Solar energy converter using optical concentration through a liquid

Abstract

Solar cells operating in liquid have an increased operating efficiency resulting from two independent physical phenomena, an increase in output current from the solar cells from simply wetting the solar cells, and enhanced collection of light through refraction and inner reflection of light in the liquid. Dielectric liquids are found to increase output power efficiency of n/p junction solar cells and also function as a medium for optical concentration. The properties of dielectic liquid permit the construction of a solar cell with a suitable geometry for functioning as an optical concentrator.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A solar energy converter comprising: 
 an organic dielectric liquid;    one or more solar cells distributed in contact with the organic dielectric liquid; and    an encapsulating system enclosing the organic dielectric liquid and the one or more solar cells, the encapsulating system having a substantially flat base that supports the one or more solar cells, the encapsulating system having transparent walls connected to the base, the walls enhancing collection of light through the walls and through the organic dielectric liquid and optically concentrating solar energy to the one or more solar cells.    
     
     
         2 . A solar energy converter according to  claim 1  further comprising: 
 one or more n/p junction solar cells; and  
 an organic dielectric liquid that increases output current from the n/p junction solar cells by wetting the solar cells and has a refractive index that enhances collection of the light through refraction and inner reflection of the light in the organic dielectric liquid.  
 
     
     
         3 . A solar energy converter according to  claim 1  further comprising: 
 an encapsulation system having a transparent cover that collects solar illumination through the organic dielectric liquid.  
 
     
     
         4 . A solar energy converter according to  claim 1  further comprising: 
 an encapsulation system having transparent lateral panel walls forming a lens that focuses solar illumination through the organic dielectric liquid to the one or more solar cells.  
 
     
     
         5 . A solar energy converter according to  claim 1  further comprising: 
 an encapsulation system in the configuration of a low height cylindrical structure with a substantially flat panel tray covering a first end of the cylinder and a panel cover or lid covering a second end of the cylinder.  
 
     
     
         6 . A solar energy converter according to  claim 1  further comprising: 
 an encapsulation system comprising walls and cover at least partially constructed from glass or plastic.  
 
     
     
         7 . A solar energy converter according to  claim 1  wherein: 
 the encapsulation system has a base and cover area that is substantially larger than total surface area covered by the one or more solar cells.  
 
     
     
         8 . A solar energy converter according to  claim 1  further comprising: 
 an encapsulation system in the configuration of a low height cylindrical structure with a substantially flat panel tray covering a first end of the cylinder and a panel cover or lid covering a second end of the cylinder, cylinder having a cross-sectional geometry selected from among a circle, an ellipse, an oval, an egg-shape, a rectangle, a triangle, a square and being selected from among a symmetric shape and an asymmetric shape.  
 
     
     
         9 . A solar energy converter according to  claim 1  further comprising: 
 an organic dielectric liquid that is selected from among polar dielectric liquids and nonpolar dielectric liquids.  
 
     
     
         10 . A solar energy converter according to  claim 1  further comprising: 
 an organic dielectric liquid that is a polar dielectric liquids with a relatively high index of refraction.  
 
     
     
         11 . A solar energy converter according to  claim 1  further comprising: 
 an organic dielectric liquid selected from among non-flammable liquids such as ethylene glycol, ethylene mercaptan, o-ethylaniline, and 3-phenylpropene.  
 
     
     
         12 . A solar energy converter according to  claim 1  further comprising: 
 an organic dielectric liquid selected based on the melting point and the boiling point of various liquids for solar energy systems according to seasonal weather and climate of usage.  
 
     
     
         13 . A solar energy converter comprising: 
 a liquid;    one or more solar cells distributed in contact with the liquid; and    an encapsulating system enclosing the liquid and the one or more solar cells, the encapsulating system having a substantially flat base that supports the one or more solar cells, an encapsulation system having transparent lateral panel walls connected to the base forming a lens that focuses solar illumination through the liquid to the one or more solar cells, the walls enhancing collection of light through the walls and through the liquid and optically concentrating solar energy to the one or more solar cells.    
     
     
         14 . A solar energy converter according to  claim 13  further comprising: 
 an encapsulation system having a transparent cover that collects solar illumination through the liquid.  
 
     
     
         15 . A solar energy converter according to  claim 13  further comprising: 
 an encapsulation system in the configuration of a low height cylindrical structure with a substantially flat panel tray covering a first end of the cylinder and a panel cover or lid covering a second end of the cylinder.  
 
     
     
         16 . A solar energy converter according to  claim 13  further comprising: 
 an encapsulation system comprising walls and cover at least partially constructed from transparent glass or plastic.  
 
     
     
         17 . A solar energy converter according to  claim 13  wherein: 
 the encapsulation system has a base and cover area that is substantially larger than total surface area covered by the one or more solar cells.  
 
     
     
         18 . A solar energy converter according to  claim 13  further comprising: 
 an encapsulation system in the configuration of a low height cylindrical structure with a substantially flat panel tray covering a first end of the cylinder and a panel cover or lid covering a second end of the cylinder, cylinder having a cross-sectional geometry selected from among a circle, an ellipse, an oval, an egg-shape, a rectangle, a triangle, a square and being selected from among a symmetric shape and an asymmetric shape.  
 
     
     
         19 . A solar energy converter comprising: 
 a liquid;    one or more means distributed in contact with the liquid for converting solar energy to electric energy; and    means for enclosing the liquid and the one or more converting means, the enclosing means comprising: 
 substantially flat means for supporting the one or more converting means solar cells and the liquid;  
 means for focusing solar illumination and optically concentrating solar energy through the liquid to the one or more converting means.  
   
     
     
         20 . A method for converting solar energy to electrical energy comprising: 
 providing an organic dielectric liquid;    converting solar energy to electric energy;    enclosing the liquid in a transparent vessel having a substantially flat base and walls raised from the base; and    focusing solar illumination through the vessel walls and optically concentrating solar energy through the liquid to the one or more converting means.