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

• US 20150162869A1
• Filed: 02/13/2015
• Published: 06/11/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 08/29/2003
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Robert M. Lyden
• Original Assignee: Robert M. Lyden
• Inventors: Lyden, Robert M.
• Application Number:
  US14/622,745
• Publication Number:
  US 20150162869A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 1/1
• 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 module comprising:

a substrate having a shape resembling a palm frond, comprising a stem portion and a blade portion; and

at least one solar cell coupled with an upper surface of said blade portion, said at least one solar cell being shaped to have peripheral edges following the shape of the peripheral edges of said blade portion.

2. The solar module of claim 1, wherein said at least one solar cell comprises a plurality of solar cells collectively being shaped to have peripheral edges following said peripheral edges of said blade portion.

3. The solar module of claim 2, wherein each of said plurality of solar cells are separated by spaces resembling leaf veins.

4. The solar module of claim 3, wherein said plurality of solar cells comprises a plurality of central solar cells proximate to a midline of said blade portion and a plurality of edge solar cells proximate to said peripheral edges of said blade portion.

5. The solar module of claim 1, wherein said at least one solar cell is at least partially spaced away from said peripheral edges of said blade portion.

6. The solar module of claim 1, wherein said at least one solar cell is textured with a plurality of peaks and valleys.

7. The solar module of claim 1, wherein said at least one solar cell comprises photovoltaic film.

8. The solar module of claim 1, wherein said at least one solar cell comprises a coating.

9. The solar module of claim 1, wherein said at least one solar cell comprises paint.

10. The solar module of claim 1, wherein said at least one solar cell comprises at least one nano structure.

11. The solar module of claim 1, wherein said blade portion comprises a central section extending along a midline of said blade portion and a plurality of blades extending outward from said central section.

12. The solar module of claim 1, wherein said blade portion is serrated.

13. The solar module of claim 1, further comprising at least one secondary solar cell coupled with a lower surface of said blade portion.

14. The solar module of claim 1, further comprising a capacitor configured to store energy output by said at least one solar cell.

15. The solar module of claim 14, wherein said capacitor is a layer positioned beneath said at least one solar cell.

16. The solar module of claim 15, wherein said capacitor comprises paint and/or a coating.

17. The solar module of claim 15, wherein said capacitor comprises vapor and/or power deposited material.

18. The solar module of claim 15, wherein said capacitor is a layer positioned between said at least one solar cell and at least one secondary solar cell coupled with a lower surface of said blade portion.

19. A solar module comprising:

a substrate having a shape resembling a leaf of a deciduous tree, comprising a stem portion and a blade portion; and

at least one solar cell coupled with an upper surface of said blade portion, said at least one solar cell being shaped to have peripheral edges following the shape of the peripheral edges of said blade portion.

20. A solar module comprising:

a substrate having a shape resembling a branch of an evergreen tree, comprising a central portion extending substantially along a midline of said branch, a plurality of stem portions extending outward from said central portion, and a plurality of needle portions extending outward from each of said plurality of stem portions; and

at least one solar cell coupled with an upper surface of said substrate, said at least one solar cell being shaped to have peripheral edges following the shape of the peripheral edges of said substrate.