Unitized Building Integrated Photovoltaic Conversion Module Adapted With Electrical Isolation and Grounding

Abstract

An energy conversion device is adapted to be housed within a unitized curtain wall unit as part of an exterior shell or façade of a building structure. The device can be a photovoltaic module that includes grounding and isolation elements within the curtain wall unit.

Description

RELATED APPLICATION DATA[0001]The present application claims the benefit under 35 U.S.C. §119(e) of the priority date of Provisional Application Ser. No. 61 / 099,437 filed Sep. 23, 2008 and Provisional Application Ser. No. 61 / 114,410 filed Nov. 13, 2008, both which are hereby incorporated by reference. The application is further related to the following applications, all of which are filed on this same date and incorporated by reference herein:[0002]Building Integrated Power Generating System; Ser. No. ______ (attorney docket number 2009-1);[0003]UL Compliant Building Integrated Photovoltaic Conversion System; Ser. No. ______ (attorney docket number 2009-2);[0004]Method of Operating Building Integrated Photovoltaic Conversion System Ser. No. ______ (attorney docket number 2009-3);[0005]Building Integrated Photovoltaic Conversion System Implemented With Integrated Control Management Units Ser. No. ______ (attorney docket number 2009-4);[0006]Building Integrated Photovoltaic Conversion...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0018]Photovoltaic modular panels have been integrated into curtain wall glass for building integrated photovoltaics, as seen in U.S. Publication Serial No. 2008 / 0163918 incorporated by reference herein. Nonetheless the design described is optimized only for amorphous type solar cells, and is not conducive to ease of construction because it is not configured for efficient inter-modular connection. Nor does such design compensate for shading, a problem that severely impairs the performance of conventional series-connected solar panels particularly in articulated applications like building enclosures. As is well known, in conventional PV approaches shading degrades the performance and power output (or yield) of the shaded module or unit. When shading falls on one or more of the conventional series-connected solar panels, the series connected modules degrade in overall performance to that of the lowest yield in the string. Finally the prior art also fails to address the lack of overall Underwriters Laboratory certification or UL approval. UL certification of the framing system is an essential element to enable PV projects to be approved under applicable building and safety regulations, and thus is a key element to enable widespread adoption. Many commercially available modules are UL Approved to UL 1703, but no framing systems related to Building Integrated Photovoltaics (UL Category QHZQ) are commercially available today

Problems solved by technology

To date, however, such systems have been generally limited to conventional roof-top based systems which have limited photovoltaic capability and little aesthetic appeal.

Conventional roof-top based systems are limited in photovoltaic capability because, among other reasons, the modules which make up these conventional systems are connected in series which effectively lowers the productivity of the entire system to that of the least productive of the modules.

Conventional roof-top based systems also depend upon racking systems which do not afford a practical method to integrate photovoltaic elements into a vertical building face in an attractive and safe manner.

Shading by building elements, equipment, and other constraints severely limit the area available for PV deployment.

The project was in fact a failure due to the inability of the system designer to overcome regulatory restrictions on the incorporation of electrical elements into this type of structure.

Thus, while the panels are still attached to the side of the building, they have not been utilized to generate useful PV power.

Nonetheless the design described is optimized only for amorphous type solar cells, and is not conducive to ease of construction because it is not configured for efficient inter-modular connection.

Nor does such design compensate for shading, a problem that severely impairs the performance of conventional series-connected solar panels particularly in articulated applications like building enclosures.

As is well known, in conventional PV approaches shading degrades the performance and power output (or yield) of the shaded module or unit.

When shading falls on one or more of the conventional series-connected solar panels, the series connected modules degrade in overall performance to that of the lowest yield in the string.

Finally the prior art also fails to address the lack of overall Underwriters Laboratory certification or UL approval.

However, this system is connected in series, without individual module management.

In addition, the array construction method lacks inter-module conduits or passages suitable for routing wiring.

These additional runs add cost and complexity to installation, reduce operational efficiency, raise maintenance costs and complexity, and potentially increase susceptibility to failure.

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