Solar defrost panels
First Claim
1. A solar defrost panel, comprising:
- an energy converter that converts solar energy to electrical energy; and
an electrical heater adjacent the energy converter such that a temperature of at least a portion of the solar defrost panel is increased when the electrical heater is electrically actuated.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A solar defrost panel has a photovoltaic panel with an integrated electrical defrost system. The electrical defrost system has an electrical heating element that overlays the photovoltaic panel. The electrical defrost system can remove snow, frost and ice from the solar defrost panel and prevent snow, frost and ice from accumulating on the solar defrost panel. The electrical defrost system can have a controller to automatically or manually control operation of the electrical heating element. The controller can be located inside of a building for convenience of the user. The solar defrost panel provides clearing of snow, frost and ice from the solar defrost panel which can allow the photovoltaic panel to operate effectively during winter and in cold climate regions.
80 Citations
32 Claims
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1. A solar defrost panel, comprising:
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an energy converter that converts solar energy to electrical energy; and an electrical heater adjacent the energy converter such that a temperature of at least a portion of the solar defrost panel is increased when the electrical heater is electrically actuated. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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11. A solar defrost panel, comprising:
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a photovoltaic panel having a solar exposure side; an electrical conductive heating element above the solar exposure side of the photovoltaic panel; an electrical insulator between the photovoltaic panel and the electrical conductive heating element; and a first transparent panel above the electrical conductive heating element. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18)
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19. A solar panel defroster, comprising:
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a flat transparent panel; an electrical conductive heating element adjacent the flat transparent panel; and a frame around an outer edge of the flat transparent panel. - View Dependent Claims (20)
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21. A method of heating a solar panel, comprising:
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supplying electric current to an electrical conductive heating element; increasing a temperature of the electrical conductive heating element by the electric current passing through the electrical conductive heating element; and transferring heat energy from the electrical conductive heating element to at least a portion of the solar panel. - View Dependent Claims (22, 23, 24, 25, 26)
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27. A method of operating a defroster of a solar panel, comprising:
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turning on an electrical heater of the solar panel; increasing a temperature of at least a portion of the solar panel with the electrical heater; and melting frozen water on the solar panel with the portion of the solar panel having the increased temperature. - View Dependent Claims (28)
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- 29. A method of making a solar defrost panel comprising overlaying an electrical heater layer on top of a solar energy to electrical energy converter.
Specification