Transparent couple patch antenna for hybrid RF-solar energy collection systems

This paper presents a transparent antenna integrated with a solar cell for combined RF energy and photovoltaic applications. A coupled patch antenna is developed using a transparent conductive film, enabling RF energy reception while allowing light transmission. In simulations, the antenna resonates at 5.8 Ghz with a 7.2% bandwidth and 9.28 dBi gain. For fabrication, the conductive films are attached to thin tempered glass layers. The fabricated antenna resonates at 5.6 GHz with a −10 dB bandwidth of 9%, showing minimal performance variation in close proximity to the solar cell. When integrated with both a solar cell and an RF energy harvesting circuit, the antenna system achieves a power conversion efficiency of approximately 40%, while the solar cell retains 80% of its original output. Despite a reduction in photovoltaic efficiency, the hybrid system demonstrates potential for use in ground-based or space-based solar power collection arrays.