Photovoltaic solar energy converter - comprises semiconductor rod incorporated in transparent solid matrix doped with fluorescent product, improving conversion efficiency

摘要

A photovoltaic solar energy converter comprises a semiconductor rod incorporated in a transparent solid matrix doped with a fluorescent product. The surface of the matrix pref. has a form promoting the focalisation of the solar rays on the rod and the rear face of the matrix which is not exposed to the sun's rays presents pref. a cylindrical surface covered with a reflecting layer, the semiconductor rod being placed near the focal line of this surface. Problems associated with absorption of a large part of the solar radiation at the surface and with encapsulation of the diode are avoided. The frequency conversion which is produced by the bias of the fluorescence allows a large part of the solar spectrum situated towards the short wave-lengths (blue, violet, uv) to be transformed to a radiation of longer wave-length. The invention increases efficiency of conversion, facilitates the fabrication of the diodes by allowing the depth of the junction to be increased and improves the form factor of the current-voltage characteristic. Incorporation in a solid matrix solves the problem of encapsulation.