Integrated electrical and thermal energy solar cell system

Abstract

An integrated solar cell system applies energy created by a solar cell module. The integration system includes a solar cell module, a low-grade heat recovery means, and a process system. The low-grade heat recovery means recovers waste heat from the solar cell module and connects the solar cell module to the process system. The process system is powered at least partially by thermal energy derived from waste heat generated by the solar cell module.

1 . An integrated solar cell system comprising: 
 a solar cell module that converts solar energy to electrical energy and waste heat;    a low-grade heat recovery means for recovering the waste heat from the solar cell module; and    a process system connected to the solar cell module by the low-grade heat recovery means, wherein the process system is powered at least in part by thermal energy derived from the waste heat recovered from the solar cell module.    
   
   
       2 . The integrated system of  claim 1 , wherein the solar cell module is a concentrated photovoltaic cell.  
   
   
       3 . The integrated system of  claim 1 , wherein the low-grade heat recovery means comprises a heat transfer fluid.  
   
   
       4 . The integrated system of  claim 1 , wherein the process system comprises a hydronic heating system.  
   
   
       5 . The integrated system of  claim 1 , wherein the process system comprises a solid-state energy conversion system.  
   
   
       6 . The integrated system of  claim 1 , wherein the solar cell system has an operating temperature of at least 80 degrees Celsius.  
   
   
       7 . The integrated system of  claim 6 , wherein the process system comprises an absorption chiller.  
   
   
       8 . The integrated system of  claim 1 , wherein the solar cell system has an operating temperature of at least 50 degrees Celsius.  
   
   
       9 . The integrated system of  claim 8 , wherein the process system comprises an adsorption cooling system.  
   
   
       10 . The integrated system of  claim 1 , wherein the process system comprises a rankine cycle.  
   
   
       11 . The integrated system of  claim 1 , wherein the process system comprises a renewable cooling, heating, and power generating system.  
   
   
       12 . The integrated system of  claim 1 , wherein the process system comprises a membrane water purification system.  
   
   
       13 . The integrated system of  claim 1 , wherein the process system is also powered at least in part by electricity generated from the solar cell system.  
   
   
       14 . The integrated system of  claim 13 , wherein the process system comprises a membrane water purification system.  
   
   
       15 . The integrated system of  claim 13 , wherein the process system comprises a solid state cooling system.  
   
   
       16 . The integrated system of  claim 15 , wherein the solid state cooling system comprises a water desalination system.  
   
   
       17 . The integrated system of  claim 13 , wherein the process system comprises an absorption chiller system integrated with a vapor compression chiller.  
   
   
       18 . A method for using energy created by a solar cell system, the method comprising: 
 capturing energy from sunlight directed at the solar cell system;    generating electricity from the sunlight captured by the solar cell system;    recovering heat dissipating from the solar cell system; and    transporting the recovered heat to a process system for use.    
   
   
       19 . The method of  claim 18 , wherein transporting the recovered heat to a process system for use comprises transporting the recovered heat to a hydronic heating system, a solid-state energy conversion system, an absorption chiller, an adsorption cooling system, a solid state cooling system, a rankine cycle, a membrane water purification system, an absorption chiller system integrated with a vapor compression chiller, or a renewable cooling, heating, and power generating system.  
   
   
       20 . The method of  claim 18 , wherein generating electricity comprises sending the generated electricity to a membrane water purification system, a solid state cooling system, or an absorption chiller system integrated with a vapor compression chiller.