Modular photovoltaic assembly with integrated spectral conversion and localized energy storage
View Patent ↗A photovoltaic generation assembly is disclosed, comprising a plurality of vertically oriented solar tubes, each aligned with a corresponding Fresnel lens mounted on a movable Fresnel lens holder. The system includes a height adjustment assembly that controls the vertical position of the Fresnel lenses to optimize light focus based on solar movement. The adjustment mechanism may include a stepper motor driving a gear-based shaft assembly, or alternatively, a solenoid-based system that magnetically elevates or lowers the lens holder. Each solar tube incorporates a down-conversion assembly to shift high-energy photons, an up-conversion assembly to convert low-energy infrared photons into usable light, and a reflective base for photon recycling. An optional thermoelectric layer recovers heat energy. The arrangement increases photon absorption via internal reflections, improving solar conversion efficiency and enabling multiband energy harvesting from a compact, modular solar architecture.
1 . A photovoltaic solar assembly, comprising:
a transparent protective cover ( 202 ) configured to transmit incident solar radiation while protecting underlying components, wherein the incident solar radiation comprises ultraviolet light ( 320 ), visible light ( 322 ) and infrared light ( 324 );
a down-conversion assembly ( 206 ) configured to:
convert ultraviolet light ( 320 ) present in the incident solar radiation into visible light component ( 320 a ) suitable for photovoltaic absorption, and
pass infrared light ( 324 ) and the visible light ( 322 ) present in the incident solar radiation unattenuated, wherein the visible light component ( 320 a ) merges with the visible light ( 322 ) to form a visible light component ( 320 b );
a plurality of solar tubes ( 106 a - 106 n ), each solar tube having photovoltaic layers configured to capture and convert incident visible light into electrical energy;
a plurality of Fresnel lenses ( 104 a - 104 n ), each Fresnel lens ( 104 a ) aligned at an adjustable distance above a corresponding solar tube ( 106 a ) to direct the visible light component ( 320 b ) at a higher location ( 326 ) on an inner wall of the corresponding solar tube ( 106 a ) having the photovoltaic layers, wherein the higher location ( 326 ) is near an upper portion ( 350 ) of the corresponding solar tube ( 106 a );
a Fresnel lens holder ( 102 ) supporting the plurality of Fresnel lenses ( 104 a - 104 n );
an up-conversion assembly ( 208 ) arranged below the each solar tube ( 106 a ) configured to convert the infrared light ( 324 ) that are unabsorbed in the corresponding solar tube ( 106 a ) into a visible light component ( 324 a );
a reflective base layer ( 204 ) arranged below the up-conversion assembly ( 208 ) is configured to reflect unabsorbed light back into the each solar tube ( 106 a ), wherein the unabsorbed light comprises the visible light component ( 324 a ); and
a height adjustment assembly configured to dynamically adjust a vertical distance between the each Fresnel lens ( 104 a ) and the corresponding solar tube ( 106 a ) in response to solar movement to ensure the incident solar radiation strikes first at the higher location ( 326 ), wherein a first incidence of the incident solar radiation on the higher location ( 326 ) induces multiple successive internal reflections at a plurality of points on the inner wall of the corresponding solar tube ( 106 a ), and wherein the visible light component ( 324 b ) undergoes multiple reflections within the corresponding solar tube ( 106 a ) before exiting from the corresponding solar tube ( 106 a ); and wherein with every reflection solar energy is captured and converted into electrical energy, wherein the height adjustment assembly comprises a stepper motor ( 120 ) configured to cause vertical movement and adjust a height of the Fresnel lens holder ( 102 ) by rotating continuously over a duration of 8 to 12 hours to produce a vertical displacement of the Fresnel lens holder ( 102 ) ranging from 0.05 mm to 0.2 mm during the duration.
2 . The photovoltaic solar assembly of claim 1 , wherein the higher location ( 326 ) on the inner wall is located at a distance of less than 25% of a height of the corresponding solar tube from the top opening, to increase localized photon density and enhance proximity-based energy conversion.
3 . The photovoltaic solar assembly of claim 1 , further comprising:
a tessellated hexagonal configuration of the plurality of solar tubes, the each solar tube comprising:
a cylindrical inner wall;
a layer of solar cells disposed on the inner wall and configured to convert the incident solar radiation into electrical energy;
a plurality of solar Ultra Capacitors, each solar Ultra capacitor positioned in physical proximity to the each solar tube and electrically connected to the layer of solar cells;
a set of series electrical connections configured to connect the layers of solar cells of adjacent solar tubes to enable cumulative voltage output;
a set of main terminals comprising a positive terminal and a negative terminal, electrically connected to the plurality of solar Ultra Capacitors for outputting stored electrical energy; and
a plurality of brick Ultra Capacitors electrically connected in parallel across the main terminals, configured to buffer or stabilize the cumulative electrical output.
4 . The photovoltaic solar assembly of claim 1 , wherein the height adjustment assembly comprises:
a main shaft ( 116 );
at least one secondary shaft ( 112 );
a set of vertical gear shafts ( 108 a - 108 d );
one or more secondary gears ( 114 a - 114 d ) operably linking the at least one secondary shaft ( 112 ) to the set of vertical gear shafts ( 108 a - 108 d );
a main gear ( 118 ) operably coupled to the main shaft ( 116 ); and
wherein the stepper motor ( 120 ) configured to drive the main gear ( 118 ), wherein rotation of the stepper motor ( 120 ) causes vertical movement of the set of vertical gear shafts ( 108 a - 108 d ), thereby adjusting the height of the Fresnel lens holder ( 102 ).
5 . The photovoltaic solar assembly of claim 1 , wherein the each solar tube ( 106 a ) comprises:
a thermoelectric generation layer ( 210 ) configured to convert heat differentials into electrical energy.
6 . The photovoltaic solar assembly of claim 5 , wherein the down-conversion assembly ( 206 ) comprises photoluminescent materials configured to absorb ultraviolet photons below 450 nm and re-emit the ultraviolet photons in a wavelength range suitable for photovoltaic cells present within the each solar tube ( 106 a ).
7 . The photovoltaic solar assembly of claim 5 , wherein the up-conversion assembly ( 208 ) comprises rare-earth-doped materials, quantum dots, or nanoparticle composites configured to emit visible light from absorbed near-infrared radiation above 900 nm.
8 . The photovoltaic solar assembly of claim 5 , wherein the reflective base layer ( 204 ) comprises faceted or angular geometries to cause repeated internal reflections of unabsorbed light within the corresponding solar tube.
9 . The photovoltaic solar assembly of claim 1 , wherein the each Fresnel lens ( 104 a ) is dynamically aligned to ensure an angle of incidence that maximizes internal reflection and photon absorption within the corresponding each solar tube ( 106 a ).