Abstract:
A portable, lightweight and detachable photovoltaic window system affording a resource for converting solar power in existing buildings and similar structures. At least one photovoltaic panel is interconnected to a building window or entrance casing or directly to a window pane through use of lanyards, hook and loop fasteners, or suction cups. Solar energy is captured from direct sunlight incidental to the location of the window. A panel may be removably supported by a fabric material interconnected to an interior wall via hook and loop fasteners. An inverter converts energy from DC to AC for powering electrically driven devices. A pocket is provided on the panel support for temporarily storing the auxiliary devices. This system enables a person with little knowledge of solar energy equipment a convenient and inexpensive method to convert sunlight into useful energy without major alterations to the building or window unit being used as a light-source.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    All priority benefits under 35 USC 119(e) of Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/005,021 filed Dec. 3, 2007 are hereby claimed and the contents thereof in their entirety incorporated herein by reference. The present invention is the subject matter of a Disclosure Document filed in the United States Patent and Trademark Office on Aug. 4, 2006 and registered as No. 604318. All benefits of said registered Disclosure Document are claimed under 35 U.S.C. Section 122, 37 C.F.R. Section 1.14, and MPEP section 1706. The present application also is related to applicant&#39;s application Ser. No. 10/241,855 filed Sep. 13, 2002, which was published Mar. 18, 2004 as 2004 0050507, subsequently issued as U.S. Pat. No. 6,848,492 on Feb. 1, 2005, and the contents thereof in their entirety are hereby incorporated herein by reference. 
     
    
     FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH 
       [0002]    Not Applicable 
       SEQUENCE LISTING 
       [0003]    Not Applicable. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0004]    1. Field of the Invention 
         [0005]    This invention relates in general to the technological field of portable photovoltaic (PV) systems, and more particularly to the applications of such systems in buildings or houses to produce electricity for powering devices and appliance in the absence of (or as supplement to) more conventional power resources. 
         [0006]    One of the principal drawbacks of known portable electric power producing systems such as electric generators and the like, is that their. operation generally relies on non-renewal energy sources such as batteries, gasoline, diesel fuel or similar petroleum based products. In the event of remote and/or portable operation of these devices where conventional electricity utility service is unavailable or for some reason not operational, the equipment user will need access to batteries or power systems driven by petroleum based products for equipment operation. An additional drawback is that burning of petroleum based products adds carbon emissions to the earth&#39;s atmosphere. 
         [0007]    With the noted drawbacks mentioned above and considering the frequently escalated cost of fossil fuels, increasing attention is being paid to renewable energy sources such as solar and wind power. Solar power characteristically utilizes modules comprised of photovoltaic (PV) cells to produce electric current. These PV modules typically are installed in arrays of collection panels permanently mounted to building, for example on a rooftop. In most building applications, photovoltaic (PV) solar units are permanently roof-top mounted devices. 
         [0008]    What is needed is a fully portable renewable energy system that can be conveniently placed and repositioned by hand as necessary to capture energy from the sun so as to power devices such as computers, small appliances, alarms, emergency lighting and communication systems such as radios and television sets. More particularly, a system is needed that would fit snuggly within a window or door frame so as to be directly impacted by outside solar energy, and readily movable to another window or doorway as necessary to follow solar position changes for operational efficiency. 
         [0009]    2. Description of the Prior Art 
         [0010]    Thomas&#39; U.S. Pat. No. 6,848,492 discloses an inexpensive lightweight, reusable and detachable insulating cover device for residential and commercial dwellings and similar heated structures. The inner-portion of the insulating pad fit inside of a typical entrance or window unit framing. The outer-portion of the insulating pad overlaps the window unit or entrance framing. 
         [0011]    The outer portion of Thomas&#39; insulating pad may be secured to the building wall structure surrounding the window or entrance framing by using hook and loop type fasteners available under the Velcro® brand name. During cold weather months, the Thomas insulating cover device will restricts warm air from escaping between small crevices in inept window systems by fitting firmly into window framing using an insulating material, thus creating a thermal barrier and improving the efficiency of the furnace and lessening electricity or fuel consumption. 
         [0012]    Fronek&#39;s U.S. Pat. No. 6,646,196 discloses a multi-panel window structure with a photovoltaic panel permanently affixed in the window unit. While Fronek provides an alternative to roof-mounted PV panel arrays, it is still a permanently mounted feature and not easily removed, changed and/or upgraded. A major drawback of current solar applications is that they are expensive and permanently mounted roof-top structures, and with no emphasis placed on portability. 
         [0013]    Using the earth&#39;s wind currents to produce energy is another well known renewal energy source. While this form of renewal energy has promise, it requires open spaces of land and tall wind vane columns, clearly not feasible for portable and emergency energy production purposes. Compactness, stability and ease of assembly in remote and emergency locations are highly desirable aspects of any portable renewal energy devices. 
         [0014]    Azzam, in U.S. Pat. No. 6,974,904 presents a portable solar powered unit which features a wheeled frame. This technology does offer a compact and portable means to provide electrical power in remote locales and emergency situations. It is suited for use in remote, isolated and underdeveloped regions of the world such as deserts and small villages that lack energy infrastructure. However, this particular solar powered unit is an item of relativity high cost and typical consumers would not be willing to make so high a capital investment for an item of such limited use. Azzam&#39;s units are believed to be better suited for commercial applications rather than used by the everyday consumer/homeowner. 
         [0015]    Typically when building integrated photovoltaic (BIPV) units are incorporated into fixed roof mounted structures, the weight of these units must be considered in roof load designs by architects and home designers. Also, current BIPV units are not suited for portable, compact, lightweight micro-solar energy applications. Accordingly, there is a need for a portable, flexible, compact and lightweight BIPV unit that is configured to face a window unit when installed permitting it to be exposed to direct sunlight, thus producing solar electric energy. In event of a power outage this portable BIPV device can serve as a back-up source of electric energy. 
         [0016]    Also included in the prior art is a portable solar technology for automotive use. Sundar&#39;s U.S. Pat. No. 4,955,203 features an air conditioning unit for a parked automotive vehicle. Electricity to power the vehicle air conditioning system is produced by a portable solar panel located interiorly near the front window of the vehicle. 
         [0017]    While Sundar&#39;s disclosure presents a portable solar design, it does not allow for the portable solar panel to be conveniently withdrawn and repositioned in other automobile windows by detaching and relocating the solar panel. Thus, the scope and use of Sundar&#39;s system is severely limited in this respect. In addition, there is no suggestion that the Sundar device could be applied to various window openings in a building to supply electricity to any of a number of devices. While interchangeability of the solar panel is, in hindsight, conceivable in his design, Sundar makes no reference of this ability in his patent document and the venue or context of use described in no way suggests interchangeability. To the contrary, interchangeability and multiple applications are a major objective of the present invention which now will be described in more detail. 
       BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0018]    There has been a longstanding need for a portable building-integrated photovoltaic system that is both simple and cost effective to install at first application, and particularly one that does not damage or alter existing window, window framing or adjacent wall structures. The present invention provides a technique for generating solar power in existing buildings by using portable and removable fabric window coverings, an elastic cord lanyard array, hook fastener and/or suction cup attachment method/system to arrange solar panels in a position to best capture and convert solar energy from direct sunlight incidental to the location of the window itself. 
         [0019]    Since the effectiveness of a solar collection panel is generally dependent upon its relative position to the sun, it is found that easy portability enables the user to selectively place the panel adjacent windows with more advantageous solar incidence. The present invention employs a lightweight and flexible fabric material which incorporates hook and loop fasteners (e.g., of the type available under the trade name Velcro®) and an elastic cord fastened around the perimeter of the fabric material. The hook and loop fasteners and elastic chord feature are used to secure the fabric material over the interior-side generally (or the exterior) of window units. A generally central portion of the fabric material incorporates sets of hook and loop fasteners employed in mounting at least one light weight solar panel. 
         [0020]    While fabric material is described as a suitable support mount for the solar panel, this feature can be omitted completely and the solar panel could be secured in place directly at the window unit with a lanyard support array or suction cup attachment feature. Either of these applications will make the present invention a more universal device which could be used in more diverse building environments. 
         [0021]    An important object of the present invention is to offer a person with little knowledge of solar energy equipment a quick and simple method to convert sunlight into solar energy without making significant alterations to the building or window unit being used as a light-source. 
         [0022]    Another important object of the present invention is that in event of power outages, this device could serve as a back-up source to deliver electric power where needed. In communities ruined by natural or man-made disasters, this device allows victims an easy and low-cost means to operate household electrical devices until regular power service is restored. 
         [0023]    Still another object of the present invention is that this reusable device could be among the equipment supplied in an emergency response kit. The early response teams could install these unique devices in disaster command centers and use them to produce electrical power for their mobile communication equipment and medical apparatus. This device will also work well as a supplemental electrical power source for recreational vehicles (RVs) and used as a back-up recharging source in electrical automobiles. 
         [0024]    The present invention could be modified to incorporate thermal insulating material inside the layers of fabric window covering thus making the device a reusable dual energy conservation and alternative energy producing device. 
         [0025]    The present invention will be better understood and appreciated from the following detailed description of one embodiment thereof, selected for purposes of illustration and shown in the accompanying drawings. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE VARIOUS VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0026]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of an exterior house structure with the present invention installed; 
           [0027]      FIG. 2  is an elevation view of the front window facing side of the present invention with the solar panel unit installed; 
           [0028]      FIG. 2A  is a exploded side elevation view showing a schematic of various parts used to assemble the present invention as illustrated in  FIG. 2  and  FIG. 5 . 
           [0029]      FIG. 2B  is a modified side elevation exploded similar to the  FIG. 2A  showing a schematic the various parts used to assemble the present invention, while omitting optional features; 
           [0030]      FIG. 3  is an elevation view of the front window facing side of the present invention similar to  FIG. 2  but without the solar panel unit installed; 
           [0031]      FIG. 4  is a partial elevation of an exterior house structure showing the installation of the present invention; 
           [0032]      FIG. 5  is an elevation view of the rear, room facing, side of the present invention; 
           [0033]      FIG. 6  is a partial elevation of an interior house structure showing the installation of the present invention; 
           [0034]      FIG. 6A  is a partial elevation of an interior house structure showing the installation of the wall-affixed hook and loop fastener elements; 
           [0035]      FIG. 6B  is a partial elevation of an interior house structure showing the installation of the wall-affixed fastening mounts. 
           [0036]      FIG. 6C  are detailed orthographic views of the wall fastening mounts shown in  FIG. 6B ; 
           [0037]      FIG. 7  is a partial elevation of an interior house structure showing the installation of the present invention, omitting the fabric window covering and using the lanyard support array; 
           [0038]      FIG. 7A  is a front and side elevation view of the solar panel with the optional solar panel mounts as illustrated in  FIG. 7 . 
           [0039]      FIG. 7B  is a front elevation view of the solar panel with the optional full perimeter solar panel mount; 
           [0040]      FIG. 7C  is a side and front elevation of the mounting lanyard used in  FIG. 7 ; 
           [0041]      FIG. 7D  is a modified elevation view of  FIG. 7  wherein sill and window frame mounts are employed to install the inventive device; 
           [0042]      FIG. 7E  is a modified elevation view resembling view  FIG. 7 , this view shows a suction cup installation design of the patent invention; 
           [0043]      FIG. 7F  show the three optional fastening devices discussed in other drawings, displaying different mounting features; 
           [0044]      FIG. 7G  is a front and side elevation view of the solar panel with the optional solar panel mounts as illustrated in  FIG. 7  and the optional suction cup attachment feature. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0045]    Illustrated in  FIG. 1  is a perspective view of an exterior house or building structure  21  with the present invention installed. In this ( FIG. 1 ) illustration the present invention is installed on the interior side of window unit  20  depicted as positioned within an opening defined in a house or building wall  22 . This installation is fully illustrated in  FIG. 6 . The solar panel  04  is attached to the fabric window covering  01  and positioned in a manner to convert solar energy from direct sunlight incidental to the location of the window unit  20  itself. 
         [0046]    An elevation view depicted in  FIG. 2  shows the front or outward window-facing side of the present invention with the solar panel unit  04  installed. Shown in this view is a fabric window covering  01  used as a mounting support for an installed solar panel unit  04 . The solar panel unit  04  is centered on said fabric window covering  01  in a manner that when installed the solar panel unit is located facing (outwardly toward) direct sunlight incidental to the building window or defined opening. The covering  01  may be configured to fully cover a window (or doorway) recess typical of such framed openings. This offers the added features of insulating the opening and positioning the solar panel unit  04  outwardly (into the recess) to its maximum extent to take advantage of solar incidence. 
         [0047]    The solar panel unit  04  may be secured to, and supported by, the fabric window covering  01  using uniformly spaced hook and loop fasteners  03  (or their equivalents); these fasteners are affixed along the perimeter of the non-photovoltaic cell side (or rearward facing side) of solar panel unit  04  in direct alignment with corresponding hook/loop fastener elements  03  affixed to fabric window covering  01 . Along the perimeter of the front window-facing side of the fabric window covering  01  are also uniformly spaced hook and loop fasteners  03  (or their equivalents). 
         [0048]    These fastener elements are deployed to attach the photovoltaic device and its support to the area bordering around the window unit. Besides hook and loop fasteners, these elements may also include any other conventional fastening means, for example snaps or hooks, threaded or non-threaded fasteners and so forth. The present invention includes an optional mounting method using elastic cord material  02 . 
         [0049]    The fabric window covering  01  can, if desired, be fabricated to comprise two (or more) layers of material. The layers of covering  01  may be sewn together or joined using threading material  05  such as nylon or other high strength threading. Of course, a stapling technique or other equivalent fastening process may be employed such as adhesives, heat seal, and the like. Once attached, the elastic cord material  02  may be looped around the perimeter of the fabric window covering  01  as illustrated in  FIG. 2 . The elastic cord material  02  is uniformly spaced and firmly attached to covering  01 . Where fabric layers are utilized, the cord material  02  may be tucked in segments and firmly anchored between the joined layers of fabric window covering  01 . Attached to the solar panel  04  is electrical wiring in the form of a power cord  06 . The cord  06  penetrates the fabric window covering  01  using cover penetration opening  07 . 
         [0050]    An exploded view presented as  FIG. 2A  is a simple illustration of the various components of the present invention.  FIGS. 2 and 5  show the alignment and placement of the components as fully assembled.  FIG. 2A  illustrates an optional insulation material  14  (between layers of fabric covering  01 ) and further shows uniformly spaced hook and loop fasteners  03 . Again, any suitable equivalent fastener means may be employed. A modified exploded view of  FIG. 2A  is illustrated by  FIG. 2B  which eliminates optional features such as insulation material  14 , elastic cord material  02  and one layer of the fabric window covering  01 . While a storage pouch  08  is shown, it also is optional and could be omitted, if desired. 
         [0051]    The front window-facing (or outwardly facing) surface of the present invention is illustrated in elevation  FIG. 3 , but without the solar panel unit installed. This view incorporates all the features and attributes of  FIG.2  except the solar panel unit  04  and (electrical wiring) power cord  06  have been omitted to show the corresponding hook and loop fasteners  03  affixed to fabric window covering  01 . 
         [0052]    A partial elevation view,  FIG. 4 , depicts exterior house structure  21  revealing the installation of the present invention. The present invention is installed on the room-side (i.e., interior) of the window unit  20  (or other wall opening) thus positioning the solar panel unit  04  in a manner that the component will be exposed to direct sunlight incidental to the location of the window unit  20 . The room-side (inside) installation of the present invention is illustrated with greater detail in  FIG. 6 . 
         [0053]      FIG. 5  is an elevation view of the room-facing (rearward or inwardly facing) side of the present invention. This view incorporates all the features and attributes of  FIG. 2  except the solar panel unit  04 , power cord  06  and hook and loop fasteners  03  which are omitted. Sewn to the fabric window covering  01  is a storage pouch  08 . This storage pouch  08  provides a convenient method to store the electrical power inverter  10  and power cord  06  or other items as may be desired. The fabric window covering  01  and the optional storage pouch  08  are sewn and assembled together using nylon threading material  05  in a manner as illustrated in the exploded view  FIG. 2A . 
         [0054]      FIG. 6  is a partial elevation of an interior house structure  22  further describing the installation of the present invention. This partial elevation view shows an interior house structure  22  with the portable photovoltaic window unit installed over a window unit  20  (not visible in this view). An outer perimeter of the photovoltaic panel supporting fabric window covering  01  overlaps onto a wall area surrounding the window unit  20  (again, not visible in this view). 
         [0055]    The electrical wiring or power cord  06  is shown passing through the cover penetration opening  07  (see  FIG. 5 ), then to the electrical power inverter  10  and onward toward a point of application. The inverter  10  serves to convert solar direct electrical current (DC) to alternating electrical current (AC). In this illustration one power cord  06  branches off to support an AC electrical device  12  and the other branches off to a DC storage battery  11  or similar charging system; while not shown, this same power cord  06  can by-pass the inverter  10  and connect directly to the DC storage battery  11 . Also note the optional elastic cord  02  element employed as a mounting support to secure the present invention in place by attachment to wall fastening mounts  09 . 
         [0056]      FIG. 6A  is a partial elevation of an interior house structure showing the installation of wall-affixed hook and loop fasteners  03 . These uniformly spaced hook and loop fasteners  03  are installed around the window unit  20  in a manner that they will be in direct alignment with corresponding hook and loop fasteners  03  installed on the present invention as illustrated in  FIG. 2 . As is well known in the art, either hook units or loop units may be placed on the wall and/or the device as long as they engage attachable opposites. 
         [0057]    Shown in  FIG. 6B  is a partial elevation of an interior house structure showing the installation of the wall-affixed fastening mounts. These wall fastening anchors in the form of mounts  09  will be used as an optional device mounting system to secure the present invention over the window unit  20  (or other defined wall opening) using elastic cord material  02 . This elastic cord material  02  is installed on the present invention as illustrated in  FIG. 2 . These fastening mounts  09  are uniformly spaced around the window unit  20  and are used to secure the present invention in place as illustrated in  FIG. 6 . 
         [0058]      FIG. 6C  presents detailed orthogonal views of the present invention&#39;s wall fastening mount  09 . This drawing shows the top, front, right-side and bottom orthographic sides of wall fastening anchor or mount  09 . Note the bottom (wall facing) side of this mount  09  component has an adhesive  19  applied to it. This adhesive  19  will be used to secure the fastening mount  09  directly to the surrounding wall surface. The form of the fastening mounts  09  is not to be considered limiting, as any equivalent, conventional fastening method or system will suffice, for example (but not limited to) hooks, straps, cords, lacing, braces, clamps and the like. 
         [0059]    A partial elevation is presented by  FIG. 7  showing an interior house structure  22  including the installation of the present invention. This partial elevation view shows an interior house structure  22  with the portable photovoltaic panel installed over a window unit  20 . The fabric material covering  01  has been entirely omitted and functionally supplanted by a lanyard support array for the solar panel  04 . With the lanyard support array the solar panel is set and maintained in position using a series of uniformly spaced mounting lanyards  15 . These mounting lanyards  15  are braced around wall fastening mounts  09  and firmly connected to the solar panel mounts  13 . 
         [0060]    Solar panel mounts  13  are securely attached to the solar panel  04  using an adhesive, by sewing, or affixed by mechanical means. The power cord  06  is then routed to the electrical power inverter  10  which (as explained hereabove) changes the solar direct current (DC) to alternating current (AC). In this illustration one power cord  06  branches off to support an AC electrical device  12  and the other branches off to a DC storage battery  11  or similar charging system; while not shown, this same power cord  06  can by-pass the inverter  10  and connect directly to the DC storage battery  11 . 
         [0061]      FIG. 7A  is a front and side elevation view of the solar panel with optional solar panel support mounts  13 . Support mounts  13  are affixed to solar panel  04  in any of a variety of ways including, but not limited to, adhesives, sewing, or mechanical elements. Note the eyelet  16  features allowing the mounting lanyard  15  to be firmly attached to solar panel mount  13  as illustrated in  FIG. 7 . The term eyelet  16 , by the way, is intended to connote any of a variety of well known mechanical fixtures which can serve as discrete anchors to which loops, cords and the like can be applied for securement. 
         [0062]      FIG. 7B  is a front elevation view of the solar panel  04  showing it optionally supported about its full perimeter by a modified panel mount  13 . This view shows the solar panel mount  13  attached on all sides of solar panel  04 . This feature will of course provide multidirectional support for solar panel  04 . 
         [0063]    A side and front elevation of the mounting lanyard  15  used in  FIG. 7  is illustrated in  FIG. 7C  as having first and second ends. Mounting lanyard  15  has three primarily components including loop or hook  17 , elastic cord material  02  and clamp  18 . The clamp  18  will firmly secure a looped segment of the elastic cord material in a manner that will allow section mounting lanyard  15  to have a fastening end. The loop or hook  17  is firmly attached to the opposite end of the elastic cord material  02 . In use, the loop or hook  17  will firmly attach about eyelet  16  of the solar panel mount  13  as illustrated in  FIG. 7 . “Eyelet” in the present context refers to a fixed anchor element which may or may not include an opening. 
         [0064]      FIG. 7D  is a modified elevation view of  FIG. 7 . This partial elevation view shows an interior house structure  22  with the portable photovoltaic window panel  04  installed over window unit  20 . Note in this modification that the wall fastening mounts  09  have been completely removed, thus saving time and steps in the installation process. This variation of the lanyard support array uses the optional dual-hook mounting lanyard  15  to install the present invention in the following manner. 
         [0065]    Along the top protruding edges of window unit frame  20  a first end of mounting lanyard  15  is secured firmly by its hook  17  and the lanyard  15  second end has its hoop  17  secured on a corresponding eyelet  16  of the solar panel mount  13 . At least one lanyard  15  is thus attached at opposite edges of solar panel mount  13  so as to secure it in place relative to window unit  20 . As illustrated, for example, three lanyards  15  are employed by hooks  17  at the top frame  20  edge and bottom sill  25 . The opposing ends of the lanyards  15  are looped to corresponding eyelets  16  on the solar panel mounts  13 . The eyelet  16  feature is clearly depicted in  FIG. 7A . 
         [0066]    These solar panel mounts  13  are securely attached to the solar panel  04  using an adhesive, sewn or other mechanical elements. As described hereabove, the power cord  06  is then routed to the electrical power inverter  10  which in turn alters the collected solar direct electrical current (DC) to alternating electrical current (AC). In this illustration one power cord  06  branches off to support an AC electrical device  12  and the other branches off to a DC storage battery  11  or similar charging system; while not shown, this same power cord  06  can by-pass the inverter  10  and connect directly to the DC storage battery  11 . 
         [0067]      FIG. 7E  is a modified view as compared to that depicted in  FIG. 7 . The  FIG. 7E  view shows a window unit  20  reconfigured to depict one large fixed single glass pane window. Illustrated here, for example is an array of three solar panel units  04  mounted directly to the window glass pane  26  using optional suction cup fasteners  24 . More than, or fewer than, three solar panels may clearly be applied. As described above, solar panel mounts  13  are securely attached to firmly support the solar panels  04  using an adhesive, by sewing or employing other mechanical means. 
         [0068]    Each suction cup fastener  24  is inserted through an eyelet  16  (or other suitable openings extending through solar panel mounts  13 ), forming a releasable interconnection between the solar panel mounts  13  and the window glass pane  26 . Using manually applied compressive force, the faces of suction cup fasteners  24  collectively attach to the window glass pane  26 , thus installing the solar panels  04 . The power cords  06  for all three solar panels  04  are then routed to the electrical power inverter  10 . Again, this inverter serves to convert collected solar direct electrical current (DC) to alternating electrical current (AC). In this illustration, as before, one power cord  06  branches off power inverter  10  to support an AC electrical device  12  and the other branches off to a DC storage battery  11  or similar charging system; while not shown, this same power cord  06  can by-pass the inverter  10  and connect directly to the DC storage battery  11 . The application of the suction cup fastener  24  is covered in greater detail in  FIG. 7G . 
         [0069]      FIG. 7F  is a detailed view of three optional fastening devices discussed in other drawings. The first fastening device described is the modified mounting lanyard  15  with two opposed mounting hooks  17  as illustrated in  FIG. 7D . These opposed hooks  17  are firmly connected to the centered elastic cord material  15 . The second device is the suction cup fastener  24 . The use of this latter device is illustrated in  FIG. 7E  and  FIG. 7G . The third device is a modified mounting lanyard  15  which omits the elastic cord  17  feature of the other designs. This rigid connector  27  design can replace other mounting lanyards  15  where the additional elastic cord is not needed. 
         [0070]      FIG. 7G  is a modified front and side elevation view of the solar panel with the optional solar suction cup fastener  24  installed onto the solar panel mounts. The suction cup fastener  24  is affixed firmly in the eyelet  16  feature of the solar panel mount  13 ; this eyelet  16  feature is fully illustrated in  FIG. 7A . The application of the suction cup attachment feature is fully illustrated in  FIG. 7E . 
         [0071]    It is important to note that the fabric window covering  01  may be made of any suitable material such as flame retardant material, cotton, plastic, polyester, paper or plastic with aluminum foil backing, nylon, and the like. In addition this fabric window covering  01  can be made from a durable transparent or translucent polymer or other conventional material having these properties. 
         [0072]    The optional insulation material  14  may be any conventional type of insulation such as polyester batting, fiberglass, bubble-foil insulation, plastic, cotton, rubber and any conventional insulation material including flame retardant material which is designed to resist the transfer of heat through its surface. The eyelets  16  on the solar panel mounts  13  are not to be considered as limiting since any form of clamps, brackets, bolting or equivalent conventional fastening means can be used. 
         [0073]    In addition to hook and loop fasteners  03 , other fasteners could be used such as snaps, hooks or any other types of conventional fastening means. While nylon threading material  05  has been mentioned, it will obvious that in addition to nylon threading material  05 , snap fasteners, staples, hot seals, epoxy or other glue-like material can be used. In addition the elastic cord material  02  may substituted with other suitable products. 
         [0074]    An additional advantage of the present invention is that its portable and lightweight design. While the present invention is presented as a home or house appliance, it could well find application outside the home. For example, it would make an excellent auxiliary electrical power device for recreation vehicles (RVs) and spacecraft. This device could supplement the solar power generation abroad aircraft and spacecraft, or on boats, as well as serve as a emergency backup power source in virtually any location. 
         [0075]    Although the foregoing description makes reference to a number of specific features and embodiments, these should not be construed as limiting the scope of the present invention. Instead, the described invention should be viewed as susceptible of modification, combinations and alterations. Accordingly, the following claims are intended to cover all such modifications which are within the spirit and scope of the invention. In other words, the scope of the invention should be determined by the appended claims and their equivalents, rather than limited in any manner by the examples given.