초록

A photovoltaic device including a solar panel and a container housing phase change materials positioned together so that heat generated during operation of the cells in the panel will melt the phase change materials, thereby storing heat and lowering the operating temperature of the cells.

대표청구항 ▼

A photovoltaic device for transforming light energy into usable electrical energy and heat energy, comprising (a) a solar panel having a bottom and side walls forming a tray with an open front to receive light; (b) photovoltaic cells positioned in said tray beneath said open front, said cells having

A photovoltaic device for transforming light energy into usable electrical energy and heat energy, comprising (a) a solar panel having a bottom and side walls forming a tray with an open front to receive light; (b) photovoltaic cells positioned in said tray beneath said open front, said cells having light-receiving, upwardly facing surfaces and electrical contacts for collecting and channeling electrical energy generated by said cells to perform work, said bottom of said tray being formed of material that allows heat to pass through it so that heat also generated during operation of said cells passes to and through said tray bottom, and (c) a container housing salt hydrate materials that are solid at ambient temperatures of use of said solar panel and can be melted by the heat generated during operation of said photovoltaic cells, said container being releasably positioned in proximity to said tray bottom, so that heat generated during the operation of said photovoltaic cells will pass to and through said bottom and melt said salt hydrate materials, thereby effectively storing heat in said materials and lowering the operating temperature of said photovoltaic cells.