even in this case, like the case
described above, by connecting the output of the photo detector 5
provided in the uppermost concentrator in parallel to the output of
the photo detector 5 provided in the lowermost concentrator, it is
possible to achieve the optimum wiring for effectively utilizing
the energy of the incident light.
[0103] Embodiment 7
[0104] FIG. 36 shows the sectional structure of a concentrator
photovoltaic module according to a seventh embodiment of the
present invention. As shown in this figure, by folding or curving
each portion for continuously connecting the adjacent two pieces of
concentrators to each other, there can be obtained a polygonal
module whose cross-section is curved without changing the light
trapping efficiency of each concentrator. If a change in light
trapping efficiency is somewhat allowable, a polygonal or curved
module can be obtained by forming all the components of the module
or at least a cover glass portion 19 into a polygonal or curved
shape in cross-section. In this case, the shape of each of the
light-incident plane 1 and reflection plane 2 of the concentrator
is offset from the optimum shape; however, if the reduction in
light trapping efficiency due to the offset of the shape is within
an allowable range, it is rather effective to satisfy the
requirement in terms of the shape of the module establishing
location and also improve the design characteristic. In this
embodiment, to establish the module along the curved roof, there is
used a cover glass sheet 19 having the structure in which each
portion between the adjacent two pieces of the concentrators is
folded. The module may be also configured such that the adjacent
two pieces of the concentrators are separated from each other and
at least the cover glass portion located between the adjacent
concentrators is made from a flexible plastic sheet or metal sheet.
This is effective to wind the module in a roll shape and then store
it in a compact shape upon no service. The module may be further
configured such that a plurality of concentrators are arranged on a
metal sheet. This is effective to freely bend or wind such a
module. For example, the module capable of being wound in a roll
shape is obtained by arranging concentrators each having a width of
1 cm and a thickness of 6 mm on a cover glass portion having a
thickness of 1 mm. The module having such a structure can be wound
in a roll shape having the minimum radius of about 10 cm.
[0105] Embodiment 8
[0106] FIG. 37 is a perspective view, seen from the reflection
plane 2 side, of a concentrator photovoltaic module for
illustrating a method of carrying out electric wiring between
concentrators according to an eighth embodiment of the present
invention. As shown in this figure, if there remain a cover glass
surface 54 and a side surface 55 on which there are not present a
linear reflection plane 2, circular-arc reflection plane 3, photo
detector 5, and medium 4 filling a space surrounded by the
reflection planes 2 and 3 and the photo detector 5, wiring may be
formed in contact with these surfaces 54 and 55. This is effective
to make wiring more rigid as compared with the case of air wiring.
Also, by forming a wiring at a space between the medium 4 and the
cover glass sheet 19 or on the surfaces thereof, it is possible to
make wiring more rigid as compared with air wiring, for example, at
the outside of the reflection plane 2. In this embodiment, each
wiring between the photo detectors in one row is arranged between
the medium 4 and the cover glass sheet 19. This makes it possible
not only to obtain a rigid wiring but also to automatically isolate
the wiring from the outside of the concentrator. A wiring 56
between adjacent rows is formed on the cover glass surface 54. In
the above description, an adhesive layer is of course present
between these wirings and the cover glass surface.
[0107] Embodiment 9
[0108] FIGS. 38(a) to 38(c) show the configuration of a
concentrator photovoltaic module according to a ninth embodiment of
the present invention. For a concentrator having the structure
shown in FIG. 38(a), the light trapping efficiency of light 30
incident from the right, upper side of the figure, that is, tilted
in the (+X)-direction becomes larger than the light trapping
efficiency of light 31 incident from the left, upper side of the
figure, that is, tilted in the (-X)-direction. FIGS. 38(b) and
38(c) each shows the vertical cross-section, taken in the direction
from south to north, of the module established obliquely at a tilt
angle 101 with respect to a horizontal plane 99. In this case, if
the module is established such that sunlight 102 at the equinoxes
is tilted from the normal line 116 of the light-incident plane of
the module, the (+X)-direction of the module may correspond to the
tilting direction of the sunlight 102 at the equinoxes as shown in
FIGS. 38(b) and 38(c). This makes it possible to enhance the light
trapping efficiency of the sunlight throughout the year. Also if
the module is established such that the light-incident plane is
directed to the north, the (+X)-direction of the module may be
directed to the south. This also makes it possible to enhance the
light trapping efficiency of the sunlight throughout the year. In
this embodiment, since the tilt angle is set at an angle smaller
than the latitude of the module establishing location, the module
is set such that the (+X)-direction is directed to the south. In
the above description, it is assumed that the module is located in
the northern hemisphere; however, even in the case where the module
is located in the southern hemisphere, the same effect can be
obtained by reversing the south or north in the above description
to the north or south.
[0109] Embodiment 10
[0110] The structure of a tenth embodiment of the present invention
will be described with reference to FIGS. 39(a) to 39(f). For
example, as shown in FIG. 39(a), as the incident angle of light 308
incident on a light-incident plane 1 of a concentrator becomes
larger, the incident angle of the light 308 incident on the surface
of a photo detector 5 becomes larger. If the surface 304 of the
photo detector 5 is flattened as shown in FIG. 39(b), as the angle
of an incident light 302 with respect to the normal line 301 of the
surface of the photo detector 5, that is, the incident angle 303
becomes larger, the surface reflection is generally becomes larger,
to reduce the probability of trapping of the incident light in the
photo detector 5. On the contrary, if the photo detector 5 is
configured as a photo detector 305 having in its surface fine
irregularities, such as V-grooves, extending in one direction as
shown in FIG. 39(c), the incident angle 308 of the incident light
302 (which is made incident obliquely in the X-direction as shown
in FIG. 39(b)) with respect to the normal line 301 of a slope 306
becomes smaller than the incident angle 303 of the incident light
302 shown in FIG. 39(b). In this way, as compared with the
structure shown in FIG. 39(b), the structure shown in FIG. 39(c) is
effective to suppress the incident angle of the light tilted in the
X-direction at a small value. Also, if the surface of the photo
detector has depressions formed into, for example, inverted-pyramid
shapes as shown in FIG. 39(d), or has projections formed into, for
example, pyramid shapes as shown in FIG. 39(e), it becomes possible
to make smaller the incident angle, with respect to the normal line
of the slope 306, of incident light tilted not only in the
X-direction but also in the Z-direction. In this way, by forming
fine irregularities having the shapes of grooves, projections or
depressions in or on the surface of the photo detector, it is
possible to reduce the reflectance of light incident on the surface
of the photo detector at a larger incident angle and hence to
increase the light trapping efficiency. This is effective to
increase the output of the photo detector. As shown in FIG. 39(f),
these fine irregularities may be configured such that the large and
small projections/depressions be regularly or irregularly arranged,
and that the slopes of the irregularities be flattened or curved.
The structure in which the large and small projections/depressions
are irregularly arranged is generally referred to as a "random
pyramid surface". In this embodiment, the surface of the photo
detector, configured as a crystalline silicon made photoelectric
transducer, is subjected to anisotropic etching using a KOH
solution to form a random pyramid structure as shown in FIG. 39(f)
on the surface.
[0111] In the above description, the shape of the concentrator is
specified into the plane, circular-arc, straight line, curved
shape; however, such a shape may be practically offset from the
above the plane, circular-arc, straight line, curved shape within
the range of a manufacturing error. Also, the above shape may be
partially offset for convenience of manufacture of the concentrator
insofar as the shape does not largely obstruct the light trapping
efficiency. Even in this case, there can be obtained the same
effect of the present invention. Further, even in the case where a
reflection preventive film such as an interference thin film may be
formed on the surface of the photo detector, the same effect of the
present invention can be of course obtained.
[0112] While the preferred embodiments of the present invention
have been described using the specific terms, such description is
for illustrative purposes only, and it is to be understood that
changes and variations may be made without departing from the
spirit or scope of the following claims.
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