Category: Energy & Sustainability

APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR THE CO-PRODUCTION OF HIGH TEMPERATURE THERMAL ENERGY AND ELECTRICAL ENERGY FROM SOLAR IRRADIANCE

Patent No. 11,125,469

Expiration Date – 02/02/2036

This hybrid solar energy system co-generates high-temperature thermal energy and electricity by integrating photovoltaic and concentrated solar power (CSP) technologies, enabling efficient and cost-effective energy capture.
The invention effectively utilizes the full solar spectrum, reducing electricity production costs by 10% compared to conventional CSP systems, and provides continuous energy generation with the capacity for storage and dispatch.
The invention was designed for solar energy applications, offering a lower cost solution for generating both electricity and process heat through an advanced photovoltaic and heat transfer fluid mechanism….

PHOTOVOLTAIC RETROFIT DEVICE FOR ENHANCING POWER OUTPUT OF CONCENTRATING SOLAR THERMAL POWER PLANTS

Patent No. 11,901,859

Expiration Date – 07/21/2040

• A photovoltaic device may be combined with a linear concentrating solar thermal power plant or retrofit to an existing solar thermal power plant. The concentrating solar thermal power plant includes a parabolic reflector trough assembly to achieve the solar concentration to a linear solar heat transfer target. 

• The present invention is directed to a combined concentrating solar thermal power plant and photovoltaic electric generation device. The most economical configuration is a photovoltaic retrofit device for enhancing power output of an existing concentrating solar thermal power plant.  In a retrofit installation most of the balance of plant is already constructed and only the solar cell direct current subsystem is required….

IMPROVEMENTS IN SILICON SOLAR PHOTOVOLTAIC CELL EFFICIENCY 

Patent Pending  

• The invention enhances the efficiency of silicon photovoltaic solar cells by facilitating the downshifting of wavelengths so that crystalline silicon can absorb wavelengths in the range suitable for conversion. This is achieved by coating silicon with specific films of the order of nanometers thickness. 

• Power conversion efficiencies of 10% or more can be achieved for a small percentage increase in the cost of solar cells. The thin film also increases the life of a solar cell.  A layer of polydimethylsiloxane applied over the perovskite quantum dots will increase its usable life. 

• This invention is significant because 85 -90% of solar cells in today’s market are made of silicon solar cells. Crystalline Silicon (c-Si) solar technology is the most prominent form of solar cell technology in the U.S. residential market, yet the efficiency of these specific solar cells has plateaued over the last 15 years….