SOLAR MODULES WITH ENHANCED EFFICIENCIES VIA USE OF SPECTRAL CONCENTRATORS
Described herein are solar modules including spectral concentrators. In one embodiment, a solar module includes a set of photovoltaic cells and a spectral concentrator optically coupled to the set of photovoltaic cells. The spectral concentrator is configured to: (1) collect incident solar radiation; (2) convert the incident solar radiation into substantially monochromatic, emitted radiation; and (3) convey the substantially monochromatic, emitted radiation to the set of photovoltaic cells.
1 . A solar module comprising:
a set of photovoltaic cells; and
a spectral concentrator optically coupled to the set of photovoltaic cells, wherein the spectral concentrator is configured to:
collect incident solar radiation;
convert the incident solar radiation into substantially monochromatic, emitted radiation; and
convey the substantially monochromatic, emitted radiation to the set of photovoltaic cells.
2 . The solar module of claim 1 , wherein the spectral concentrator includes a luminescent stack including:
a luminescent layer having a first surface and a second surface;
a first reflector adjacent to the first surface; and
a second reflector adjacent to the second surface.
3 . The solar module of claim 2 , wherein the luminescent layer includes a luminescent material that exhibits photoluminescence having: (a) an internal quantum efficiency of at least 50 percent; (b) a spectral width no greater than 100 nm at Full Width at Half Maximum; and (c) a peak emission wavelength in the near infrared range.
4 . The solar module of claim 2 , wherein the luminescent layer includes a luminescent material having the formula:
[A a B b X x ],
wherein
A is selected from elements of Group IA;
B is selected from elements of Group VA;
X is selected from elements of Group VIIB;
a is in the range of 1 to 9;
b is in the range of 1 to 5; and
x is in the range of 1 to 9.
5 . The solar module of claim 2 , wherein the luminescent layer includes a luminescent material selected from InP, Zn 3 P 2 , Cu 2 O, CuO, CuInGaS, and CuInGaSe.
6 . The solar module of claim 2 , wherein at least one of the first reflector and the second reflector includes a dielectric stack.
7 . The solar module of claim 1 , wherein at least one of the set of photovoltaic cells has a vertical junction orientation with respect to the spectral concentrator.
8 . The solar module of claim 1 , wherein at least two of the set of photovoltaic cells are connected in series.
9 . The solar module of claim 1 , wherein the spectral concentrator defines multiple grooves, and multiple ones of the set of photovoltaic cells are positioned in respective ones of the grooves.
10 . The solar module of claim 1 , wherein the spectral concentrator includes a resonant cavity structure.