Notch structure for concentrating module and method of manufacture using photovoltaic strips

Abstract

The invention provides a solar concentrator structure including a first concentrating element. The first concentrating element includes a first aperture region, a first exit region, a first side and a second side. The solar concentrator structure further includes a second or more concentrating elements integrally coupled with the first concentrating element in a parallel manner. The second concentrating element includes a second aperture region, a second exit region, the third side, and a fourth side. The third side joins with the second side to form an apex notch structure characterized by a radius of curvature. Additionally, the solar concentrator structure includes a separation region by a width separating the first exit region from the second exit region and a triangular region including the apex notch structure and a base defined by the separation region and a refractive index of about 1 characterizing the triangular region.

1 . A solar concentrator structure, the solar concentrator structure comprising:
 a first concentrating element, the first concentrating element including a first aperture region, a first exit region, a first side and a second side;   a second or more concentrating elements integrally coupled with the first concentrating element in a parallel manner, the second concentrating element including a second aperture region, a second exit region, the third side, and a fourth side, the third side joining with the second side to form an apex notch structure;   a separation region provided between the first concentrating element and the second concentrating element, the separation region being characterized by a width separating the first exit region from the second exit region;   a radius of curvature of 0.10 mm and less characterizing the apex notch structure;   a triangular region including the apex notch structure and a base defined by the separation region; and   a refractive index of about 1 characterizing the triangular region.