Multifunctional static or semi-static photovoltaic skylight and/or methods of making the same
First Claim
1. A skylight, comprising:
- first, second, and third substrates that are substantially parallel to each other, wherein the second substrate is located between the first and third substrates;
a plurality of solar cells supported by the second substrate;
wherein the first substrate comprises a lens array comprising a plurality of lenses, said lenses configured to concentrate light on the solar cells, the lens array being spaced apart from the second substrate supporting the solar cells such that a first gap is defined between the lens array and the second substrate and such that the first and second substrates remain a fixed distance apart; and
wherein the first gap is between the first and second substrates, and a second gap is between the second and third substrates, wherein at least one of the gaps is filled with an inert gas.
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Accused Products
Abstract
Improved building-integrated photovoltaic systems according to certain example embodiments may include concentrated photovoltaic skylights or other windows having a cylindrical lens array. The skylight may include an insulated glass unit, which may improve the Solar Heat Gain Coefficient (SHGC). The photovoltaic skylight and lens arrays may be used in combination with strip solar cells. Arrangements that involve lateral displacement tracking systems, or static systems (e.g., that are fixed at one, two, or more predefined positions) are contemplated herein. Such techniques may advantageously help to reduce cost per watt related, in part, to the potentially reduced amount of semiconductor material to be used for such example embodiments. A photovoltaic skylight may permit diffuse daylight to pass through into an interior of a building so as to provide lighting inside the building, while the strip solar cells absorb the direct sunlight and convert it to electricity, providing for SHGC tuning.
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Citations
20 Claims
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1. A skylight, comprising:
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first, second, and third substrates that are substantially parallel to each other, wherein the second substrate is located between the first and third substrates; a plurality of solar cells supported by the second substrate; wherein the first substrate comprises a lens array comprising a plurality of lenses, said lenses configured to concentrate light on the solar cells, the lens array being spaced apart from the second substrate supporting the solar cells such that a first gap is defined between the lens array and the second substrate and such that the first and second substrates remain a fixed distance apart; and wherein the first gap is between the first and second substrates, and a second gap is between the second and third substrates, wherein at least one of the gaps is filled with an inert gas. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6)
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7. A skylight, comprising:
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first, second, and third substrates that are substantially parallel to each other, wherein the second substrate is located between the first and third substrates; a plurality of solar cells supported by the second substrate; and wherein the first substrate comprises a lens array comprising a plurality of lenses for concentrating light on the solar cells, the lens array being spaced apart from the second substrate supporting the solar cells such that a first gap is defined between the lens array and the second substrate, wherein the lens array and the solar cells are movable relative to one another as between at least first and second predefined positions, wherein the first gap is between the first and second substrates, and a second gap is between the second and third substrates, wherein at least one of the gaps is filled with an inert gas. - View Dependent Claims (8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
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17. A method of making a building integrated photovoltaic device, the method comprising:
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providing first, second, and third substrates that are substantially parallel to each other, wherein the second substrate is located between the first and third substrates, the second substrate supporting a plurality of generally elongate solar cells; the first substrate comprising a lens array comprising a plurality of lenses; and wherein a first gap is between the first and second substrates, and a second gap is between the second and third substrates, wherein at least one of the gaps is filled with an inert gas. - View Dependent Claims (18, 19, 20)
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Specification