Patent ID: 7855336
Filing Date: 2010-12-21
Classification: H01L,Y02B,Y02E

Abstract:
1. A solar photovoltaic module comprising: a base member having a generally planar support surface and two side walls projecting from said support surface at obtuse angles with respect to said support surface, wherein, said support surface defines at least one recess for receiving a plurality of photovoltaic cells, and comprises a plurality of fins projecting downward from said support surface for diffusing heat away from said photovoltaic cells; two side panels mechanically supported by said two side walls of said base member; at least one top panel supported by said two side panels, said at least one top panel having an integral array of Fresnel lenses; an array of photovoltaic cells mounted to said at least one recess of said base member; an array of prisms corresponding and mounted to said array of photovoltaic cells, wherein each prism includes a top surface and defines a periphery; and a plurality of opaque light shields defining cut-out regions sized to receive portions of corresponding prisms, said cut-out regions allowing light directed from said concentrating lenses to enter said top surfaces of said prisms for propagation through said prisms to said photovoltaic cells, each opaque light shield extending between said side panels above said support surface of said base member, wherein said cut-out regions are defined by edges disposed below said top surface of the corresponding prism and extending around said periphery of the corresponding prism without contacting the corresponding prism, said plurality of opaque light shields blocking light incident thereon from reaching said support surface of said base member, wherein, said cut-out regions of said at least one opaque light shield are defined by edges, and said edges and said prisms define gaps therebetween.