Solar cell, module, array, network, and power grid

• US 8,957,301 B2
• Filed: 02/14/2011
• Issued: 02/17/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 02/14/2011
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Robert M. Lyden
• Original Assignee: Robert Lyden
• Inventors: Lyden, Robert
• Primary Examiner(s): TRINH, THANH TRUC
• Application Number:
  US13/027,207
• Publication Number:
  US 20120204925A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,464 Days
• Field of Search: 136243-293, 320/101, 320/104
• 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 palm tree comprising a trunk portion and at least one solar module configured to resemble a palm frond, said at least one solar module comprising one or more solar cells each having a working surface area configured to capture sunlight and to output electrical energy,

said structure being coupled via one or more electrically conductive elements with a plurality of additional structures also being configured to resemble a palm tree and having one or more solar modules,

said structure and said plurality of additional structures being intermittently disposed in at least one row along the periphery of a road to form a network of structures configured to output said electrical energy via said one or more electrically conductive elements to at least one recharging station configured to selectively provide said electrical energy to electric power storage devices of transportation vehicles which selectively couple with said at least one recharging station,

said network of structures and said at least one recharging station together forming an independent solar power grid.

2. The solar array of claim 1, wherein each of said network of structures further comprises at least one mechanical fastener configured to secure said at least one solar module in a desired orientation relative to said trunk.

3. The solar array of claim 1, wherein said at least one recharging station comprises an electric power cord including a connector for selectively conducting said electrical energy to said electric power storage devices of transportation vehicles.

4. The solar array of claim 1, wherein said at least one row is positioned within a median of said road.

5. The solar array of claim 1, wherein said at least one solar module comprises a stem portion and a blade portion, said stem portion extending from said trunk portion;

and

wherein said one or more solar cells are positioned on said blade portion.

6. The solar array of claim 1, wherein each of said network of structures 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, further comprising a battery operationally coupled with said network of structures.

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, further comprising an inverter adapted to modify DC current to AC current.

12. The solar array of claim 1, 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 independent solar power grid is operationally coupled with a conventional power grid.

15. The solar array of claim 1, wherein said at least one row comprises a first row positioned along a first side of said road and a second row positioned along a second side of said road.

16. The solar array of claim 1, further comprising an electrical power storage apparatus operationally coupled with said at least one recharging station.

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 module and said trunk portion is varied so as to create a substantially natural appearance.

19. The solar array of claim 5, wherein said trunk portion comprises a plurality of receptacles for receiving and coupling with the stem portions of said at least one solar module, said plurality of receptacles providing points of access to said one or more electrically conductive elements.

20. The solar array of claim 1, wherein said at least one recharging station comprises:

a vending machine having a recharging cord configured to be selectively connected to said electric power storage devices of transportation vehicles, such that said vending machine is configured to selectively provide said electrical energy to said electric power storage devices.