Patent Publication Number: US-2023140222-A1

Title: Heated Sun Shade, Heated Solar Powered Sun Shade, and Method

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This patent application claims priority to and the benefit of each of U.S. Patent Application Ser. No. 63/272,968, filed 2021 Oct. 28, entitled Heated Sun Shade, Heated Solar Powered Sun Shade, and Method; U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 63/277,032, filed 2021 Nov. 8, entitled “Heated Sun Shade, Heated Solar Powered Sun Shade, and Method”; and U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 63/299,564, filed 2022 Jan. 14, entitled “Heated Sun Shade, Heated Solar Powered Sun Shade, and Method”; the entirety of each of which is incorporated by reference herein. 
    
    
     TECHNICAL FIELD 
     This disclosure relates to panels and vehicle components containing solar cells and photovoltaic (PV) modules. This disclosure pertains to heated solar panels in the form of vehicle sun shades used as solar shields and to solar panels on vehicle components including vehicle glass and panels, and heated solar panels in general. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Techniques are known for shielding sun within a parked vehicle using folding or rolled-up sun shades. Techniques are also known for charging batteries using solar panels. Electric vehicles are also parked in sunny areas and can heat up from solar energy transferred into the vehicle. Improvements are needed to make such usage more energy efficient and to increase available real estate for providing solar panels and operating availability including when moisture or condensate occlusion can otherwise inhibit visibility and solar collection for both vehicle and mobile panel applications. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     Stowable solar panels and integrated solar panels on vehicles and portable solar panels are provided with heaters that enable a user to clear moisture or condensate occlusion, such as droplets, mist, frost, or snow, from a front surface of the solar panel and to heat vehicle windows to enable usage by a user without such occlusion. Glass integrated solar panels are provided laminated in sunroof glass and roof glass with elongate heaters. Solar panels are also provided on roof panels along with elongate heaters and in association with other vehicle components, such as tonneau covers. 
     According to one aspect, a vehicle sun shade is provided having a sun shade, at least one solar cell, and a heat source. The sun shade has a light receiving portion configured to be carried beneath a vehicle wind shield. The at least one solar cell is provided in the light receiving portion. The heat source is provided proximate the at least one solar cell traversing the light receiving portion configured to mitigate condensate occlusion of the at least one solar cell on a vehicle wind shield. 
     According to another aspect, a vehicle sun shade is provided having a sun shade and at least one solar cell. The sun shade has a light receiving portion configured to be carried beneath a vehicle wind shield. The at least one solar cell is provided in the light receiving portion. 
     According to yet another aspect, a method is provided for heating a vehicle sun shade. The method includes: providing a sun shade, at least one solar cell provided on the sun shade, and a heat source provided proximate the at least one solar cell; delivering power to the heat source; and generating heat from the heat source responsive to delivering power to the heat source to heat the at least one solar cell on the sun shade to mitigate any condensate or moisture occlusion of the at least one solar cell on the sun shade and/or a vehicle window in front and/or beneath the sun shade. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       Preferred embodiments of the disclosure are described below with reference to the following accompanying drawings. 
         FIG.  1    is a perspective view from above of a vehicle having a stowable heated solar collector sun shade provided beneath a front windshield of the vehicle and atop a rear window sun shade. 
         FIG.  2    is a perspective view from above of the heated solar panel sun shade of  FIG.  1   . 
         FIG.  3    is a plan view from above of a flat, unrolled configuration of the heated solar panel sun shade of  FIG.  2   . 
         FIG.  4    is a right side view of the heated solar panel sun shade of  FIG.  3   . 
         FIG.  5    is a front edge view of the heated solar panel sun shade of  FIG.  3   . 
         FIG.  6    is a simplified front edge view of the heated solar panel sun shade of  FIG.  5    being rolled up for storage. 
         FIG.  7    is a simplified cross-sectional view of a selected rectangular segment of the heated solar panel sun shade taken along line  7 - 7  of  FIG.  3   . 
         FIG.  8    is a perspective view from above of the selected segment of the heated solar panel sun shade of  FIG.  7   . 
         FIG.  9    is an exploded perspective view from above of the selected segment of the heated solar panel sun shade of  FIG.  8   . 
         FIG.  10    is a perspective view from above of a vehicle roof having a heated solar panel array integrated onto the roof. 
         FIG.  11    is an exploded perspective view from above of a vehicle roof having a heated solar panel array integrated into a glass roof/skylight portion of a roof. 
         FIG.  12    is a simplified block diagram of the heated solar panel sun shade of  FIGS.  1 - 9    with a control and power system module used to supply and store power with the heated solar panel sun shade. 
         FIG.  13    is a perspective view from above and in front of an alternative vehicle roof having a heated solar panel array integrated into a laminated glass roof or sunroof of the vehicle having a polycarbonate top surface. 
         FIG.  14    is a perspective view from above and behind the heated solar panel array of  FIG.  13   . 
         FIG.  15    is an enlarged view of the heated solar panel array taken from encircled region  15  of  FIG.  14   . 
         FIG.  16    is an exploded perspective view of the heated solar panel array of  FIGS.  13 - 15   . 
         FIG.  17    is a perspective view from above and in front of a second alternative vehicle roof having a heated solar panel roof assembly, or array integrated into a laminated glass roof or sunroof of the vehicle having a polycarbonate intermediate layer. 
         FIG.  18    is an enlarged view of the heated solar panel taken from encircled region  18  of  FIG.  17   . 
         FIG.  19    is a perspective view from above and in front of another alternative vehicle roof having a heated solar panel array integrated into a laminated glass roof or sunroof of the vehicle having a thin film heater trace provided in a middle layer. 
         FIG.  20    is a perspective view from above and behind the heated solar panel array of  FIG.  19   . 
         FIG.  21    is an enlarged view of the heated solar panel taken from encircled region  21  of  FIG.  20   . 
         FIG.  22    is an exploded perspective view of the heated solar panel of  FIGS.  19 - 21   . 
         FIG.  23    is an enlarged view of one of the elongate heaters taken from encircled region  23  of  FIG.  22   . 
         FIG.  24    is a simplified perspective view of a laminated glass body or roof heated solar panel having a first lamination configuration relative to a pair of laminated glass panels with both a PV module and a heater array on top of a top glass panel. 
         FIG.  25    is a simplified perspective view of a laminated glass body or roof heated solar panel having a second lamination configuration relative to a pair of laminated glass panels with a PV module on top of a top glass panel and a heater array in a middle layer between a top glass panel and a bottom glass panel. 
         FIG.  26    is a simplified perspective view of a laminated glass body or roof heated solar panel having a third lamination configuration relative to a pair of laminated glass panels with a PV module on top of a top glass panel and a heater array in a bottom layer beneath a top glass panel and a bottom glass panel. 
         FIG.  27    is a simplified perspective view of a laminated glass body or roof heated solar panel having a fourth lamination configuration relative to a pair of laminated glass panels with a PV module in a middle layer and a heater array on top of a top glass panel. 
         FIG.  28    is a simplified perspective view of a laminated glass body or roof heated solar panel having a fifth lamination configuration relative to a pair of laminated glass panels with both a PV and a heater array in a middle layer between a top glass panel and a bottom glass panel. 
         FIG.  29    is a simplified perspective view of a laminated glass body or roof heated solar panel having a sixth lamination configuration relative to a pair of laminated glass panels with a PV module in a middle layer beneath a top glass panel and a heater array in a bottom layer beneath a top glass panel and a bottom glass panel. 
         FIG.  30    is a simplified perspective view of a laminated glass body or roof heated solar panel having a seventh lamination configuration relative to a pair of laminated glass panels with a PV module on a bottom layer and a heater array on top of a top glass panel. 
         FIG.  31    is a simplified perspective view of a laminated glass body or roof heated solar panel having an eighth lamination configuration relative to a pair of laminated glass panels with a PV module in a bottom layer beneath a bottom glass panel and a heater array in a middle layer between a top glass panel and a bottom glass panel. 
         FIG.  32    is a simplified perspective view of a laminated glass body or roof heated solar panel having a ninth lamination configuration relative to a pair of laminated glass panels with both a PV module and a heater array in a bottom layer beneath a top glass panel and a bottom glass panel. 
         FIG.  33    is a perspective view from above and behind of a tonneau cover for a truck having an array of heated solar panels each having PV modules and elongate heater arrays. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     This disclosure is submitted in furtherance of the constitutional purposes of the U.S. Patent Laws “to promote the progress of science and useful arts” (Article 1, Section 8). 
     As used herein, the term “sun shade” is used interchangeably with “sun screen” and is intended to cover any window or body panel device providing some degree of sun shading, concealment, or protection. 
       FIG.  1    is a perspective view from above of a vehicle, or automobile  10  having a stowable heated solar collector sun shade  12  provided beneath a front windshield, or window  14  of vehicle  10 , as well as a rear sun shade, or louver  112  spaced over a rear windshield, or window  19 . More particularly, sun shade, or sun screen  12  includes an array of electrically coupled together solar cell panels, or photovoltaic (PV) modules  22  carried on a stowable sun screen panel  20  that is opened and installed beneath windshield  14  in order to block or filter light transmission into an inside of vehicle  10 . In summertime, sun screen  12  is used to reduce solar heating of an inside of a vehicle  10  and solar cell panels  22  convert and collect electric power for storage in one or more batteries on the vehicle. For the case of a primarily electrical vehicle, such power collection helps extend the vehicle performance and range by helping to recharge the operating batteries. Such power collection can also be used to charge a battery that is used to charge other devices, such as ebikes, electric scooters, phones, laptop computers, or electric tools associated with the vehicle. In wintertime, cold and wet weather can generate a risk for condensate occlusion on windshield, or window  14  and elongate heaters  24  drawing stored power from one or more batteries to mitigate or remove occlusion from above each solar panel  22  on windshield  14 , such as frost, snow, or moisture buildup. Using such a system to charge a fat tire ebike can place the user in inclement weather in the mountains, including under snow and ice conditions. Likewise, sun shade  112  includes a plurality of solar cell photovoltaic (PV) modules  122  and elongate, circuitous heaters  124  on a rear louvered sun shade frame  120  over rear window  19 . 
     Although sun shade  12  is shown beneath a vehicle windshield  14 , it is understood that sun shade  12  could be placed atop a vehicle windshield  14  with solar cell panels  22  provided proximate a top surface to collect the sun and heaters  24  provided on a bottom surface to heat windshield  14  to remove frost or moisture buildup. Such sun shade can also be provided on/under a front windshield, a sun roof, a rear windshield, side windows, front, or on side and rear sun shades, or louvers or air deflectors, or any vehicle body panel. Likewise, such a panel can be affixed with suction cups or removable fasteners to an outer panel surface of a vehicle when parked and not in use, such as while parked in an airport parking lot. Furthermore, it is understood that any form of panel, including rolled up and folded panels, can be used with solar cell panels  22  and heaters  24  to provide heating that mitigates condensate occlusion from solar cell panels  22  on such panel. For example, such heated solar panel arrays can be provided on vehicle sun visors and pickup truck tonneau covers, and rear truck bed covers. Such heated solar cell panels  22  can be used on other areas, as previously mentioned, including on a vehicle roof  16  and a vehicle hood  18 , or rendered as portable, stowable (folded or rolled) heated solar panels used by hikers, troops, or in mobile applications. Such heater solar cell panels  22  can also be affixed to exterior surfaces of a vehicle using adhesives. Optionally, the elongate heaters can be omitted to provide a sun screen capable of charging/recharging batteries associated with a vehicle. Such systems can also be used on combustion engine powered vehicles as well. 
       FIG.  2    is a perspective view from above of the heated solar panel sun shade  12  of  FIG.  1   . Left and right mirror image halves of panel  20  carry an array of solar panels, or cells  22  and a respective elongate, or rope heater  24  that circuitously encircles a group of solar cells  22  to impart local heating to a light transmissible windshield that is provided over sun shade  12  to mitigate condensate occlusion. In order to ease viewing, a clear top plastic sheet  26  (see  FIG.  7   ) has been omitted from sun shade  12  in  FIGS.  2 - 5   , but is shown in  FIGS.  7 - 9    in laminated assembly. 
       FIG.  3    is a plan view from above of a flat, unrolled configuration of the heated solar panel sun shade  12  of  FIG.  2   . Symmetric mirror image layout of an array of solar cell panels, or photovoltaic (PV) modules  22  onto panel  20  is shown with a pair of mirror image rope heaters  24  encompassing many of solar cell panels  22 . Each PV module includes a square array of individual solar cells  23  electrically wired together to collect heat and generate electric current to one or more battery systems. 
     Elongate heater  24  of  FIG.  3    can be formed from any of a number of elongate heaters, such as rope heaters having a linear elongate heater tube having a plastic outer tube, such as a PTFE high temperature tube with an inner Nichrome (or Nichromium) resistance heating wire powered with electric current. In one case, the rope heater is a heat generating resistance wire having an elongate encasement comprising a cover segment of plastic (such as PTFE) having an inner cavity of thermally transmissive, temperature mitigating, and electrically insulative material encompassing the elongate heating wire contained within the inner cavity. Optionally, a such a tube can have Indium Tin Oxide coating in an inner bore of the tube, or a Positive Temperature Coefficient (PTC) heating element within the bore. Such outer tube can also be filled with an epoxy or other filler material that increases thermal mass. Such tube can also take on any of a number of shapes, or cross-sections including round, elliptical, square, rectangular, tear drop, web-shaped, or any other suitable configuration for carrying and encasing the core heating element (Nichrome wire, Indium Tin Oxide inner coating, or PTC heater). It is also understood that such sun shade  12  can omit the top clear plastic layer. 
       FIGS.  4  and  5    show heated solar panel sun shade  12  in side and front edge views.  FIG.  6    illustrates one technique for stowing sun shade  12 ; namely by rolling flexible sun shade  12  into a tube. Optionally, individual fold lines can be imparted into panel  20  to facilitate folding such sun shade  12  into an accordion folded rectangular pattern. Other stowage patterns can also be realized. 
       FIG.  7    is a simplified cross-sectional view of a selected rectangular segment of heated solar panel sun shade  12  taken along line  7 - 7  of  FIG.  3   . More particularly, panel  20  comprises a top light transmissible, or clear plastic sheet, or layer  26 , a central foam core layer  30 , and a bottom radiant heat reflective layer  34 , such as Mylar, or aluminum foil. A circuitous groove  28  in layer  26  and core  30  is provided to receive elongate heater  24  according to one construction. Solar cell panel, or photovoltaic (PV) module  22  is adhesively affixed into a recess in core  30  beneath clear layer  24 . Layers  24  and  34 , core  30 , heater  24  and solar cell module  22  are all vacuum bagged and adhesively bonded together according to one construction. Optionally, groove  28  can be eliminated and rope heater  24  can be constructed from a small diameter PTFE tube with an inner Nichrome resistance heating wire that is pressed into a top surface of foam core  30 , or sits atop core  30  while clear plastic top sheet  26  is affixed thereatop. 
       FIG.  8    is a perspective view from above of the selected segment of the heated solar panel sun shade  12  of  FIG.  7   . More particularly, panel  20  shows elongate groove, or recess  28  in panel  20  for receiving clear layer, or plastic sheet  24  flush relative to a top surface. Solar cell panel  22  is also recessed into a top surface of panel  20 . 
       FIG.  9    is an exploded perspective view from above of the selected segment of the heated solar panel sun shade  12  of  FIG.  8   . More particularly, panel  20  comprises a translucent, light transmitting top surface  26 , such as a flexible plastic top sheet, a foam core  30 , and a bottom heat reflective sheet  34 . Elongate, or rope heater  24  is received in a circuitous path, or groove  28  formed in core  32  and solar panel  26  is received in a similar recess  32  in core  30 . Rope heater  24  comprises a central resistance heating wire  21 , such as a Nichrome resistance heating wire, and an outer temperature mitigating, thermally conductive and electrically insulative plastic covering  23 , such as a polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) cover, or tube. According to one construction, rope heater is one of a number of PTFE (or high temperature plastic) covered or tubular heaters having a resistive heating wire contained therein, such as shown in U.S. Pub 20200340660 A1, herein incorporated by reference. 
       FIG.  10    is a perspective view from above of a vehicle roof  16  for a vehicle  10  having a heated solar panel array  212  integrated onto a top surface of roof  16 . More particularly, heated solar panel array  212  includes an array of electrically coupled together solar cell panels, or photovoltaic (PV) modules  222  and circuitous elongate heaters  224  configured to distribute heat about the array of modules  222 . As shown in  FIG.  10   , heated solar panel array  212  can be implemented in combination with one or more of arrays  12  and  112  shown in  FIG.  1   . Array  222  is forward of spoiler array  112  above rear window  19  and aft of front windshield  14 . 
     As shown in  FIG.  10   , heated solar panel array  212  is formed as a vacuum-bagged and adhesively bonded together array  212  including a bottom plastic carrier layer  234 , photovoltaic (PV) modules  222 , elongate heaters  224  and clear, or light transmissible plastic top layer  226 . The assembly of array  212  is then adhesively affixed atop roof  16 . Optionally, fasteners and/or trim moldings can be used to affix array  212  atop roof  16 . According to one construction layers  226  and  234  are each formed from a thin sheet of polycarbonate. Optionally, layer  234  can be formed from a composite material, such as a carbon fiber sheet or other suitable support sheet. 
       FIG.  11    is an exploded perspective view from above of a vehicle roof  16  on vehicle  10  having a heated solar panel array  312  including and integrated into a glass roof/skylight portion of roof  16  supported in roof opening  370  providing an optional construction over that shown in  FIG.  10   . In some cases, array  312  can encompass an entire roof top on a vehicle. More particularly, a pair of circuitous elongate heaters  324  are arranged about an array of photovoltaic (PV) modules  322  and sandwiched between a pair of sheets of vinyl interlayer, or polyvinyl butyral (PVB) film  378  and  380  and further sandwiched between two layers of glass  374  and  376 . Such sandwich construction is similar to how vehicle front windshield safety glass is manufactured, but two layers of interlayer  278  and  280  are provided. Optionally, a single interlay of PVB film could be used on top or below the PV modules and heaters. The resulting construction uses opposed pressure rollers and heat to join together the sandwiched together layers. The sandwich assembly of glass  374  and  376 , PVB interlayers  378  and  380 , heaters  324 , and PV modules  322  (and any associated sensors) are then sealed with urethane (not shown) into sunroof opening  370  of roof  16  and a circumferential trim piece  372  is affixed thereatop with fasteners and/or adhesive, or such fasteners (and a gasket seal) can be used to retain the resulting assembly onto associated roof structural members. 
     As shown in  FIGS.  1 ,  10  and  11   , one suitable PV module is a bare module, large scale PV module group available from Ascent Solar Technologies, Inc., (www.ascentsolar.com), 12300 Grant St., Thornton, CO 80241-3120 USA. Another suitable PV module is a PowerFilm Solar rollable solar panel available from PowerFilm, Inc. 1287 XE Place Ames, IA 50014 USA. Yet another suitable solar panel is available as an eFlex lightweight and flexible solar panel available from Flisom AG, Gewerbestrasse 16, 8155 Niederhasli, Switzerland. 
     Also as shown in  FIGS.  1 ,  10  and  11   , elongate heaters  24 ,  124  and  224  can be formed from any of a number of elongate heaters, such as rope heaters having a linear elongate heater tube having a plastic outer tube, such as a PTFE high temperature tube with an inner Nichrome (or Nichromium) resistance heating wire. In one case, the rope heater is a heat generating resistance wire having an elongate encasement comprising a cover segment of plastic (such as polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE), such as a thin round cross-section PTFE tubing, having an inner cavity of thermally transmissive, temperature mitigating, and electrically insulative material encompassing the elongate heating wire contained within the inner cavity. Optionally, a such a tube can have Indium Tin Oxide coating in an inner bore of the tube, or a Positive Temperature Coefficient (PTC) heating element within the bore. Such outer tube can also be filled with an epoxy or other filler material that increases thermal mass. Such tube can also take on any of a number of shapes, or cross-sections including round, elliptical, square, rectangular, tear drop, web-shaped, or any other suitable configuration for carrying and encasing the core heating element (Nichrome wire, Indium Tin Oxide inner coating, or PTC heater). It is also understood that such sun shade  12  can omit the top clear plastic layer. Further optionally, strips, webs, circuitous paths, or tracks of Indium Tin Oxide or Positive Temperature Coefficient (PTC) heater material can be used to form elongate heaters about PV modules in an array. 
       FIG.  12    is a simplified block diagram of the heated solar panel sun shade  12  of  FIG.  1 - 9    with a control and power system module  38  used to supply and store power with the heated solar panel sun shade  12 . More particularly, sun shade  12  includes an array of solar cell panels, or photovoltaic (PV) modules  22 , a pair of elongate heaters  24 , an occlusion, or light detector  64 , and a pair of thermal sensors  66  and  68 . A wiring harness  56  extends between sun shade  12  and module  38  with pairs of electrical connectors  58  and  60  at each end to facilitate maintenance, installation, and repair. Wiring harness  56  comprises an array of parallel individual insulation covered electrical conductors, or wires  62 . 
     Module  38  of  FIG.  12    includes a control system  40  including processing circuitry  42 , memory  44 , charge controller  47  and a control scheme  46  in the form of an algorithm that directs operation of heaters  24  based on feedback signals from sensors  64 ,  66  and  68 . A USB connector and interface are also coupled with control system  40  to enable charging of one or more batteries  48  and  50 . Battery  50  is inside of module  38  and comprises a portable lithium ion battery connected with an electrical power supply interface connector  54  with control system  40 . Optionally, battery  50  can be a battery storage system in a truck of a vehicle configured for charging associated power tools, ebikes, scooters, electric motorcycles, electric UHVs or ATVs, electric snowmobiles, or other electric devices or tools. An external vehicle battery  48 , either a starting battery or a storage battery for an electric vehicle, is also connected with an electrical power supply interface connector  52  with control system  40 . A charging algorithm in control scheme  46  with charge controller  47  can direct when power is used to top off or trickle charge battery  48  and/or battery  50 , as well as when to apply heat via heaters  24  depending on detected need from temperature conditions received as signals from one or more of sensors  64 ,  66  and  68 . 
       FIG.  13    is a perspective view from above and in front of an alternative vehicle roof having a heated solar panel assembly, or array  412  integrated into a laminated glass roof or sunroof of the vehicle having a polycarbonate top surface with an array of PV modules  422  encompassed by and proximate to a pair of elongate heaters  424  provided beneath the top surface. Array  412  can for a sunroof portion of a vehicle roof or can form an entire rooftop assembly for a vehicle. Optionally, such array  412  can be a steel roof panel having such an array with a light transmissible polycarbonate top surface and PV modules and heaters provided atop the roof panel and beneath the top surface. 
       FIG.  14    is a perspective view from above and behind of heated solar panel assembly, or array  412  of  FIG.  13   . PV modules  422  and elongate heaters  424  are shown in a rear side view from above. 
       FIG.  15    is an enlarged view of heated solar panel assembly, or array  412  taken from encircled region  15  of  FIG.  14   . More particularly, an outer polycarbonate sheet, or layer  472  is affixed atop a pair of laminated safety glass layers  474  and  476  that are affixed together with a middle, or interlayer of polyvinyl butyral (PVB) film  478 . When heated and rolled together, layers  474 ,  478  and  476  form an automotive safety glass as understood in the field. Each elongate heater  424  is provided between layer  472  and a top surface of layer  474 . According to one construction, each heater  424  is formed from an inner heat generating wire  421  and an outer peak temperature mitigating, thermally transmissive, and electrically insulating cover  423 , such as polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) or some other suitable elevated temperature plastic. Wires  421  exit array  412  along an edge where they connect with a power supply wire (not shown) and a wiring harness. Layer  472  is affixed atop layer  474  with an adhesive, sealant, or bonding material that is optically transmissive, or clear. Other adhesives, fasteners, seals, and/or affixation mechanisms are also suitable. According to one construction, one liquid adhesive for bonded laminate assembly construction or otherwise attachment of an assembled and complete intermittently heated solar PV product unit onto an existing vehicle sunroof (or the like) is ResinLab UV7820 Clear. This is a one component UV curable acrylate that cures in visible light, and is available from ResinLab/Ellsworth Adhesives, N109 W13300 Ellsworth Drive, Germantown, WI 53022, United States. 
       FIG.  16    is an exploded perspective view of heated solar panel assembly, or array  412  of  FIGS.  13 - 15   . More particularly, assembly  412  includes a pair of elongate heaters  424  and an array of PV modules  422  adhesively affixed between a clear, top polycarbonate sheet  472  and a lower glass layer  474 . Glass layers  474  and  476  each comprises a sheet of tempered glass joined together with heat and/or pressure with a sheet, or layer of polyvinyl butyral (PVB) film to together for a safety glass, such as a sunroof or rooftop glass laminate. According to one construction, polycarbonate sheet  472  has apertures  432  and grooves  428  sized and arranged to receive each PV module  422  and elongate heater  424  in sandwiched assembly to provide a uniform thickness in assembly. Optionally, a light transmissive adhesive or coating can be substituted to fill any gaps caused by differences in thickness of the resulting laminate assembly. Further optionally, one or more pieces of a polyvinyl butyral (PVB) film can be arranged to provide varying thicknesses that offset thicknesses in assembly from the PV modules  422  and elongate heaters  424 . 
       FIG.  17    is a perspective view from above and in front of a second alternative vehicle roof heated solar panel assembly  512  having a heated solar panel array of individual PV modules  522  and elongate heaters  524  integrated into a laminated glass roof or sunroof of a vehicle having a plastic, or polycarbonate intermediate layer  578  that can be added optionally. More particularly, an array of individual PV modules  522  and a pair of mirror-image elongate heaters  524  that traverse between modules  522  are laminated between top glass layer  574  and bottom glass layer, or sheet  576  with a variable depth plastic sheet  580  that accommodates thickness changes in the resulting laminate from PV modules  522  and heaters  524 . In one case, plastic layer  580  is a polyvinyl butyral (PVB) film that has machined cavities to vary thickness, or is made from multiple layers, or is molded with such varying thicknesses. Optionally, plastic layer  580  is a layer of ethylene vinyl acetate (EVA) or a layer of polyurethane. Further optionally, plastic layer can be formed from polycarbonate or any other suitable plastic mid-layer that enables varying thicknesses between members of the resulting laminate provided by rectangular recesses  532  for receiving PV modules  522  and grooves  528  for receiving elongate heaters  524 . 
       FIG.  18    is an enlarged view of the middle plastic layer  580  for the heated solar panel assembly taken from encircled region  18  of  FIG.  17   . More particularly, middle layer  580  includes rectangular recesses  532  sized to receive complementary individual PV modules (and connecting traces) and elongate grooves  528  sized to receive individual elongate heaters. In one case, recesses  532  and grooves  528  are molded in. In another case, they are machined in. In a third case, middle layer  580  is made from laminated layers that impart such thickness changes. Finally, a clear cured adhesive or resin layer can be used in substitution for layer  580 . 
       FIG.  19    is a perspective view from above and in front of another alternative vehicle roof having a heated solar panel assembly, or array  612  integrated into a laminated glass roof or sunroof of the vehicle having an array of PV modules  622  encompassed by and proximate to a pair of alternate construction elongate heaters  624  provided between a top layer and a bottom layer of tempered safety glass. Array  612  can for a sunroof portion of a vehicle roof or can form an entire rooftop assembly for a vehicle. 
       FIG.  20    is a perspective view from above and behind of the heated solar panel assembly  612  of  FIG.  19   . A rectangular array of electrically interconnected PV modules  622  a provided in assembly  612  with a pair of elongate heaters  624  extending between individual modules  622  to provide heat that removes condensate occlusion from assembly  612 . 
       FIG.  21    is an enlarged view of the heated solar panel assembly  612  taken from encircled region  21  of  FIG.  20   . More particularly, elongate heater  624  is sandwiched between a top and a bottom pair of sheets  674  and  676  of tempered safety glass that are joined together with an intermediate layer of polyvinyl butyral (PVB) film  678  using a rolling process involving heat and/or pressure. Elongate heater  624  is formed from a heat generating ink trace  623  that exits assembly  612  as a conductive wire  621  and an insulative covering  619  where current flow through trace  623  generates heat output. 
       FIG.  22    is an exploded perspective view of the heated solar panel assembly  612  of  FIGS.  19 - 21   . More particularly, PV modules  622  and elongate heaters  624  are provided between top layer  674  and bottom layer  676  of tempered safety glass with an intermediate layer of polyvinyl butyral (PVB) film  678  provided beneath heaters  624 . In one case, heaters  624  are printed onto film  678 . Optionally, heaters  624  can be printed onto an inner surface of glass layers  674  and  676 . 
       FIGS.  23    is an enlarged view of one of the elongate heaters taken from encircled region  23  of  FIG.  22   . PTC heater trace  623  of heater  624  terminates at each end with a conductive wire  621  encased in an insulated cover  619 . 
     According to one construction, an electrically conductive, yet partially resistive, PTC ink for generating a trace is available as Loctite brand ECI 8000 E &amp; C Series (including ECI 8120 PTC printable ink) from Henkel Corporation 14000 Jamboree Road, Irvine, CA 92606, United States. Optionally, a trace of indium tin oxide can be used. Further optionally, any other form of ink PTC traces can be used. 
       FIG.  24    is a simplified perspective view of a laminated glass body or roof heated solar panel assembly  712  having a first lamination configuration relative to a pair of laminated glass panels  774  and  776  with both an array of PV modules  722  and an array of elongate heaters  724  provided on top of a top glass panel  774  using an adhesive. An intermediate layer of polyvinyl butyral (PVB) film  778  is laminated between glass panels, or layers  774  and  776 . 
       FIG.  25    is a simplified perspective view of a laminated glass body or roof heated solar panel assembly  812  having a second lamination configuration relative to a pair of laminated glass panels  874  and  876  with an array of interconnected PV modules  822  on top of a top glass panel  874  and with pair of elongate heaters  824  laminated as a middle layer along with an intermediate layer of polyvinyl butyral (PVB) film  878  between a top glass panel  874  and a bottom glass panel  876 . 
       FIG.  26    is a simplified perspective view of a laminated glass body or roof heated solar panel assembly  912  having a third lamination configuration relative to a pair of laminated glass panels  974  and  976  with an array of PV modules on top of a top glass panel  974  and a pair of elongate heaters affixed with adhesive to a bottom surface of the bottom glass panel  976 . An intermediate layer of polyvinyl butyral (PVB) film  978  is laminated between glass panels, or layers  974  and  976 . 
       FIG.  27    is a simplified perspective view of a laminated glass body or roof heated solar panel assembly  1012  having a fourth lamination configuration relative to a pair of laminated glass panels  1074  and  1076  with an array of PV modules  1022  in a middle layer and a pair of elongate heaters adhesively affixed on top of top glass panel  1074 . PV modules  1022  are laminated as a middle layer along with an intermediate layer of polyvinyl butyral (PVB) film  1078  between top glass panel  1074  and bottom glass panel  1076 . 
       FIG.  28    is a simplified perspective view of a laminated glass body or roof heated solar panel assembly  1112  having a fifth lamination configuration relative to a pair of laminated glass panels  1174  and  1176  with both an array of PV modules  1122  and a pair of elongate heaters laminated with an intermediate layer of polyvinyl butyral (PVB) film  1178  in a middle layer between top glass panel  1174  and bottom glass panel  1176 . 
       FIG.  29    is a simplified perspective view of a laminated glass body or roof heated solar panel assembly  1212  having a sixth lamination configuration relative to a pair of laminated glass panels  1274  and  1276  with an array of PV modules provided in a middle layer along with an intermediate layer of polyvinyl butyral (PVB) film  1278  in a middle layer between top glass panel  1274  and bottom glass panel  1276  beneath top glass panel  1274  and a pair of elongate heaters provided in a bottom layer beneath bottom glass panel  1276 . 
       FIG.  30    is a simplified perspective view of a laminated glass body or roof heated solar panel assembly  1312  having a seventh lamination configuration relative to a pair of laminated glass panels  1374  and  1376  with an array of PV modules  1322  on a bottom layer and a pair of elongate heaters adhesively affixed atop a top glass panel  1374 . An intermediate layer of polyvinyl butyral (PVB) film  1378  is laminated between glass panels, or layers  1374  and  1376 . 
       FIG.  31    is a simplified perspective view of a laminated glass body or roof heated solar panel assembly  1412  having an eighth lamination configuration relative to a pair of laminated glass panels  1474  and  1476  with an array of PV modules  1422  in a bottom layer beneath a bottom glass panel and a heater array in a middle layer between a top glass panel  1474  and a bottom glass panel  1476 . An intermediate layer of polyvinyl butyral (PVB) film  1478  is laminated between glass panels, or layers  1474  and  1476 . 
       FIG.  32    is a simplified perspective view of a laminated glass body or roof heated solar panel assembly  1512  having a ninth lamination configuration relative to a pair of laminated glass panels  1574  and  1576  with both an array of PV modules  1520  and a pair of elongate heaters  1524  in a bottom layer beneath a top glass panel  1584  and a bottom glass panel  1586 . An intermediate layer of polyvinyl butyral (PVB) film  1578  is laminated between glass panels, or layers  1574  and  1576 . 
       FIG.  33    is a perspective view from above and behind of a tonneau cover  1611  for a truck  1610  having a bed  1613  with an array of heated solar panels  1612  each having an array of individual PV modules  1622  and one or more elongate heaters  1624  embedded in each solar panel  1612  in a manner similar to those shown in  FIGS.  1 - 32   . According to one construction, heaters  1624  comprise one or more elongate heaters similar to heater  424  in  FIG.  15    having a heat generating wire, such as a Nichrome wire, and an outer cover, such as a polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) cover. Optionally, any suitable elevated temperature plastic cover can be used. Further optionally, any suitable heat generating wire, or trace can be used. Further optionally, any construction for an elongate heater, including Positive Temperature Coefficient (PTC) or Indium Tin Oxide (ITO) traces can be used. Even further optionally, any construction disclosed for a heater in  FIGS.  1 - 33    can be used on such tonneau cover  1611 . 
     Elongate heater  1624  in each solar panel  1612  of  FIG.  33    can take a circuitous or serpentine path similar to the path shown for heater  424  in  FIG.  16    in order to distribute heat across solar panel  1612  to a top polycarbonate sheet  1674  provided atop PV modules  1622  and elongate heaters  1624 . Optically transmissive sheet  1674  is affixed atop a rectangular aluminum structural frame  1672  for each solar panel  1612 . Adjacent solar panels  1612  are joined together with elongate hinges  1672  that enable a user to fold up tonneau cover  1611  to gain access into bed  1613 . A forwardmost solar panel  1672  can also be affixed to bed  1613  with a hinge  1672 . Optionally, optically transmissive sheet  1674  can be a glass or plastic sheet, or any other suitable sheet that passes light energy into PV modules  1622  as taught herein variously with respect to constructions depicted in  FIGS.  1 - 33   . Optionally, elongate heaters  1624  can be powered via a remote battery or a vehicle battery in cases where sheet  1674  is occluded, such as after a snow storm or frost accumulation. An onboard vehicle computer and control system, or auxiliary controller can be used to initiate such power delivery from a storage battery to heaters  1624  when needed or when detected by an optical occlusion sensors provided atop or beneath one of sheet  1674 . A method for clearing such occlusion can also be implemented with such control system. 
     A method is provided for heating a vehicle sun shade, comprising: providing a sun shade, at least one solar cell provided on the sun shade, and a heat source provided proximate the at least one solar cell. Delivering power to the heat source and generating heat to heat the at least one solar cell on the sun shade to mitigate any condensate or moisture occlusion of the at least one solar cell on the sun shade and/or a vehicle window in front and/or beneath the sun shade. 
     It is understood that each version of heated solar panel assembly shown in  FIGS.  1 - 33    can benefit from use of electrically resistive heating elements in the form of relatively thin and flat circuit traces that are placed in proximity to solar PV modules or thin PV membranes. Such printed heating elements comprise one or more layers of a specialized electrically conductive and selectively resistive PTC (positive temperature coefficient) liquid ink applied to one or more surfaces of selected substrate materials within the complete heated solar panel assembly. 
     Using such liquid ink (or otherwise semi-liquid or hot-melt applied ink-like materials) that either dry, semi-harden or otherwise solidify, further provides for various methods of manufacture. Manufacturing methods may include, but not be limited to, circuit trace image printing or silk-screening methods for example. 
     Optionally, it is envisioned and anticipated that both 2-D flat and 3-D curved surface ink trace printing of the necessary electrically conductive and/or resistive heater circuit trace materials is to be applied (in optionally various widths and thicknesses) directly onto portions of selected glass and/or plastic substrates. Selected substrate shapes may include, but not be limited to flat, single-axis curved, and dual-axis curved (3-dimensional) curve-shaped automotive glass and plastic panel components. 
     Thin polycarbonate plastics and safety membrane materials may be utilized where dissimilar material bonding characteristics, life cycle temperature ranges, thermal expansion properties and the like are found to be within compatible limits for manufacturing, and a particular end use or application. 
     The combination and use of substantially thin membrane PV solar modules, printed PCT surface trace heater elements and electrically connective conductive circuit traces are conveniently flat in vertical dimension. When placed between laminated safety glass and other laminating materials these electrical components and physical features are relatively well protected from environmental elements and incidental mechanical or physical damage. 
     External insulated lead wires or ribbon wires connect the ink traces to the electrical circuitry encased within the laminated assembly at one or more edge locations (or optionally through one or more holes or ports within one or more of the laminate layers, not shown) of the completed assembled. The lead wires thus provide necessary external electrical connections both to and from the completed assembly. 
     Further, it is foreseeable and possible to “print” solar PV modules onto both rigid and flexible membrane substrates (including the conductive wire leads and traces). This strategy can then provide and incorporate for the printing of both during the manufacturing process allowing for an interlaced arrangement of heated areas adjacent to areas including the solar PV elements to melt and eliminate snow and ice. 
     Selective use of electrically insulative ink trace printing materials (Loctite brand) further allows for electrically insulated trace circuit cross-over points wherever necessary (or as desired). This construction is much like that used within existing printed circuit board technology, but on a significantly larger scale. 
     In compliance with the statute, embodiments of the invention have been described in language more or less specific as to structural and methodical features. It is to be understood, however, that the entire invention is not limited to the specific features and/or embodiments shown and/or described, since the disclosed embodiments comprise forms of putting the invention into effect. The invention is, therefore, claimed in any of its forms or modifications within the proper scope of the appended claims appropriately interpreted in accordance with the doctrine of equivalents.