Solergy Inc.

Gino D'Ovidio

Giovanni Lanzara

Yoav Banin

Francesco Crisi

Carlo Tulli

Massimiliano Viola

Fabrizio Berton

Carlo Masciovecchio

Giuseppe Berducci

A system or device for concentrating the light radiation of the type to be used for converting the solar radiation into electric current and/or thermal energy is disclosed. The device mainly having a primary optics apt to be exposed to the solar radiation and to allow the passage thereof therethrough, the primary optics being positioned on a hollow spacer member, which is perfectly aligned and at the same time locked, by means of a joint member.

Assembly for converting solar radiation into electric and/or thermal energy

Disclosed is an optical system for concentrating effective light the wavelength whereof is comprised between two limit values (&#x3bb;, &#x3bb;), comprising: an aspheric lens adapted for receiving and refracting the sunlight and provided with a convex lower portion defining a lower face with curved profile consisting of a predetermined number of curvatures with common tangency points in the contact points between two contiguous curvatures and which therefore provides for different focal points, each one corresponding to a wavelength value of effective light, comprised within the range defined by two focal points (f, f) respectively corresponding to said limit values (&#x3bb;, &#x3bb;); an optical manifold with tapered shape, internally hollow and provided with an internal reflecting surface; said manifold extending from a larger base, facing said lower portion of the aspheric lens, to a smaller base and being adapted for receiving the effective light therein, focused by said aspheric lens, and for reflecting the effective light portion that does not directly hit the receiving surface interfaced with the smaller base of said optical manifold; and a photovoltaic cell facing the smaller base of the manifold and provided with a predetermined number of respectively superimposed layers, each layer being intended for absorbing light rays of predetermined wavelengths coming from a corresponding capture area of the aspheric lens and/or from the manifold, so as to have on said photovoltaic cell, a distribution of light energy with a predetermined homogeneity level.

Optical system provided with aspherical lens for generating electrical energy in a photovoltaic way

A tracking system configured to orient light concentrators to face a light source. The system includes a movable support structure for providing global alignment of the light concentrators with the light source. The system also includes a light concentrator (LC) module that is coupled to the support structure and has an array of light concentrators that are in fixed positions with respect to each other. The system also includes a secondary alignment mechanism having a module joint that movably couples the LC module to the support structure and an actuator assembly. The actuator assembly is configured to selectively move the LC module about two axes relative to a pivot point of the module joint thereby orienting the array of light concentrators.

Methods, systems, and apparatuses for aligning light concentrator components with a light source

A light energy conversion (LEC) system includes a fluid circuit having a working fluid flowing therethrough and a plurality of light concentrating (LC) modules for converting light energy into electrical energy and for transforming the light energy into thermal energy. The LC modules including a first LC module coupled in series with a second LC module along the fluid circuit. The working fluid absorbs thermal energy while flowing through the first and second LC modules. At least the first LC module includes a light concentrating optical element that is configured to direct light energy toward a focal region and a receiver held at the focal region. The receiver includes a housing having a chamber that holds an energy conversion member. The energy conversion member transforms light energy received from the optical element into electrical and thermal energy.

Light energy conversion systems and methods

A light concentrating module for transforming light into at least one of electrical and thermal energy is provided. The light concentrating module may be coupled in flow communication with a fluid conversion module and include a primary optical element that has a reflective surface with a plurality of contoured sections. Each contoured section is shaped to reflect light that impinges the contoured section toward a corresponding focal region. The module may also have a receiver system that includes a plurality of energy conversion members positioned proximate to corresponding focal regions. The receiver system also has a working fluid passage for carrying a working fluid that absorbs the thermal energy. The working fluid can be conveyed away from the receiver system through a mounting post that holds the receiver system. In addition, the module may also generate electricity.

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L'Aquila, Italy

Gino D'Ovidio