Solar energy conversion panel

Claim 1

A solar energy conversion panel comprising a hollow support having spaced top and bottom plates and side walls enclosing a chamber between the support, a plurality of hollow hexagonally shaped energy collectors of a generally conical shape disposed with their larger dimensioned ends in closely packed edge to edge relationships, the reduced ends of said collectors being secured to the top plate and extending upwardly therefrom to receive the solar energy, a phtovoltaic cell secured to the top plate and within each of the energy collectors at the reduced end thereof in good thermal contact with said top plate sloped radiant liquid reflecting surfaces on the interior of each of the energy collectors angularly disposed with respect to the photovoltaic cell therein whereby all of the light incident upon the energy collectors will be received upon the photovoltaic cells, the angle of the slope of the light reflecting surfaces of the collectors being disposed in accordance with the formula; H=2r cos 30°/tan i s =1.732r/tan i s |tanψ|=tan (π-ψ)=H/r (2 cos 30°-1)=H/0.732r Where: H=height of collector ψ=the angle between each reflecting surface and the photovoltaic cell. r=radius of photovoltaic cell i s =the angle of incidence of the solar ray, whereby a uniform angle of incidence of the light on the surface of the solar cells is achieved after a single reflection from the light reflective surfaces, and; a fluid carried within the chamber, a fluid bearing line forming a closed loop in communication with said chamber and having an entrance and an exit port in said chamber and means to circulate the fluid in the chamber through the fluid bearing line to remove thermal energy from said chamber for use elsewhere.