Container comprising one or more than one solar panel, and a method of using such a container

Abstract

Container (1), configured to accommodate one or more than one person, comprising: • - a bottom panel (3), a top panel (4) and a plurality of side panels (2); • - a plurality of corner castings (5) that extend outward relative to the top panel, wherein a mounting offset (7) is defined between an imaginary plane, that is defined by top sides of the plurality of corner castings, and an outer surface of the top panel; • - wherein one or more than one solar panel (6) is completely arranged in said mounting offset and supported by a frame (19) that is also arranged in the mounting offset at a further offset above the outer surface of the top panel; and • - wherein one or more than one spacer (17) is arranged between the frame and the outer surface of the top panel. It further relates to a method of using such a container.

Description

[0001] TITLE

[0002] Container comprising one or more than one solar panel, and a method of using such a container

[0003] FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0004] The invention in general pertains to a container comprising one or more than one solar panel and to a method of using such a container.

[0005] BACKGROUND

[0006] It is known that containers can be utilized for a variety of applications and on diverse geographic locations, between which they are transported during their lifetime. The ease of the shipping of containers, e.g. per ship, truck or train, thereby provides a means for enabling the variety of applications in many, sometimes remote, locations.

[0007] Some of the applications of a container require that the container is provided with some form of electricity. In case the container is used as a (temporary) mobile office, electricity can be used to provide power to office apparatuses (computers, printers, fax machines, telephones, lighting etc.), or in the case of storage (e.g., wherein power to an air-conditioner, refrigerator or cooling element is required).

[0008] Solar panels are devices that convert sunlight into electricity and thus can provide a renewable energy source. A large benefit of solar power is that the sun generally is available anywhere on Earth during the day, and therefore provides a widely available source of electricity by using solar panels, in many, even remote, locations. Therefore, solar panels are beneficial for supplying electrical power to containers. Several assemblies of containers connected to and / or mounted with solar panels are known and described in the art. Those described in the art, however, have several disadvantages that can complicate the transport, placement, assembly and / or manufacture of said containers and / or solar panels. In some applications, a module with solar panels is mounted on top of a container. Such a module increases the height of the container. In order to prevent that a low loader truck is required for transporting the container with module already mounted on top of the container, the container and module are normally transported apart from each other. This has the benefit that regular trailers are sufficient and no low loader truck is required, but may increase the number of trucks needed to transport all elements separately to the destination. It is also a disadvantage that lifting means, such as a forklift or crane, are required at the destination to lift the module on top of the container at the workplace. Moreover, when inactive, such modules are normally also stored separate from the containers at their storage location, and consequently occupy additional footprint at the storage location. After all, if the modules would remain mounted on top of the containers, the solar panel would be obstruent to stacking of the containers. Some assemblies described in the art comprise a combination of the above-mentioned disadvantages.

[0009] Any of these disadvantages hinder the ease of transporting and using a container and / or make it unduly expensive to use a container. Such high costs are inexpedient when using a container, for example, as a temporary office in a remote location. Therefore there is a need for a container with solar panels that lacks the disadvantages that current assemblies have.

[0010] United States patent application US 2023 / 0030774 A1 , which is considered the closest prior art, discloses a device for emergency deployment of a post office. A portable post office is contained within an intermodal container. A power system may be configured to deliver electricity to internal components of the post office, such as an air conditioner, lighting and electrical outlets. The power system may be configured to receive electricity from a primary power supply, which may be a solar panel that is mounted to the roof of the intermodal container.

[0011] International patent applications WO 2023 / 283276 A1 and WO 2015 / 164913 A1 , United States patent application US 2023 / 0081734 A1 , United States patent US 9, 157,418 B2 and Korean patent application KR 10-2017-0032685 A, are acknowledged as further prior art.

[0012] OBJECT OF THE INVENTION

[0013] It is an object of the invention to provide for a container with one or more solar panels that is improved relative to those in the art and wherein at least one of the above stated problems is obviated and / or alleviated. DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0014] In order to meet the object of the invention a container is provided with the container, configured to accommodate one or more than one person, according to claim 1 of the present invention, wherein said container comprises:

[0015] - a bottom panel, a top panel and a plurality of side panels;

[0016] - a plurality of corner castings, each arranged at a corner of the top panel, configured for handling of the container;

[0017] - wherein the plurality of corner castings extend outward relative to the top panel, wherein a mounting offset is defined between an imaginary plane, that is defined by top sides of the plurality of corner castings, and an outer surface of the top panel; and

[0018] - wherein one or more than one solar panel is completely arranged in said mounting offset.

[0019] - wherein the one or more than one solar panel is supported by a frame that is also arranged in the mounting offset and at a further offset above the outer surface of the top panel; and

[0020] - wherein one or more than one spacer is arranged between the frame and the outer surface of the top panel.

[0021] A container provided with one or more than one solar panel arranged in a mounting offset, wherein said mounting offset is defined between an imaginary plane, that is defined by top sides of the plurality of corner castings, and an outer surface of the top panel of said container meets the object of the invention. The arranging of the one or more solar panels in the current invention ensures that said solar panels are completely arranged in the mounting offset. This means that none of the solar panels extends further outward relative to the top panel than any one or more of the corner castings arranged at the corner of the top panel of the container. Therefore, a container may be stacked onto a container according to the invention, without the risk of the underside of the bottom panel of the container placed onto the container with the solar panels touching and damaging the solar panels.

[0022] According to the invention, the one or more than one solar panel is supported by a frame. Just like the one or more than one solar panel, the frame that supports this one or more than one solar panel, is also arranged in the mounting offset. In this way, both the frame and the one or more than one solar panel are fully arranged within the mounting offset. In other words, the one or more than one solar panel supported by the frame do not extend further away from the top panel than the imaginary plane that is defined by the top sides of the plurality of corner castings. The containers are therefore stackable, without a risk of damaging the one or more than one solar panel that is supported by the frame above the top panel. Using a frame to support the one or more than one solar panel provides the advantage that there is no need to adjust the top panel of the container, thereby maintaining its original water drainage functionality. Moreover, one or more than one spacer is arranged between the frame and the outer surface of the top panel, thereby spacing the frame relative to the top panel. In this way, the water drainage functionality of the original container is hardly influenced, because the water may easily drain along the limited area covered by the spacers, and does not have to flow along or against the frame (as would be the case when the frame was directly mounted on the top panel). This configuration thus results in the one or more than one solar panel being arranged at a height above the top panel of the container that is defined by the height of the spacers and the height of the frame. In this way, the solar panels are placed at a vertical offset relative to the top panel that prevents an underside of the solar panels, or any wiring or converters, to become partially submerged by excess water on the top panel of the container during heavy rainfall.

[0023] The adjustments made to a container in the current invention did not affect the normal functioning and / or use of the container. For example, the container according to the invention allows for the stacking of and / or for connecting (e.g., by a locking means) a plurality containers (both according to and not according to (e.g. regular, state of the art) containers). Moreover, the adjustments made to a container according to the current invention do not affect the rigidity, stability and / or robustness of a container in any disadvantageous manner. Furthermore, in some optional embodiments, adjustments to a container have been made in order to normalize, or even improve, water drainage of a container according to the invention.

[0024] The container in accordance with the invention provides for a container comprising solar panels that can be transported by a regular truck, train or lorry, and does not necessarily require the use of speciality transport (e.g., exceptional convoy), such as a low loader, to enable the transport. In particular, because the one or more solar panels are completely arranged in the mounting offset defined herein the total height of the container does in a preferred embodiment not exceed the standard height of a container (i.e. 2.6 m (8’6” (8 feet 6 inches)) or 2.9 m (9’6” (9 feet 6 inches))). The invention thus allows that regular truck trailers, trains or lorries can transport the container of the invention without potential hindrance (e.g., not being able to go under bridges, tunnels etc.) by an unconventional height of the container.

[0025] The container in accordance with the invention has the benefit of being ready- to-use upon immediately after delivery at its destination. The solar panels are mounted in such a way on the top panel of the container that, after placing said container on the location where it will be used in operation, (in principle) no action is required for ensuring the container is ready-to-use. For example, containers in the art more often than not require the mounting of an assembly comprising solar panels on the top panel of a container. Such assemblies are relatively heavy in weight and therefore generally require the use of dedicated equipment, such as a forklift or crane, for the mounting on top of said container. Such equipment is not always available, especially not in remote locations. The container according to the invention is thus particularly suitable to be applied in such remote locations, because it doesn’t require additional handling, and is capable to generate its own electricity via the solar panels. For example, in case a container for a use requiring an energy source, that is based on solar energy, is to be placed in a remote location (e.g., a medical unit for use in a remote area) it is an unduly difficult and expensive undertaking to achieve the placing of such a container when a separate assembly or module containing solar panels in addition needs to be placed on top of the container.

[0026] Thus, the container in accordance with the invention is ready-to-use, easy to transport, stackable, requires no assemblage of solar panels on location, meets standard height / length / width-requirements, and / or provides a cost-effective manner of providing a container comprising electrical power in the form of solar power collected by solar panels. Preferably, the container in accordance with the invention lacks the disadvantages of containers known in the art, preferably those comprising a module with one or more solar panels, that is mounted onto the container at its destination. Preferably, the container in accordance with the invention provides at least one or more, or all, the above-mentioned benefits. Therefore, according to the invention there is provided for a container, configured to accommodate one or more than one person, comprising:

[0027] - a bottom panel, a top panel and a plurality of side panels;

[0028] - a plurality of corner castings, each arranged at a corner of the top panel, configured for handling of the container;

[0029] - wherein the plurality of corner castings extend outward relative to the top panel, wherein a mounting offset is defined between an imaginary plane, that is defined by top sides of the plurality of corner castings, and an outer surface of the top panel;

[0030] - wherein one or more than one solar panel is completely arranged in said mounting offset;

[0031] - wherein the one or more than one solar panel is supported by a frame that is also arranged in the mounting offset and at a further offset above the outer surface of the top panel; and

[0032] - wherein one or more than one spacer is arranged between the frame and the outer surface of the top panel.

[0033] As embodied herein, the container is configured to accommodate one or more than one person. Such accommodation may be beneficial for a number of uses of said container such as, but not limited to (temporary) office, field hospital, storage, transporting means, sanitary use (shower, toilet etc.), safety cage, etc.

[0034] As embodied herein, the container generally comprises a bottom panel, top panel and a plurality of side panels. The panels can be made of any material, with the preference for materials such as metals and / or alloys. The panels may comprise corrugations, preferably most of the outer and / or inner surface of said panels comprises corrugations. Corrugations for containers are known in the art and inter alia provide structural integrity (rigidity) to a container. In some embodiments the side panels may be mounted on one or more top rails arranged at the top of the container and extending between the corner castings of the container.

[0035] As embodied herein, preferably the container comprises four side panels. In case of 4 side panels the side panels may be similarly or differently sized. Preferably the first two opposing sides comprise about the same size and the other two opposing sizes comprise about the same size, wherein the size of the first two opposing sides is different from the size of the other two opposing sizes. Preferably, the container is in the form of a beam. To illustrate: the top, bottom and two side panels are differently sized, preferably larger, than those of the two other side panels.

[0036] As embodied herein, the container comprises a plurality of corner castings. Corner castings generally are arranged at the corners of a container, e.g. of a shipping container. Preferably any type of corner casting known and used in the art is embodied herein an considered suitable for the current invention. It is contemplated that a container generally comprises at least four, preferably eight corner castings (four located on each corner of the top panel and four located on each corner of the bottom panel). Provided herein are at least a plurality of corner castings, preferably the container according to the invention comprises at least four corner castings. As embodied herein, each corner casting is at least arranged at a corner of the top panel. It is highly preferred that the at least four corner castings are arranged at the at least four corners of the top panel. Corner castings provided herein are arranged at a corner of the top panel by using means known in the art for fastening corner castings to corners of a container.

[0037] Further, the corner castings provided herein are configured for handling the container. Corner castings are commonly used in the art for, for example (but not limited to), the handling of the container, the locking (e.g. by using a twist lock) of one container to at least one other container (e.g. on board of a ship) and / or the connecting of a lifting means to the container. The corner casting as embodied herein can be of any material, with the preference for materials such as metals and / or alloys. A possible configuration of the corner casting may be that the corner casting at least comprises a fixing hole. Generally, corner castings comprise at least one, at least two, or at least three fixing holes. Such fixing holes are suitable for handling the container, inserting a twist lock and / or connecting a lifting means.

[0038] As further embodied herein, the corner castings extend outward relative to the top panel. In the art corner castings generally do not, or only slightly (e.g. at most only the top-half of the corner casting), extend outward relative to the top panel of the container. In some embodiments, the corner castings are almost fully extending outward relative to the top panel, wherein for example only the outer surface of the bottom surface of a corner casting is in direct contact (e.g. fastened) to the outer surface of the top panel. As embodied herein there is provided for a mounting offset wherein one or more solar panels are arranged, preferably completely arranged, meaning that the total height of said one or more solar panels does not extend beyond the mounting offset.

[0039] Said mounting offset is defined by an imaginary plane that is defined by the top surfaces of the plurality of corner castings. The imaginary plane as meant herein is an imaginary (flat) surface that serves as a boundary for defining the mounting offset. Said mounting offset thus is to be understood in some embodiments of the current invention as the distance (e.g., in height (in inch or cm)) between the top panel and the top surface of one or more of the corner castings that are arranged on top (e.g. in / on / at / in contact with / attached to the top panel) of a container.

[0040] The mounting offset does not exceed the height of the corner castings and the height defined by the imaginary plane that can be imagined between said plurality of corner castings. For example, in the case of four corner castings an imaginary plane is defined between the top surfaces of said four corner castings. Said imaginary plane has the same height as the corner castings. As such, it is highly preferred that said plurality of corner castings comprise approximately the same height, i.e. extend outward approximately equally (in height) relative to the top panel of the container. For illustrative purposes, said imaginary plane is a plane that could for example be occupied by the outer surface of a bottom panel (also referred to herein as bottom panel), of a second container that is being placed on top of a first container, preferably on top of the outer surfaces of the top surfaces of the corner castings, comprising said mounting offset (and said corner castings defining the imaginary plane).

[0041] Provided herein are one or more solar panels, for example a 6 m (20 foot) container may accommodate six solar panels, more in particular two rows of three solar panels each. In principle, any solar panel and / or any number of solar panels may be used, wherein limitations can be 1) the size of the container and / or 2) the dimensions of the solar panels. For example, the smaller some of the dimensions (e.g., width and / or length) of a solar panel the more may be arranged on a container in accordance with the invention and / or the more may be completely arranged in the mounting offset. In other words, the solar panels, preferably at all times, do not hinder, for example, the stacking of two or more containers.

[0042] According to a preferred embodiment, the solar panels are fixed in an orientation parallel to the top panel. Although this may limit the peak power achievable during the day, this provides a power generation that is more evenly spread over the day, and normally still sufficient to power all desired applications inside the container. Moreover, the power generation of the container will be substantially independent of the orientation of the container. Moreover, the solar panels simply cannot extend outside the mounting offset, so there is no risk that they get damaged, for example when containers are stacked.

[0043] It is however conceivable that in an alternative embodiment, the solar panels may temporarily extend further outward relative to the top panel compared to the corner castings in case the one or more than one solar panel and / or the frame on which a solar panel is mounted is temporarily placed at an angle relative to the top panel, for example to allow the amount of sunlight collected to be increased by the placing of the solar panels under said angle.

[0044] Accordingly, the current object is achieved by the abovementioned features of the current invention. Further embodiments of the current invention are also provided throughout the current description and drawings.

[0045] Said objective is furthermore achieved with the method of using a container according to the invention, said method comprising the steps of:

[0046] - generating electrical power by the one or more than one solar panel; and

[0047] - feeding the power to an electrical power consumer arranged inside the container.

[0048] For methods of using the container according to the current invention the one or more than one solar panel is allowed to generate electrical power, e.g. by placing the container comprising said solar panel in a location where the solar panel can collect solar energy. The generating of electrical power by the one or more solar panels optionally comprises that the solar energy collected by the solar panels is fed to an inverter.

[0049] As provided herein an electrical power consumer arranged inside the container may be for example, but not limited to, one or more selected from the group consisting of a lamp, a power outlet, a climate control element, a heating and / or cooling element, an air conditioning unit, a humidifier.

[0050] It is understood herein that electrical power consumer may also be placed outside of the container, e.g. a lamp, and therefore electrical power consumer inside and / or outside the container are likewise encompassed by the current invention. Further encompassed herein is a process for producing and / or manufacturing of a container in accordance with the invention.

[0051] Preferred embodiments are the subject of the dependent claims.

[0052] The various aspects and features described and shown in the description can be applied, individually, wherever possible. These individual aspects, and in particular the aspects and features described in the attached dependent claims, may be an invention in its own right that is related to a different problem relative to the prior art.

[0053] DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0054] In the following description preferred embodiments of the present invention are further elucidated with reference to the drawings, in which:

[0055] Figure 1 is a perspective view of a container according to the invention;

[0056] Figure 2 is a detailed side view of the container of Figure 1 ; and

[0057] Figure 3 is a cross sectional view of the container of Figure 1 in section III of Figure 1.

[0058] The container 1 comprises side panels 2, a bottom panel 3 and a top panel 4. Further, in this exemplary embodiment of the invention, the container 1 comprises a plurality of corner castings 5 and a plurality of solar panels 6. As exemplified herein the corner castings 5 extend outward relative to the top panel 4. The corner castings 5 illustrated in Figure 1 comprise at least one fixing hole 10. The plurality of solar panels 6 are completely arranged within a mounting offset 7 that is defined between an imaginary plane, that is defined by top sides 14 of the plurality of corner castings 5, and the outer surface 13 of the top panel 4 defined by an imaginary plane. Further, a power cable 8 connected to a solar panel 6 and said power cable 8 passing through a through hole 9 is illustrated in Figure 1. As illustrated in Figure 1 , the height of the outer dimension of the container 1 , defined between the lower side of the bottom panel 3 and a top side 14 of the corner casting 5 (reference number 11) is more (i.e. larger, higher) than the height of the outer dimension of the container 1 , defined between the lower side of the bottom panel 3 and the outer surface 13 of the top panel 4 of the container 1 (reference number 12). Further illustrated in Figure 1 is a section plane III, that is shown in more detail in Figure 3. Figure 2 is a detailed view of solar panel 6 on the container 1. The container 1 comprises a top rail 16. Said top rail 16 is suitable for connecting one corner casting 5 with another corner casting 5, thereby allowing for the mounting of side panels 2 to the container 1. On this top rail 16 a spacer 17 is mounted. The spacer 17 comprises one or more recesses 18 that allow for water drainage of the top panel 4. On the spacer 17 a frame 19 for the solar panel 6 is mounted.

[0059] Figure 3 show a cross section of the container 1 at section III indicated in Figure 1. On the spacer 17 a frame 19 for the solar panel 6 is mounted. The frame 19 and solar panels 6 are completely arranged within the mounting offset 7 defined by the distance between the top surface 14 of the corner casting 5 and the outer surface 13 of the top panel 4 of the container 1. As shown in Figure 2, the recesses 18 in the spacer 17 allow for water drainage of the top panel 4.

[0060] In preferred embodiments there is provided for a container 1 in accordance with the invention, wherein an outer surface 15 of the one or more than one solar panel 6 that faces away from the top panel 4 of the container 1 is arranged at a safety offset 20 relative to the imaginary plane defined by the top sides 14 of the plurality of corner castings 5. Preferably, the safety offset 20 comprises an offset that is at least sufficient for allowing the stacking of one container on top of the other container 1 , e.g., by allowing the plurality of corner castings 5 arranged at the top of one container 1 (bottom container) to contact the outer surface a bottom panel 3 and / or the corner castings 5 arranged at the bottom of another container (top container), without contacting the one or more solar panels 6 with said outer surface of the bottom panel 3. Thus, it is preferred that the safety offset 20 is sufficient for preventing the outer surface 15 of the one or more solar panels 6 to be in contact with the outer surface of a bottom panel 3 of another container (thereby preventing damage to the one or more solar panels 6).

[0061] In preferred embodiments, there is provided for a container 1 in accordance with the invention, wherein an imaginary mounting space is defined in between at least three corner castings 5, wherein the height of said mounting space is defined by the mounting offset 7, and said one or more than one solar panel 6 is arranged in said mounting space. It is understood herein that in some embodiments the mounting space is a space on the top of a container 1 in accordance with the invention, preferably a space between the outer surface 13 of the top panel 4 and the imaginary plane defined as described herein, wherein the one or more solar panels 6 can be mounted. In other words, the mounting offset 7 as described herein provides a space suitable for mounting one or more solar panels 6 on top of the container 1.

[0062] In preferred embodiments, there is provided for a container 1 in accordance with the invention, wherein a height of an outer dimension of the container 1 is defined between a lower side of the bottom panel 3 and a top side 14 of the corner casting 5 and said height is at most 2.6 m (8’6” (8 foot 6 inches)) or at most 2.9 (9’6” (9 foot 6 inches)). It is highly preferred that the height of the outer dimension of the container 1 comprises a standard height (i.e. commonly used and known in the art).

[0063] In more preferred embodiments, the height (see Figure 1 , reference number 11) of the outer dimension of the container 1 , defined between the lower side of the bottom panel 3 and a top side 14 of the corner casting is more (i.e. larger, higher) than the height (see Figure 1 , reference number 12) of the outer dimension of the container 1 , defined between the lower side of the bottom panel 3 and the outer surface 13 of the top panel 4 of the container 1. The difference in height is also disclosed throughout this description as a mounting offset 7.

[0064] In preferred embodiments, there is provided for a container 1 in accordance with the invention, wherein the mounting offset 7 as embodied herein is at least about 5 cm. Preferably said mounting offset 7 (and the thereby provided mounting space) is sufficient to allow for the placing of one or more solar panels 6. Any type of solar panel theoretically could be placed on the outer surface 13 of the top panel 4 of the container 1 in accordance with the invention, provided that the mounting offset 7 is sufficient to allow for said solar panel 6 to be completely arranged in said mounting offset 7. It is contemplated herein that one or more solar panels 6 can be arranged directly onto and / or in, preferably onto (e.g., for reasons of water drainage), the outer surface 13 of the top panel 4. Alternatively or additionally, one or more solar panels 6 can be arranged on a mounting structure, e.g., a rail, frame and the like. In some embodiments, solar panels 6 can be separated from the outer surface 13 of the top panel 4 of a container 1 by using one or more spacers 17.

[0065] In preferred embodiments, there is provided for a container 1 in accordance with the invention, wherein the one or more than one solar panel 6 is supported by a frame 19 that is also arranged in the mounting offset 7. Preferably said frame 19 is mounted on a spacer 17 that is mounted on a top rail 16 of the container 1 , for example according to the set-up disclosed in Figure 3. Alternatively, said frame 19 is arranged directly in and / or onto the outer surface 13 of the top panel 4. Alternatively, said frame 19 can be arranged such that it does not, or only partly, contacts the outer surface 13 of the top panel 4, for example by mounting the frame 19 on one or more spacers 17. The frame 19 provided herein may be made of any material, but preferably is made of a metal, alloy, wood and / or a rigid-plastic material (e.g. polyvinylchloride, polyethylene). Further, the frame 19 may have any form or shape that allows for the mounting of at least one solar panel 6 in or onto the frame 19.

[0066] Further, the frame 19 preferably does not exceed the height defined by the mounting offset 7 as provided herein and / or allows for solar panels 6 to be mounted on top of said frame 19 without said mounting resulting in the exceeding the height of the mounting space as defined by the mounting offset 7. The frame 19, including the solar panels 6, is completely arranged in the mounting offset 7. In some embodiments, the frame 19 and / or solar panels 6, once mounted, can be removed from the top panel 4 of the container 1 and / or from the frame 19 and / or one or more spacers 17.

[0067] In preferred embodiments, there is provided for a container 1 in accordance with the invention, wherein the mounting offset 7 is at least about 10 cm. As described above the mounting offset 7 comprises such dimensions, height, that it is sufficient to allow for the frame 19 as described and embodied herein and one or more solar panels 6 to be completely arranged in the mounting offset 7.

[0068] In preferred embodiments, there is provided for a container 1 in accordance with the invention, wherein the frame 19 is arranged at a further offset above the outer surface 13 of the top panel 4. It is contemplated that, in case the one or more solar panels 6 are mounted on a frame 19, in accordance with some embodiments disclosed herein, there is no need to adjust the top panel 4 of the container 1 to allow for water drainage. For example, a top panel 4 of a container 1 can have corrugations (also referred to as inlets or coves) on at least the outer surface 13 for collecting rainwater and for allowing said water to flow off said top panel 4. Preferably, the frame 19 allows that the original functionality of the top surface, for example regarding water drainage, remains unchanged. It is not preferred that any one of the herein disclosed assemblies could potentially lead to water leakage or a reduction of the structural integrity of the container 1. In preferred embodiments, there is provided for a container 1 in accordance with the invention and comprising a frame 19, wherein one or more than one spacer

[0069] 17 is arranged between the frame 19 and the outer surface 13 of the top panel 4. As described above the frame 19 preferably is not completely in direct contact with the outer surface 13 of the top panel 4. As such, it will be understood herein that, in certain embodiments, the frame 19 may be separated from the outer surface 13 of the top panel 4, for example through a spacer 17. Such a spacer 17 may be, for example, a fastening means or a support structure for / of the frame 19. A spacer 17 can be made of any material suitable for the mounting of a frame 19. The spacer 17 preferably does not hinder the water drainage of the container 1. It is preferred that the spacer 17 is in the form of a corner profile. Preferably the spacer 17 comprises one or more recesses

[0070] 18 that allow for water drainage of the top panel 4 of the container 1 , such as is disclosed and exemplified in Figure 3. A spacer 17 may be directly fastened to the top panel 4 and / or a top rail 16 of the container 1 , thereby enabling the forming of an offset between the frame 19 and the outer surface 13 of the top panel 4. The total height of the assembly comprising the spacer 17, frame 19 and solar panels 6, measured by determining the sum of the thickness of the solar panels 6, frame 19 and spacer 17, should preferably be less than the herein disclosed mounting space defined by the mounting offset 7. A spacer 17 provided herein may be integrated in the frame 19 and / or in (the outer surface 13 of) the top panel 4 of the container 1. As described earlier, herein the spacer 17 may also be used to separate a solar panel 6 from the outer surface 13 of the top panel 4.

[0071] In preferred embodiments, there is provided for a container 1 in accordance with the invention, wherein the one or more than one solar panel 6 is connected to a power cable 8 passing through a through hole 9 that is arranged in at least one of the top panel 4 and the plurality of side panels 2 of said container 1. In Figure 1 an illustrative example is shown of a power cable 8 connected to a solar panel 6 that passes through a through hole 9 in the top panel 4 of the container 1 , however it is also encompassed herein that the through hole 9 can be arranged in any one, or more of the side panels 2. Also, through holes 9 suitable for the passing through of power cables 8 in both one or more side panels 2 and the top panel 4 are contemplated. In some embodiments, the container 1 may comprise a plurality of power cables 8 passing through one or more through holes 9. This can for example be due to the amount of power required for the use and / or the number of solar panels 6 arranged at on the top of the container 1. Preferably the power cable 8 is arranged such that it enables electrical power to be available on the inside of the container 1 thereby enabling a variety of uses of said container 1 requiring electricity (electrical power). In some embodiments, the solar panels 6 are connected to an inverter, accumulator and / or battery.

[0072] In preferred embodiments the container 1 in accordance with the invention is a shipping container. Preferably, a shipping container comprising any one of the in the art commonly used standard sized shipping containers, such as, but not limited to containers being about 3 m (10 foot), 6 m (20 foot), 9 m (30 foot), 12 m (40 foot) or 14 m (45 foot) in length and at least about 1.2 m (4 foot), about 2.4 m (8 foot) in width and at least about 2.4 m (8 foot), preferably about 2.6 m (8 foot and 6 inches) or about 2.7 m (9 foot), preferably about 2.9 m (9 foot and 6 inches) in height.

[0073] Such a shipping container may comprise any container, preferably one having any or more of the above mentioned dimensions, that is suitable for shipping goods over land and / or water. For example a shipping container is an intermodal container, truck container, sea container, and the like. In one highly preferred embodiment the shipping container is 8 foot and 6 inches or 9 foot and 6 inches in height.

[0074] The foregoing description of the specific embodiments will so fully reveal the general nature of the invention that others can, by applying knowledge within the skill of the art (including the contents of the references cited herein), readily modify and / or adapt for various applications such specific embodiments, without undue experimentation, without departing from the general concept of the present invention. Therefore, such adaptations and modifications are intended to be within the meaning and range of equivalents of the disclosed embodiments, based on the teaching and guidance presented herein.

[0075] The above described embodiment is intended only to illustrate the invention and not to limit in any way the scope of the invention. Accordingly, it should be understood that where features mentioned in the appended claims are followed by reference signs, such signs are included solely for the purpose of enhancing the intelligibility of the claims and are in no way limiting on the scope of the claims. The scope of protection is defined solely by the following claims.

Claims

CLAIMS1. Container, configured to accommodate one or more than one person, comprising:- a bottom panel, a top panel and a plurality of side panels;- a plurality of corner castings, each arranged at a corner of the top panel, configured for handling of the container;- wherein the plurality of corner castings extend outward relative to the top panel, wherein a mounting offset is defined between an imaginary plane, that is defined by top sides of the plurality of corner castings, and an outer surface of the top panel; and- wherein one or more than one solar panel is completely arranged in said mounting offset, characterized in that:- the one or more than one solar panel is supported by a frame that is also arranged in the mounting offset and at a further offset above the outer surface of the top panel; and- one or more than one spacer is arranged between the frame and the outer surface of the top panel.

2. Container according to claim 1 , wherein an outer surface of the one or more than one solar panel that faces away from the top panel of the container is arranged at a safety offset relative to the imaginary plane defined by the top sides of the plurality of corner castings.

3. Container according to claim 2, wherein the safety offset is at least 2 cm.

4. Container according to any one of the previous claims, wherein an imaginary mounting space is defined in between at least three corner castings, wherein the height of said mounting space is defined by the mounting offset, and said one or more than one solar panel is arranged in said mounting space.

5. Container according to any one of the previous claims, wherein a height of an outer dimension of the container is defined between a lower side of the bottom panel and a top side of the corner casting and said height is at most 2.9 m (9’6”).

6. Container according to any one of the previous claims, wherein the mounting offset is at least 5 cm.

7. Container according to any of the previous claims, wherein the mounting offset is at least 10 cm.

8. Container according to any one of the previous claims, wherein the one or more than one solar panel is connected to a power cable passing through a through hole that is arranged in at least one of the top panel and the plurality of side panels of said container.

9. Container according to any one of the previous claims, wherein the container is a shipping container.

10. Method of using a container according to any of the foregoing claims, comprising the steps of:- generating electrical power by the one or more than one solar panel; and- feeding the power to an electrical power consumer arranged inside the container.

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