Building Construction

Abstract

Accordingly, this invention provides a method for constructing a building, the method comprising: (i) providing a supporting framework; (ii)providing at least one power generation member (10), the power generation member (10) comprising, in a discrete unit, a first layer and a second layer, wherein the first layer comprises support material (30, 32, 34) and the second layer comprises at least one energy converter for converting solar energy into heat and / or electricity (12, 14); and (iii) attaching the power generation member (10) to the framework such that the power generation member (10) is substantially self supporting and provides an outer surface of the building.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION[0001]This invention relates to a method and device for constructing a building, in particular one that simultaneously provides weather protection, insulation and solar energy capture (heat and / or power).BACKGROUND TO THE INVENTION[0002]With rising concerns over emissions of carbon dioxide and the increasing scarcity of fossil fuels it is becoming ever more difficult and expensive to rely upon these resources as a source of electricity. Therefore a growing market has been established for the exploitation of renewable resources. Solar power represents one of the most mature technologies for exploiting the natural resources available to us, and is therefore growing in popularity. However, it is difficult to build monolithic solar power plants which produce power comparable to traditional fuel-burning plants, because of the large area of solar panels that is required to achieve this output. One way to overcome this problem is to use small installations of solar pa...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

"The invention provides a method for constructing a building using a supporting framework and a power generation member. The power generation member is made up of a first layer that supports the framework and a second layer that converts solar energy into heat and / or electricity. The power generation member can be attached to the framework and acts as an outer surface of the building. The method simplifies the construction process and reduces costs by using a solar panel that acts as both a structural component and an energy converter. The power generation member can be manufactured off-site and attached to the framework at the construction site, providing weather protection and insulation. The method can be used to construct a building using a wood or steel framework and the power generation member can be attached using screws or bolts. The thermal collector can be a metal pipe or a flat plate with channels or a heat pipe. The method can also include using a dummy member to test the feasibility of the power generation member."

Problems solved by technology

With rising concerns over emissions of carbon dioxide and the increasing scarcity of fossil fuels it is becoming ever more difficult and expensive to rely upon these resources as a source of electricity.

However, it is difficult to build monolithic solar power plants which produce power comparable to traditional fuel-burning plants, because of the large area of solar panels that is required to achieve this output.

Solar panels are often difficult to fit, being generally fragile.

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