Solar energy receiver

Abstract

One or more techniques, alone or in combination, maximize a surface area of a receiver that converts light into another form of energy. One technique enhances collection efficiency by controlling a size, shape, and/or position of a cell relative to an expected illumination profile under various conditions. Another technique positions non-active elements (such as electrical contacts and/or interconnects) on surfaces likely to be shaded from incident light by other elements of the receiver. Another technique utilizes embodiments of interconnect structures occupying a small footprint. The receiver may be cooled by exposure to a fluid such as water or air.

1 . A solar energy receiver comprising:
 a first photovoltaic (PV) device comprising
 a first front surface and a first front contact disposed on the first front surface, the first front contact having a first electrical polarity, wherein the first front contact occupies a portion of the first front surface; and 
 a first back surface and a first back contact disposed on the first back surface, the first back contact having a second electrical polarity opposite to the first electrical polarity, wherein the first back contact occupies a portion of the first back surface; and 
   a second PV device comprising:
 a second front surface and a second front contact disposed on the second front surface, the second front contact having a third electrical polarity, wherein the second front contact occupies a portion of the second front surface; and 
 a second back surface and a second back contact disposed on the second back surface, the second back contact having a fourth electrical polarity opposite to the third electrical polarity, wherein the second back contact occupies a portion of the second back surface, wherein 
   the second front contact of the second PV device underlies the first back contact of the first PV device and wherein only the portion of the first back surface of the first PV device overlies the second front surface of the second PV device.   
     
     
         2 . The solar energy receiver of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a third photovoltaic (PV) device comprising 
 a third front surface and a third front contact disposed on the third front surface, the third front contact having a fifth electrical polarity, wherein the third front contact occupies a portion of the third front surface; and 
 a third back surface and a third back contact disposed on the third back surface, the third back contact having a sixth electrical polarity opposite to the fifth electrical polarity, wherein the third back contact occupies a portion of the third back surface, wherein 
   the second back contact of the second PV device overlies the third front contact of the third PV device and wherein only the portion of the second back surface of the second PV device overlies the third front surface of the third PV device.   
     
     
         3 . The solar energy receiver of  claim 1 , wherein
 the first PV device, the second PV device, and the third PV device are disposed in a shingle arrangement.   
     
     
         4 . The solar energy receiver of  claim 1 , wherein
 the second front contact of the second PV device is electrically connected to the first back contact of the first PV device using an electrically conducting adhesive.   
     
     
         5 . The solar energy receiver of  claim 1 , wherein
 the second front contact of the second PV device is electrically connected to the first back contact of the first PV device using a connection stack.