KEYWORDS: Micromirrors, Mirrors, Solar cells, Photovoltaics, Aluminum, Solar concentrators, Sun, Microopto electromechanical systems, Finite element methods, 3D modeling
Micro-opto-electromechanical systems (MOEMS) based on micromechanical mirrors can be used as key elements for
light guiding, steering and concentration. We propose micromechanical mirror arrays for light concentration on
photovoltaic modules. The semiconductor materials for solar cells are the most expensive components of a photovoltaic
system. One of the ways to reduce cost is to use light concentration by focusing sunlight onto small solar cell areas using
optical components such as lens systems. The whole system requires an external rotation mechanism to track the suns
position. As an alternative, we propose and implemented micromachined mirror arrays to concentrate light. This allows
precise dynamic light steering onto the solar cell module. These micromirror arrays can be electrostatically tuned to track
the sun position or the maximum of the brightness distribution in the sky. The micromirror arrays are located in a sealed
environment and, therefore, insensitive to external influences, such as atmosphere and wind. The advantages of the
micromachined mirrors based concentrator photovoltaic systems are dynamic light steering onto solar cells, mass
production compatibility, long lifetime and low cost. The concept of the micromachined mirror arrays will be presented.
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