초록 ▼

A photovoltaic building structure comprises a number of interlockable building panels having photovoltaic generator devices supported thereupon. The photovoltaic devices may be attached to the panels by a vacuum lamination process in which a flexible, air impermeable membrane covers a stack of layer

A photovoltaic building structure comprises a number of interlockable building panels having photovoltaic generator devices supported thereupon. The photovoltaic devices may be attached to the panels by a vacuum lamination process in which a flexible, air impermeable membrane covers a stack of layers being laminated to the panel. Evacuation of air from between the membrane and panel causes the lamination stack to be compressed against the panel, and a pressure and/or heat activatable adhesive is employed to adhere the various layers to the panel. Installation of the panels is in accord with standard building techniques, and the presence of the photovoltaic generators does not change the mechanical characteristics of the panels.

대표청구항 ▼

[ I claim:] [1.] A building structure comprising:a plurality of sheet metal panels, each panel having: a generally planar, central pan portion defined thereupon, a first connector flange disposed along, and projecting from, a first edge of said panel, and a second connector flange disposed along, an

[ I claim:] [1.] A building structure comprising:a plurality of sheet metal panels, each panel having: a generally planar, central pan portion defined thereupon, a first connector flange disposed along, and projecting from, a first edge of said panel, and a second connector flange disposed along, and projecting from, a second edge of said panel, said first connector flange of each panel being capable of lockably engaging a second connector flange of another panel, whereby said panels may be lockably joined together;a plurality of flexible, thin film, photovoltaic generator units, each comprising: a flexible, thin film photovoltaic device having a positive electrode and a negative electrode, a body of laminating material encapsulating said photovoltaic device, a first lead in electrical communication with said positive electrode and a second lead in electrical communication with said negative electrode; each of said photovoltaic generator units being affixed to the central pan portion of a respective one of said panels.