SOLAR CELL, MODULE, ARRAY, NETWORK, AND POWER GRID

• US 20120204925A1
• Filed: 02/14/2011
• Published: 08/16/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 02/14/2011
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Robert M. Lyden
• Original Assignee: Robert Lyden
• Inventors: Lyden, Robert
• Granted Patent: US 8,957,301 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 136/244
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 2200/12 Bikes
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 2200/26 Rail vehicles
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 53/14 Conductive energy transfer
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 53/305 Communication interfaces
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 53/31 Charging columns specially adapted for electric vehicles
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 53/51 Photovoltaic means
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 53/53 Batteries
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 53/665 Methods related to measuring, billing or payment
• CPC Class Codes: F24S 25/10 extending in directions away from a supporting surface
• CPC Class Codes: H01L 31/02 Details
• CPC Class Codes: H01L 31/02008 for solar cells or solar cell modules
• CPC Class Codes: H01L 31/042 PV modules or arrays of single PV cells supporting structures for PV modules H02S20/00
• CPC Class Codes: H01L 31/05 Electrical interconnection means between PV cells inside the PV module, e.g. series connection of PV cells electrodes H01L31/0224; electrical interconnection of thin film solar cells formed on a common substrate H01L31/046; particular structures for electrical interconnecting of adjacent thin film solar cells in the module H01L31/0465; electrical interconnection means specially adapted for electrically connecting two or more PV modules H02S40/36
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 10/465 with solar battery as charging system
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 7/35 with light sensitive cells
• CPC Class Codes: H02S 20/00 Supporting structures for PV modules
• CPC Class Codes: H02S 20/10 Supporting structures directly fixed to the ground H02S20/30 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H02S 30/00 Structural details of PV modules other than those related to light conversion semiconductor device aspects of modules of electrolytic light sensitive devices H01G9/20, of inorganic PV modules H01L31/00, of organic PV modules H10K30/00
• CPC Class Codes: H02S 40/36 characterised by special electrical interconnection means between two or more PV modules, e.g. electrical module-to-module connection
• CPC Class Codes: Y02E 10/50 Photovoltaic [PV] energy
• CPC Class Codes: Y02E 60/10 : Energy storage using batteries
• CPC Class Codes: Y02P 80/20 : using renewable energy
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 10/70 : Energy storage systems for electromobility, e.g. batteries
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 10/7072 : Electromobility specific charging systems or methods for batteries, ultracapacitors, supercapacitors or double-layer capacitors
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 90/12 : Electric charging stations
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 90/14 : Plug-in electric vehicles
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 90/16 : Information or communication technologies improving the operation of electric vehicles
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 90/167 : Systems integrating technologies related to power network operation and communication or information technologies for supporting the interoperability of electric or hybrid vehicles, i.e. smartgrids as interface for battery charging of electric vehicles [EV] or hybrid vehicles [HEV]
• CPC Class Codes: Y04S 30/14 : Details associated with the interoperability, e.g. vehicle recognition, authentication, identification or billing

Abstract

The present invention teaches a solar cell, a solar module, a solar array, a network of solar arrays, and also a solar power grid suitable for providing power for industrial, residential and transportation use. A solar cell or solar module including a plurality of solar cells can be made in a structure configured to have the appearance of natural foliage. Accordingly, a solar array including a plurality of solar modules each including at least one solar cell can be made to resemble a palm tree, a deciduous tree, an evergreen tree, or other type of natural foliage. A network of solar arrays can be made to resemble a row or grove of palm trees, and thus meet the functional and aesthetic demands of landscape architecture. The network of solar arrays can extend for many miles alongside roads, highways, railways, pipelines, or canals, and can further include means for storing and transmitting electric power. In particular, a network of solar arrays can be in communication with recharging stations for use by electric and hybrid transportation vehicles. Accordingly, a network of solar arrays can form at least a portion of a solar power grid.

Claims

1. A solar array comprising:

a structure configured to resemble a tree comprising;

a trunk portion; and

at least one solar module configured to resemble foliage, said at least one solar module comprising

an electrically conductive element adapted to conduct electrical energy adapted to at least one of an electric vehicle and an electrical storage element.

2. The solar array of claim 1, wherein said tree is configured to resemble a deciduous tree.

3. The solar array of claim 1, wherein said tree is configured to resemble an evergreen tree.

4. The solar array of claim 1, wherein said tree is configured to resemble a palm tree.

6. The solar array of claim 1, wherein said solar array comprises a support pole coupled with said trunk portion.

7. The solar array of claim 1, wherein said trunk portion comprises an interior compartment.

8. The solar array of claim 1, further comprising at least one electrical device including a visual display.

9. The solar array of claim 1, wherein said at least one solar module provides an electrical energy output and further comprising a battery operationally coupled with said at least one solar module.

10. The solar array of claim 1, further comprising at least one electronic component selected from the group of electronic components consisting of a diode, a capacitor, an inductor, a sensor, a controller, a chip, and a transistor.

11. The solar array of claim 1, wherein said solar array provides an electrical current output and further comprising an inverter adapted to modify DC current to AC current.

12. The solar array of claim 1, wherein said solar array provides an electrical current output and further comprising a converter adapted to modify AC current to DC current.

13. The solar array of claim 1, further comprising a transformer coupled with said at least one solar module.

14. The solar array of claim 1, wherein said at least one solar module is operationally coupled with an electric power grid.

15. The solar array of claim 1, further comprising at least one additional solar module operatively couple with a trunk portion, collectively operatively coupled with the first solar array to form a network of solar arrays, said network of solar arrays being intermittently disposed along at least one traffic passageway and being operatively coupled with at least one recharging station adapted to provide energy to electric power storage devices of transportation vehicles.

16. The solar array of claim 15, further comprising an electrical power storage apparatus operationally coupled with the at least one solar module.

17. The solar array of claim 1, wherein said at least one solar module has a green coloration.

18. The solar array of claim 1, wherein the coloration of a portion of at least one of said at least one solar array and said trunk portion is varied so as to create a substantially natural appearance.

5. The solar array of 4, further comprising:

an electrically conductive element coupled with said at least one solar module; and

at least one mechanical fastener adapted to secure said solar array in a desired orientation

wherein said at least one solar module is configured to resemble a palm frond including a stem portion and a blade portion;

wherein said stem portion extending from said trunk portion; and

wherein said blade portion includes at least one solar cell having a working surface area adapted to capture radiant energy.

19. A solar array comprising:

a structure configured to resemble a palm tree comprising;

a trunk portion;

a plurality of solar modules, said solar array comprising a electric power cord including a connector for conducting electrical energy and recharging electric vehicles;

wherein each of said solar modules is configured to resemble a palm frond comprising a stem portion and a blade portion, said stem portion extending from said at least one trunk portion, said blade portion including at least one solar cell having a working surface area adapted to capture radiant energy and delivery an electrical energy output;

at least one electrically conductive element coupled with said plurality of solar modules adapted to conduct said electrical energy output; and

at least one mechanical fastener adapted to secure said solar array in at least one position relative to said trunk portion;

wherein said at least one trunk portion comprises a plurality of receptacles for receiving and coupling with the stem portions of said solar modules, said receptacles providing points of access to said at least one electrically conductive element.

20. A recharging station for transportation vehicles comprising:

a vending machine operationally coupled with said at least one solar module; and

a recharging cord operationally coupled with said at least one solar module said recharging cord being coupled in functional relation with at least one solar array configured to resemble a tree.