Method of improving the efficiency of loosely packed solar cells in dense array applications

Abstract

An increased efficiency Concentrator Photovoltaic System having a plurality of solar cells laterally spaced from each other on a substrate panel. The solar cells are mounted on metal traces that support the cells and provide a path for the electrical output of the individual cells. Ribbons or wires, which provide a connection between the front contact of the solar cells to the appropriate metal traces form a circuit connecting the cells in desired configurations, Intercellular areas are provided between the lateral edges of the respective solar cells. A plurality of tubular enclosures are mounted directly above the solar cells. The top edge of the tubular enclosures have a circumference greater than the circumference of the bottom edges of the tubular enclosures. The inner surfaces of the tubular enclosure walls are reflective and direct solar rays to the respective solar cells thereby increasing the efficiency of the Photovoltaic system.

1 . An increased efficiency Concentrator Photovoltaic System comprising:
 a plurality of solar cells each having a top surface, a front edge, a rear edge, a left edge and a right edge;   a substrate having a top surface;   means for supporting said solar cells on said top surface of said substrate with some of said edges of some of said solar cells being spaced from each other to form intercellular areas;   electrical connector means passing through some of said intercellular areas for electrically connecting some of said solar cells together; and   a plurality of tubular enclosures each having an open top end, an open bottom end and having reflective inner wall surfaces; said open top ends having a greater circumference than that of said open bottom ends; some of said tubular enclosures being mounted directly above some of said solar cells so that solar rays regularly directed at said intercellular areas will be redirected by reflection to said respective solar cells thereby increasing the electricity producing efficiency of said Photovoltaic system.   
     
     
         2 . An increased efficiency Concentrator Photovoltaic System as recited in  claim 1  wherein said top edges of adjacent tubular enclosures are connected together to form a matrix that shields their respective intercellular areas. 
     
     
         3 . An increased efficiency Concentrator Photovoltaic System as recited in  claim 2  wherein said solar cells are aligned in rows and columns and said tubular enclosures are aligned in rows and columns. 
     
     
         4 . An increased efficiency Concentrator Photovoltaic System as recited in  claim 2  wherein said adjacent tubular enclosures have been connected together by electron beam welding. 
     
     
         5 . An increased efficiency Concentrator Photovoltaic System as recited in  claim 2  wherein said adjacent tubular enclosures have been connected together by laser welding. 
     
     
         6 . An increased efficiency Concentrator Photovoltaic System as recited in  claim 2  wherein said adjacent tubular enclosures have been connected together by injection molding. 
     
     
         7 . An increased efficiency Concentrator Photovoltaic System as recited in  claim 1  wherein said substrate is made of non-electrical conducting material. 
     
     
         8 . An increased efficiency Concentrator Photovoltaic System as recited in  claim 1  wherein said substrate is made of a conducting material in which the top surface has been rendered non-conductive by application of a surface treatment of non-conductive material. 
     
     
         9 . An increased efficiency Concentrator Photovoltaic System as recited in  claim 1  wherein said substrate is made of a conducting material in which the top surface has been rendered non-conductive by application of a surface coating on non-conductive material. 
     
     
         10 . An increased efficiency Concentrator Photovoltaic System comprising:
 a plurality of solar cells each having a top surface, a front edge, a rear edge, a left edge and a right edge;   a substrate having a top surface;   means for supporting said solar cells on said top surface of said substrate with some of said edges of some of said solar cells being spaced from each other to form intercellular areas;   electrical connector means passing through some of said intercellular areas for electrically connecting some of said solar cells together; and   a plurality of inverted V-shaped protective shields formed of elongated panels that would have their bottom edges positioned adjacent to said respective left and right edges of said solar cells; said front and rear edges of said respective solar cells would be adjacent each other in a column of solar cells so that solar rays regularly directed at said intercellular areas will be redirected by reflection to said respective solar cells thereby increasing the electricity producing efficiency of said Photovoltaic System.   
     
     
         11 . An increased efficiency Concentrator Photovoltaic System as recited in  claim 10  wherein said substrate is made of non-electrical conducting material. 
     
     
         12 . An increased efficiency Concentrator Photovoltaic System as recited in  claim 10  wherein said substrate is made of a conducting material in which the top surface has been rendered non-conductive by application of a surface treatment of non-conductive material. 
     
     
         13 . An increased efficiency Concentrator Photovoltaic System as recited in  claim 10  wherein said substrate is made of a conducting material in which the top surface has been rendered non-conductive by application of a surface coating on non-conductive material.