SOLAR PANEL SYSTEM

The present invention relates to a solar panel system, particularly a novel solar panel design to increase performance in a cost-effective manner. The present invention includes a solar panel assembly. The solar panel assembly includes a plurality of elongated solar electric module which includes a first transparent material and a second transparent material. In addition, a solar electric material is disposed between the first transparent material and the second transparent material. The solar electric module may include an elongated array of one or more solar electric cells. Additionally, each array of the one or more solar electric cells include at least one bi-facial solar cell.

FIELD

The present invention relates to a solar panel system, particularly a novel solar panel design to increase performance in a cost-effective manner.

BACKGROUND

Solar panel technology has evolved over the last several decades. Solar panels typically include a flat sheet of semiconductor material which absorbs the sun's rays and converts the sun's light and heat to electrical energy. However, conventional solar panels composed of flat sheets are subjected to wind forces that may impact the structural integrity of the panels on a windy day or during a storm. Mounting systems for solar panels exists but are rather expensive to manufacture and install.

Therefore, a need exists for solar panels that are cost effective and structurally configured to withstand wind forces, as well as being easy to install. The present invention addresses this need.

SUMMARY

The present invention relates to a solar panel system, particularly a novel solar panel design to increase performance in a cost-effective manner. The present invention discloses an elongated solar electric module which includes a first transparent material and a second transparent material. A solar electric material may be disposed between the first transparent material and the second transparent material.

The present invention also discloses a solar panel assembly which includes a plurality of elongated solar electric tubes. Each of the elongated solar electric tubes has two or more adjacent planes. Additionally, the solar panel assembly includes a solar electric material comprising one or more arrays of solar electric cells spaced apart and coupled electrically. The solar electric material spans the two or more adjacent planes on inside portions of each elongated solar electric tube.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Before the present invention is described in detail, it is to be understood that, unless otherwise indicated, this invention is not limited to specific procedures or articles, whether described or not.

It is further to be understood that the terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to limit the scope of the present invention.

It must be noted that as used herein and in the claims, the singular forms “a,” and “the” include plural referents unless the context clearly dictates otherwise.

The present invention relates to a solar panel system, particularly a novel solar panel design to increase performance in a cost-effective manner. The present invention discloses an elongated solar electric module which includes a first transparent material and a second transparent material. The elongated solar electric module also includes a solar electric material disposed between the first transparent material and the second transparent material.

The solar panel system disclosed in the present invention is cost-effective as the material components of the solar electric module are readily abundant—transparent materials, solar cells, adhesives, and other commoditized materials. Furthermore, the present disclosure provides several embodiments of solar electric modules of lesser weight than conventional solar electric modules thereby facilitating easier installation.

In some implementations, the solar panel systems disclosed herein employs bi-facial solar cells to catch light directly from the sun and also light reflected from a surface (e.g., of a roof) directly under the solar panel systems.

FIG. 1is a cross-sectional view of a solar electric module100embodiment consistent with the present invention. A plurality of solar electric modules100may be installed within a solar panel. AlthoughFIG. 1shows a cross-sectional view of a solar electric module100, those having ordinary skill in the art may appreciate that solar electric module100has a tubular shape (e.g., elongated) and therefore its length is greater than its width.

A solar panel consistent with the present invention may include an elongated array of one or more solar electric modules. Likewise, each solar electric module may include an elongated array of solar electric cells spaced apart but coupled to each other electrically. In some implementations, each array of solar electric cells include bi-facial photovoltaic materials (e.g., solar cell).

AlthoughFIG. 1depicts that the cross-sectional view of solar electric module100is circularly-shaped, the present invention is not limited thereto. Solar electric module100may have any suitable cross-sectional shape so long as the performance of the solar electric module100is uninhibited.

In some embodiments, each solar electric module is spaced apart a distance that is at least one quarter the width of each elongated solar electric module. Further, the cross section of each solar electric module may be a square shape, triangular shape, elliptical shape, or circular shape. It should be known, however, that the present invention is not limited to these shapes but are representative and exemplary of embodiments of the present invention.

Solar electric module100absorbs solar light and converts said absorbed light into electrical energy. The converted electrical energy may be routed from the solar electric module100device. In the embodiment shown, the shape of first and second transparent materials107,108are intended to cause more sunlight to reach the solar electric material102.

First and second transparent material107,108may have a cross-sectional thickness in the range of 5-15 mm. For example, in one embodiment, the cross-sectional thickness of each transparent material107,108is approximately 10 mm.

Between first and second transparent material107,108lies a solar electric material. In various embodiments throughout this disclosure, solar electric material102is a photovoltaic material102. For example, photovoltaic material102may comprise monocrystalline silicon, polycrystalline silicon, amorphous silicon, cadmium telluride, or copper indium gallium selenide/sulfide. Photovoltaic material102absorbs incident solar light and converts the light energy into electrical energy.

In one or more embodiments of the present invention, photovoltaic material102is embedded in adhesive material layer103. As shown in the figure, the top surface105of adhesive material103is incident to the bottom surface of first transparent material107. Furthermore, the bottom surface106of adhesive material103is incident to the top surface of second transparent material108.

In this disclosure, the materials (e.g., photovoltaic material102and adhesive material103) between first transparent material107and second transparent material108may be collectively referred to as a stack111of materials.

FIG. 2is a cross-sectional view of another solar electric module200embodiment consistent with the present invention which has an asymmetric transparent material thickness. Solar electric module200is similar to the solar electric module shown inFIG. 1as solar electric module200includes a stack211of materials between the first and second transparent materials207,208.

Stack211includes a photovoltaic material202disposed between adhesive materials203a,203b. Stack211also includes lateral material layers204a,204bon the sides of photovoltaic material202and adhesive materials203a,203b. Lateral material layers204a,204bmay be electrically resistive to electrically isolate photovoltaic material202within the solar electric module200. Lateral material layers204a,204bmay comprise silicone, butyl rubber, or any other suitable material known in the art.

In some embodiments, the top surface205of adhesive material layer203ais incident to first transparent material207whereas the bottom surface206of adhesive material layer203bis incident to second transparent material208. In some embodiments, lateral material layers204a,204bmay have adhesive properties as well.

Notably, the area of first transparent material207is less than the area of second transparent material208. As shown, the cross-sectional thickness209of first transparent material207is less than the cross-sectional thickness210of second transparent material208. In some embodiments, cross-sectional thicknesses209,210of the first and second transparent materials207,208, respectfully, may range from 5-15 mm. For example, cross-sectional thickness209of first transparent material207may be 8 mm whereas the cross-sectional thickness210of second transparent material208may be approximately 10 mm.

FIG. 3is a cross-sectional view of another representative embodiment of a solar electric module300consistent with the present invention which has a unique shape for a first transparent material301and a second transparent material302. Solar electric module300has a stack311of material layers between first and second transparent materials301,302.

In the figure, first transparent material301has a triangular shape whereas second transparent material302has a semi-circular shape. The different shapes of transparent materials301,302effect various performance attributes and may enable easier or cheaper device manufacturing.

Each transparent material301,302may have an effect on the solar electric material. For example, the round shape of second transparent material302may allow wind to flow smoothly there beneath. Accordingly, the overall shape of solar electric module300may be aerodynamically suited to provide a stable apparatus that is resistant to wind forces.

FIG. 4is a cross-sectional view of another solar electric module400embodiment consistent with the present invention which has a non-planar transparent material configuration. Solar electric module400includes a stack411of material layers disposed between first and second transparent materials401,405.

Notably, solar electric module400includes disjointed, photovoltaic materials402a,402bto facilitate the bend in the first and second transparent materials401,405. In the embodiment, the photovoltaic materials402a,402bare enmeshed within adhesive material403. In the embodiment shown, first and second transparent materials401,405each have a bent portion in a central region therein.

FIG. 5is another cross-sectional view of another solar electric module500embodiment consistent with the present invention which has an asymmetric transparent material configuration. Solar electric module500is similar to the solar electric module shown in the previous figure. Accordingly, solar electric module500includes a stack511of material layers disposed between first and second transparent materials501,502.

Notably, second transparent material502has a quadrilateral shape with a hollow portion512. Hollow portion512may provide many benefits to solar electric module500and therefore the solar panel which contains these modules.

For example, hollow portion512facilitates a cost-effective solar electric module as it may require fewer kilograms of glass than conventional solar electric modules. Therefore, solar panels which incorporate solar electric modules500are easier to install as they are lesser in weight. Moreover, the configuration of solar electric module500may yield a much stronger assembly than solar electric modules made of conventional planar glass sheets (transparent materials).

FIG. 6is a cross-sectional view of another representative embodiment of a solar electric module600consistent with the present invention which has an asymmetric transparent material configuration. Solar electric module600includes a stack611of material layers disposed between first and second transparent materials601,602.

Notably, first transparent material601is similar to the first transparent material in the previous figure. However, second transparent material602is shaped such that a first half is triangular but the bottom half is semi-circular. The hollow portion512may also yield a stronger assembly than a solar electric module comprising planar transparent sheets.

FIG. 7is a cross-sectional view of another representative embodiment of a solar electric module700consistent with the present invention which has an asymmetrical transparent material configuration. The solar electric module700includes an asymmetrically-shaped first transparent material702and an asymmetrically-shaped second transparent material701with a stack711of materials (e.g., photovoltaic and adhesion materials) disposed there between. Additionally, as shown, second transparent material701has a hollow portion712therein.

FIG. 8is a cross-sectional view of another solar electric module800embodiment consistent with the present invention which has a single quadrilaterally-shaped transparent material configuration. On an inside surface of the transparent material801is a stack814of materials.

Stack814includes adhesive material803, solar electric materials (e.g., photovoltaic material layers)802a,802b, and material layer813. In some embodiments, photovoltaic material layers802a,802bare bi-facial.

The photovoltaic material layers802a,802bmay be adhered to the transparent material801by an adhesive material803. In some implementations, adhesive material803is disposed between an inside portion of transparent material801and photovoltaic material layers802a,802b. On opposing sides of each photovoltaic material layer802a,802bis a material layer813.

In some embodiments, material layer813comprises one or more transparent materials which are designed to reduce the reflection of light that enter the lower side of the photovoltaic material. In some implementations, material layer813includes an anti-reflective material.

Material layer813may comprise silicone or ethyl vinyl acetate but the present invention is not limited thereto. In some implementations, material layer813may be relatively weak mechanically and may have optical properties which allow light to effectively reach the bi-facial solar cells802a,802b. Notably, the solar electric module801functions well to collect and convert sunlight into electrical energy although the bottom side of solar electric materials802a,802bare not adjacent to a transparent material (e.g., the bottom half portion of transparent material801).

Adhesive material803may have a thickness below one millimeter. Material layer813may comprise any composition such that when reflected light rays are incident thereto, material layer813facilitates their transmission to the photovoltaic material layers802a,802b. Transparent material801has a hollow portion812therein.

FIG. 9is a cross-sectional view of another solar electric module900embodiment consistent with the present invention which has a single transparent material configuration. Solar electric module900has bi-facial photovoltaic material layers902a,902bdisposed upon and adhered to (e.g., via adhesive material903) an inside surface of the transparent material901. Adhesive material903may have a thickness below one millimeter. Transparent material901includes a hollow portion912therein. In some implementations, material layer913includes an anti-reflective material.

In some implementations, material layer913may be relatively weak mechanically and may have optical properties which allow light to effectively reach the bi-facial solar cells902a,902b. Notably, the solar electric module901functions well to collect and convert sunlight into electrical energy although the bottom side of solar electric materials902a,902bare not adjacent to a transparent material (e.g., the bottom half portion of transparent material901).

FIG. 10Ais a cross-sectional view of another solar electric module1000having a varying thickness along a single quadrilaterally-shaped transparent material. Solar electric module1000features a single outer transparent material1001with stacks of adhesive-solar cell-adhesive layers1003/1002a/1003,1003/1002b/1003therein.

In addition, solar electric module1000includes a hollow portion1012therein. Adhesive material1003may have a thickness below one millimeter. In some implementations, material layer1013includes an anti-reflective material.

As shown, the variation in thickness is noted by section1010at the bottom of transparent material1001. Notably, below the hollow portion1012near one end of the transparent material1001is a thicker portion1011of transparent material1001.

The thicker portion1011of transparent material1001may increase the amount of reflected light that reaches the photovoltaic material layers1003a,1003bas the index of refraction of the transparent material1001causes the reflected light to bend inside of the transparent material1001preferably towards the photovoltaic material layers1003a,1003b.

In some implementations, material layer1013may be relatively weak mechanically and may have optical properties which allow light to effectively reach the bi-facial solar cells1002a,1002b. Notably, the solar electric module1001functions well to collect and convert sunlight into electrical energy although the bottom side of solar electric materials1002a,1002bare not adjacent to a transparent material (e.g., the bottom half portion of transparent material1001).

FIG. 10Bis a cross-sectional view of solar electric module1000having a varying thickness along a single quadrilaterally-shaped transparent material having an extra transparent layer on a bottom region. As shown, solar electric module1000features a single outer transparent material1001with stacks of adhesive-solar cell-adhesive layers1003/1002a/1003,1003/1002b/1003therein. Notably, the variation in thickness may be accomplished by adding a second transparent material.

In some embodiments, material layer1011comprises a transparent material which may be formed by solidifying a liquid transparent material at one end of the transparent material1001(below the hollow portion). Advantageously, material layer1010may increase the amount of reflected light that reaches the photovoltaic material layers1002a,1002bas the index of refraction of the transparent material (e.g., >1) causes the reflected light to bend inside of the transparent material1001preferably towards the photovoltaic material layers1002a,1002b. In some embodiments, material layer1011has the same index of refraction as transparent material1001.

FIG. 11is a cross-sectional view of another solar electric module1100embodiment consistent with the present invention which has a circularly-shaped transparent material with a solar electric material therein. The solar electric module1100shown in the figure depicts a circular transparent material1101(with a hollow portion1112) within which solar electric materials1102a,1102bare disposed upon an internal wall of the transparent material1101. Implementation of solar electric module1100may be advantageous as solar electric modules with a circular shape may be relatively cheap to manufacture. Additionally, the circular transparent materials are plentiful in the marketplace thereby reducing costs.

Solar electric materials1102a,1102bmay adhere to an inside wall of the transparent material1101via regions of adhesive material1103. Further, material layer1113may be disposed on a backside of the solar electric materials1102a,1102baccording to choice and design. In some implementations, material layer1113includes an anti-reflective material.

FIG. 12Ais a perspective view of a solar panel1200having a plurality of solar electric modules1201. Notably, solar electric modules1201span the width of the solar panel. The solar electric modules may be spaced apart by any suitable distance such that the solar panel1200is structurally compatible to withstand strong winds and provide enough photovoltaic material to absorb sunlight energy.

FIG. 12Bis a cross-sectional view of the solar panel1200about line A-A. In particular, about line A-A, the cross-sections of solar electric modules1201a-1201dare exposed. In addition, the frame ends1215a,1215bare depicted to illustrate the solar electric modules1201a-1201dalong line A-A.

Notably, the cross-section of solar electric modules1201is consistent with the solar electric modules inFIG. 11. However, the present invention is not limited thereto as the solar electric modules1201of solar panel1200may be any of the representative embodiments discussed within this disclosure. In some implementations, solar panel1200may consist of a hybrid of solar electric modules such that their cross-sections may differ from one solar electric module to another.

The preceding Description and accompanying Drawings describe examples of embodiments in some detail to aid understanding. However, the scope of protection may also include equivalents, permutations, and combinations that are not explicitly described herein. Only the claims appended here (along with those of parent, child, or divisional patents, if any) define the limits of the protected intellectual-property rights.