Patent ID: 7868244
Filing Date: 2011-01-11
Classification: H01L,Y02E

Abstract:
1. A concentrated solar energy device connectable to a solar array, the device comprising: a photovoltaic cell for producing electrical energy and heat from solar energy received from a solar energy source; electrical terminals that are electrically connected to the photovoltaic cell by electrical leads for receiving electrical energy produced by the photovoltaic cell; a thermally conductive element for dissipating the heat from the photovoltaic cell, the thermally conductive element having a top portion on which the photovoltaic cell is mounted and a bottom portion; a concentrating optics element constructed of a solid, unitary, transparent material, and positioned between the photovoltaic cell and the solar energy source, wherein the concentrating optics element comprises a collection face, a primary optic surface, a secondary optic surface, and a tertiary optic element that are aligned with the photovoltaic cell so that the solar energy passes through the collection face to the primary optic surface, is reflected by the primary optic surface to the secondary optic surface, is reflected by the secondary optic surface to the tertiary optic element, and is focused by the tertiary optic element onto the photovoltaic cell; and a housing having a flared first end sealed to an outer periphery of the concentrating optics element, and a sealed second end through which lower ends of the electrical terminals and the bottom portion of the thermally conductive element extend, wherein the bottom of the thermally conductive element extends through the sealed second end between the lower ends of the electrical terminals, the housing and the concentrating optics element forming a sealed enclosure surrounding the photovoltaic cell.