Patent ID: 8153886
Filing Date: 2012-04-10
Classification: H01L,Y02E,Y10S

Abstract:
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, at least one of the left and right edges including electrical contacts; a substrate having a non-conductive top surface having a plurality of conductive areas disposed thereon, the conductive areas being separated by non-conductive intercellular areas, each of the plurality of conductive areas having a leg portion and a U-shaped portion, each of the conductive areas configured such that one of the plurality of solar cells is disposed on the leg portion of one of the conductive area, the U-shaped portion of each conductive area having two extending members separated by a space sized to receive the leg portion of an adjacent conductive area while maintaining the non-conductive intercellular area between the leg portion of the adjacent conductive area and U-shaped portion of another conductive area; electrical connectors in electrical communication with the electrical contacts of each solar cell to connect the solar cells to at least one of the extending members of the U-shaped portion of an adjacent conductive area to bridge the non-conductive intercellular areas; a plurality of diodes, each of the plurality of diodes associated with one of the plurality of solar cells, each diode connecting each conductive area to an adjacent conductive area; 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.