| Abstract: | A microsystem enabled photovoltaic (MEPV) module including: an absorber
layer; a fixed optic layer coupled to the absorber layer; a translatable
optic layer; a translation stage coupled between the fixed and
translatable optic layers; and a motion processor electrically coupled to
the translation stage to controls motion of the translatable optic layer
relative to the fixed optic layer. The absorber layer includes an array
of photovoltaic (PV) elements. The fixed optic layer includes an array of
quasi-collimating (QC) micro-optical elements designed and arranged to
couple incident radiation from an intermediate image formed by the
translatable optic layer into one of the PV elements such that it is
quasi-collimated. The translatable optic layer includes an array of
focusing micro-optical elements corresponding to the QC micro-optical
element array. Each focusing micro-optical element is designed to produce
a quasi-telecentric intermediate image from substantially collimated
radiation incident within a predetermined field of view. |