Patent ID: 8171680
Filing Date: 2012-05-08
Classification: E04B,H01L,H02S,Y02A,Y02B,Y02E,Y10S,Y10T

Abstract:
1. A building integrated photovoltaic power generating system comprising: a plurality of unitized curtain wall units adapted as part of an exterior shell for a building structure; said unitized curtain wall units being adapted to be hung from and situated in front of said building structure and including vertical areas formed of glazing and/or cladding materials; wherein at least one such unitized curtain wall unit includes vertical and horizontal framing members defining a plurality of glazing areas in both vision and spandrel areas; wherein at least two of said plurality of glazing areas, including both said vision and spandrel areas each contain one or more integrated photovoltaic conversion devices; further said integrated photovoltaic conversion devices in said vision areas are of a first type having a first power performance characteristic, and integrated photovoltaic conversion devices in said spandrel areas are of a second type having a second power performance characteristic that is different from said first power performance characteristic; said integrated photovoltaic conversion devices being electrically connected to control units integrated within said unitized curtain wall unit; wherein said unitized curtain wall units form a photovoltaic power generating array.