Photovoltaic solar conversion

Abstract

A photovoltaic chip is designed to receive light energy from a light box arranged above it. The light can be sunlight guided by optical-fibers. For ease of replacement the photovoltaic chips can be supported in a carrier which is movably housed in a block. The blocks are housed on racks and are movable for ease of repair and replacement.

1 . A photovoltaic solar conversion apparatus comprising:
 at least one photovoltaic chip arranged to convert sunlight into electrical energy; and   at least one coupling device operable to secure one or more optical fibers in a configuration with a light transmission end-face arranged to couple sunlight transported by the optical-fiber onto a photosensitive surface of the at least one photovoltaic chip.   
     
     
         2 . A photovoltaic solar conversion apparatus according to  claim 1  comprising a carrier on which the at least one photovoltaic chip is supported. 
     
     
         3 . A photovoltaic solar conversion apparatus according to  claim 2  comprising a thermally conductive casing in which the carrier is supported. 
     
     
         4 . A photovoltaic solar conversion apparatus according to  claim 2  wherein the carrier comprises a projecting member configured to be received in a slot within the casing to thereby removably retain the carrier with respect to the casing. 
     
     
         5 . A photovoltaic solar conversion apparatus according to  claim 3  comprising a component upon which the thermally conductive casing is movably mounted. 
     
     
         6 . A photovoltaic solar conversion apparatus according to  claim 3  wherein the thermally conductive casing comprises a handle for moving the casing relative to the component for ease of access to the carrier. 
     
     
         7 . A photovoltaic solar conversion apparatus according to  claim 1  wherein the coupling device comprises a light box arranged to receive at least one or more optical fibers, the light box comprising a means to evenly distribute sunlight from the light transmission end-face onto the at least one photovoltaic chip. 
     
     
         8 . A photovoltaic solar conversion apparatus according to  claim 7  comprising a carrier which supports a plurality of photovoltaic chips, and a corresponding plurality of coupling devices, each coupling device arranged to couple sunlight transported by one or more of the optical fibers to its corresponding photovoltaic chip. 
     
     
         9 . A photovoltaic solar conversion apparatus according to  claim 8  comprising a rack having at least one rack mounting wherein the coupling device is mounted on the rack with respect to the rack mounting, and the carrier is movably mounted in alignment with the coupling device with respect to the rack mounting for ease of replacement. 
     
     
         10 . A photovoltaic solar conversion apparatus according to  claim 8  wherein the coupling devices are arranged adjacent to one another, each aligned with at least one photovoltaic chip in the carrier. 
     
     
         11 . A photovoltaic solar conversion apparatus according to  claim 9  wherein the light cabinet comprises multiple racks, each rack having at least one coupling device oriented with respect to at least one respective carrier on its associated rack mounting. 
     
     
         12 . A photovoltaic solar conversion apparatus according to  claim 9  wherein the rack has at least one optical fiber intake associated with each rack mounting for guiding the one or more optical fibers to the coupling devices from a remote location. 
     
     
         13 . A photovoltaic solar conversion apparatus according to  claim 3  wherein the casing comprises a cooling system for receiving a coolant. 
     
     
         14 . A method of replacing photovoltaic chips in a photovoltaic solar conversion apparatus comprising: at least one photovoltaic chip, arranged to convert sunlight to electrical energy; and a light coupling device associated with the at least one photovoltaic chip operable to secure one or more optical fiber in a configuration with a light transmission end-face arranged to couple sunlight transported by the optical fiber to a respective photosensitive surface of the at least one chip, the method comprising:
 providing the at least one photovoltaic chip on a carrier which is movable with respect to the at least one coupling device;   removing the carrier from the photovoltaic solar conversion apparatus while leaving the coupling device in place; and   
       inserting a new carrier in the photovoltaic solar conversion apparatus while leaving the coupling device in place. 
     
     
         15 . A method according to  claim 14  wherein the step of removing the carrier comprises sliding a casing in which the carrier is supported out of a rack in the photovoltaic solar conversion apparatus wherein the coupling device is fixed with respect to the rack. 
     
     
         16 . A method according to  claim 14  wherein the step of removing the carrier comprises rolling a casing in which the carrier is supported out of a rack in the photovoltaic solar conversion apparatus wherein the coupling devices are fixed with respect to the rack. 
     
     
         17 . A replaceable cell bank comprising:
 a carrier on which is formed electronic circuitry for connecting at least one photovoltaic chip to one or more output terminals for the electricity generated by the photovoltaic chips;   at least one photovoltaic chip supported on the carrier with a surface exposed to receive illumination from a light source external to the carrier, wherein the carrier is movable with respect to the light source, wherein the carrier comprises a means for removably coupling it to a casing.   
     
     
         18 . A replaceable cell bank according to  claim 17  wherein the coupling means comprises a tongue adapted to slide in a slot set within the casing. 
     
     
         19 . A replaceable cell bank according to  claim 17  wherein an upper surface of the at least one photovoltaic chip is exposed.