Solar 3D platform

Solar panels and solar platforms having three-dimensional solar harvesting surfaces are disclosed. The solar panels and solar platforms may take a volumetric approach in harvesting solar energy by having the active sides of the solar surfaces protruding upwards rather than being merely planar like a conventional solar panel. The three-dimensional design of such active sides may help in capturing scattered photons reflected by adjacent solar surfaces and also align in optimum orientations relative to the sun.

Not Applicable

BACKGROUND

The various aspects and embodiments described herein relate to a solar platform and a method of using thereof.

Solar panels are used to harvest solar energy and convert such energy into electricity. Solar panels may be utilized to provide electricity to various electrical and electromechanical devices, some of such devices may have rechargeable batteries to store the electricity.

Accordingly, there is a need in the art for an improved device, system, and method for utilizing solar panels to power electrical and electromechanical devices.

BRIEF SUMMARY

The various embodiments and aspects disclosed herein address the needs discussed above, discussed below and those that are known in the art.

A solar platform having a plurality of solar panels is disclosed. The solar platform is mainly designed to harvest solar energy for storage and the powering of electrical and electromechanical devices. The solar platform may have a plurality of base solar panels and pivotable solar panels where the solar panels, specifically the pivotable solar panels, are pivotable in different orientations. The pivoting of the pivotable solar panels may be done manually or automated using a motorized electromechanical mechanism. Such pivoting may be necessary to orientate the solar panels in optimum positions relative to the sun to receive sufficient or maximum amount of solar energy. The pivotable solar panels may be bifacial and may have different structural dimensions than the base solar panels. The solar platform may also include a center panel in between the pivotable solar panels that is also pivotable similar to the pivotable solar panels. The solar platform may be attached or integrated with a top surface of a vehicle or an add-on vehicle component, such as a cap or a tonneau cover. As such, the solar platform on the vehicle may be designed to power the electrical components of the vehicle or electrical components that are connected to the vehicle. If the vehicle is electrical or hybrid, the solar platform on the vehicle may also recharge the batteries of the vehicle.

Ultimately, the solar platforms described herein may be incorporated with different types of electric, hybrid, or regular internal combustion engine vehicles. Such vehicles may include trucks, vans, minivans, SUVs, semitrucks, buses, recreational vehicles, motorhomes, trailers, station wagons, hatchbacks, crossovers, sedans, coupes, compact automobiles, and other types of vehicles and automobiles. The solar platforms described herein may also be incorporated with buildings, such as parking structures, homes, office buildings, stadiums, and other types of building structures. The solar platforms described herein may also simply be on a frame and placed on the ground.

More particularly, a solar platform is disclosed. The solar platform may have a frame structure having two longitudinal sides and two lateral sides, a base solar panel laid flat on the frame structure and having an active side with a first plurality of solar cells facing in an upwards direction, and a pivotable solar panel hinged and attached at a central area of the frame structure and the pivotable solar panel configured to be pivotable at least up to 10 degrees relative to the frame structure, the pivotable solar panel having an active side with a second plurality of solar cells facing away from the base solar panel.

In some embodiments, the base solar panel has a first width and the pivotable solar panel has a second width, the first width being greater than the second width.

In some embodiments, the pivotable solar panel has a second active side with a third plurality of solar cells facing the base solar panel.

In some embodiments, the solar platform may further comprise additional solar panels pivotably hinged and attached to the center area of the frame structure, and the additional solar panels having solar cells on both sides thereof.

In some embodiments, the pivotable solar panel and the additional solar panels are equidistantly spaced apart from each other and to the base solar panel.

In some embodiments, the pivotable solar panel is traversable using an automated motorized mechanism.

In some embodiments, the solar platform is attachable to a house roof or a parking structure roof.

In some embodiments, the solar platform is attachable to an RV roof, a car roof, or a cap of a truck.

In some embodiments, the solar platform may further comprise a receiver, a motor in communication with receiver, the motor connected to the pivotable solar panels for rotating the pivotable solar panels, wherein the receiver is operative to receive a command signal to operate the motor and to pivot the pivotable solar panels.

In some embodiments, the solar platform may further comprise an application downloadable onto a smartphone of a user, wherein the application is in communication with the electrical system of the solar platform to control the electrical system of the solar platform, sensors are attached to the solar platform for measuring current flow, mapping current flow from each of the solar panels, current generated versus measured light intensity from a light sensor, percent battery charged, and percent battery remaining, connecting the application and the sensors in communication for receiving data from the sensors and displaying the measured data on a screen of the smartphone.

In some embodiments, the solar platform may further comprise a light sensor for measuring light intensity imposed on the solar panel, the light sensor providing light intensity data to a processor of the solar platform, a position sensor for determining an angular position of the panels and direction, the position sensor providing position data to the processor of the solar platform, the processor being operative to receive the light intensity data, the position data and the current generated from each panel data and send a signal to the motor to change a position of the solar panel incrementally and determine an optimal position of the solar platform.

In some embodiments, the solar platform may further comprise a forward sensor operative to senses a physical object at a height of the solar platform, the forward sensor in communication with a processor, the processor configured to send a signal to the motor to traverse the panels downward when the forward sensor senses an object at a height of solar panels that have been pivoted upward.

In some embodiments, the solar platform may further comprise a lock in communication with a transmitter, the lock having an all systems okay position indicative that the solar platform is operational and a system error position indicative that the solar platform is not operational, the all systems okay position and the system error position defining a system status, the lock configured to send a signal to the transmitter and the transmitter operative to send the signal to an application loaded on a smartphone for displaying the system status on the smartphone of the user.

Furthermore, a solar platform that is integrated with a structure of a vehicle is disclosed. The vehicle with an integrated structural solar platform may comprise a vehicle having an outer body which defines an outer surface, a base solar panel having a first plurality of solar cells defining an upper surface, the upper surface of the base solar panel and the outer surface of the outer body being coextensive to make up a portion of the body of the vehicle, the base solar panel having an active side with the first plurality of solar cells facing outwards, and a pivotable solar panel pivotably hinged and attached at a central area of the base solar panel and the pivotable solar panel configured to be pivotable up to 10 degrees relative to the base solar panel, the pivotable solar panel having an active side with a second plurality of solar cells facing away from the base solar panel.

In some embodiments, the base solar panel has a first width and the pivotable solar panel has a second width, the first width being greater than the second width.

In some embodiments, the integrated solar platform may further comprise additional solar panels pivotably hinged and attached to the central area of the base solar panel, and the additional solar panels having solar cells on both sides thereof.

In some embodiments, the pivotable solar panel is traversable using an automated motorized mechanism.

In some embodiments, the automated motorized mechanism is configured to be connected to a computing device of the vehicle.

In some embodiments, the automated motorized mechanism is configured to pivot the pivotable solar panels to a desired position while the vehicle is in motion.

In some embodiments, each of the additional pivotable solar panels have a second active side with a third plurality of solar cells facing the base solar panel.

In some embodiments, the additional pivotable solar panels are configured to be spaced apart from the base solar panel by at least 30 degrees.

In some embodiments, the additional solar panels and the base solar panel are configured to be equidistantly spaced apart from each other.

Additionally, a cap of a truck with an integrated solar platform is disclosed. The cap may have a cap body with side frames, a rear cap portion with a cap door, and a roof an outer surface with the integrated solar platform, the integrated solar platform having a base solar panel having a first plurality of solar cells defining an upper surface, the upper surface of the base solar panel and the outer surface of the roof being coextensive to make up a portion of the roof of the cap body, the base solar panel having an active side with the first plurality of solar cells facing outwards away from an interior of the cap body, and a pivotable solar panel pivotably hinged and attached at a central area of the base solar panel and the pivotable solar panel configured to be pivotable up to 10 degrees relative to the base solar panel, the pivotable solar panel having an active side with a second plurality of solar cells facing away from the base solar panel.

In some embodiments, the base solar panel has a first width and the pivotable solar panel each has a second width, the first width being greater than the second width.

In some embodiments, the cape may further comprise additional solar panels pivotably hinged and attached to the central area of the base solar panel, and the additional solar panels having solar cells on both sides thereof.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

A solar platform8having a plurality of solar panels is disclosed. As shown inFIG.1, the solar platform8may be on a frame20and have two base solar panels10a,dand two pivotable solar panels10b, c. The base solar panels10a, dmay lay flat on the frame20and the pivotable solar panels10b, cmay be pivotable about a pivot axis12in the middle of the frame20. As such, the pivotable solar panels10b, cmay change angular orientation relative to the base solar panels10a, dand be positioned in optimum positions to receive solar radiation and energy. The pivotable solar panels10b, cmay be bifacial and have active sides24b-eon a front and back surface of the panels. When not in use, the solar platform may be in a folded position, as shown inFIG.2. As shown inFIGS.3-4, the solar platform8may be attached or integrated with a vehicle top surface22instead of being attached to a frame20. As shown inFIG.5, the solar platform308may have a center solar panel310cin addition to the pivotable solar panels310b, d, and the center solar panel310cmay be bifacial. The width318aof the pivotable and center solar panels310b-dmay be shorter than the width318of the base solar panels310a, esuch that portions of the base solar panels310a,eare exposed when the solar platform308is in a folded position, as shown inFIG.6. As shown inFIG.7, the solar platform308having the additional center solar panel310cmay be attached or integrated with a vehicle top surface72instead of being attached to a frame20. As shown inFIGS.8-18, the different embodiments of the solar platform8,308may be attached to different kinds of trucks802and may be part of caps810attached to the panels of a truck bed. As shown inFIGS.19-24, an embodiment of a solar platform1908may be integrated with a tonneau cover1911of a truck1902. As shown inFIGS.25-28, the different embodiments and examples of solar platforms may be incorporated with recreational vehicles and also building structures, such as a house or a parking structures.

Additionally, a sixth embodiment of a solar platform608having a plurality of riser solar panels602is shown inFIG.36. The sixth embodiment of the solar platform608may have a base solar panel610that has a plurality of riser solar panels602projecting upwards from the base solar panel610in a 90-degree direction. As shown inFIGS.37A-C, the riser solar panels602a-cmay come in different heights615a-c. As shown inFIGS.37D-Ethe riser solar panels602b-cmay be spaced apart from each other with their height615b-ctaken into consideration. As shown inFIG.37F, riser solar panels602a-bhaving different heights may be used in combination on the solar platform608. As shown inFIGS.38A-C, the riser solar panels602of the solar platform608may be pivotable with respect to the base solar panel610about a rotation axis extending across the base solar panel610.FIGS.39A-Bshow a miniature version of the solar platform608having a small length616a.FIGS.40-44show the solar platform608attached and integrated with different vehicle components and building structures. Furthermore,FIG.45shows a new embodiment of a solar panel that has a plurality of embossed solar cell beams702that are each shaped as a triangular prism. As shown inFIG.45, the top of the triangular prism structure of each embossed solar cell beam702may have a flat lateral portion with an additional active solar surface. The three-dimensional structure of the embossed solar panel708helps harvest solar energy per cubic meter rather than the conventional per meter square.FIGS.46A-Band47A-B show other example of embossed solar panel708.FIGS.48-52show an embodiment and different examples of a stacker solar platform908.FIGS.53-54also show other examples of stacked rows904of stacker solar platform908and embossed708and debossed701solar platforms.

Any of the embodiments and examples of the solar platform disclosed herein may be incorporated with different types of electric, hybrid, or regular internal combustion engine vehicles. Such vehicles may include trucks, vans, minivans, SUVs, semitrucks, buses, recreational vehicles, motorhomes, trailers, station wagons, hatchbacks, crossovers, sedans, coupes, compact automobiles, and other types of vehicles and automobiles. The solar platforms described herein may also be incorporated with buildings, such as parking structures, homes, office buildings, stadiums, and other types of building structures. The solar platforms described herein may also simply be on a frame and placed on the ground. Specifically with the incorporation of the solar platform with the vehicle, the solar platform may be attached or integrated with the roof of a vehicle or the top of a cap (e.g., a camper shell) or the tonneau cover of a truck, to name a few examples. The solar platform may be connected to the electrical components and a battery of the vehicle. For example, the solar platform may be used to charge the battery of an electric vehicle, a deep cycle battery, or charge and power other electronic devices. The solar platform may also be connected to a computing system of the vehicle to receive commands to deploy, fold, and operate some or all of the solar panels using an automated motorized mechanism. Alternatively, solar platform may have its own computing system that operates the solar panels.

Since the solar platforms described herein have pivotable solar panels stacked in the same region as the base solar panels, and some of the solar panels may be bifacial, the energy conversion density per unit area may increase. This may be because there are multiple solar panels occupying the same spatial area when compared to an ordinary flat solar panel. The clustering of multiple solar panels at different angles in the same spatial area may help the production of electric energy from solar energy by the solar platform. The pivotable solar panels may also be pivoted in such spatial area to receive sunlight at incident solar radiation angle that may change at different times of day.

By way of example and not limitation, the solar panels described herein may be solar photovoltaic panels, where each solar panel may have a plurality of solar cells ranging between 20 to 120 solar cells. By way of example and not limitation, the solar panels described herein may be monocrystalline, polycrystalline, or thin-film solar panels. By way of example and not limitation, the base solar panels10a,dshown inFIG.1, for example, could be monocrystalline or polycrystalline and the pivotable solar panels10b,cmay be thin-film solar panels. However, any other combination of the type of solar panels may be used with the solar platform, or all of the solar panels may be the same type. The solar panels of the solar platform may be monofacial, having one active side, or bifacial, having two active sides. The solar panels of the solar platform may also be transparent solar panels, either fully transparent or semi-transparent. By way of example and not limitation, each solar panel may generate between 0.1 to 0.5 kWh energy depending on the location, the weather, the time of day and year, and the type of solar panel. Alternatively, each solar platform may supply from 1 kilowatt to 12 kilowatts depending on the location, the weather, the time of day and year, and the type and number of solar panels.

Referring specifically now toFIGS.1-2, a perspective view of a first embodiment of a solar platform8in a deployed and folded positions is shown. By way of example and not limitation, the solar platform8may have four solar panels10a-don a frame20, which some or all of the panels may be rotatable about a pivot axis12running along the center of the frame20. As shown inFIG.1, the pivotable solar panels10b, cmay be angularly separated from the base solar panels10a, din the deployed position. As shown inFIG.2, the pivotable solar panels10b, cmay be stacked on top of the base solar panels10a, din the folded position.

By way of example and not limitation, the solar panels10a-dmay be mounted on the frame20. As shown inFIG.2, the frame20may be rectangular and have two longitudinal portions26and two lateral portions28defining the frame body. In the middle of the lateral portions28, there may be a hinge mechanism14that allows the solar panels to pivot about a pivot axis12along the lateral portions28. By way of example and not limitation, the hinge mechanism14may be one or more hinges. By way of example and not limitation, the hinge mechanism14may or may not be part of the frame20. As a part of the frame20, the hinge mechanism may run along the panel length16(seeFIG.1) of the center of the frame20. Alternatively, the hinge mechanism14may not be part of the frame20and may only bind the solar panels10a-dtogether. Consequently, the pivot axis12may run along the panel length16of the frame20at the center of the lateral portions28(seeFIG.2). By way of example and not limitation, each of the lateral portion28may be made of two parts that are joined together at the hinge mechanism14. By way of example and not limitation, there may exist a third longitudinal portion in the middle of the lateral portions28where the hinge mechanism14would be located. By way of example and not limitation, the base solar panels10a, dmay be fixedly mounted to the frame on all sides of the panels. By way of example and not limitation, the pivotable solar panels10b, cmay be pivotably mounted to the frame20at the hinge mechanism14. By way of example and not limitation, the hinge mechanism14may fix the pivotable solar panels10b, cin place after they are pivoted to a preferred orientation. It is also contemplated the base panels10a, dmay be pivotably mounted to the frame20rather than being fixedly mounted. The frame20may be set up on the ground, a building structure (e.g., home, office building, or parking structure), or be attached to a surface of a vehicle, such as the roof or a top surface of a cap of a vehicle. The frame20may have a plurality of mounting mechanisms30, which may be legs to stand on a structure or be an interlocking device to be attached to a top surface of a vehicle, such as the roof of a vehicle or the top surface of the cap.

When the solar platform8is in a deployed position, the base solar panels10a, dmay lay flat on the frame20while pivotable solar panels10b, cmay be elevated at an incline from the base solar panels10a, d, and the frame20, about the pivot axis12. The active sides24a, fof the base solar panels10a, dhaving the photovoltaic solar cells may be facing upwards in the direction of the pivotable solar panels10b, c. By way of example and not limitation, the base solar panels10a, dmay be one solar panel, instead of two, and the pivotable solar panels10b, cmay be hinged on top of the one base solar panel.

The pivotable solar panels10b, cmay each be pivotable up to 180 degrees at the pivot axis12and relative to lateral portions28of the frame20(seeFIG.2) and the base solar panels10a, d. By way of example and not limitation, The pivotable solar panels10b,cmay each be pivoted by 15, 30, 45, or 60 degrees about the pivot axis12and relative to the base solar panels10a, d. By way of example and not limitation, the pivotable solar panels10b, cmay be inclined such that they form a V-shape relative to each other. By way of example and not limitation, the angular displacement21of the first pivotable solar panel10bfrom the first base solar panel10aand the second pivotable solar panel10cfrom second base solar panel10dmay be between 10 to 90 degrees. Preferably, the angular displacement21therebetween may be 45 degrees. As shown inFIG.1, the angular displacement21between each pair of base and pivotable solar panels10a-dmay be the same, but it is also contemplated that each pair of panels to have different angular displacement21from each other. For example the first pivotable solar panel10amay be separated from the first base solar panel10bby 30 to 45 degrees while the second pivotable solar panel10cmay be separated from the second base solar panel10dby 45 to 60 degrees. It is contemplated that the base solar panels10a, dmay be pivotable the same as the pivotable solar panels10b, c.

It is also contemplated the base panels10a, dmay be pivotably mounted to the frame20rather than being fixedly mounted. By way of example and not limitation, the base solar panels10a, dmay also pivot about the pivot axis12by the hinge mechanism14. Each base solar panel10a, dmay be configured to pivot relative to the frame20, which is orientated horizontally, about the pivot axis12between 10 to 180 degrees. As such, all of the solar panels10a-dmay be sandwiched together and be folded on top of each other.

Each of the solar panels10a-dmay have one or more photovoltaic active sides24a-ffor receiving/capturing solar energy and converting such energy to electricity. More particularly, the solar panels may each have active sides24a, c, d, fon a front side of the panels. By way of example and not limitation, the first embodiment of the solar platform8may have four active sides24a, c, d, fon the front side of the four solar panels10a-d, the active sides having a plurality of photovoltaic solar cells. In another example, the pivotable solar panels10b, cthat are designed to be at an incline may be bifacial solar panels and capture solar energy on both the front and back side of the panels. The pivotable solar panels10b, cmay have such function by being a manufactured bifacial solar panel or by combining two one-sided solar panels as one to receive light from the front and back of the pivotable solar panels10b, c. Consequently, the solar platform8may have six active sides24a-f, with the additional active sides being on the back sides of the pivotable solar panels10b, c. In another example, the pivotable solar panels10b, cmay be transparent solar panels, either fully transparent or semi-transparent solar panels.

The pivoting of the pivotable solar panels10b, cin the preferred incline position may be done manually or automatically. By way of example and not limitation, a user may manually actuate the hinge mechanism14and orientate the pivotable solar panels10b,cin desired positions. By way of example and not limitation, the hinge mechanism14may be a motorized electromechanical mechanism and be connected to a computing system that adjusts and orientates the solar panels based on different factor inputs. By way of example and not limitation, the motorized electromechanical mechanism and the computing system may be remote controlled. By way of example and not limitation, the computing system may be part of the solar platform or part of the vehicle, if mounted or integrated with a vehicle. By way of example and not limitation, the computing system may actuate the hinge mechanism14to orientate one or more of the solar panels10a-dbased on the time of year (i.e., the current month or season), the time of the day, the real-time weather pattern, and the location of the solar platform8so that the solar panels10a-dmay be positioned at optimum light receiving orientations. By way of example and not limitation, the computing system may consequently actuate the hinge mechanism14to orientate the solar panels10a-d, particularly the pivotable solar panels10b, c, at different angles throughout the day such that the solar panels are at optimum angles relative to the radiation of the sun. By way of example and not limitation, the pivotable solar panels10b, cmay each be orientated at a first angle having a first angular displacement21relative to the base solar panels10a, din the morning, and the pivotable solar panels10b, cmay each be orientated to a second angle having a second angular displacement relative to the base solar panels10a, din the afternoon, the first angular displacement being different than the second angular displacement.

Since the solar platform8has pivotable solar panels10b, cstacked in the same region as the base solar panels10a, d, and the pivotable solar panels10b, cmay be bifacial or transparent, the energy conversion density per unit area may increase. This may be because there are multiple solar panels occupying the same spatial area when compared to an ordinary flat solar panel. The clustering of multiple solar panels at different angles in the same spatial area may help the production of electric energy from solar energy by the solar platform8. The pivotable solar panels10b, cmay also be pivoted in such spatial area to receive sunlight at incident solar radiation angle that may change at different times of day.

As shown inFIG.2, the first pivotable solar panel10bmay be folded on top of first base solar panel10aand the second pivotable solar panel10cmay be folded on top of the second base solar panel10dto create the folded configuration. In the folded position, solar panels10a-dmay lie flat on each other and onto the frame20. As shown inFIG.2, the pivotable solar panels10b, cmay fully cover the base solar panels10a, din the folded position. This may be because the four solar panels10a-dmay have the same panel length16and panel width18. By way of example and not limitation, the panel length16may be between two to nine feet and the panel width may be between one to seven feet. By way of example and not limitation, each solar panel10a-dof the solar platform8may have sizes from 4×4 feet to 6×6 feet. The solar panels10a-dmay also have different dimensions, as described elsewhere herein.

The folding may be done using the hinge mechanism14to rotate pivotable solar panels10b, cabout the pivot axis12. By way of example and not limitation, the folding may be manual or automated using a motorized electromechanical mechanism, as described elsewhere herein. If the hinge mechanism14is motorized, such mechanism may be connected to a computing system to receive input to fold the solar panels and also be remote controlled. It is also contemplated that all the solar panels10a-dmay be folded on top of each other about the pivot axis12such that the pivotable solar panels10b-care sandwiched between the base solar panels10a, d. The frame20may also be folded in half about the pivot axis12.

Referring nowFIGS.3-4, the first embodiment of the solar platform8on an automobile and in a deployed position are shown.FIG.3shows a solar platform8on the automobile with four active sides24a, c, d, f. The solar platform8of the first embodiment (shown inFIGS.1-2) may be attached or integrated as a part of a top surface22of an automobile instead of being mounted to the frame20, shown inFIG.1. The solar platform8may be the same as what has been described with respect toFIGS.1-2. The solar platform8may be attached or integrated with a roof of an automobile, a cap (e.g., a camper shell), tonneau cover, and other vehicle components. By way of example and not limitation, the base and pivotable solar panels10a-dmay each have one active side24a, c, d, ffor receiving solar energy on the top surface of each panel facing upwards and outwards. As such, the solar platform8may have a total of four active sides. By way of example and not limitation, the solar platform8attached or integrated with the top surface22of an automobile may be deployed in the active position or folded while the vehicle is at a stop or in motion. The deploying of the solar panels10a-dmay be based on logic computed by a computing system to provide optimum orientation of the panels, as described elsewhere herein. By way of example and not limitation, the computing system may be part of the vehicle or may be part of the solar platform8.

Referring specifically now toFIG.4, the solar platform8attached or integrated with the vehicle top surface22is shown as having six active sides24a-f. By way of example and not limitation, the solar platform8shown inFIG.4may be identical toFIG.3, except that the pivotable solar panels10b-cmay be bifacial and have active sides24b, cand24d, eon both sides of such panels, or the pivotable solar panels10b-cmay be transparent solar panels as described elsewhere herein. As such, the example shown inFIG.4may have six active sides24a-ffor receiving solar energy. The solar panels10a-dmay be deployed in the desired positions (i.e., angular positions), as described elsewhere herein. Such deploying and folding may be done while the vehicle is in motion or at a stop, as described elsewhere herein.

The solar platforms8described with reference toFIGS.3-4may be incorporated with different types of electric, hybrid, or regular internal combustion engine vehicles. Such vehicles may include trucks, vans, minivans, SUVs, semitrucks, buses, recreational vehicles, motorhomes, trailers, station wagons, hatchbacks, crossovers, sedans, coupes, compact automobiles, and other types of vehicles and automobiles. The solar platforms described with reference toFIGS.3-4may also be incorporated with buildings, such as parking structures, homes, office buildings, stadiums, and other types of building structures.

Referring now toFIGS.5-6perspective views of a second embodiment of the solar platform308in a deployed and folded position are shown. In the second embodiment, the solar platform8may have a center solar panel310cin addition to the base solar panels310a, eand the pivotable solar panels310b, d, which may be traversed or pivoted to a vertical position in the deployed position. In the second embodiment of the solar platform308, multiple solar panels310a-emay be stacked upon each other, but the pivotable solar panels310b, dand the center solar panel310cmay have different structural dimensions than the base solar panels310a, c. As such, portions of the base solar panels310a, emay be exposed in the folded position and as shown inFIG.6. In an alternate embodiment, the pivotable solar panels310b, dmay be omitted and only the center solar panel310calong the base solar panels310a, emay exist, and the center solar panel310cmay be pivotable by the hinge mechanism314about the pivot axis312. In the same alternate embodiment, the center solar panel310cmay be positioned in an orthogonal position so as to form an L shape with the base solar panels310a, c. The frames320and hinge mechanism314, shown inFIGS.5-6, may be similar to what has been described elsewhere herein.

As shown inFIG.5, the solar panels310b-dmay be traversed to a deployed position. The pivotable and base solar panels310a, b, d, emay have the same features and orientations as explained elsewhere herein. By way of example and not limitation, the pivotable and center solar panels310b, c, dmay pivot about pivot axis312via the hinge mechanism314. By way of example and not limitation, the center solar panel310cmay have a longitudinal side attached to the hinge mechanism314and be pivotable up to 180 degrees about the pivot axis312relative the lateral frame portions. The center solar panel310cmay be pivoted to an optimum orientation to receive solar radiation and energy. In the deployed position, the pivotable and center solar panels310b-dmay be positioned so as to be angularly equidistant from each other and the base solar panels310a, c. In this regard, and by way of example and not limitation, the angular displacement of first pivotable solar panel310bfrom first base solar panel310a, the center solar panel310cfrom first pivotable solar panel310b, the second pivotable solar panel310dfrom the center solar panel310c, and the second base solar panel310efrom the second pivotable solar panel310dmay be 45 degrees. Alternatively, the angular distance between each solar panel310a-emay not need to be equidistant. It is also contemplated that the base solar panels310a, emay be pivotable by the hinge mechanism314about the pivot axis312, each being configured to rotate between 10 to 180 degrees relative to the horizontal frame320. The deploying, folding, and operation of the solar panels310a-emay be automated or be manual, as explained elsewhere herein. The automated deploying, folding, and operation of the solar panels310a-emay be done by a computing system and be remote controlled, as explained elsewhere herein.

The base solar panels310a, emay have one active side324a, hand the pivotable solar panels310b, dmay have one or two active sides324b, c, f, gor be transparent, as explained elsewhere herein. Similarly, the center solar panel310cmay have one or two active sides324d, cby being a monofacial or a bifacial solar panel that may capture solar energy on both the front and back side of the center panel. By way of example and not limitation, the center solar panel310cmay have the two active sides324d, eby using a manufactured bifacial solar panel or combining two one-sided solar panels as one to receive light from the front and back of the center panel. In another example, the center solar panel310cmay be a transparent solar panel, either fully transparent or semi-transparent.

By way of example and not limitation, the two base solar panels310a, emay be of equal size in terms of panel length316, panel width318, and panel depth326. By way of example and not limitation, the pivotable and center solar panels310b, c, dmay have the same length as the base solar panels310a, c. By way of example and not limitation, the pivotable and center panels310b, c, dmay have a second panel width318athat is shorter than the panel width318of the base solar panels310a, c. By way of example and not limitation, the panel length316may be two to nine feet, the panel width318may be three to six feet, and the second panel width318amay be two to four feet. By way of example and not limitation, the pivotable and center solar panels310b, c, dmay have a different panel length in substitution or in addition to different panel widths relative to the base solar panels310a, c.

Since the solar platform308has pivotable and center solar panels310b-dstacked in the same region as the base solar panels310a, e, and some of the solar panels may be bifacial or transparent, the energy conversion density per unit area may increase. This may be because there are multiple solar panels occupying the same spatial area when compared to an ordinary flat solar panel. The clustering of multiple solar panels at different angles in the same spatial area may help the production of electric energy from solar energy by the solar platform308. The pivotable and center solar panels310b-dmay also be pivoted in such spatial area to receive sunlight at incident solar radiation angle that may change at different times of day.

As shown inFIG.6, the solar panels310b-dmay be traversed to a folded configuration. In the folded configuration, and by way of example and not limitation, the first pivotable solar panel310bmay be laid flat on the first base solar panel310a. Also, the second pivotable solar panel310dmay be laid flat on the second base solar panel310c. By way of example and not limitation, the center solar panel310cmay be pivoted and laid flat on either the first or second pivotable solar panel310b, d. Since the pivotable and the center solar panels310b-dmay have second panel widths318ashorter than the panel widths318of the base solar panels310a, e, portions of the base solar panels310a, emay be exposed in the folded position. Such exposed portions may be part of the active sides324a, h(seeFIG.5) of the base solar panels310a, c. By way of example and not limitation, all of the pivotable and center solar panels310b-dmay be stacked on top of one base solar panel310a, e. All the solar panels310a-emay be stacked on top of each other in the folded position, where the base solar panels310a, ewould be the top and bottom panels in the folded orientation.

Referring now toFIG.7, the second embodiment of the solar platform308(shown inFIG.5-6) may be attached or integrated as a part of a top surface72of an automobile instead of being mounted to the frame20. By way of example and not limitation, the solar platform308may be attached or integrated with a roof of an automobile, a cap, tonneau cover, or other vehicle structural components. The structural features and functions of the solar platform308may be the same as what has been described with respect toFIGS.5-6and described elsewhere herein. By way of example and not limitation, the solar panels310a-emay each have one active side324a, c, e, f, hfor receiving solar energy on the top surface of each panel. By way of example and not limitation, the pivotable and center solar panels310b-dmay each have one to two active sides324b-gfor receiving solar energy on the front and back surfaces of each panel. Consequently, the solar platform308may have a total of five to eight active sides324a-hfor receiving solar energy. By way of example and not limitation, the solar platform308attached or integrated with the top surface72of the automobile may be deployed in the active position or folded while the vehicle is at a stop or in motion. By way of exampled and not limitation, the deploying and folding of the solar platform308may be executed based on logic computed by a computing system to provide best optimum orientations of the solar panels310a-e, as described elsewhere herein. By way of example and not limitation, the computing system may be integral with the automobile or be part of the solar platform308.

The solar platform308described with reference toFIG.7may be incorporated with different types of electric, hybrid, or regular internal combustion engine vehicles. Such vehicles may include trucks, vans, minivans, SUVs, semitrucks, buses, recreational vehicles, motorhomes, trailers, station wagons, hatchbacks, crossovers, sedans, coupes, compact automobiles, and other types of vehicles and automobiles. The solar platforms described with reference toFIG.7may also be incorporated with buildings, such as parking structures, homes, office buildings, stadiums, and other types of building structures.

With reference toFIGS.8-18, the solar platform8,308may refer to any of the embodiments and examples of the solar platforms discussed elsewhere herein. Moreover, the various embodiments and examples of the solar platform8,308have been illustrated in terms of a cap for a truck inFIGS.8-18. However, the solar platform8,308described with reference toFIGS.8-18may be incorporated with different types of electric, hybrid, or regular internal combustion engine vehicles. Such vehicles may include trucks, vans, minivans, SUVs, semitrucks, buses, recreational vehicles, motorhomes, trailers, station wagons, hatchbacks, crossovers, sedans, coupes, compact automobiles, and other types of vehicles and automobiles. The solar platforms described herein may also be incorporated with buildings, such as parking structures, homes, office buildings, stadiums, and other types of building structures. More particularly, the various embodiments and examples of the solar platform8,308may be integrated into a roof of the SUV, van, motor home, truck, semitruck, or any two to four door vehicle such that the solar platform8,308becomes the roof or part of the roof. Additionally, the solar platform8,308may make up a tonneau cover of a truck. Alternatively, the solar platform8,308may be mounted to a frame which is attached to the roof of the SUV, van, motor home, semi truck, or any two to four door vehicle. The solar panels may be traversed between folded and deployed position while the vehicle, which the solar platform8,308is attached or integrated, is in motion using an automated motorized mechanism, described elsewhere herein. The solar panels may be deployed in different orientations that create optimum contact between the active sides of the solar panels and the solar rays, which such optimization may be done by a computing device of the vehicle or the solar platform8,308by taking into account different factors, such as the location, real-time weather pattern, and the time of day and year, as described elsewhere herein. Each solar panel may generate between 0.1 to 0.5 kWh of energy depending on the aforementioned factors. Each solar platform8,308may supply from 1 kilowatt to 12 kilowatts to the vehicle depending on the type and number of panels and the location, real-time weather pattern, and the time of day and year. Different vehicles may have between 1 to 6 solar panels and possibly more if needed.

Referring specifically now toFIGS.8-9, rear perspective views of a truck802having a cap810with a solar platform8,308is shown. The solar platform8,308may be integrated into a cap810(e.g., cab height camper shell, above cab height camper shell, tonneau cover) of a truck802. The cap810may have a frame body with a cap roof812between side frames814and a rear cap portion816. By way of example and not limitation, the cap810may have a rectangular shape or, in the case of a TESLA CYBERTRUCK, may have a trapezoidal shape. By way of example and not limitation, the side frames814may have ventilation openings818and one or more windows. By way of example and not limitation, the rear cap portion816may have one or more windows and a cap door820that may be opened and closed to access inside the cap810and the truck bed.

The solar platform8,308may be integrated with the cap roof812instead of being mounted on top of the cap roof812. As such, the solar panels10a-d, specifically the base solar panels10a, d, may form part of the enclosure of the cap810, specifically part of or the entire cap roof812.FIGS.8and9show different examples of the first embodiment of the solar platform8with different active sides. However, the other embodiments and examples of the solar platform, described elsewhere herein, may be integrated with the cap roof812instead. The integrated solar platform8,308may be deployed and folded while the truck802is at a stop or in motion using the mechanisms described elsewhere herein. Although the pivotable solar panels10b, care shown as pivoting about an axis running along the length of the cap810and the truck bed, the orientation of the solar platform8,308may be shifted by 90-degrees where the pivotable solar panels10b, cpivot along an axis extending along the width of the cap810and the truck bed.

Referring specifically now toFIGS.10-12, a solar platform8,308having only one flat panel1006is shown being integrated into another example of a cap1010of the truck1002. By way of example and not limitation, the one flat solar panel1006may be integrated and make up the majority or all of the cap roof1012. Alternatively, the flat solar panel1006may be mounted to the cap roof1012. By way of example and not limitation, the cap door1020of the rear cap portion1016along with the cap roof1012, which has the solar platform8,308integrated therewith, may all lift up in an open position. By way of example and not limitation, the open position may be accomplished by the usage of one or more struts1004that lift up the cap door1020and the cap roof1012. By way of example and not limitation, the struts1004may be in the form of a gas spring strut. AlthoughFIGS.10-12show one flat solar panel1006, it is also contemplated that the one flat solar panel1006may be a plurality of solar panels, such as the other embodiments of solar platforms8,308shown in the other figures and have the features and functions thereof.

Referring specifically now toFIGS.13-14, a solar platform8,308having flat panels1306a, bbeing integrated into a cap roof1312of a TESLA CYBERTRUCK1302is shown. As shown inFIG.14, and by way of example and not limitation, a first flat solar panel1306amay lift up with the cap door1320in an open position while the second flat solar panel1306bmay remain horizontal. The flat panels1306a,bmay form the enclosure of the cap1310, specifically part of or the whole cap roof1312. Alternatively, the flat solar panels1306a, bmay be mounted to the cap1310.

The cap1310of the TESLA CYBERTRUCK1302may have a frame body with a cap roof1312between the side frames1314and the rear cap portion1316of the frame body. Since the cap1310is designed to be installed on top of a TESLA CYBERTRUCK1302truck bed, the side frames1314may have lower edges that incline downwards towards the rear cap portion1316to align with the inclined side panels of the TESLA CYBERTRUCK1302truck bed. Consequently, the cap1310frame body may be trapezoidal shaped. By way of example and not limitation, the side frames1314may have ventilation openings1318and one or more windows. By way of example and not limitation, the rear cap portion1316may have one or more windows and a cap door1320that may be opened and closed to access inside of the cap1310and the truck bed.

By way of example and not limitation, the first and second flat solar panels1306a, bmay be positioned adjacent to each other and extend along the majority of the longitudinal length of the cap roof1312, and possibly the whole length. By way of example and not limitation, the first flat solar panel1306amay be two to four times the length of the second flat solar panel1306bbut have the same width. By way of example and not limitation, the cap door1320of the rear cap portion1316along with the first flat solar panel1306aintegrated with the cap roof1312may lift up while the second flat solar panel1306bremains horizontal, as shown inFIG.14. By way of example and not limitation, the open lifted position may be accomplished by the usage of one or more struts1304, as describe elsewhere herein. AlthoughFIGS.13-14illustrate the usage of flat solar panels1306a, b, it is also contemplated that such solar panels, specifically the first flat solar panel1306a, may be replaced by the plurality of solar panels of the other embodiments of the solar platforms8,308described elsewhere herein. The first and second embodiments of the solar platforms8,308, and other embodiments and examples, may be integrated into the cap1310of the TESLA CYBERTRUCK1302. Additionally,FIGS.15-18show the CYBERTRUCK1302having the cap1310in different views, angles, and orientations.

Referring now toFIGS.19A and20A, a third embodiment of the solar platform1908that may be mounted to a tonneau cover1911or may be integrated to form the structural panels of the tonneau cover1911is shown. As shown inFIG.19A, the solar platform1908may have a plurality of pivotable solar panels1910b, d, fthat are designed to be deployed at an angle relative to a plurality of base solar panels1910a, c, e. As shown inFIG.20A, the pivotable solar panels1910b, d, fmay each also be folded on top of the base solar panels1910a, c, c. By way of example and not limitation, the pivotable solar panels1910b, d, fmay alternate with the base solar panels1910a, c, ealong the length of the tonneau cover1922. By way of example and not limitation, the tonneau cover1911may have three to five base solar panels1910a, c, eand three to five pivotable solar panels1910b, d, fmounted or integrated to the tonneau cover1911. The first pivotable solar panel1910bmay be between the first and second base solar panels1910a, c, the second pivotable solar panel1910dmay be between the second and third base solar panels1910c, e, and the third pivotable solar panel1910fmay be between the third base solar panel1910eand the end of the truck bed. The base solar panels1910a, c, emay lie flat on the horizontal surface of the tonneau cover1911and the pivotable solar panels1910b, d, fmay each pivot about a pivot axis1912extending along the width of the truck1902from one side panel to the other side panel of the truck bed.FIGS.19B and20Bshow the third embodiment of the solar platform1908used with a TESLA CYBERTRUCK.

Referring back toFIG.19A, and by way of example and not limitation, the orientation of the solar platform1908may be shifted by 90-degrees where the pivotable solar panels1910b, d, frotate along an axis extending along the length of the truck bed rather than the width of the truck bed. It is contemplated that the solar platform1908may be shifted by 180-degrees also. By way of example and not limitation, the pivotable solar panels1910b, d, fmay each rotate about their corresponding pivot axis1912between 0 to 90 degrees relative to the base solar panels1910a, c, c, preferably between 30 to 60 degrees. In a preferred example, each pivotable solar panel1910b, d, fmay be pivoted in a deployed position at a 45 degree angle.

Since the solar platform1908has pivotable solar panels1910b, d, fstacked in the same region as the base solar panels1910a, c, ethe pivotable solar panels1910b, d, fmay be bifacial or transparent, the energy conversion density per unit area may increase. This may be because there are multiple solar panels occupying the same spatial area when compared to an ordinary flat solar panel. The clustering of multiple solar panels at different angles in the same spatial area may help the production of electric energy from solar energy by the solar platform1908. The pivotable solar panels1910b, d, fmay also be pivoted in such spatial area to receive sunlight at incident solar radiation angle that may change at different times of day.

The pivotable solar panels1910b, d, fmay be manually deployed and folded, as described elsewhere herein. By way of example and not limitation, the pivotable solar panels1910b, d, fmay be spring biased to the deployed position shown inFIG.19A. The pivotable solar panels1910b, d, fmay be pushed down by hand and locked in place with a fastening mechanism that is traversed automatically as soon as the panels are pushed down to the stored position as shown inFIG.20A. Alternatively, the pivotable solar panels1910b, d, fmay be deployed and folded using an automated motorized mechanism, as described elsewhere herein. By way of example and not limitation, the automated motorized mechanism may be connected to a computing system and actuated based on a set of factors, as described elsewhere herein. By way of example and not limitation, the computing system may be integrated with the vehicle or be part of the solar platform.

By way of example and not limitation, the inside of the truck bed may be accessed by raising the tonneau cover1911having the solar platform1908using one or more struts1204similar to what is shown inFIG.21. The struts1204may have the same features as described elsewhere herein. Alternatively, the tonneau cover1911having the solar platform1908may be a tri-fold tonneau cover that may be folded similar to what is seen inFIGS.23-24. By way of example and not limitation, each pair of base and pivotable solar panels1910a-f(seeFIG.19A) may form one foldable part of the tri-fold tonneau cover.

The base solar panels1910a, c, emay each have active sides extending outwards away from the truck bed with a plurality of solar cells to receive solar energy and radiation. Each of the pivotable solar panels1910b, d, fmay be monofacial, having one active side, or bifacial, having two active sides with a plurality of solar cells. By way of example and not limitation, the pivotable solar panels1910b, d, fmay each have an active side on the top surface of the panels that face opposite from the base solar panels1910a, c, ewhen in a folded position (seeFIG.20A). The pivotable solar panels1910b, d, fmay each have an additional active side on the bottom surface of the panels that face the base solar panels1910a, c, ewhen in a folded position. In another example, the pivotable solar panels1910b, d, fmay be transparent solar panels, either fully transparent or semi-transparent solar panels.

Referring now toFIG.21, the solar platform2108may be one flat solar panel2110mounted to a tonneau cover2111or may be integrated to form the structural panels of the tonneau cover2111. The one flat solar panel2110may serve as an enclosure covering the truck bed while also receiving solar energy and generating electricity. Alternatively, the one flat solar panel may be a plurality of flat solar panels2110a-cthat may be mounted to a tonneau cover2111or may be integrated to form the structural panels of the tonneau cover2111. By way of example and not limitation, three to nine flat solar panels having an active side facing outwards and extending across the width of the truck bed may be implemented. By way of example and not limitation, and as shown inFIG.21, the tonneau cover2111having the integrated solar platform2108may be lifted to an open position using one or more struts2104to access the inside of the truck bed. The struts2104may have the same features described elsewhere herein.

Referring now toFIGS.23-24the solar platform2308may be integrated to form the structural panels of a tri-fold tonneau cover. Each flat solar panel2310a-cmay extend across the width of the truck bed and form one foldable part of the tri-fold tonneau cover.FIG.23shows the tonneau cover2311as it is traversed between the deployed position and the retracted configuration shown inFIG.24.

The solar platform described with reference toFIGS.19-24, specificallyFIGS.19A-B, may be incorporated with different types of electric, hybrid, or regular internal combustion engine vehicles. Such vehicles may include trucks, vans, minivans, SUVs, semitrucks, buses, recreational vehicles, motorhomes, trailers, station wagons, hatchbacks, crossovers, sedans, coupes, compact automobiles, and other types of vehicles and automobiles. The solar platforms described with respect toFIGS.19-24, specificallyFIGS.19A-B, may also be incorporated with buildings, such as parking structures, homes, office buildings, stadiums, and other types of building structures.

Referring now toFIG.25, a perspective view of a recreational vehicle2502with a solar platform8,308is shown. By way of example and not limitation, the recreational vehicle2502may be a motorhome, which such motorhome may be manufactured by companies such as WINNEBAGO. By way of example and not limitation, the solar platform8,308may be integrated or attached to the roof2504of the recreational vehicle2502. The solar platform8,308may be any of the embodiments and examples described elsewhere herein. With reference toFIG.26, multiple solar platforms8,308,1908may be attached or integrated with the roof2504of the recreational vehicle2502. Consequently, more electrical energy may be generated for the recreational vehicle.

With reference toFIGS.26and27, one or more embodiments and examples of solar platforms8,308,1908described elsewhere herein may be attached or integrated with a roof2704of a house2702or a roof2904of a parking structure2802. The different embodiments of the solar platforms8,308,1908may be orientated differently on the roofs2704,2904such that the pivotable solar panels may be actuated in different angular orientations to face the sun at optimum angles throughout the day. By way of example and not limitation, the actuation of the pivotable solar panels to different angles may be motorized and be done with a remote control. By way of example and not limitation, a computing system may change the angular orientation of the solar panels, particularly the pivotable solar panels, based on the time of year (i.e., the current month or season), the time of the day, the real-time weather pattern, and the location of the solar platform8,308,1908so that the solar panels may be positioned at optimum light receiving orientations. By way of example and not limitation, the computing system may pivot the solar panels at different angles throughout the day such that the solar panels are at optimum angles relative to the radiation of the sun. By way of example and not limitation, the computing system may also be designed to calibrate for the optimum angles of the pivotable solar panels throughout the day. The computing system may test different angle orientations of the pivotable solar panels at a certain time of day to determine which angle would provide optimum angle for the incident solar radiation and maximizing electricity generation at such time of day. When the computing system determines the optimum angle through the calibration, the solar panels may be orientated to such angle in the next day and the short-term future. As shown inFIG.27, conventional flat solar panels2706may be used in conjunction with the solar platforms8,308,1908.

The remote control discussed herein may be a separate and detachable hand held remote control. The remote control may have a transmitter for transmitting a signal to a receiver which controls a motor for pivoting the panels. The remote control may also have a receiver for receiving data from sensors attached to the solar platform to display data sensed by the sensors on the solar platform. Alternatively, the remote control may be a push button or touch button on a touch screen. The touch screen may be within a cab of the vehicle on which the solar platform is mounted. As a further alternative, the remote control may be provided in a form of a software downloadable mobile application. In this manner, the user can control the solar platform with their mobile phone.

The solar platform may have sensors mounted thereon. The sensors may feed sensed data into a processor for pivoting the solar panels. By way of example and not limitation, the sensor may be a light sensor attached to an active side of the solar panel. The active side of the solar panel may be a side of the solar panel on which solar cells are located for receiving the sunlight. The light sensor collects data as to the amount of light being shined upon the active side of the solar panel. Each of the light sensors sends light intensity data to a processor. The processor calculates the amount of estimated collected light on each of active sides of the solar panels. The processor can send a signal to a motor which pivots the solar panels pivotably attached to the base solar panel. The pivotable solar panels may be incrementally pivoted (e.g., 0.25 degree to 5 degree increments within its pivot range) to determine which pivot angle of the pivotable solar panels generates the most electricity or greatest electricity. The base solar panel may have a light sensor for detecting the amount of sunlight it receives. The light sensor feeds the its sensed data into the processor along with the pivot angle. Based on this data, the processor determines the optimal angle of the of the panels for generating electricity and the solar panels are pivoted to that pivot angle. The pivoting can be performed manually by hand with a hand crank or the solar panels may be motorized and the processor may send a signal to the motors to pivot the solar panels to the optimal pivot angle.

The vehicle on which the solar platform is mounted may have a forward facing sensor to detect overhead obstacles while the vehicle is moving forward. When the forward facing sensor detects an overhead obstacles that might hit and break the solar panel(s), the forward sensing sensor may send a signal to the processor. The processor may send a signal to the motor to pivot the solar panels downward to lower an overall height of the solar panels to avoid hitting the overhead obstacle.

The solar platform may have an anti theft sensor. For example, if electricity is not being generated, the processor of the solar platform may send a signal to the software application on the user's smartphone to indicate that there might be a theft occurring.

The processor of the solar platform and the application on the user's smartphone can be synced to each other. In this way, the application on the user's smartphone can manage all electrical controls of the solar platform including but not limited to current flow, current generated from each of the solar platforms, current generated compared to light intensity sensed by the light sensor, battery charge levels (e.g., percent charged, percent remaining).

With respect to the aforementioned features of the solar platform, and referring now toFIG.35, a block diagram of some of the the electrical and mechanical components of the solar platform and their relation is shown.FIG.35is mainly concerned with the electrical relations of the components of the solar platform and may not necessarily represent how the components are mechanically related. As shown inFIG.35, a user device3516, which may be separate and external from the solar platform, may be in communication with a transmitter and receiver3508of the solar platform. By way of example and not limitation, the user device3516may be a mobile device, such as a smartphone. By way of example and not limitation, the user device3516may be the remote described elsewhere herein. By way of example and not limitation, the user device3516may be a user interface on a dashboard of a vehicle. By way of example and not limitation, the user device3516may be connected to the transmitter and receiver3508of the solar platform via Bluetooth technology, WI-FI, or be hardwired to the transmitter and receiver3508of the solar platform. By way of example and not limitation, an application may be downloaded onto the user device3516, which may be a smartphone, and the application may be in communication with the solar platform to control the electrical and mechanical components of the platform. For example, the solar platform may have a plurality of sensors3512that measure different variables pertaining to the operation of the platform. The processor3502of the solar platform may relay such measurements done by the sensors3512to the user device3516via the usage of the downloaded application on user device. The user may then use the application to send different commands in a form of signals to the solar platform to operate and actuate different components of said platform.

By way of example and not limitation, the user device3516may have a transmitter and receiver component to communicate with the transmitter and receiver3508of the solar platform and send command signals to the platform. The command signal sent by the user device3516to the receiver3508may be relayed to the processor3502to execute the actuation of the motor3506that is mechanically coupled to the solar panels3504, specifically the pivotable and center solar panels, to rotate such panels at desired angular orientations, such as a deployed or folded orientation. By way of example and not limitation, the command signal sent to the motor3506may cause the motor to pivot each of the pivotable solar panels between 10 to 90 degrees relative to the base solar panels, preferably 15, 30, 45, or 60 degrees. Alternatively, the motor3506of the solar platform may be actuated automatically based on time and weather patterns, as described elsewhere herein, instead of receiving a command signal from a user device.

The solar platform may have different sensors3512incorporated therewith. By way of example and not limitation, there may exist sensors3512attached to the solar platform for measuring current flow, mapping current flow from each of the solar panels, and current generated versus measured light intensity from a light sensor. Each solar panel3504of the solar platform may have a current sensor that measures the current generated by that specific solar panel, and such information from each solar panel may be provided and displayed to the user via the downloaded application on the user device3516. As described elsewhere herein, the user device3516may be in communication with the processor3502and sensors3512via the transmitter and receiver3508of the solar platform.

By way of example and not limitation, the solar platform may have one or more light sensors that relay to the processor3502the intensity of light at a certain time of day that radiates on the solar panels3504of the solar platform. By way of example and not limitation, the processor3502may then use the light intensity data and the generated electric current data taken at particular times of day and map out the relation and efficiency of the generated electric current versus light intensity. Such information from electric current and light sensors may also be relayed to the user via the downloaded application on the user device3516. By way of example and not limitation, the light sensors may track the real-time light intensity projected on the solar panels3504of the solar platform and such real-time data may be relayed to the user device3516. If the solar platform is incorporated with a vehicle, as described elsewhere herein, the user may use the real-time light intensity data to move the vehicle to a different location that has better solar lighting, in addition to changing the orientation of the pivotable and central solar panels. If one or more rechargeable batteries3514are connected to the solar platform for recharging, such as the rechargeable batteries of an electric or hybrid vehicle, then one or more sensors may be incorporated with such batteries3514for the processor3502to determine percent battery charged and percent battery remaining. Such sensors incorporated with the batteries3514may be current sensors. The information about the rechargeable batteries3514may also be relayed from the solar platform, or directly from the rechargeable batteries, and displayed to the user via the downloaded application on the display of the user device3516.

By way of example and not limitation, the sensors3512may include position sensors incorporated with the solar panels3504of the solar platform, specifically the pivotable and center solar panels. The position sensors may determine the angular position of each of the pivotable and center panels, and the position sensors may provide such position data to the processor3502of the solar platform. By way of example and not limitation, the angular position of the solar panels3504measured by the position sensors may also be relayed and displayed to the user via the downloaded application on the user device3516.

By way of example and not limitation, the processor3502may use the data from one or more of the sensors3512to send a signal to the motor3506coupled to the solar panels3504and change the angular positions of the solar panels, specifically the pivotable and center solar panels. By way of example and not limitation, the processor3502may receive the light intensity data from the light sensors, the position data from the position sensors, and the current generated from each panel3504from the current sensors and send a signal to the motor3506to change positions, specifically angular positions, of the solar panels3504incrementally and determine an optimal position of the solar panels of the solar platform. By way of example and not limitation, the user may use the user device3516to transmit to the processor3502of the solar platform to actuate the motor3506and place the solar panels3504in optimal positions relative to the irradiation of the sun.

The sensors3512may also include sensors designed for safety and security of operating the solar platform. By way of example and not limitation, a forward sensor operative to sense a physical object at a height of the solar platform, or near the vicinity of the solar platform, may be incorporated. The forward sensor may be in communication with the processor3502that may be configured to send a signal to the motor3506to traverse the solar panels3504(i.e., pivotable and center solar panels) downwards, and in a folded position, when the forward sensor senses an object at a height or near the vicinity of solar panels3504that were originally deployed. If the solar platform is integrated with a structure of a vehicle, as described elsewhere herein, the forward sensor may be used to fold the solar panels3504and prevent the solar platform from colliding with an object, such as the ceiling of a tunnel or a bridge, when the vehicle is in motion and the solar platform is originally deployed.

By way of example and not limitation, the solar platform may have one or more locks3510that may unlock to allow the solar panels3504to traverse to a deployed position. The locks3510may lock when the solar platform is in a folded position. The solar platform may have an alarm system incorporated with the solar platform so that an alarm goes off if someone tries to tamper with the solar platform, especially in the folded and locked orientation. By way of example and not limitation, the alarm system and the lock system may be activated and deactivated via the downloaded application on the user device3516. By way of example and not limitation, the locks3510may be in communication with the transmitter3508through the processor3502and may send information to the user device3516of whether the solar platform is operational or not via the downloaded application. By way of example and not limitation, the lock3510may have different system status indications that may relay to the user device3516. The lock3510may have an all systems okay position indicative that the solar platform is operational and a system error position indicative that the solar platform is not operational. By way of example and not limitation, the all systems okay position may correspond to the deployed position of the solar panels3504, and the system error position may correspond to the solar panels3504being in a folded position or an unintended position that is neither the folded or the desired deployed position. The lock3510may be configured to send a signal of such statuses to an application loaded on a smartphone (i.e., user device3516) using the transmitter and receiver3508for displaying the system status on the smartphone of the user. By way of example and not limitation, the lock3510may also be used to lock the solar panels3504in the deployed position, at a certain angular orientation, to prevent the external forces such as the wind to change the position of the panels.

Referring toFIGS.29-30, perspective views of a fourth embodiment of the solar platform in deployed and folded positions are shown. The fourth embodiment of the solar platform2908may have a plurality of stackable solar panels2910stacked on top of each other. By way of example and not limitation, there may be between 2 to 16 stackable solar panels2910stacked on top of each other, preferably 6 stackable solar panels2910. By way of example and not limitation the very bottom stackable solar panel2910may mounted to a frame having a plurality of legs2920to be place on different surfaces, such as the roof of a house, office building, parking structure, or on the ground. In an alternative example, the solar platform2908may be incorporated (i.e., integrated or attached) with a vehicle structure or building structure, as described elsewhere herein with other embodiments of solar platforms.

Each stackable solar panel2910may have the same dimensions as the other plurality of stackable solar panels2910. By way of example and not limitation, the thickness2926of each stackable solar panel2910may be between 0.25 to 0.75 inches thickness, preferably 0.5 inches. By way of example and not limitation, the width and/or the length of each stackable solar panel2910may decrease with an additional solar panel stacked on top of each other to give the solar platform a pyramid shape.

In the deployed position as shown inFIG.29, the plurality of stackable solar panels2910may be spaced apart from each other vertically and still be orientated on top of each other. By way of example and not limitation, the vertical spacing2902dimension may range between 0.5 to 2.5 inches, preferably 1 inch, between each pair of stackable solar panel2910. By way of example and not limitation, if there are six stackable solar panels2910stacked on top of each other and are vertically spaced2902apart from each other by 1 inch, with each of the solar panels having a thickness2926of 0.5 inches, then the solar platform2908may occupy a vertical space2902aranging between nine to ten inches. This may create a greater energy harvesting density and capability in a space where one ordinary solar panel would usually occupy. In the same example, the solar platform2908would occupy a second vertical space2902bbetween three to five inches in the folded position (seeFIG.30), which would make for convenient storage of the solar platform2908. In the folded position, each of the plurality of stackable solar panels2910may rest on top of each other.

By way of example and not limitation, the solar platform2908may transition between the deployed position (seeFIG.29) to the folded position (seeFIG.30), and vice versa, using a telescoping mechanism. One or more telescoping shafts2904may be coupled at the ends of the stackable solar panels2910. For example, there may be one to two telescoping shafts2904on each transverse sides of the plurality of stackable solar panels2910. The one or more telescoping shafts2904may be coupled to the plurality of stackable solar panels2910to raise and lower the panels between the deployed and folded position or to adjust the vertical spacing2902between each pairs of solar panels. By way of example and not limitation, the vertical spacing2902between each pair of the plurality of stackable solar panels2910may change ranging from being spaced apart from 0.5 inches to 2.5 inches using the telescoping mechanism. It is also contemplated herein that some of the stackable solar panels2910, such as the bottom two to four solar panels, may be vertically spaced apart at a different spacing than the other stackable solar panels2910, such as the top two to four solar panels. Alternatively, the solar platform2908may transition between the deployed to folded position using foldable legs between each solar panel stacked on top of each other.

By way of example and not limitation, some or all of the stackable solar panels2910stacked on top of each other may be bifacial having an active side both the top2924aand bottom2924bsurfaces of the solar panels. By way of example and not limitation, the very bottom stackable solar panel2910may be monofacial while the rest of the stackable solar panels2910stacked on top of each other may be bifacial. Consequently, the solar platform2908may collect more solar energy, specifically solar irradiation reflected from the nearby ground and objects, since there exists more solar surfaces. In the example described herein with reference toFIGS.29-30, where six solar panels are stacked on top of each other, there may exist up to 11-12 solar surfaces with the usage of bifacial solar panels that may collect solar energy from solar irradiation coming from all different directions. With the stackable solar panels2910being bifacial, it may be preferred that the vertical spacing2902between each solar panel to be greater rather than less with respect to the vertical spacing range described elsewhere herein. This may be because with more vertical spacing2902the lower surfaces2924bof the stackable solar panels2910may collect more reflected solar irradiation from the ground and nearby objects. Additionally, using bifacial solar panels may further increase the energy harvesting density and capability of the solar platform2908in a space where one ordinary solar panel would usually occupy.

By way of example and not limitation, some or all of the stackable solar panels2910stacked on top of each other may be transparent, either fully or semi-transparent, that allow for the irradiation of the solar energy hitting the very top stackable solar panel2910solar surface2924ato also reach the solar panels that are below the very top solar panel. By way of example and not limitation, the very bottom stackable solar panel2910may be monofacial while the rest of the stackable solar panels2910stacked on top of each other may be transparent solar panels. By way of example and not limitation, a combination of fully transparent and semi-transparent stackable solar panels2910may be used in the solar platform2908. By way of example and not limitation, the first two to four stackable solar panels2910at the very top of the of the solar platform2908may be fully transparent while the rest of the two to four stackable solar panels2910occupying the bottom portion of the solar platform2908may be semi-transparent. By way of example and not limitation, the fully transparent and semi-transparent solar panels may alternate, with the very top stackable solar panel2910being fully transparent and the stackable solar panel2910right below the very top solar panel being semi-transparent, which such pattern may repeat for the rest of the solar panels all the way down to the very bottom solar panel, which may be a monofacial solar panel.

It is also contemplated herein that a combination of bifacial, transparent, and monofacial solar panels may be used with the solar platform2908. By way of example and not limitation, the very top stackable solar panels2910, such as the very top two to four solar panels, may be transparent while the rest of the stackable solar panels2910at the bottom portion of the solar platform2908may be bifacial, with the very bottom solar panel being monofacial.

Referring now toFIGS.31-32, perspective views of the fourth embodiment of the solar platform incorporated on top of a flat solar panel and in deployed and folded positions are shown. The solar platform3108shown inFIGS.31-32may be similar to the solar platform2908ofFIGS.29-30and what has been described elsewhere herein. The main difference of the solar platform3108may be that the stackable solar panels2910are placed on top of a larger base solar panel3102. The base solar panel3102may lay horizontal and be wider than the stackable solar panels2910and have exposed solar surface3124aareas to directly receive solar irradiation. The stackable solar panels2910may be any type and combination of solar panels described elsewhere. By way of example and not limitation, the base solar panel3102may be monofacial, transparent (fully or semi-transparent), or bifacial. By way of example and not limitation, the base solar panel3102having the stackable solar panels2910attached on top of it may be mounted to a frame3102with a plurality of legs to be placed on different surfaces, such as the roof of a house, office building, parking structure, or on the ground. By way of example and not limitation, the solar platform3108may be incorporated (i.e., integrated or attached) with a vehicle structure or a building structure, as described elsewhere herein with other embodiments of solar platforms.

With reference toFIGS.33-34, perspective views of a fifth embodiment of a solar platform in deployed and folded positions are shown. The fifth embodiment of the solar platform3308may have three solar panels3310a-cthat are connected with each other to make a triangular prism. Each of the three solar panels3310a-cmay make up a lateral face of the triangular prism.

By way of example and not limitation, a first solar panel3310amay be placed flat on a horizontal surface. A second solar panel3310bmay have a first longitudinal side3312aattached to a first longitudinal side3311aof the first solar panel3310aand be raised at an incline over the first solar panel3310a, which such attachment may make up a first edge of the triangular prism. A third solar panel3310cmay have a first longitudinal side3314aattached to a second longitudinal side3311bof the first solar panel3310aand also be raised at an incline over the first solar panel3310a, which such attachment may make up a second edge of the triangular prism. The second longitudinal side3312bof the second solar panel3310band the second longitudinal side3314bof the third solar panel3310cmay be attached to each other above the first solar panel3310ato make up a third edge of the triangular prism. With such attachment, the triangular prism solar platform3308may have a hollow triangular base and interior section. By way of example and not limitation, the solar panels3310a-cmay have the same dimensions such that the base of the triangular prism is an equilateral triangle.

The solar platform3308in the form of a triangular prism may have outer solar surfaces. The second and third solar panels3310b, cmay each have an outer solar surface3324b, dfacing the outside environment. By way of example and not limitation, the first solar panel3310amay not have an outer solar surface since its outer surface is contacting a horizontal surface. Alternatively, the first solar panel3310amay have an outer solar surface if mounted on top of a frame like the other embodiments described elsewhere herein. By way of example and not limitation, the first solar panel3310amay have an inner solar surface3324afacing inside of the triangular prism. By way of example and not limitation, the second and third solar panels3310b, cmay be bifacial and each may have inner solar surfaces3324c, efacing the inside of the triangular prism. The inner solar surfaces3324a, c, emay harvest solar irradiation that are reflected from nearby surfaces towards the inside of the triangular prism. By way of example and not limitation, one or more of the solar panels3310a-cmay be transparent, either fully or semi-transparent. By way of example and not limitation, the second and third solar panels3310b, cmay be transparent to allow light that contacts the outer surfaces of such solar panels to reach the inside of the triangular prism and hit the inner solar surface of the first solar panel3310a. By way of example and not limitation, the first solar panel3310amay be monofacial or may be transparent.

As shown inFIG.34, the solar platform3308may be folded such that the solar panels3310a-care rested flat on top of each other. The folding may be done by detaching one or more of the longitudinal edges of the solar panels that were connected with each other in the deployed position. By way of example and not limitation, the second longitudinal edges3312b,3314bof the second and third solar panels3310b, cthat are over the first solar panel3310amay be detached from each other so that these solar panels can rest on the first solar panel3310a. In another example, the first longitudinal edge3314aof the third solar panel3310c, opposite to its second longitudinal edge3314b, may be detached from the second edge3311bof the first solar panel3310aand the third solar panel3310cmay be folded on the second solar panel3310bsuch that the inner solar surfaces3324c, econtact each other, and the second and third solar panels3310b, cmay be folded on top of the first solar panel3310asuch that the outer solar surface3324dof the third solar panel3310ccontacts the inner solar surface3324aof the first solar panel3310aOther types of detachment and folding steps are also contemplated herein.

As described herein, the solar panels or portions thereof (e.g., frame or border) may be transparent or semi transparent to allow the sunlight to pass through the transparent portion and be absorbed by solar panels behind such solar panels or portions thereof. Moreover, the solar panels and/or portions thereof may have a mirror finish to allow the sunlight to be reflected and ultimately absorbed by solar cells on a different solar panel. By way of example, for solar panels with solar cells on one side of the solar panel, the non activated side (i.e., side without solar cells) may have a mirror (e.g., mirror or mirror finish) to allow sunlight or rays of the sun to be reflected off of the mirror and onto the solar cells of a different panel.

Referring now toFIG.36, a perspective view of a sixth embodiment of a solar platform608is shown. The base solar panel610that lies flat may have a plurality of riser solar panels602that project upwards from the base solar panel610. By way of example and not limitation, the base solar panel610may be one large solar panel or be made from multiple smaller solar panels. As used herein, the base solar panel610may be referred as a singular term although a plurality of base solar panels610may be attached to create the surfaces for the riser solar panels602to project upward therefrom. The riser solar panels602take advantage of a dimension that conventional solar panels do not take into account, mainly the vertical dimension above the base solar panel610. As such, the solar platform608obtains three-dimensional active sides to harvest more solar energy since the riser solar panels602are erected from the planar solar surface of the base solar panel610. As such, the solar platform608is more than one flat active surface area by being three-dimensional and taking advantage of the available volume above the solar platform608. Consequently, the energy density of the solar platform608increases since more energy can be harvested per cubic meter with the inclusion of the riser solar panels602that, among other things, harvest sun rays that are reflected by the active surface of the base solar panel610. Although the active surface of the base solar panel610may be designed to absorb photons of the sun rays, some of the photons hitting such surface may nevertheless be reflected. The riser solar panels602act as a mechanism capturing the reflected photons from the base solar panel610.

The sixth embodiment of the solar platform608disclosed herein may be incorporated with different types of electric, hybrid, or regular internal combustion engine vehicles. Such vehicles may include trucks, vans, minivans, SUVs, semitrucks, buses, recreational vehicles, motorhomes, trailers, station wagons, hatchbacks, crossovers, sedans, coupes, compact automobiles, and other types of vehicles and automobiles. The solar platform608may be attached or integrated with a top surface of such vehicles (e.g., roof of the vehicle), or any other vehicles, such as aerial vehicles. The solar platform608described herein may also be incorporated with buildings, such as parking structures, homes, office buildings, stadiums, and other types of building structures. The solar platform608described herein may also simply be on a frame and placed on the ground. Specifically with the incorporation of the solar platform608with the vehicle, the solar platform608may be attached or integrated with the roof of a vehicle or the top of a cap (e.g., a camper shell) or the tonneau cover of a truck, to name a few examples. The solar platform608may be connected to the electrical components and a battery of the vehicle. For example, the solar platform may be used to charge the battery of an electric vehicle, a deep cycle battery, or charge and power other electronic devices. The solar platform608may also be connected to a computing system of the vehicle to receive commands to deploy, fold, and operate some or all of the solar panels using an automated motorized mechanism. Alternatively, solar platform608may have its own computing system that operates the solar panels.

By way of example and not limitation, the solar panels described herein may be solar photovoltaic panels, where each solar panel may have a plurality of solar cells ranging between one to 120 solar cells. By way of example and not limitation, the solar panels described herein may be monocrystalline, polycrystalline, or thin-film solar panels. By way of example and not limitation, the base solar panels610may be monocrystalline or polycrystalline and the riser solar panels602may be thin-film solar panels. However, any other combination of the type of solar panels may be used with the solar platform608, or all of the solar panels may be the same type. The solar panels of the solar platform608may be monofacial, having one active side, or bifacial, having two active sides. By way of example and not limitation, the solar panels of the solar platform608may be transparent solar panels, either fully transparent or semi-transparent. By way of example and not limitation, each solar panel may generate between 0.1 to 0.5 kWh energy depending on the location, the weather, the time of day and year, and the type of solar panel. Alternatively, each solar platform may supply from 1 kilowatt to 12 kilowatts depending on the location, the weather, the time of day and year, and the type and number of solar panels.

By way of example and not limitation, the base solar panel610may be rectangular and be one singular solar panel or multiple small solar panels combined with each other to make one large rectangular base solar panel610. By way of example and not limitation, the base solar panel610may have an active side that is flat and parallel to the ground and facing towards the sky. Alternatively, the base solar panel610may be at an incline relative to the ground. By way of example and not limitation, the base solar panel610may be mounted to a frame620. By way of example and not limitation, the total length616of the base solar panel610may be between six to 80 inches. By way of example and not limitation, the total length616of the base solar panel610may be between four to 45 times larger than the heights of each of the riser solar panels602. The total length616of the base solar panel610may be important because of how many riser solar panels602may be installed on top of it and how packed the riser solar panels602may be placed next to each other. By way of example and not limitation, the total width613of the base solar panel610may be between six to 60 inches.

By way of example and not limitation, the frame620may have two longitudinal portions and two lateral portions defining the frame body and an opening therebetween. The frame620may have the same features as explained elsewhere herein. By way of example and not limitation, the frame620may be rectangular and have similar dimensions as the base solar panel610such that the base solar panel610is fixedly mounted therebetween. By way of example and not limitation, the frame620may have one or more mounting mechanisms630, such as frame legs on each corner edges of the frame620. The frame620and its mounting mechanisms630may be used to place the solar platform608on building structures or attached on top of vehicles, as described elsewhere herein.

By way of example and not limitation, a plurality of riser solar panels602may project upwards from the base solar panel in a 90-degree direction or at an incline direction. By way of example and not limitation, each plurality of riser solar panels602may extend along the total width613of the base solar panel610from one longitudinal side to the other longitudinal side of the frame620. Alternatively, each riser solar panel602may extend along a portion of the total width613of the base solar panel610, such as by being centered on the base solar panel610and spaced apart from the longitudinal edges of the base solar panel610and the frame620. By way of example and not limitation, there may exist between one to 50 riser solar panels projecting upwards from the base solar panel610. The riser solar panels602may be packed closely to each other or farther from each other. By way of example and not limitation, the riser solar panels602may be spaced away from each other along the total length616of the base solar panel610in the range of one to 36 inches from each other. This means that adjacent riser solar panels602may be spaced away from each other in the range of one to 36 inches. In one example, if the base solar panel610is 40-inches long, then there may be 20 riser solar panels602on the base solar panel610that are each equidistantly spaced from each other by two inches. In a similar example, if the base solar panel is 40-inches long, then there may be 40 riser solar panels602on the base solar panel610that are each equidistantly spaced from other by one inch. As explained elsewhere herein, and by way of example and not limitation, the height of each riser solar panel602may range between one to eight inches, where the relative packing of the riser solar panels may determine such height.

By way of example and not limitation, each riser solar panel602may be monocrystalline, polycrystalline, or thin-film solar panels. By way of example and not limitation, each riser solar panel602may be bifacial by having two active solar sides on each rising surface of the solar panel to maximize solar energy harvesting. Alternatively, the riser solar panels602may be mono-facial for a design where the solar platform608rotates throughout the day to face the sun. By way of example and not limitation, each riser solar panel602may be made from 1 to 24 solar cells extending across the total width613of the base solar panel610from one longitudinal section to another of the frame620. By way of example and not limitation, the riser solar panels602may be transparent, semi-transparent, or a combination thereof. In one example, the riser solar panels602at the very outer edges of the solar platform608may be semi-transparent and the riser solar panels therebetween being transparent, or vice versa. In another example, the riser solar panels602adjacent to each other may alternate between transparent and semi-transparent. Such combinations and the usage of transparent riser solar panels, in general, may allow for a better capturing of solar energy throughout the day, especially if the solar platform608is fixed in a stationary position. The usage of transparent and semi-transparent riser solar panels602may reduce the possible shadow that such solar panels may project on the base solar panel610and on each other.

Referring now toFIGS.37A-F, side views of the sixth embodiment of the solar platform608with the riser solar panels602a-chaving different heights615a-cis shown. As shown inFIG.37A, and by way of example and not limitation, the solar platform608may have 23 riser solar panels602ahaving small heights. By way of example and not limitation, the small-height riser solar panels602amay have a height615aranging between 0.75 to 1.95 inches. As explained elsewhere herein, the number of small riser solar panels602aon the solar platform608may range from one to 50. As shown inFIG.37B, and by way of example and not limitation, the solar platform608may have 23 riser solar panels602bwith medium height. By way of example and not limitation, the medium-height riser solar panels602bmay have a height615branging between 1.95 to 2.95 inches. As explained elsewhere herein, the number of medium riser solar panels602bon the solar platform608may range from one to 50. As shown inFIG.37C, and by way of example and not limitation, the solar platform608may have 23 riser solar panels602cwith a long height. By way of example and not limitation, the long-height riser solar panels602cmay have a height ranging between 3.0 to 6.95 inches. As explained elsewhere herein, the number of long riser solar panels602con the solar platform608may range from one to 50.

AlthoughFIGS.37A-Cshow the riser solar panels602a-cof different heights being spaced apart at the same distance,FIGS.37D-Eshow the spacing apart of the riser solar panels602b-cby taking the height of such panels into consideration. Longer riser solar panels602a-cmay need to be spaced apart from each other further to possibly prevent the interference (e.g., casting of shadow) with adjacent riser solar panels and their harvesting of solar energy. For maximum solar harvesting, the riser solar panels may be closely packed with each other to a limit where the adjacent riser solar panels do not interfere (e.g., cast shadow) with the solar harvesting of each other. This reason may be why the range of heights of the riser solar panels and the range of space between them, as described elsewhere herein, may be an important design factor.

By way of example and not limitation, the medium riser solar panels602b(seeFIG.37D) may be at least 1.5 times spaced apart from each other when compared to the spacing of short riser solar panels602a(seeFIG.37A). By way of example and not limitation, the medium riser solar panels602bmay be at least 2 times spaced apart from each other when compared to the spacing of short riser solar panels602a. By way of example and not limitation, the short riser solar panels602a(seeFIG.37A) may each be spaced apart from each other between one to 18 inches. By way of example and not limitation, the long riser solar panels602c(seeFIG.37E) may be at least 2.5 times spaced apart from each other when compared to the spacing of short riser solar panels602a(seeFIG.37A), or at least 1.5 times spaced apart when compared to the medium riser solar panels. By way of example and not limitation, the long riser solar panels602cmay be at least 3 times spaced apart from each other when compared to the spacing of short riser solar panels602a(seeFIG.37A), or at least 2 times spaced apart when compared to the medium riser solar panels. By way of example and not limitation, the short riser solar panels602a(seeFIG.37A) may each be spaced apart from each other between one to 18 inches.

As shown inFIG.37F, the solar platform608may have a combination of riser solar panels602a-bwith different heights and the riser solar panels602a-bbeing spaced apart differently. By way of example and not limitation, the riser solar panels602bat the outer edges of the solar platform608and the center riser solar panel602bmay be longer panels while the other riser solar panels may be small panels602a. By way of example and not limitation, the longer riser solar panels may be medium or large while the smaller riser solar panels may be small or medium. Alternatively, a combination of all three sizes, small, medium, and large may be used. By way of example and not limitation, the riser solar panels adjacent to each other may alternate in height between longer and shorter panels. The longer panels may be medium or large while the smaller solar panels may be small or medium. Alternatively, a combination of all three sizes, small, medium, and large may be used. As shown inFIG.37F, and by way of example and not limitation, smaller riser solar panels602amay be closely spaced from each other while the longer riser solar panels602bmay be spaced farther apart from each other. The longer riser solar panels may be medium or long while the shorter riser solar panels may be short or medium. The different spacing apart of the riser solar panels may be as described elsewhere herein.

Referring now toFIGS.38A-C, side views of the sixth embodiment of the solar platform608where the riser solar panels602are pivotable are shown. By way of example and not limitation, each riser solar panel602may have a pivoting mechanism614. By way of example and not limitation, the pivoting mechanism614for each riser solar panel602may be one or more hinges. By way of example and not limitation, the pivoting mechanisms614may be embedded in recesses formed on the base solar panel610. By way of example and not limitation, the pivoting mechanisms614may be embedded in recesses formed on the longitudinal sides of the frame620. Consequently, each riser solar panel may rotate clockwise or counterclockwise and change orientation from the orthogonal direction relative to the base solar panel610. Alternatively, the riser solar panels602may be attached and affixed to the base solar panel610in an orthogonal direction without being able to pivot. The fixedly attached design may be sturdier than the pivotable design and, as a result, the solar platform608may be more durable.

The pivoting mechanism614of each riser solar panel602may rotate such solar panel about an axis that extends across the width613(seeFIG.36) of the base solar panel610. In other examples, the rotation axis may extend across the length616of the base solar panel610if the riser solar panels602extend across such length. By way of example and not limitation, each riser solar panel602may be free to pivot by a range of 10 to 160-degrees from its orthogonal orientation, or relative to the base solar panel610, when the riser solar panel602are closely packed next to each other. By way of example and not limitation, each riser solar panel602may be pivotable by up to 180-degrees when they are not closely packed next to each other such that each riser solar panel602may pivot and lay flat on the base solar panel610. Other pivoting ranges described elsewhere herein are also contemplated with respect to the sixth embodiment of the solar platform608.

By way of example and not limitation, the pivoting mechanisms614of the riser solar panels602may be synchronized with each other where the riser solar panels602are all pivoted by the same angular displacement as each other. The synchronized pivoting may allow for a more convenient way to pivot the riser solar panels602. Alternatively, the pivoting mechanism614of each riser solar panel602may pivot independent from each other. The independent pivoting may allow for more orientation options of the riser solar panels602. The pivoting of the riser solar panels602may be necessary for the riser solar panels602to face the sun and its solar radiation at an optimum orientation, as described elsewhere herein. Also, the pivoting of the riser solar panels602may make the solar platform608more aerodynamic if the solar platform608is installed on a vehicle and it is in motion. By way of example and not limitation, the pivoting mechanisms614may be motorized and automated, as described elsewhere herein. By way of example and not limitation, the pivoting mechanisms614may be controlled by a remote controller, as described elsewhere herein. Alternatively, the pivoting mechanisms614may be actuated manually, as described elsewhere herein. In general, and by way of example and not limitation, the sixth embodiment of the solar platform608may have the same features as described elsewhere herein, including with respect toFIG.35. The sixth embodiment of the solar platform608may also be controlled and monitored by a software application on a mobile device, as described elsewhere herein.

As shown inFIG.38C, and by way of example and not limitation, the pivoting mechanisms614may be used to fold the riser solar panels602on each other. AlthoughFIG.38Cshows the riser solar panels602folded on each other, in other examples the riser solar panels602may fold flat on the base solar panel610when there are either less riser solar panels602or more spacing between them. By way of example and not limitation, the riser solar panels602may pivot to the folded position by a motorized and automated mechanism, as described elsewhere herein. Alternatively, the riser solar panels602may pivot to the folded position by manual actuation, as described elsewhere. For example, the riser solar panels602may be spring biased to the deployed position. The riser solar panels602may be pushed down by hand and locked in place with a fastening mechanism that is traversed automatically as soon as the panels are pushed down to the stored position as shown inFIG.38C.

Referring now toFIGS.39A-B, side views of the sixth embodiment of the solar platform608where the base solar panel610has a shorter length is shown. By way of example and not limitation, the sixth embodiment of the solar platform608may also have a miniature version, as shown inFIGS.39A-B, where the length616aof the base solar panel610may range between five to eight inches. By way of example and not limitation, the riser solar panels may have the same height and be pivotable on the miniature version of the solar platform608, as described elsewhere herein. As shown inFIG.39B, and by way of example and not limitation, the miniature version of the solar platform608may have riser solar panels602having a height615dof five to six inches. By way of example and not limitation, the width of the miniature version of the solar platform608may be between four to seven inches. The miniature version of the solar platform608may be mounted on smaller objects that do not have enough surface area for the regular version of the solar platform608. Multiple miniature versions may be connected together and be used in conjunction together, such as six to 12 solar platform608, to collect solar energy.

Referring now toFIG.40, a perspective view of the sixth embodiment of the solar platform608on the top surface22of an automobile is shown. The solar platform608may be attached to the vehicle, with or without the frame, or be integrated with the vehicle. By way of example and not limitation, the solar platform608may be attached to the roof of the automobile or be integrated with the roof of the automobile by making up a portion of the roof, as described elsewhere herein. By way of example and not limitation, the pivoting mechanisms614(seeFIGS.38A-C) of the solar platform608may be controlled by interfaces integrated with the automobile, such as a control panel, as described elsewhere herein. By way of example and not limitation, the pivoting mechanisms614may be actuated while the vehicle is in motion to have the riser solar panels602face the sun and also become more aerodynamic to reduce drag while the vehicle is in motion. The pivoting mechanism614may also simply be deployed when the vehicle is at a stop.

Referring now toFIG.41, a rear perspective view of a truck802having a cap810with the sixth embodiment of the solar platform608is shown. The cap810may have the same features as described elsewhere herein. By way of example and not limitation, the sixth embodiment of the solar platform608may be attached to the cap810, with or without a frame, or be integrated with the cap810to form part of the top surface of the cap810(e.g., cap roof812), as described elsewhere herein. By way of example and not limitation, the riser solar panels602may extend across the left and right side of the truck bed as attached or integrated with the cap810. Alternatively, the riser solar panels602may be attached or integrated with the cap810such that they extend upward and downwards of the cap roof812and from the rear and front of the truck bed. Alternatively, a smaller version of the solar platform608may be integrated to the left and right the side frames814of the cap810.

Referring now toFIG.42, a rear perspective view of a truck1902having a tonneau cover1911with the sixth embodiment of the solar platform608is shown. By way of example and not limitation, the solar platform608may be attached to the tonneau cover1911or may be integrated to form the structural panels of the tonneau cover1911. The solar platform608and the tonneau cover1911may have the same features as described elsewhere herein. By way of example and not limitation, the riser solar panels602may extend across the left and right side of the truck bed as attached or integrated with the tonneau cover1911. Alternatively, the tonneau cover1911having the solar platform608may be shifted such that the riser solar panels602may extend across the rear and the front of the truck bed.

Referring now toFIG.43, a perspective view of a recreational vehicle2502with the sixth embodiment of the solar platform608attached or integrated on the roof2504of the recreational vehicle2502is shown. The recreational vehicle2502may have the same parts and features as described elsewhere herein. The solar platform608may have the same parts and features as described elsewhere herein.

Referring now toFIG.44, a perspective view of a building structure, such as a house2702, with multiple solar platforms including the sixth embodiment of the solar platform608. The building structure may be the same as the types as described elsewhere herein. The solar platform608attached to the building structure may have the same parts and features as described elsewhere herein.

Referring now toFIG.45, a perspective view of a new embodiment of a solar panel is shown. By way of example and not limitation, the new embodiment may be an embossed solar panel708that may have a plurality of embossed solar photovoltaic cell beams702that are each in the shape of a triangular or trapezoidal prism. Alternatively, planar solar cells may be attached on the lateral faces of a frame beam having a shape of a triangular or trapezoidal prism to give each beam of the embossed solar cell beam702the aforementioned prism shapes. Although for the sake of brevity the embossed solar cell beams702are described elsewhere herein as having triangular prims shapes, such embossed solar cell beams702may also have a trapezoidal prism shape or any other type of prism shape. The embossed solar cell beams702may be bonded and adjacent to each other to make up the embossed solar panel708. By way of example and not limitation, the bonding of the embossed solar cell beams702may be done on top of an underlying substrate704holding the embossed solar panel708together. By way of example and not limitation, the embossed solar panel708may have embossed solar cell beams702in the range of two to 32 beams. As shown inFIG.45, the embossed solar panel708has eight embossed solar cell beams702.

By way of example and not limitation, the embossed solar panel708may be rectangular having a panel length716and a panel width713. By way of example and not limitation, a plurality of embossed solar cell beams702may be attached next to each other along the panel length716such that the lateral faces of each embossed solar cell beam702extend across the panel width713. By way of example and not limitation, the panel length716may be between six to 36 inches and the panel width713, and consequently the length of the embossed solar cell beams702, may be six to 32 inches. By way of example and not limitation, the underlying substrate704having the embossed solar cell beams702on top may have the same length and width as the panel length716and panel width713. By way of example and not limitation, each embossed solar cell beam702may be a unitary beam or a beam made of a plurality of triangular prism solar cells, where the triangular base cross-section of the plurality of solar cells contact and are bonded to each other to make the embossed solar cell beam702. By way of example and not limitation, the embossed solar cell beams702may come in a triangular prism shape having active sides707a-bon the lateral faces that face outwards and towards the sky. By way of example and not limitation, the active solar surface sides707a-bof adjacent embossed solar cell beams702may form a V-shape with each other since they are at an incline and on the lateral faces of the prism-shaped embossed solar cell beams702. Alternatively, planar solar cells may be bonded on the lateral faces of a beam frame having the triangular prism shape.

The usage of the embossed solar cell beams702allows for the presence of more active solar surfaces707a-bfor harvesting solar energy since the embossed solar panel708takes a volumetric approach in harvesting solar energy rather than the conventional per square area approach with planar solar panels. The solar cell beams702have three-dimensional solar surfaces with the active sides707a-bbeing two of the lateral faces of the triangular prism beam, the lateral faces inclining upwards from the underlying substrate704of the embossed solar panel708. This three-dimensional approach allows to harvest solar energy per cubic meter rather than per square meter since the embossed solar panel708takes advantage of a third dimension (e.g. vertical dimension above solar panels) not conventionally used. Consequently, the generation of solar power may be increased since power is being generated per volume rather than per area. By way of example and not limitation, the solar photovoltaic cells used may be monocrystalline, polycrystalline, or thin-film.

The triangular prism shape of the embossed solar cell beams702may also provide solar surfaces that are in the optimum position relative to the sun at each time of the day. As the sun rises from the east and sets on the west, the sun may move parabolically over the embossed solar cell beams702, for example from the flat solar panel710to the outer solar cell beam702a. During such parabolic trajectory of the sun, at least some of the active sides707a-band the flat lateral portions706would be at an optimum orientation relative to the sun because of such surfaces being correspondingly inclined and flat relative to each other. Additionally the V-shape structure that is created between the embossed solar cell beams702due to the active sides707a-bbeing inclined, and on the lateral faces of the beams, may allow such surfaces to harvest reflected photons from adjacent corresponding active sides707a-b. Although the active sides707a-bare designed to capture photons of the sunray irradiated on them, some of the photons may nevertheless be reflected. However, the adjacent active side707a-bmay capture such reflected photon due to the three-dimensional aspect of the embossed solar panel708and the V-shaped structure that the embossed solar cell beams702and their active sides707a-bmake relative to each other. Alternatively, instead of the active sides707a-binclining upwards towards the flat lateral portions706of the protruding embossed solar cell beams702, the active sides707a-bmay incline and sink downwards to create debossed recesses within the solar panel. In other words, the V-shaped structure created by the solar cell beams may be debossed instead of embossed.

By way of example and not limitation, the lateral edges of each of the embossed solar cell beams702that may be pointing upwards towards the sky and extending across the panel width713may be a flat lateral portion706having a third active side for each embossed solar cell beam702. Consequently, the flat lateral portions706may increase solar power generation by the embossed solar panel708since such edges provide additional solar surfaces. Due to the embossed solar cell beams702ofFIG.45having the flat lateral portions706instead of a pointed lateral edge, the embossed solar cell beams702may be considered to be in a trapezoidal prism shape instead of a triangular prism shape. Consequently, the flat lateral portion706of each embossed solar cell beam702may be considered another lateral face of the trapezoidal prism.

By way of example and not limitation, the triangular prism solar cell beams702may have an equilateral or isosceles triangular base cross section, without taking into account the flat lateral portions706, similar to what is shown inFIGS.46A-B. By way of example and not limitation, the sides of the triangular cross-section having the lateral faces with the active sides707a-bmay have equal dimensions. As shown inFIG.46A, and by way of example and not limitation, the lateral faces having the active sides707a-bmay have a face width709of 0.5 to three inches with or without taking the flat lateral portion706shown inFIG.45into consideration. By way of example and not limitation, all of the lateral faces having active sides707a-bfor each embossed solar cell beam702may have the same face width709. By way of example and not limitation, the length of the lateral faces having the active sides707a-b, which may be the same as panel width713, and may be six to 32 inches.

Referring back toFIG.45, and by way of example and not limitation, the bottom side of the triangular cross-section of each embossed solar cell beam702having the bottom lateral face, which may be an inactive side, may have a side length712ranging between 0.5 to three inches. By way of example and not limitation, all of the bottom lateral faces may have the same side length712. By way of example and not limitation, the side length712may be equal to the face width709(seeFIG.46A) if the triangular cross-section of the embossed solar cell beams702is an equilateral triangle. By way of example and not limitation, if there are eight embossed solar cell beams702and each beam has a side length712of one inch, then the solar panel length716would be eight inches.

Referring back toFIG.45, and by way of example and not limitation, the flat lateral portion width714may be between 0.1 to 0.75 inches. By way of example and not limitation, all of the flat lateral portions706may have the same width or different ones, as described elsewhere herein. By way of example and not limitation, the triangular base height715of each triangular cross-section of the embossed solar cell beam702may be between 0.3 to 2.6 inches. By way of example and not limitation, the triangular height715may be the same for all of the embossed solar cell beams702.

The dimensions may be important to optimize the volumetric solar power generation capacity of the embossed solar panel708by creating optimum active sides707a-bhaving optimum active sides angles717. By way of example and not limitation, the active side angle717that is made between adjacent active sides707a-bof the lateral faces of different embossed solar cell beams702may range between 30 to 75-degrees. A larger active side angle717may expose the active sides707a-bmore to the sun and its solar energy. A smaller active side angle717, may allow for a better capturing of reflected photons by adjacent active sides707a-b. Although the active sides707a-bof the embossed solar panel708may be designed to absorb photons of the sun rays, some of the photons hitting such surfaces may nevertheless be reflected. The inclining of such surfaces and the adjacent active sides707a-bmay act as a mechanism that capture the reflected photons from the active side.

By way of example and not limitation, the outer sides of the embossed solar panel708(e.g., one, two, or all solar panel sides) where the embossed solar cell beams702are in between may have flat solar cells710. By way of example and not limitation, the flat solar cells710may be conventional planar solar cells. With the addition of the side flat solar cells710, the panel length may increase by additional panel length716a. The incorporation side flat solar cells710may be needed for the outer lateral active sides of the outer embossed solar cell beams702to have a surface to capture the non-absorbed photons reflected by the side flat solar cells710.

By way of example and not limitation, the outer embossed solar cell beams702athat the other solar beams are in between may have a wider flat lateral portions706athan the rest of the other embossed solar cell beams702. By way of example and not limitation, the wider flat lateral portions706amay have a width714agreater than 1.25 times, and possibly greater than 1.5 times, than the width714of the regular flat lateral portions706. The wider flat lateral portions706amay add more incremental solar surface area to increase the energy density of the embossed solar panel708where such wide dimension may not be implemented in the middle embossed solar cell beams702.

Referring now toFIGS.46A-B, side and angled views of another example of the embossed solar panel708is shown. The embossed solar panel708may be the same or similar as what has been described with respect toFIG.45, but the flat lateral portions706may be replaced by pointed lateral edges718. By way of example and not limitation, the pointed lateral edges718may be the outer tip on the top of the triangular cross-section of the embossed solar cell beam702that is pointing upwards towards the sky. The pointed lateral edges718may extend along the length of the embossed solar cell beams702. By way of example and not limitation, the pointed lateral edge718may increase the triangular height to715a.

Referring now toFIGS.47A-B, side and angled views of another example of the embossed solar panel708is shown. The embossed solar panel708ofFIGS.47A-Bmay be the same or similar as what has been described with respect toFIG.45, but the flat lateral portions706may be replaced by extended lateral portions703. By way of example and not limitation, the extended lateral portions703may protrude upward from the top lateral edge of the triangular prism of the embossed solar cell beams702to create planar vertical solar surfaces sufficient enough to create additional active sides707c-don each side of the extended lateral portions703. By way of example and not limitation, the planar vertical solar surfaces of the extended lateral portions703protruding from the embossed solar cell beams702may have a height709bbetween 0.1 to 3.6 inches. By way of example and not limitation, the extended lateral portion703may be unitarily formed with the rest of the embossed solar cell beam702or be modular and a separate piece than the embossed solar cell beam702.FIGS.47A-Balso show a photon720reflected from one of the active sides707a-dand trapped between the embossed solar cell beams702, and also the extended lateral portions703, in order to be absorbed by one of the active sides707a-dand increase power generation per cubic meter of the embossed solar panel708.

By way of example and not limitation, the embossed solar panel708may have the same features as the other embodiments of solar platforms described elsewhere herein. By way of example and not limitation, the embossed solar panel708may be incorporated with different types of electric, hybrid, or regular internal combustion engine vehicles. Such vehicles may include trucks, vans, minivans, SUVs, semitrucks, buses, recreational vehicles, motorhomes, trailers, station wagons, hatchbacks, crossovers, sedans, coupes, compact automobiles, and other types of vehicles and automobiles. The embossed solar panel708may also be incorporated with buildings, such as parking structures, homes, office buildings, stadiums, and other types of building structures. The embossed solar panel708may also simply be on a frame and placed on the ground. Specifically with the incorporation of the embossed solar panel708with the vehicle, the embossed solar panel708may be attached or integrated with the roof of a vehicle or the top of a cap (e.g., a camper shell) or the tonneau cover of a truck, to name a few examples. The embossed solar panel708may be connected to the electrical components and a battery of the vehicle. For example, the embossed solar panel708may be used to charge the battery of an electric vehicle, a deep cycle battery, or charge and power other electronic devices. The embossed solar panel708may also be connected to a computing system of the vehicle to receive commands to deploy, fold, and operate some or all of the solar panels using an automated motorized mechanism, as described elsewhere herein. Alternatively, embossed solar panel708may have its own computing system that operates the solar panels. The embossed solar panel708may also be controlled and monitored by a software application on a mobile device, as described elsewhere herein.

Referring now toFIG.48, another embodiment is shown of a stacker solar platform908having vertically stacked rows904of horizontal solar cell beams902each having three-dimensional solar surfaces907a-d. The stacked rows904may be above a planar or embossed solar panel708such that the stacked rows904add more solar energy harvesting mechanisms per unit volume. Each solar cell beam902of the stacked rows904may be spaced apart from each other to allow solar light from the sun to reach the lower stacked rows904and the very bottom planar or embossed solar panel708. The addition of the stacked rows904of the solar cell beams902above the bottom solar panel708may increase the generation of solar power per unit volume, as described elsewhere. The stacker solar platform908takes advantage of the volume of free space above the bottom solar panel708. The solar cell beams902above the bottom solar panel708may also capture scattered photons reflected by the active sides707a-bof the bottom solar panel708or the scattered photons reflected by the other nearby solar cell beams902. Each solar cell beam902may be rotated to not only face an optimum orientation relative to the sun, but to also be at an optimum orientation to capture scattered photons reflected from adjacent solar surfaces.

By way of example and not limitation, the solar cell beams902may be assembled next to each other using a stacker frame920. The stacker frame920may have vertical support structures920a, such as columns or pillars, and horizontal support structures920b, such as horizontal boards or bars. The stacker frame920alone may be for the most part empty space other than the outer edges making up the structure of the stacker frame920. The minimally designed structural components of the stacker frame920may be necessary to allow maximum sunlight to reach the inside of the frame and to the solar cell beams902and the bottom solar panel708. The vertical and horizontal support structures920a-bmay make up the outer edges of the frame, where the stacker frame920may have a cubic, rectangular, or trapezoidal shape.

By way of example and not limitation, some of the horizontal structures920bmay be support structures for the stacked rows904to hold the solar cell beams902. By way of example and not limitation, such horizontal structures920bmay extend across two of the opposite side-edges of the stacker frame908. Such horizontal structures920bmaking up the stacked rows904may need to be minimally dimensioned and only extend across the faces of the stacker frame920to allow for maximum empty space for sunlight to reach the solar cell beams902.

By way of example and not limitation, the stacker frame length916may be between 2.5 to 13.12 feet (i.e., 4 meters). By way of example and not limitation, the stacker frame height915may be between 2.5 to 13.12 feet. By way of example and not limitation, the stacker frame width913(seeFIGS.51A-B) may be 2.5 feet to 13.12 feet. In examples describing energy density and power per unit volume of the stacker solar platform908, the stacker frame920may have a length, height, and width each equaling 3.28 feet, which such dimensions are equivalent to covering 1 cubic meter of space. By way of example and not limitation, the wiring of the solar cell beams902may be integrated with the stacker frame920.

By way of example and not limitation, the stacked rows904may each have a plurality solar cell beams902ranging from two to 16 solar beams positioned next to each other along the length916of the beam frame920. As shown inFIG.48, each stacked row904may have six solar cell beams902. By way of example and not limitation, each solar cell beam902may have its lateral faces, which are longitudinal and have active sides907a-d, extend across the width913of the stacker frame, as shown inFIGS.51A-B. By way of example and not limitation, each solar cell beam902may be spaced apart from other adjacent solar cell beams902in the same stacked row904by a separation distance911of three to 30 inches along the length916of the stacker frame920, and such distance may be measured from the centers and central axes of the cross-sectional bases of the adjacent solar cell beams902, as shown inFIG.48.

By way of example and not limitation, there may exist between one to 10 stacked rows904on top of the bottom solar panel708.FIG.48shows three stacked rows904on top of the bottom solar panel708. By way of example and not limitation, the solar cell beams902of each stacked rows904may have a separation height918from their above solar cell beam902and stacked row904by three to 30 inches measured from the centers and central axes of the cross-sectional bases of the solar cell beams902right above each other, as shown inFIG.48. By way of example and not limitation, the stacked row904right above the bottom solar panel708may also have a separation height of three to 30 inches from the bottom solar panel708measured from the central axes of the bases of the solar cell beams902and the top points or surfaces of the active sides707a-bof the bottom solar panel708.

By way of example and not limitation, each solar cell beam902may have a square prism shape with each of the lateral faces of the prism having the active sides907a-dextending along the width913(seeFIG.51A-B) of the beam frame920. The solar cell beams902may have other shapes for a base, such as triangular or trapezoidal, as described elsewhere herein. Consequently, the solar cell beams902may have more or less active sides. As described with respect toFIGS.49and52A, some of the lateral edges of the prism-shaped solar cell beams902, particularly opposite lateral edges, may have extended lateral portions903protruding outwards. The extended lateral portions903may give a fin-type structure to the solar cell beams902, which such fin may create additional solar energy harvesting active sides907e-h, as described elsewhere herein.

By way of example and not limitation, the solar cell beams902may have the same amount and type of solar cells, as described elsewhere herein. By way of example and not limitation, the solar cell beams902may originally be designed and manufactured in such a prism shape, as described elsewhere. By way of example and not limitation, the solar cell beams902may have the prism shape by having planar solar cells attached to a prism frame, as described elsewhere herein. By way of example and not limitation, each of the solar cell beams902may have a unitarily formed body or be made of separate modular pieces, as described elsewhere herein.

As shown inFIG.48, and by way of example and not limitation, the square-prism solar cell beams902may each have four active sides907a-dfor harvesting solar energy, each active side907a-dbeing on a lateral face of the square prism. By way of example and not limitation, lateral faces having the active sides907a-dmay have a face width909between 0.5 to three inches. With the solar cell beams902having four active sides907a-dall in a space where one active side of a planar solar panel would normally occupy, the solar power harvesting of the stacker solar platform908may improve. By way of example and not limitation, if each square-prism solar cell beam902has a face width909of one-inch, then the solar harvesting capacity in the space that such solar cell beam902occupies may quadruple when compared to a planar solar panel of the same dimension occupying such space. This may be because the solar cell beam902has four one-inch wide active sides when compared to the single one-inch wide conventional planar solar panel occupying the same space.

By way of example and not limitation, each solar cell beam902of each stacked row904may rotate clockwise and counterclockwise between 0 to 360-degrees about a central axis in the center of the cross-sectional base of the solar cell beam902, the central axis extending along the width913of the stacker frame920, as shown inFIG.51A. By way of example and not limitation, such rotation may be done by a pivoting mechanism914about the central axis of the solar cell beam902. By way of example and not limitation, the pivoting mechanism914may be connection or rotation pins pivotably coupled to the center of the cross-sectional base of the solar cell beam902and attached to the horizontal support structures920bof the stacker frame920. By way of example and not limitation, the pivoting mechanism914may be as described elsewhere herein.

By way of example and not limitation, the rotation of the solar cell beams902in each stacked row904may be automated, as described elsewhere herein. By way of example and not limitation, the automated rotation may be based on the weather and the position of the sun that are dependent on the time of the day and year (e.g. months or seasons) and location of the stacker solar platform908. By way of example and not limitation, such automation may also take into consideration a rotational position of the solar cell beams902that takes into account one or more of the active sides907a-dreceiving scattered photons reflected from adjacent solar surfaces, such as the bottom solar panel708. By way of example and not limitation, the rotation of the solar cell beams902may be controlled by a software on a mobile device, as described elsewhere herein. By way of example and not limitation, the rotation of all of the solar cell beams902of all of the stacked rows904may be synchronized with each other, or each stacked row904and its solar cell beams902may rotate independent to the other stacked rows904.

As shown inFIG.48, and by way of example and not limitation, the embossed solar cell beams702of the embossed solar panel708may have a heating and cooling system910implemented within the base of the solar cell beams702. By way of example and not limitation, the heating and cooling system910may extend along the length of the of the embossed solar cell beams702and heat and cool the active sides707a-bthrough conduction, convection, radiation, or all three methods. By way of example and not limitation, the heating and cooling system910may be one or more conduits allowing hot or cold fluid to travel through the length of the embossed solar beam702to heat or cool the active sides707a-bfrom within the embossed solar cell beams702. By way of example and not limitation, the heating and cooling system910may also be implemented with the solar cell beams902of the stacker solar platform908similarly as to how the system is implemented with the embossed solar panel708.

The heating and cooling may be needed if the embossed solar panel708and the stacker solar platform908are installed in an environment with weather conditions that would cause ice to form on the solar panels or a place that is so warm as to overheat the solar panels. Alternatively, the heating and cooling system910may either be a heating system or a cooling system. By way of example and not limitation, a fanning system may be implemented near and facing the embossed solar panel708and solar cell beams902, such as being attached to the stacker frame920, to cool the stacker solar platform908instead, or in conjunction, of the heating and cooling system910.

Referring now toFIG.49, another example of the stacker solar platform908is shown. By way of example and not limitation, the stacker solar platform908ofFIG.49may be the same asFIG.48but the solar cell beams902of the stacked rows904may have additional active sides907c-h(e.g., one to eight additional active sides). This may be because some of the lateral edges of the prism-shaped solar cell beams902, particularly opposite lateral edges, may have extended lateral portions903protruding outwards as planar bars, as described elsewhere herein. The extended lateral portions903may give a fin-type structure to the solar cell beams902, which such fins may create additional active sides907e-h. By way of example and not limitation, the extended later portions903may have active sides907e-hwith lateral face width909bbetween 0.5 to three inches similar to the face width909aof the other active sides907a-d. As the solar cell beams902rotate, the extended lateral portions903may rotate and move upwards and downwards to face the sun at optimum orientations. Such rotations of the extended lateral portions903may also allow the active sides907e-hon such structures to capture scattered photons reflected from adjacent solar panel surfaces, such as from the solar surfaces of the bottom solar panel708.

By way of example and not limitation, if each of the active sides907a-hof a solar cell beam902, including the extended lateral portions903, have face widths909a-bof one-inches, then the solar harvesting capacity in the space that such solar cell beam902occupies may increase by eight times when compared to a planar solar panel of the same dimension occupying such space. This may be because the solar cell beam902has eight one-inch wide active sides907a-hwhen compared to the single one-inch wide planar solar panel occupying the same space. By way of example and not limitation, the stacker solar platform908may have a planar transparent solar panel912on the very top row of the stacker frame920, which the stacked rows904of solar cell beams902are under the transparent solar panel912. The planar transparent solar panel912may provide another layer of solar power harvesting while allowing the solar rays to reach the rest of the solar cell beams902and bottom solar panel708.

Referring now toFIG.50, the stacker solar platform908having stacked rows904with different types of solar cell beams902is shown. By way of example and not limitation, the top stacked row904may have solar cell beams902awith a cross-sectional base having a square or diamond shape, where extended lateral portions903protrude outwards from some of the lateral edges of the solar cell beams902a. By way of example and not limitation, the bottom stacked row904may have solar cell beams902with a cross-sectional base having a regular square shape and no extended lateral portions903.FIG.50also shows a solar cell beam902ahaving the extended lateral portion903rotating at an angle917relative to the upright and orthogonal orientation of the extended lateral portion903. By way of example and not limitation, the rotation angle917may be 10 to 180 degrees, clockwise or counterclockwise, relative to the upright orientation of the extended lateral portion903. By way of example and not limitation, additional support structures920cbetween the adjacent solar cell beams902of a stacked row904and the stacked row904themselves is shown.

FIGS.51A-Bshow perspective and top views of one stacked row904shown inFIG.48. Similarly,FIGS.52A-Bshow perspective and top views of one stacked row904shown inFIG.49.

By way of example and not limitation, the stacker solar platform908may have the same features as the other embodiments of solar platforms described elsewhere herein. By way of example and not limitation, the stacker solar platform908may be incorporated with different types of electric, hybrid, or regular internal combustion engine vehicles. Such vehicles may include trucks, vans, minivans, SUVs, semitrucks, buses, recreational vehicles, motorhomes, trailers, station wagons, hatchbacks, crossovers, sedans, coupes, compact automobiles, and other types of vehicles and automobiles. The stacker solar platform908may also be incorporated with buildings, such as parking structures, homes, office buildings, stadiums, and other types of building structures. The stacker solar platform908may also simply be on a frame and placed on the ground. Specifically with the incorporation of the stacker solar platform908with the vehicle, the stacker solar platform908may be attached or integrated with the roof of a vehicle or the top of a cap (e.g., a camper shell) or the tonneau cover of a truck, to name a few examples. The stacker solar platform908may be connected to the electrical components and a battery of the vehicle. For example, the stacker solar platform908may be used to charge the battery of an electric vehicle, a deep cycle battery, or charge and power other electronic devices. The stacker solar platform908may also be connected to a computing system of the vehicle to receive commands to deploy, fold, rotate, and operate some or all of the solar panels using an automated motorized mechanism, as described elsewhere herein. Alternatively, stacker solar platform908may have its own computing system that operates the solar panels. The stacker solar platform908may also be controlled and monitored by a software application on a mobile device, as described elsewhere herein.

FIGS.53A-Bshow another example of an embossed solar panel708which may be similar to the other embossed solar panels, described elsewhere herein. In this example, the embossed solar panel708may have embossed solar cell beams702having semi-cylindrical shapes, where each beam has a round active side707that is convex. By way of example and not limitation, the active sides707that are convex may each be reversed upside-down U-shape. The round active sides707that are convex may allow for more of the surface area of the embossed solar cell beam702to be exposed to the solar radiation of the sun at more durations of times during the day since the round active side707may be more continuous in its contours. By way of example and not limitation, there may exist flat planar portions706bhaving their own solar surfaces between adjacent embossed solar cell beams702. The flat planar portions706bmay allow for more of the arc-surface of the embossed solar cell beams702that are semi-cylindrical to be exposed to solar rays of the sun. By way of example and not limitation, the embossed solar cell beams702that are semi-cylindrical may be filled or partially hollow at their center. By way of example and not limitation, if the semi-cylindrical embossed solar cell beams702are hollow at their center, at least one or two of such solar cell beams may also be used to cover the outer surface area of a cylindrical pole, such as a telephone or electric pole. Consequently, utility poles may have active solar harvesting sides around the majority, if not the whole, of their surface areas. By way of example and not limitation, the solar cell beams702may be manufactured as semi-cylindrical or, alternatively, thin-film solar panels may be attached on top of the surface area of a semi-cylindrical beam frames.

FIGS.54A-Bshow an example of a debossed solar panel701which may be similar to the embossed solar panels, described elsewhere herein. In this example, the debossed solar panel701may have round active sides707that are concave and designed for solar energy harvesting, where such round active sides707extend downwards to make U-shaped solar surfaces. The round active sides707that are concave may allow for more of the surface area of the debossed solar cell beam702bto be exposed to the solar rays of the sun at more durations of times during the day since the round active side707is more continuous in its contours. The round active sides may be able to capture more scattered photons that get reflected from adjacent solar surfaces since such active sides are concave. By way of example and not limitation, the debossed solar cell beams702bmay be manufactured as concave or thin-film solar panels may be attached on top of concave beam frames.