Patent ID: 9748431
Date: 2017-08-29
CPC Classifications: B33Y,H01L,Y02E

Claim:
1. A method, comprising: a. providing a PV printer and associated track system for conveying a printed PV sheet away from the PV printer and into a sun-lit area; b. powering the printer and associated track system by an electrical grid; c. as long as printing conditions are met, printing the PV sheet; d. continuously or intermittently conveying a printed PV ribbon to an associated track (horizontal or vertical) to convey the printed PV sheet away from the PV printer and into a sun-lit area; e. routing power from the sun-exposed PV sheet to power the PV printer and track system while the PV sheet it generates power; f. while printing, and while the PV sheet provides insufficient power to power the PV printer and the track system, using grid power to supplement the power to the PV printer and track system; g. while not printing, routing power from sun-exposed PV sheet to the grid; and h. while printing, and while the PV sheet provides sufficient power to power the PV printer and the track system, using PV sheet-generated power to power the printer, track system, and associated circuits and communications and routing excess power from PV sheet.