Patent ID: 8242350
Filing Date: 2012-08-14
Classification: F24S,H01L,Y02E

Abstract:
1. A photovoltaic power system optimized for more power and less area comprising: a plurality of photovoltaic concentrator modules packed tightly in a two dimensional array in a manner to maximize reception of incident sunlight for each photovoltaic concentrator module with minimum shadow cast from other photovoltaic concentrator modules, and wherein each photovoltaic concentrator module comprises a main body portion having: a tilt articulating mechanism configured to articulate the plurality of photovoltaic concentrator modules about a second axis that is substantially perpendicular to the first axis, so that the plurality of photovoltaic concentrator modules are aligned with the sun and track the sun during the course of a day so that the incident sunlight is directly focused on a respective solar cell by a respective lens, wherein the tilt articulating mechanism comprises a chassis, and a mounting plate coupled to the chassis via a movable joint configured to permit the mounting plate to move relative to the chassis in a manner to accommodate a plurality of mounting locations, wherein the one or more gooseneck members mate to the mounting plate at a pivot via the movable joint, and wherein the movable joint allows for a desirable range of articulation around the first axis with respect to the mounting plate to minimize shadows cast from the incident sunlight on the other photovoltaic concentrator modules.