Patent ID: 8710353
Filing Date: 2014-04-29
Classification: G02B,G02F,H01L,H01S,Y02E

Abstract:
1. A solar energy system with increased photovoltaic and thermal conversion efficiencies comprising: a collection optics for receiving and concentrating incident sunlight, or radiation from a directed electromagnetic energy source; an entrance optics coupled to receive the incident sunlight, or radiation and direct the incident sunlight or radiation into one end of an optical waveguide or at least one optical fiber that includes an optical filtering unit consisting of the optical waveguide or the at least one optical fiber for absorbing and removing infrared light and ultraviolet light from incoming incident sunlight or radiation, the entrance optics interfacing the collection optics with the optical filtering unit; a solar thermal distribution unit conductively coupled with the optical fiber or optical waveguide to absorb heat and redirect the heat from the optical filtering unit into a thermal-loop before visible filtered light is routed to a photovoltaic; a frequency converter consisting of one of a side pumped waveguide or an end pumped waveguide or ring resonators to down-convert the ultraviolet light and up-convert the infrared light to a range between approximately 400 to approximately 1125 nm as a visible band that the photovoltaic is responsive to; and a photovoltaic responsive to the visible band optically coupled to an opposite end of the optical fiber for receiving the visible filtered light from the frequency converter and convening the visible filtered light into electrical energy, the photovoltaic responsive to a range of wavelengths between approximately 400 and approximately 1125 nm to exclude the removed infrared and ultraviolet light wavelengths.