Patent Document

BACKGROUND OF THE DISCLOSURE 
       [0001]    1. Field of the Disclosure 
         [0002]    The present disclosure relates to an integrated solar energy system which includes photovoltaic cells which provide solar generated electricity, solar thermal collector panels which provide solar generated hot water and a heat recovery ventilation system which can through a cooling effect, improve the performance of the photovoltaic modules year-round and provide useful heated air to a building during the heating season. 
         [0003]    2. Description of the Prior Art 
         [0004]    The utility and desirability of solar generated energy have been well-established on economic, political and environmental grounds. However, in spite of the nearly universal popular support for such energy, solar generated energy continues to provide only a very small portion of the energy requirements, either nationally or internationally. 
         [0005]    The capture of the solar energy and the subsequent conversion into useful energy can take many forms. Firstly, photovoltaic cells can be used to generate electricity which can be used either in a local application such as a building or can be provided to an electrical grid for remote distributed generation. Secondly, solar energy can be used to heat water which can be used within the vicinity of the capture of the solar energy, typically within an associated structure or building. Thirdly, solar energy can be used to heat or cool air which, again, is typically used with the vicinity of the capture of the solar energy. 
         [0006]    While attempts have been made to increase the energy output of a solar installation by combining a photovoltaic device and a fluid transport region as shown in U.S. Patent Application Publication 2010/0147347 entitled “Method and Structure for Hybrid Thermal Solar Panel”, published on Jun. 17, 2010 on behalf of Dyreby, further improvements are sought in the energy output of solar installations. 
         [0007]    Other prior art includes U.S. Pat. No. 7,858,874 entitled “Continuous Circuit Overlay Solar Shingles”, issued on Dec. 28, 2010 to Ruskin et al.; U.S. Pat. No. 7,714,224 entitled “Photovoltaic Power Generation Module and Photovoltaic Power Generation System Employing Same”, issued on May 11, 2010 to Abe et al.; U.S. Patent Application Publication 2010/0325976 entitled “Solar Shingle System”, published on Dec. 30, 2010 on behalf of Degenfelder et al.; U.S. Patent Application Publication 2010/0275902 entitled “Photovoltaic and Thermal Energy System”, published on Nov. 4, 2010 on behalf of Fabel; U.S. Patent Application Publication 2010/0275532 entitled “Solar Roof Tile with Solar and Photovoltaic Production of Hot Water and Electrical Energy”, published on Nov. 4, 2010 on behalf of De Nardis; U.S. Patent Publication 2009/0223550 entitled “Roof Tile or Tiled Solar Thermal Collector”, published on Sep. 10, 2009 on behalf of Curtin et al; and WO 2008/073905 A2 entitled “Solar Roof Tiles and Modules with Heat Exchange” published on Jun. 19, 2008 on behalf of Corrales et al. 
       SUMMARY AND OBJECTS OF THE DISCLOSURE 
       [0008]    It is therefore an object of the present disclosure to provide solar energy equipment with a high energy output. 
         [0009]    It is therefore a further object of the present disclosure to provide solar energy equipment which is reliable and requires minimal maintenance. 
         [0010]    It is therefore a still further object of the present disclosure to provide solar energy equipment which is readily and easily installed on a wide range of architectural structures. 
         [0011]    These and other advantages are obtained by providing a building-integrated solar system which provides solar generated electricity, provides solar generated hot water and which has a heat recovery ventilation system which can provide solar heated air in the winter as well as cooled air to the photovoltaic panels in the summer. The system further provides a durable long lasting roof membrane. 
         [0012]    Further, the system typically integrates these four functions into one product while providing an architecturally pleasing, flush mounted appearance. It is expected that the combination and synergy of multiple solar strategies will typically increase the overall efficiency of the system and consequently, the economic investment return. 
         [0013]    The system will typically include three separate renewable energy systems—solar photovoltaic panels, solar domestic hot water heating and a solar powered heat recovery system. The energy systems are typically integrated into a seamless, continuous roofing structure and will operate independently, yet synergistically. 
         [0014]    The system will typically be provided in the form of a combination of photovoltaic panels and solar domestic hot water heating panels, and will typically be designed to be modular and adaptable to a variety of roof shapes. The system will typically utilize commercial skylight and curtain wall technology. The panels are typically mounted to a concealed aluminum frame. Further, the system will typically have a continuous air space below the panels to allow air circulation. The panels typically will be flashed into a roof that is built-up around the perimeter of the system so that the roof and panels are flush with each other. Alternatively, the entire roof surface can be designed using the present system thereby creating an aesthetic appearance. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0015]    Further objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following description and from the accompanying drawings, wherein: 
           [0016]      FIG. 1  is a plan view of the exterior of the system of a typical embodiment of the present disclosure. 
           [0017]      FIG. 2  is an elevation view of a house, including the system of the present disclosure. 
           [0018]      FIG. 3  is a cross-sectional view along plane  3 - 3  of  FIG. 2 . 
           [0019]      FIG. 4  is an enlarged plan view of the exterior at the location of the thermal collectors of the present disclosure. 
           [0020]      FIG. 5  is a plan view of an interior of the thermal collectors of the present disclosure. 
           [0021]      FIG. 6  is a cross-sectional view showing typical rafter detail at a perimeter of the array of the system of the present disclosure. 
           [0022]      FIG. 7  is a cross-sectional view showing typical purlin detail at a top of the array of the system of the present disclosure. 
           [0023]      FIG. 8  is a cross-sectional view showing typical purlin detail at a base of the array of the system of the present disclosure. 
           [0024]      FIG. 9  is a cross-sectional view showing typical purlin detail in the system of the present disclosure. 
           [0025]      FIG. 10  is a cross-sectional view showing typical purlin detail at a photovoltaic/hot water panel in the system of the present disclosure. 
           [0026]      FIG. 11  is a cross-sectional view showing typical purlin detail at two hot water panels in the system of the present disclosure. 
           [0027]      FIG. 12  is a cross-sectional view showing typical rafter detail in the system of the present disclosure. 
           [0028]      FIG. 13  is a cross-sectional view showing typical rafter detail at a photovoltaic/hot water panel in the system of the present disclosure. 
           [0029]      FIG. 14  is a typical rafter detail at two hot water panels in the system of the present disclosure. 
           [0030]      FIG. 15  is a plan view, partially in phantom, of the exterior of the system of a typical embodiment of the present disclosure. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
       [0031]    Referring now to the drawings in detail wherein like numerals indicate like elements throughout the several views, one sees that  FIG. 1  is an elevation view of an exterior of the system  10  of the present disclosure while  FIG. 2  is an elevation view of the system  10  mounted on a house  1000  which can, of course, be virtually any architectural structure, and is not limited thereby. Typically, the system  10  is mounted on roof  1002  of house  1000 . Solar array  12  is shown as a nine by four array or matrix formed from centrally located solar thermal collector panels  14  (adjacent to each other) surrounded by photovoltaic panels  16  (adjacent to each other) around the perimeter. Of course, other sizes of arrays could be used for different applications, with different numbers of panels, depending upon the underlying architectural constraints and the amount of energy required from the system. Solar thermal collector panels  14  are configured for solar domestic hot water, while photovoltaic panels  16  are configured to generate electricity. 
         [0032]    The solar thermal collector panels  14  and the photovoltaic panels  16  are typically of a size of four feet by four feet (but not limited thereto) and configured as a modular grid, mounted on a suitable framing material  18 , such as, but not limited to, aluminum, comprised of horizontal purlins  20  and rafters  21  following the downward diagonal slope of the roof  1002 , whereby the purlins  20  are generally perpendicular to the rafters  21 . The panels  14 ,  16  are secured to the frame  18  using structural silicone. Preferably, there are few, if any, exposed framing material or glazing pressure plates on the finished surface. Preferably, the glass and the silicone joints should be the only significant components of substantial visibility. The system  10  is typically designed and intended to be flush with adjacent surfaces of roof  1002  and unobtrusive to the architectural design of the house  1000 , building, or other structure. 
         [0033]    As best seen in  FIGS. 6-14 , a continuous air strip  22  (typically, but not limited to, a gap with thickness of one and one half inches) forms a channel below panels  14 ,  16  in order to allow air circulation. Continuous air strip  22  typically has a lower rubber liner  23 , which may be made from, but not limited to, ethylene propylene diene Monomer (M-class) (EPDM) rubber with a lower plywood layer  24 . As described hereinafter, continuous air strip  22  is used as a conduit in the heat-recovery system. In some applications, the perimetric photovoltaic panels  16  are flashed into shingles  1004  of a roof  1002  that is built-up around the perimeter of the system  10  so that the roof  1002  and perimetric photovoltaic panels  16  are flush with each other. Alternately, the entire roof  1002  can be designed with the system  10 , creating an aesthetic, even modern, appearance. It is envisioned that there will be preferably no exposed metal on the surface of roof  1002 , only glass and caulk joints. 
         [0034]    The photovoltaic panels  16  are made of conventional photovoltaic material which will generate electricity in response to sunlight. More particularly, the photovoltaic panels  16  are typically 195 watt glass-on-glass frameless laminates which contain a rear junction box and are wired together in series in order to achieve increased voltage levels. The conductors from the individual strings of photovoltaic panels  16  are combined and taken through a single pitch pocket penetrating the roof  1002  to a combiner box  36  below the roof  1002  (see  FIG. 3 ). A single DC conduit  35  runs from the combiner box  36  to an inverter  38  located near the main service panel  39 , typically found in the basement. The function of the inverter  38  is to convert the DC output of the photovoltaic panels  16  into utility grade AC power. It is envisioned that, typically, the system  10  would not replace electrical service from the utility, but rather supplement it, offsetting a portion of electricity purchased from the grid, thereby reducing the utility expenses. However, it is envisioned that the inverter  38  may be configured to supply electricity to the grid whenever the system  10  produces more electricity than is required by the house  1000  or other associated structure and that the homeowner would receive a credit for this surplus electricity. 
         [0035]    The solar thermal collector panels  14  are typically designed to fit and operate within system  10  and typically include an exterior glass surface. The solar thermal collector panels  14  use flat-plate collector technology, typically using a copper pipe welded to a copper plate  13  within an insulated collector box. The solar thermal collector panels  14  further include an anti-freeze fluid that runs through the thermal collector panels  14  and through copper tubing  15  between adjacent solar thermal collector panels  14  (or similar pipes or conduits, see  FIGS. 5 ,  10 ,  11 ,  13  and  14 ) so as to be heated by successive solar thermal collector panels  14 . The heated anti-freeze fluid is thereafter pumped or otherwise moved to internal heat exchanger  42  via piping system  44  so that the heat generated by solar energy may be transferred to water storage tank  40 . The internal heat exchanger  42  exchanges heat from the anti-freeze fluid to the water without contact or mixing between the two fluids. Heated water from the water storage tank  40  can be used to directly feed the hot water demands of the house  1000  or supply pre-heated water to a conventional hot water heater  57  or an on-demand water heater. 
         [0036]    The heat recovery system has the functions of removing unwanted thermal energy from beneath the photovoltaic panels  16  during the cooling season, thereby increasing the conversion efficiency of photovoltaic panels  16  and further of providing preheated air to the house  1000  during the heating season thereby reducing the heating load and the use of conventional heating fuels. The air movement and mode of operation is controlled automatically by a “smart” microprocessor thermostat and a designed system of ducts, automatic dampers  57 ,  58 ,  59  and fans  60 ,  61 . As shown in  FIG. 3  and  FIG. 15 , these ducts include the return air duct  50 , which provides air to the supply duct  52  and then through branch ducts  62  to the previously described channel formed by continuous air strip  22 ; then to the exhaust duct  54 , via channel  63 . From the exhaust duct  54  the air is directed to either the outside  62  by fans  60 , in the cooling season or to a return duct  56  and taken to the basement by a fan  61  and then to the house  100 , in the heating season. The automatic dampers  57  and  59  are typically closed in the heating season and open in the cooling season. 
         [0037]    The exhaust fans  60  typically operate in the cooling season when the dampers  57  and  59  are open and the return fan  61  operates during the heating season when dampers  57  and  59  are closed. 
         [0038]    Typically, the return air duct  50  and the continuous supply duct  52  and the branch ducts  62  are placed near a lower portion of the roof  1002 . Typically the continuous exhaust duct  54  and the branch ducts  63  are placed near an upper portion of the roof  1002 , and typically, the vertical duct  56  runs from the basement to the continuous exhaust duct  54 . 
         [0039]    With this configuration, solar heated hot water, solar generated electricity and solar heated or cooled air can be provided simultaneously to the property owner. Additionally, a sturdy and reliable roofing structure is provided. 
         [0040]    Thus the several aforementioned objects and advantages are most effectively attained. Although preferred embodiments of the invention have been disclosed and described in detail herein, it should be understood that this invention is in no sense limited thereby and its scope is to be determined by that of the appended claims.

Technology Category: 5