초록 ▼

An improved photovoltaic device including a solar panel and a container housing salt hydrate materials, in which the container is positioned in close proximity to the lower portion of the panel, which has no support-providing bottom wall, so that heat generated during operation of the photovoltaic c

An improved photovoltaic device including a solar panel and a container housing salt hydrate materials, in which the container is positioned in close proximity to the lower portion of the panel, which has no support-providing bottom wall, so that heat generated during operation of the photovoltaic cells will pass easily to the container for the salt hydrate materials, thus lowering the operating temperature of the cells.

대표청구항 ▼

A photovoltaic device for transforming light energy into usable electrical energy, comprising (a) a solar panel having side walls forming an enclosure with an upper portion adapted to receive light therethrough, and a lower portion; (b) photovoltaic cells positioned in said enclosure beneath said up

A photovoltaic device for transforming light energy into usable electrical energy, comprising (a) a solar panel having side walls forming an enclosure with an upper portion adapted to receive light therethrough, and a lower portion; (b) photovoltaic cells positioned in said enclosure beneath said upper portion and above said lower portion of said enclosure, said cells being enclosed in and supported and protected by an encapsulant and having light-receiving, upwardly facing surfaces and electrical contacts for collecting and channeling electrical energy generated by said cells to perform work; (c) said lower portion of said enclosure being free of any materials that substantially inhibit the passage of heat therethrough so that heat also generated during operation of said cells passes beneath said cells and into said lower portion of said enclosure, and (d) 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, (e) said container being positioned in proximity to said lower portion of said enclosure so that heat generated during the operation of said photovoltaic cells will pass freely to and through said lower portion of said enclosure and melt said salt hydrate materials, thereby effectively storing heat in said materials and lowering the operating temperature of said photovoltaic cells with minimal inhibition from the structure of said solar panel.