AUXILIARY SOLAR PANEL

Abstract

A solar array may have a primary solar panel attached to a supporting structure and an auxiliary solar panel attached at an angle to the primary panel. The primary solar panel may be positioned to collect daily solar radiation and the auxiliary solar panel may be positioned relative the primary panel to collect daily solar radiation. The daily solar radiation collected by the primary solar panel may be peak annualized daily solar radiation and the daily solar radiation collected by the auxiliary solar panel may be off-peak solar radiation.

Claims

1. A method of collecting solar radiation comprising the steps of: providing a primary solar panel configured to collect solar radiation; fixedly mounting the primary solar panel to a supporting structure and positioning the primary solar panel generally horizontal along an east-west axis, wherein at least a portion of the supporting structure is permanently mounted in the ground via a foundation; providing an auxiliary solar panel configured to collect solar radiation; fixedly mounting the auxiliary solar panel to the primary solar panel and positioning the auxiliary solar panel at an angle to the primary solar panel; and electrically connecting the auxiliary solar panel to the primary solar panel.

2. The method of collecting solar radiation of claim 1 further comprising the step of electrically connecting the primary solar panel to a power grid.

3. The method of collecting solar radiation of claim 1 further comprising the step of electrically connecting the primary solar panel to a load.

4. The method collecting solar radiation of claim 1 further comprising the step of electrically connecting the primary solar panel to an electrical storage device.

5. The method of collecting solar radiation of claim 1 further comprising the step of electrically connecting the primary solar panel to a power grid through an electrical storage device.

6. The method of collecting solar radiation of claim 1 further comprising the step of positioning the auxiliary solar panel at an outer edge of the primary solar panel.

7. A method of collecting solar radiation comprising the steps of: providing a primary solar panel configured to collect solar radiation; fixedly mounting the primary solar panel to a supporting structure and positioning the primary solar panel generally horizontal along an east-west axis, wherein at least a portion of the supporting structure is permanently mounted in the ground via a foundation; providing an auxiliary solar panel configured to collect solar radiation; fixedly mounting the auxiliary solar panel to the primary solar panel and positioning the auxiliary solar panel at an angle to the primary solar panel; electrically connecting the auxiliary solar panel to the primary solar panel; and electrically connecting the primary solar panel to one or more of a power grid, an electrical storage device, and/or a load.

8. The method of collecting solar radiation of claim 7 further comprising the step of positioning the auxiliary solar panel at an outer edge of the primary solar panel.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING FIGURES

[0043] The present invention is best understood when the following detailed description of the invention is read with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0044] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the invention;

[0045] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the invention;

[0046] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the invention;

[0047] FIG. 4A is a side view of the invention;

[0048] FIG. 4B is a side view of the invention;

[0049] FIG. 4C is a side view of the invention;

[0050] FIG. 5 is a perspective environmental view of the invention;

[0051] FIG. 6 is a perspective environmental view of the invention;

[0052] FIG. 7 is a perspective environmental view of the invention;

[0053] FIG. 8A is a partially exploded view of the invention;

[0054] FIG. 8B is a partially exploded view of the invention;

[0055] FIG. 9A is a side view of another embodiment of the invention;

[0056] FIG. 9B is a side view of another embodiment of the invention;

[0057] FIG. 10 is an environmental view of another embodiment of the invention; and

[0058] FIG. 11 is an environmental view of another embodiment of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

[0059] Referring now to the drawings, FIGS. 1, 2 and 3 show the solar array 100 of the present invention where a primary panel 110 is attached to a support structure 130. As shown, the support structure is a rack. Auxiliary panels 120 are attached to the primary panel 110 at an angle to the primary panel 120. As shown in FIGS. 1, 2 and 3, the auxiliary panels 120 are attached at an angle of 90 degrees relative a top planar surface of the primary panel. The auxiliary panels 120 may have photovoltaic cells on both of the top and bottom planar surfaces. FIGS. 1 and 2 show a pair of auxiliary panels 120 attached primary panel 110. FIG. 3 shows four auxiliary panels 120 attached to the primary panel 110. According to the present invention, one or more auxiliary panels 120 may be attached to the primary panel 110. The primary panel 110 is positioned on the support structure 130 at a fixed angle in order to maximize the collection of daily solar radiation by the primary panel 110. However, due to the fixed nature of the primary panel 110, the primary panel 110 will not collect all local solar radiation. Auxiliary panels 120 will collect solar radiation that is not collected by the primary panel 110. As shown in FIG. 3, appropriate wiring 124 may be used to connect the auxiliary panels 120 to the primary panels 110 and to a power grid 140, a power storage device (not shown), and/or a load (not shown).

[0060] Referring now to FIGS. 4A, 4B, and 4C, the support structure 130 may be a vertical pole as shown. The primary panel 110 is attached to the support structure 130. Auxiliary panels 120 are attached to the primary panel 110.

[0061] As shown in FIG. 4A, the auxiliary panels 120 are attached at a 90 degree angle relative a top surface of the primary panel 110.

[0062] As shown in FIG. 4B, a pair of auxiliary panels 120 are attached at a 90 degree angle relative a top surface of the primary panel 110 and in a downward direction relative the primary panel 110 while another pair of auxiliary panels 120 are attached at an acute angle relative a top surface of the primary panel 110 in an upward direction to the primary panel 110.

[0063] As shown in FIG. 4C, a first pair of auxiliary panels 120 is attached at an obtuse angle relative a top surface of the primary panel 110 and in a downward direction to the primary panel 110. A second pair of auxiliary panels 120 is attached to the first pair of auxiliary panels 120 at a distal end of the first pair of auxiliary panels.

[0064] Referring now to FIGS. 5, 6, and 7, a plurality of solar arrays 102 is shown. Each solar array 100 includes a support structure 130 which is attached to a surface of a building 150. Primary panels 110 are attached to the support structure 130. Auxiliary panels 120 are attached primary panels 110 at an angle to the primary panel 110.

[0065] Referring now to FIGS. 8A and 8B, the auxiliary panels 120 may be attached to the primary panels 110 via an attachment means including bolts 122 as shown. Such means may include welds, bolts, rivets, glue, magnets, hinges, gears, clasps, and other attachment means which may be fixed, removable, and/or movable.

[0066] Referring now to FIGS. 9A, 9B, and 10, according to another embodiment of the invention 200, a plurality of solar panels 210 may be attached to a vertical pole 230. The panels 210 are be attached to the pole at an angle to the pole 230. Alternatively, the panel 210 may be completely vertical, relative to horizontal ground, and attached to a surface of the pole 230. As shown in FIG. 10, the panels 210 and pole 230 of the invention 200 may be utilized in association with an array of solar panels 110 which have been oriented in order to collect peak annualized daily solar radiation. The pole 230 may be a utility pole, an antenna, and/or another building structure which has a substantially vertical design relative horizontal ground. Alternatively, the pole 230 may be a moveable structure such as street sign, a utility trailer, or an automobile.

[0067] According to one aspect of the invention, 200, the panels 210 may have photovoltaic cells on both a front and a rear surface of the panels 210. Further, the panels may be oriented such that one surface faces an easterly direction and the other surface faces the westerly direction. Alternatively, the panels could be positioned about the pole such that one panel 210 faces east and another panel, on the opposite side of the pole, faces west.

[0068] Referring to FIG. 11, according to another embodiment of the invention 300, the support structure may be overhead and the solar array having a plurality of solar panels 310 may hang from the support structure or otherwise be positioned below the support structure.

[0069] According to another embodiment of the invention 300, the solar array may have a three dimensional shape such as a sphere or an ellipsoid shape. The solar panels 310 may form the surface faces of the three dimensional shape and may completely cover the or substantially cover the three dimensional shape.

[0070] The foregoing has described a solar array 100 having a primary solar panel attached to a supporting structure 130 and an auxiliary solar panel 120 attached at an angle to the primary panel 110. It has also described an embodiment 200 having panels 210 attached to a vertical support 230 and a suspended embodiment 300. While specific embodiments of the present invention have been described, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications thereto can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Accordingly, the foregoing description of the invention and the best mode for practicing the invention are provided for the purpose of illustration only and not for the purpose of limitation.