OPTIMALLY-PLACED, WALL-MOUNTED SOLAR DEVICE

Abstract

An Optimally-Placed Wall-Mounted Solar Device is a photovoltaic canopy system comprised of a metal framework that would be attached to the exterior walls of a building and used to support a plurality of accurately-emplaced photovoltaic panels, to optimize the collection of solar energy “at all times of the day and all seasons of the year”. On a yearly basis, the sun visibly charts its path on buildings in 40° NL. Winter and summer solstice day arcs plus peak hours of optimum solar energy (i.e., the boundaries of the imaginary quadrilateral ancient astronomers called SOLAR WINDOW) form an arched configuration for emplacement of the PV panels. Furthermore, PV panels hosting the sun disc could: (i) Convert the Sun’s electromagnetic radiation into a usable continuous voltage (DC); (ii) Turn sun discs into modern versions of pinhole cameras; and (iii) Help document orbital and rotational changes in the Earth’s angle from within the planet, independent of sensors onboard satellites.

Claims

1. The present optimally-placed, wall-mounted solar device would be designed, engineered and manufactured to maximize the exposure of solar cells to the sun and increase the overall efficiency of solar panels by tracking the path of the Sun on the exterior walls of buildings.

2. Harvesting the maximum electromagnetic radiation for wider use could be significantly improved for the purpose of converting it into a usable continuous voltage (DC).

3. The orbital and rotational effects of earthquakes magnitude 6.0 and higher could be studied by comparing geo-tagged snapshots of selected landmarks.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0026] Six drawings are provided to explain the present application, as follows:

[0027] FIG. 1 is a sun path chart plotted onto an orthographic (rectangular) projection.

[0028] FIG. 2 is the invisible SOLAR WINDOW wrapped around actual buildings in 40° NL.

[0029] FIG. 3 captures the sun charting its own path on a window wall in New York City.

[0030] FIG. 4 shows the metal framework of the canopy system for accurate emplacement.

[0031] FIG. 5 is a battery to collect the DC power output.

[0032] FIG. 6 is a DC to AC converter.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0033] FIG. 1 is an orthographic projection of a sun path chart showing that the path of the sun, a.k.a. day arc, shifts throughout the calendar year, from the winter solstice (a - the lowest arc) to the summer solstice (b - the highest arc). These two day arcs – six months apart –are opposite sides of what ancient astronomers called SOLAR WINDOW and imagined as a quadrilateral on the dome of the sky. The two other parallel sides are dotted lines connected to 12 noon or midday. Noon or midday describes the point in the day arc when peak optimum solar energy is available for collection. Max production is extended for practical reasons to three hours before (c - 9 a.m.) and three hours after (d - 3 p.m.) Available at https:// www.permaculturenews.org/2015/10/23/charting-the-suns-motion-in-relation-to-your-home-and-permaculture-site/. Six hours represent 360 minutes or 90° of the 360° day arc.

[0034] On a building facing north with an at least partially unobstructed eastern exposure, flipping the sun path chart from left to right, 9 a.m. is connected to sunrise or the early hours of the morning, in the east (the right); 3 p.m. is connected to sunset or late afternoon, in the west (the left), in a counterclockwise direction. The arc called (e) equinox is related to the tilt angle added to make conventional solar panels more efficient (see page 1).

[0035] N.B.: FIG. 3 (below) provides visual evidence for the benefit of scientifically-informed observers in 40° NL.

[0036] In FIG. 2, the sun path chart, albeit invisible, wraps around the walls of buildings in real time. In a building’s portion of the SOLAR WINDOW, customizable lightweight photovoltaic (PV) panels could be accurately emplaced onto the concrete/masonry of exterior walls, for maximum exposure of the solar cells in the panels to the sun “at all times of the day and all seasons of the year”.

[0037] FIG. 3 is a snapshot of a New York City high riser, in latitude 40.7128° N., with at least a partially-unobstructed eastern exposure. In the early morning, the building is flooded by sunlight while the Earth is in orbit around the same Sun. The reflective finish in the window wall has turned glass into a one-way, mirror-like surface that captures a miniature motionless Sun that in 8 minutes must travel 93 million miles or 150 million kilometers, in absolute darkness. Upon entering the earth’s atmosphere, light scatters and becomes visible in the dome of the sky; but its journey does not end until it hits a wall and, as the Earth spins, begins to chart its own path as a day arc that marks solstices and equinoxes vertically and the hours of the day horizontally, without leaving a trace. A photomontage could connect successive dots of sunlight now travelling sideways, to visually display at least a portion of a blazing day arc.

[0038] FIG. 4 shows the metal (aluminum or steel) components of the optimally-placed, wall-mounted solar device - a photovoltaic canopy system comprised of (B) a stainless steel bar affixed at the rooftop level and (C) rods/grills suspended from it running down the concrete/masonry to hold at the end one PV panel (D) accurately emplaced within the building’s portion of the SOLAR WINDOW (A) to convert sunlight to DC electricity/power, without blocking vision of individuals within the residential or commercial building where the system is employed.

[0039] The PV panels would have layers of glass and an anti-reflective coating, a grid with negative and positive contacts, a silicon semiconductor containing N-type SI and P-type SI, energy harvesting capabilities, and a backing layer with potential insulation (if any). Throughout the day, the glass-top of solar cells or semiconductor silicon with negative and positive charges would harness energy when photons from the sunlight (especially the red and near infrared portion of the spectrum) hit it. The photons would energize the electrons of the semiconductor, causing electric current to flow. Photovoltaic technology would at this point convert photons to DC electricity/power right in the PV panel. However, when at specific times, as per calculations regarding the SOLAR WINDOW, specific panels host the sun disc, the energy harvesting capabilities of the panel would convert the electromagnetic radiation into a usable continuous voltage (DC), harnessing the maximum possible energy from the glare and direct impact.

[0040] Finally, for (E) optional solar “window treatments”, see the appropriate paragraph in the pages that follow.

[0041] The metal components could be produced through CNC computerized processes such as cutting/water jet or plasma laser, CNC routing, robotic machinery or extrusion for part consistency. Certain components could also be produced through drop-forged or die-casting processes. Secondary production methods could include shearing, stamping, welding, brake-forming, de-burring, drilling, filing and sanding. Different-size panels would be custom built to accommodate specific variables inherent to the requirements and aesthetic preferences of each site.

[0042] Connected to the battery (FIG. 5) on the floor of the ceiling of the building or at another convenient location, grills/rods would have a concave center to protect the wires that carry the DC power output, which the battery collects.

[0043] All solar panels and related solar technology componentry could be produced through conventional methods of glass panel layering/laminating. The components of energy harvesting could be produced by companies engaged in the research, development, production and marketing of devices in this field. The wires, including negative and positive contacts, diodes, fuses, surge protectors, insulation, lights and cables that deliver power could be custom built or made of standard electrical items.

[0044] Windows in the SOLAR WINDOW area could have panes made from thin-film cadmium telluride (CdTe) or similar semiconductor, encapsulated between two sheets of heat-strengthened glass, to function as solar collectors/concentrators. Contractors could also upgrade to solar windows by applying lightweight transparent but not entirely clear photovoltaic film to existing windows.

[0045] Alternatively, existing windows could be retrofitted with photovoltaic clear glass with invisible wires that would collect energy from the glass. If visible, solar cells would not block the view, as the human eye skips over the cells when looking out the window.

[0046] FIG. 5 is the battery collecting the DC power output carried by the wires encased in plastic in the concave center of the grills/rods supporting each PV panel or from the matching windows in the perimeter of arched configuration.

[0047] FIG. 6 is a DC to AC converter. The technology for the inverter should be chosen wisely for higher production, greater reliability, and unmatched intelligence.

[0048] Any additional required hardware, including recommended battery cell power storage, fasteners or brackets could be designed during manufacturing or made of standard items.

[0049] A powder coated paint finish could be used for final color, and required for any raw steel part. An anodizing metal finish could be used for all aluminum parts. All exterior components could include ultraviolet (UV) inhibitors to resist fading and cracking over time due to prolonged water and sunlight exposure.

[0050] Plastic components, if any, could be made through the injection-molded or extrusion processes in a variety of hard plastics, including a thermoplastic polymer such as ABS, a recycled composite material, or a high density polyethylene (HDPE). Colors could be included in this manufacturing molding procedure.

[0051] Other materials and manufacturing processes could also be considered for this product.

[0052] A distribution mechanism with grid-tie (for residential buildings) or off-grid (for commercial buildings) would be installed.

[0053] Prior to installation of the system, assistance would be made available regarding strategies to optimize the energy efficiency of the building, and to reduce its heating and cooling loads/bills in a cost efficient manner. Tax incentives and potential grants could be explored.

[0054] The invention could be designed, engineered and manufactured similar to products/components having functional and material specifications to meet or comply with all applicable sections of the electrical and building codes and national and international recognized testing laboratories to include: American National Electric Code (NEC), Underwriters Laboratories (UL), European (CE), OSHA®, (Occupational Safety and Health Administration), ETL™ Listed Intertek (ETL), Societe Anonyme - Brands of the World™ (SA), and/or ANSI™ (American National Standards Institute) approval/certifications.