Device for collecting solar radiation

Abstract

A device for collecting solar radiation without guiding the orientation thereof relative to the sun position is disclosed. The device includes at least one photovoltaic solar collector having a face sensitive to the solar radiation, at least one reflecting surface for reflecting the solar radiation towards the sensitive face of the collector, and an orientation apparatus for supporting the solar collector. The orientation apparatus providing an orientation and an inclination to the sensitive face of the collector in relation to the reflecting surface. The reflecting surface is conformed so that, at least during predetermined periods of a day and at least during predetermined days of a year, solar radiation reflected by the reflecting surface reaches the sensitive face of the solar collector with a minimized angle of incidence when the device is arranged in a predetermined orientation.

1 . A device for collecting solar radiation without guiding the orientation thereof relative to the sun position, the device comprising:
 at least one photovoltaic solar collector having a face sensitive to the solar radiation;   at least one reflecting surface configured to reflect the solar radiation towards the sensitive face of the collector; and   an orientation apparatus supporting the solar collector, the orientation apparatus providing an orientation and an inclination to the sensitive face of the collector in relation to the reflecting surface, the reflecting surface being conformed such that, at least during predetermined periods of a day and at least during predetermined days of a year, solar radiation reflected by the reflecting surface reaches the sensitive face of the solar collector with a minimized angle of incidence when the device is fixedly arranged in a predetermined orientation in relation to Earth.   
     
     
         2 . The device according to  claim 1 , wherein the at least one solar collector is of longitudinal shape and has a longitudinal axis thereof oriented approximately in a North-South direction. 
     
     
         3 . The device according to  claim 1 , wherein the at least one solar collector is of longitudinal shape and the reflecting surface has, in a section plane perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the collector, a first profile with no vertical axis of symmetry. 
     
     
         4 . The device according to  claim 3 , wherein the at least one solar collector is of longitudinal shape and the reflecting surface has, in a longitudinal section plane parallel to a longitudinal axis of the collector, a second profile with no vertical axis of symmetry. 
     
     
         5 . The device according to  claim 4 , wherein the sensitive face of the at least one solar collector is disposed above a longitudinal edge of the at least one reflecting surface with a predetermined inclination angle. 
     
     
         6 . The device according to  claim 1 , wherein the at least one solar collector is of longitudinal shape, the device further comprising first and a second reflecting surfaces symmetrically arranged relative to a longitudinal plane of the device. 
     
     
         7 . The device according to  claim 6 , wherein the sensitive face of the at least one solar collector is arranged above a longitudinal junction area of the first and second reflecting surfaces. 
     
     
         8 . The device according to  claim 6 , further comprising first and second solar collectors of longitudinal shape, the first solar collector having a sensitive face thereof directed towards the first reflecting surface with a first inclination angle, the second solar collector having a sensitive face thereof directed towards the second reflecting surface with a second inclination angle. 
     
     
         9 . The device according to  claim 1 , further comprising a cavity receiving the at least one reflecting surface and wherein the at least one solar collector is fixed on a support projecting into the cavity. 
     
     
         10 . The device according to  claim 1 , further comprising a cavity receiving the at least one reflecting surface and a cover transparent to the solar radiation, covering the cavity. 
     
     
         11 . The device according to  claim 10 , wherein the at least one solar collector is fixed on the cover. 
     
     
         12 . The device according to  claim 1 , wherein a projection of the surface of the at least one solar collector into a plane above the device, is between about 5% and 30% of the projection of the at least one reflecting surface into the same plane. 
     
     
         13 . The device according to  claim 1 , further comprising a coupling apparatus configured to fix the device to at least one of another adjacent device or a structure. 
     
     
         14 . The device according to  claim 1 , further comprising an electrical connector configured to link the solar collector to an exterior of the device.