International Business Machines Corporation
Hybrid solar thermal and photovoltaic energy collection

Abstract:

Techniques for hybrid solar thermal and photovoltaic energy collection are provided. In one aspect, a photovoltaic concentrating thermal collector (PVCTC) includes: a thermal absorber collector; and bent solar panels forming a parabolic shaped trough reflector partially surrounding the thermal absorber collector so as to reflect incident light onto the thermal absorber collector. A PVCTC system including an array of PVCTC units and a method for hybrid electrical and thermal energy production are also provided.