Rotatable photovoltaic louver, and photovoltaic system comprising same

Abstract

A photovoltaic system includes: a photovoltaic array including a plurality of rotatable louvers, each louver having: an elongate body accommodating at least one photovoltaic cell, the body having defined therein a plurality of water drainage channels; and a shaft at a longitudinal end of the body. The system further includes a drive motor; and a transmission member coupling the drive motor to the shafts, the rotatable louvers being configured to rotate in response to action of the drive motor.

Description

ROTATABLE PHOTOVOLTAIC LOUVER, AND PHOTOVOLTAIC SYSTEM COMPRISING SAMECross-reference to Related Application

[0001] This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 63 / 713,683 filed October 30, 2024, the entire content of which is incorporated herein by reference.Field

[0002] The subject disclosure relates generally to photovoltaic energy and in particular, to a rotatable photovoltaic louver and a photovoltaic system comprising the same.Background

[0003] In the field of photovoltaic energy, photovoltaic systems typically consist of arrangements of multiple photovoltaic panels fixedly mounted on a building exterior, such as on for example a roof, an exterior wall, and the like, or on a common stand. The photovoltaic panels are often large relative to the size of the building and, owing to their fixed mounting, typically do not provide additional function beyond generating photovoltaic current.

[0004] To provide additional functionality, photovoltaic panels can be built to smaller sizes and incorporated into the building exterior such that the photovoltaic panels contribute to the architectural design of the building. One such arrangement involves incorporating narrow, elongate photovoltaic panels into slatted structures such as pergolas, wherein the elongate shape allows the photovoltaic panel to become incorporated into the architectural design of the slatted structure. To provide further functionality, the slats supporting the photovoltaic panels can be configured as rotatable louvers, which for example allows the user to vary the aesthetic appearance of the pergola as desired.

[0005] Photovoltaic arrays disposed on rotatable louvers have been described. For example, German Utility Model No. 7722374 to Neftenbach generally describes a sun protection roof with slats which can be rotated about their longitudinal axis andare mounted next to one another in the approximately horizontal roof plane, whereby when the individual slats are in an approximately horizontal position the longitudinal edges of adjacent slats overlap one another or interlock. The slats, which can be optionally pivoted by means of pivoting levers fastened to their axis of rotation, which are parallel to one another and whose ends are connected by means of a continuous rod, are bent upwards at least at the edge zone which is covered by the adjacent slat when the sun protection roof is closed, and are bent inwards again at the end in such a way that they form a groove which is open towards the unbent part of the slat.

[0006] Japanese Patent No. H07-139112 to Ishi generally describes amorphous solar battery panels attached to sunlight-receiving surfaces of a plurality of blades configured to be opened and closed. The blades are provided on the upper part of a structure such as terrace. When the blades are in a closed state, intrusion of rainwater into the structure is prevented and when the blades are an open state, sunlight is taken into the structure in accordance with the degree of opening. The structure eliminates the need for a separate stand exclusively for use for installation of the solar battery, and eliminates the need to provide space for installation of such a stand.

[0007] French Patent Document No. 2947845 to Buszenski et al. generally describes an installation having orientable slats extending parallel to each other along their longitudinal edges. End edges of the slats are equipped with a pivoting axle supported by a frame that is supported by a carrier structure. A motorization system displaces the slats simultaneously such that the longitudinal edges of the slats are joined for closing a roof or non-joined for opening the roof. The frame has a recovery system for recovery of rainwater captured by the slats in a closed position of the roof.

[0008] International PCT Application No. WO 2018 / 054701 to Grimmeisen et al. generally describes a lamella roof having rotatably mounted lamellae, wherein the lamellae each have a base body designed as a hollow chamber profile, on the top side of which at least one photovoltaic module having connections for electrical contacting is fastened. At least one portion of the connections are electrically connected to connection cables. The photovoltaic modules are connected to a plurality of lamellae in series, up to a maximum system voltage of 60V.

[0009] International PCT Application No. WO 2018 / 054703 to Grimmeisen et. al. generally describes a lamella for a lamella roof having a base body and a photovoltaic module fastened to the top side of the base body, wherein the base body is designed as a hollow-chamber profde, which has a top cover and a bottom cover, arranged spaced apart from said top cover, and wherein the lamella has at least one pivot bearing. A bottom side of the lamella is designed to be convexly arched crosswise to the longitudinal extension thereof. A uniform light distribution in the covered space is achieved when the lamella roof is opened.

[0010] Australian Patent Application No. 2021202734 to Lyons generally describes a solar shutters modular unit. The modular unit comprises a rectangular supporting framework, and any number of into which a photovoltaic solar panel is affixed to the top upwardly facing side of the solar shutter blades, engaged in parallel within the framework. The underside of the solar shutter blades integrates LED lights. The solar shutter blades contain a rotating geared end bearing at one end of the blade, and a rotating electrical cable bearing at the other end of the blade. The electrical wiring and electrical connections interfacing each solar shutter blade are integrated into the side supporting framework, allowing each solar shutters blade to rotate through an operative range and electrically connecting each solar shutter blade to electronics held within the side supporting framework. The solar shutters modular unit supporting side frames contain micro-electronics including a rechargeable lithium-ion battery that is electrically connected to the photovoltaic solar panel affixed onto the top surface area of the solar shutter blades. The charging of the photovoltaic solar panels during the daylight enables the stored solar energy to return back and illuminate the LED lights attached to the underside of the solar shutters Blades from the rechargeable lithium-ion battery within the supporting side frame.

[0011] Chinese Patent Application No. 116556765A to He et al. generally describes an integrated tent with a photovoltaic energy storage system pair comprising stand columns supported on the ground, cross beams installed at the upper ends of the stand columns, louvre blades installed on the cross beams, photovoltaic panel supporting grooves formed in the upper surfaces of the louvre blades in the length direction in a penetrating mode, and photovoltaic panels installed in the photovoltaic panel supporting grooves to collect light energy and convert the light energy intoelectric energy. The photoelectric control module is installed on the stand column, is electrically connected with the photovoltaic panel, and controls the electric energy output of the photovoltaic panel. According to the integrated tent with the photovoltaic energy storage system, sunlight can be collected to the maximum extent and stably output and supplied to electricity except the tent system.

[0012] International PCT Application No. WO 2023 / 057118 to Grimmeisen et. al. generally describes a photovoltaic lamella, in particular for use as a component of a roof structure, with a support profde and a photovoltaic unit fastened to the latter. The support profde has a longitudinal axis extending in the lengthwise direction of the profde and a transverse axis extending in the transverse direction of the profde, wherein the longitudinal axis and the transverse axis run perpendicular to a cross- sectional area of the support profde. The photovoltaic unit has fastening edges at the two sides running in the lengthwise direction of the profde, and wherein sealing elements are provided which support and / or seal the photovoltaic element in relation to the support profde at the fastening edges. To be able to assemble and service a photovoltaic lamella of this kind in a user-friendly way, clamping profdes are provided, which run in the lengthwise direction of the profde and which hold the photovoltaic unit at its fastening edges.

[0013] Chinese Patent Application No. 118187350 to Li et al. (2024) generally describes louver blades, a louver shed roof and a viewing shed, and relates to the field of shed roofs. A drainage groove is formed in one side of a body of the louver blade and comprises a groove wall located on the outer side of the body, and a blocking piece is further arranged at the top of the groove wall. The louver shed roof comprises a shed frame and a plurality of louver blades, and when the louver blades are in a closed state on the shed frame, the other side, opposite to the drainage groove, of one louver blade presses the separation blade of the adjacent louver blade, so that the separation blade is switched to be in a stress state; when the louver blades rotate to be in an open state, the blocking pieces of the louver blades are switched to be in a natural state. Water drips generated when the louvre blade rotates to be opened are reduced.

[0014] It is therefore an object at least to provide a novel rotatable photovoltaic louver and a photovoltaic system comprising the same.Summary

[0015] Accordingly, in one aspect there is provided a photovoltaic system comprising: a photovoltaic array comprising a plurality of rotatable louvers, each louver having an elongate body accommodating at least one photovoltaic cell, the body having defined therein a plurality of water drainage channels; and a shaft at a longitudinal end of the body; a drive motor; and a transmission member coupling the drive motor to the shafts, the rotatable louvers being configured to rotate in response to action of the drive motor.

[0016] The body may have defined therein a concave surface facing the at least one photovoltaic cell.

[0017] The at least one photovoltaic cell may comprise a bifacial solar cell.

[0018] The louver may further comprise a first angled tab protruding from the body, the first angled tab defining at least water drainage channel of said plurality of water drainage channels. The louver may further comprise a second angled tab protruding from the body. The first angled tab and the second angled tab may be shaped such that the first angled tab and the second angled tab of adjacent louvers overlap when the louvers are in a closed configuration.

[0019] The body may have a first face on which the at least one photovoltaic cell is disposed, and a second face opposite the first face. The plurality of water drainage channels may comprise: at least one first water drainage channel defined in the first face; and at least one second water drainage channel defined in the second face. The plurality of water drainage channels may comprise: a plurality of first water drainage channels defined in the first face; and a plurality of second water drainage channels defined in the second face. The body may further comprise a convex surface defined in the second face.

[0020] The transmission member may be a belt, a chain, a linear actuator, or a threaded shaft. The belt may be a toothed belt, and the shaft may have a gear wheel mounted thereon, the gear wheel comprising an array of teeth configured to matingly engage the toothed belt.

[0021] The photovoltaic system may further comprise at least one of the following in direct electrical connection or indirect electrical connection with the at least one photovoltaic cell: a power conditioner, a storage battery, and a DC toad.

[0022] The photovoltaic system may further comprise at least one of the following in direct electrical connection or indirect electrical connection with the at least one photovoltaic cell: a power conditioner, a storage battery, a DC load, a DC / AC inverter / converter, an AC load, and a connection to an external electrical grid.

[0023] The photovoltaic system may further comprise a support structure supporting the photovoltaic array, the support structure comprising: a frame, and at least one vertical support.

[0024] In another aspect, there is provided a rotatable louver for a photovoltaic system, the louver comprising: an elongate body accommodating at least one photovoltaic cell, the body having defined therein a plurality of water drainage channels; and a shaft at a longitudinal end of the body.

[0025] The rotatable louver may further comprise: a first shaft protruding from the first longitudinal end of the body, and a second shaft protruding from a second longitudinal end of the body. The second shaft may have a tubular shape and defines a conduit configured to accommodate electrical cabling.Brief Description of the Drawings

[0026] Embodiments will now be described more fully with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

[0027] Figure 1 is a perspective view of a portion of a photovoltaic system;

[0028] Figure 2 is a schematic block diagram of another portion of the photovoltaic system of Figure 1;

[0029] Figure 3 is a perspective view of a photovoltaic array forming part of the photovoltaic system of Figure 1;

[0030] Figure 4 is a perspective view of a rotatable louver forming part of the photovoltaic array of Figure 3;

[0031] Figure 5 is an exploded view of the rotatable louver of Figure 4;

[0032] Figure 6 is a sectional view of the rotatable louver of Figure 4;

[0033] Figure 7 is a perspective view of a plurality of rotatable louvers forming part of the photovoltaic array of Figure 3;

[0034] Figures 8A, 8B and 8C are fragmentary views of a portion of the plurality of rotatable louvers of Figure 7, in a first closed configuration, an open configuration, and a second closed configuration, respectively;

[0035] Figures 9A and 9B are sectional views of the plurality of rotatable louvers of Figure 7, in the first closed configuration and the second closed configuration, respectively;

[0036] Figure 10 is a fragmentary view of a portion of the photovoltaic array of Figure 3; and

[0037] Figure 11 is a fragmentary view of a portion of another embodiment of a photovoltaic array.Detailed Description of Embodiments

[0038] The foregoing summary, as well as the following detailed description of embodiments will be better understood when read in conjunction with the appended drawings. As used herein, an element or feature introduced in the singular and preceded by the word “a” or “an” should be understood as not necessarily excluding the plural of the elements or features. Further, references to “one example” or “one embodiment” are not intended to be interpreted as excluding the existence of additional examples or embodiments that also incorporate the described elements or features. Reference herein to “example” means that one or more feature, structure, element, component, characteristic and / or operational step described in connection with the example is included in at least one embodiment and / or implementation of the subject matter according to the subject disclosure. Thus, the phrases “an example,” “another example,” and similar language throughout the subject disclosure may, but do not necessarily, refer to the same example. Further, the subject matter characterizing any one example may, but does not necessarily, include the subject matter characterizing any other example.

[0039] Unless explicitly stated to the contrary, examples or embodiments “comprising” or “having” or “including” an element or feature or a plurality of elements or features having a particular property may include additional elements orfeatures not having that property. Also, it will be appreciated that the terms “comprises”, “has”, “includes” means “including but not limited to” and the terms “comprising”, “having” and “including” have equivalent meanings.

[0040] As used herein, the term “and / or” can include any and all combinations of one or more of the associated listed elements or features.

[0041] It will be understood that when an element or feature is referred to as being “on”, “attached” to, “affixed” to, “connected” to, “coupled” with, “contacting”, etc. another element or feature, that element or feature can be directly on, attached to, connected to, coupled with or contacting the other element or feature or intervening elements may also be present. In contrast, when an element or feature is referred to as being, for example, “directly on”, “directly attached” to, “directly affixed” to, “directly connected” to, “directly coupled” with or “directly contacting” another element of feature, there are no intervening elements or features present.

[0042] Reference herein to “configured” denotes an actual state of configuration that fundamentally ties the element or feature to the physical characteristics of the element or feature preceding the phrase “configured to”.

[0043] Unless otherwise indicated, the terms “first,” “second,” etc. are used herein merely as labels, and are not intended to impose ordinal, positional, or hierarchical requirements on the items to which these terms refer. Moreover, reference to a “second” item does not require or preclude the existence of a lower- numbered item (e.g., a “first” item) and / or a higher-numbered item (e.g., a “third” item).

[0044] As used herein, the terms “approximately” and “about” represent an amount close to the stated amount that still performs the desired function or achieves the desired result. For example, the terms “approximately” and “about” may refer to an amount that is within engineering tolerances that would be readily appreciated by a person skilled in the art.

[0045] Turning now to Figures 1 to 3, a photovoltaic system is shown and is generally indicated by reference numeral 20. Photovoltaic system 20 comprises a photovoltaic array 22 that includes plurality of rotatable louvers comprising a plurality of photovoltaic cells configured to generate a photovoltaic current. The photovoltaic array 22 comprises a suitable support structure 24, and in the exampleshown the support structure 24 is in the form of a pergola-type apparatus comprising a generally horizontal frame 26 disposed around the photovoltaic array 22 and a plurality of vertical supports 28. The photovoltaic array 22 is inclined by an angle 0 relative to gravity (where 0 90 degrees) allowing rain, water and / or debris collected thereon to drain, as described below. In the example shown, the photovoltaic array 22 is installed over a portion of an agricultural crop C to provide dual use of land, a practice referred to in the art as agrivoltaics (also referred to as “agrophotovoltaics”, “agrisolar”, or dual-use solar), and in the embodiment shown the agricultural crop C is a vineyard. However, it will be understood that the photovoltaic array 22 is not limited to use in agrivoltaics, and in other examples the photovoltaic array 22 may alternatively be installed in other locations.

[0046] The photovoltaic array 22 comprises a plurality of rotatable, elongate louvers 30 (alternatively referred to as “louvres”, “slats”, “blades”, or “lamellae”) each having an elongate body accommodating one or more photovoltaic cells 32. The louvers 30 are configured to be rotated in response to action from a drive motor 34 between two (2) opposing closed configurations (namely a first closed configuration and a second closed configuration), and to open configurations therebetween, according to user preference, such as for example one or more of: i) to control the amount and / or timing of sunlight to which the agricultural crop C is exposed; ii) to control exposure of the agricultural crop C to weather conditions, such as to control the amount of direct rainfall to which the agricultural crop C is exposed, or to provide shelter to the agricultural crop C from damaging weather conditions such as hail; iii) to provide solar tracking for generation of increased photovoltaic output; and iv) to achieve a desired aesthetic or architectural appearance.

[0047] The photovoltaic system 20 comprises suitable electrical components necessary for storage, conversion and distribution of the photovoltaic current generated by the photovoltaic cells 32 of the photovoltaic array 22. As shown in Figure 2, the photovoltaic system 20 comprises a power conditioner 36 that receives electrical output collectively from the photovoltaic cells 32 in the form of a DC current. The power conditioner 36 is electrically connected to a storage battery 38, and is configured to direct DC current to the storage battery 38 for storage and subsequent use thereof. The power conditioner 36 is optionally also electricallyconnected to a DC load 42, and may be configured to direct DC current to the DC load 42 for use near the installation site of the photovoltaic system 20. The DC load 42 may be, for example, a charging port for charging an electric vehicle. One or both of the power conditioner 36 and the storage battery 38 may optionally be electrically connected to a DC / AC inverter / converter 44, which is configured to convert DC current to AC current. The DC / AC inverter / converter 44 may be, for example, a solar microinverter. The DC / AC inverter / converter 44 may optionally be electrically connected to one or both of an AC load 46 and an external electrical grid 48. The AC load 46 may be, for example, an AC electrical power outlet, and the external electrical grid 48 may be, for example, local electrical utility mains. In the example shown, both the power conditioner 36 and the storage battery 38 are electrically connected to the DC / AC inverter / converter 44, and the DC / AC inverter / converter 44 is electrically connected to both the AC load 46 and the external electrical grid 48.

[0048] The electrical components of the photovoltaic system 20 shown schematically in Figure 2 may be accommodated or housed on or in the support structure 24. For example, one or more of the power conditioner 36, the storage battery 38, the DC load 42 and the DC / AC inverter / converter 44 may be accommodated in an interior volume of any of the frame 26 and the vertical supports 28. In this example shown, although not visible in Figure 1, the power conditioner 36, the storage battery 38, the DC load 42 and the DC / AC inverter / converter 44 are all housed in the interior volumes of the frame 26 and the vertical supports 28.

[0049] The louvers 30 may be better seen in Figures 4 to 9. In the example shown, each louver 30 has an elongate body 50 supporting the one or more photovoltaic cells 32. The elongate body 50 may be formed of any material having suitable mechanical properties, and in the example shown the elongate body 50 is formed as a single, solid body of aluminum alloy by extrusion.

[0050] The elongate body 50 extends between a first longitudinal end 52 and a second longitudinal end 54, and has a longitudinal first face 56 on which the one or more photovoltaic cells 32 are disposed and a longitudinal second face 58 opposite the first face 56. The elongate body 50 has a bore 62 extending therethrough that defines an axis of rotation A of the louver 30. As can be seen, the bore 62 is positioned laterally relative to the geometric center of the body 50. As will beunderstood, the geometric center may be defined as i) the center of mass, or ii) the midpoints of the height and width of the body 50, when taken in section normal to the longitudinal axis. The bore 62 accommodates a portion of a shaft 64 at the first longitudinal end 52 that protrudes therefrom, and a portion of a tube 66 at the second longitudinal end 54 that protrudes therefrom, and both the both shaft 64 and the tube 66 enable the louver 30 to rotate relative to the support structure 24. The shaft 64 and the tube 66 are each fastened to the body 50 by one or more suitable fasteners, such as screws, bolts, clamps, adhesives, and the like.

[0051] The body 50 has elongate support surfaces 68 and 72 defined in the first face 56 for supporting the one or more photovoltaic cells 32. Adjacent to each of the elongate support surfaces 68 and 72 is a respective longitudinal support tab 74 and 76, which provide additional support for the one or more photovoltaic cells 32. The one or more photovoltaic cells 32 may be fastened to one or more of the support surfaces 68 and 72 and the support tabs 74 and 76 by suitable fasteners, such as adhesives, screws, bolts, clamps, and the like.

[0052] In this embodiment, the one or more photovoltaic cells 32 is a single photovoltaic cell that is fastened to the support surfaces 68 and 72 and to the support tabs 74 and 76 by adhesive. Further, in this embodiment, the single photovoltaic cell 32 is a bifacial solar cell that is configured to generate photovoltaic current when any of its exterior-facing surface, its interior-facing surface, or both surfaces, are illuminated.

[0053] The first face 56 has an elongate, generally concave surface 78 disposed between the support surfaces 68 and 72, and extending between the ends 52 and 54. The concave surface 78 provides a reflecting surface from which light passing through the one or more photovoltaic cells 32 reflects, and in turn impinges upon an interior-facing surface of the one or more photovoltaic cells 32. As will be understood, the concave surface 78, in combination with the photovoltaic cell 32 being a bifacial solar cell, advantageously enables the photovoltaic efficiency of the louver 30, and hence the amount of photovoltaic current output by the louver 30, to be increased.

[0054] The body 50 is shaped to provide channels for water drainage when the louvers 30 are in either the first closed configuration or the second closedconfiguration. Features of the channels for water drainage are defined herein as being “distal” or “proximal” relative to the axis of rotation A of the louver 30, and along an imaginary direction extending radially from this axis. On the first face 56, the body 50 comprises a longitudinal, distal angled tab 82 protruding outwardly from the first face 56. The distal angled tab 82 and the support tab 74 define therebetween a first water drainage channel 84 that extends along the first face 56. The distal angled tab 82 comprises an intermediate bend 86, an inwardly-oriented section 88 distal from the intermediate bend 86, and a first longitudinal tab 92 and a second longitudinal tab 94 that, in the example shown, are arranged in a “T-shape”. The inwardly -oriented section 88 and the first longitudinal tab 92 define therebetween a second water drainage channel 96. The body 50 also comprises a longitudinal, proximal angled tab 102 protruding outwardly from the first face 56. The proximal angled tab 102 comprises an intermediate bend 104 and an inwardly-oriented section having a distal end. The proximal angled tab 102 and the support tab 76 define therebetween a first elongate cavity 108 that extends along the first face 56. As described below, the distal angled tab 82 and the proximal angled tab 102 are sized and shaped such that, when the photovoltaic array 22 is in the first closed configuration, the distal angled tab 82 and the proximal angled tab 102 of adjacent louvers 30 overlap in a nested manner and cooperate to provide a seal.

[0055] On the second face 58, the body 50 comprises a longitudinal, distal projection 112 having a convex surface 114 that continues along a flat surface to the distal angled tab 82. The convex surface 114, the adjacent flat surface and portions of the distal angled tab 82, in particular the second longitudinal tab 94, define therebetween a third water drainage channel 116 that extends along the second face 58. The distal projection 112 defines a longitudinal distal notch 118 extending along the second face 58. The body 50 further comprises a longitudinal, proximal projection 122 that accommodates the bore 62 and that protrudes away from the second face 58. The longitudinal projection 122 defines a longitudinal proximal notch 124 extending along the second face 58. The distal notch 118 and the proximal notch 124 define therebetween a fourth water drainage channel 126 that extends along the second face 58.

[0056] The louver 30 further comprises electrical cabling 132 that is mechanically coupled to the interior-facing surface of the photovoltaic cell 32. The electrical cabling 132 extends through the interior of the body 50 and out through the tube 66. The electrical cabling 132 is configured to conduct the photovoltaic current to an exterior of the louver 30, and in this embodiment the electrical cabling 132 is electrically connected to both faces of the bifacial solar cell.

[0057] The tube 66 has a generally tubular structure, and is sized and shaped to be rotatably coupled to a corresponding bearing (not shown) disposed on the frame 26. The tube 66 defines the inner conduit through which the electrical cabling 132 extends to the exterior of the louver 30. The electrical cabling 132 of each louver 30 is electrically connected to a common bus (not shown) external to the louvers 30, which is in electrical connection with the power conditioner 36 and supplies the photovoltaic current from the photovoltaic array 22 thereto.

[0058] The shaft 64 has a generally cylindrical structure, and is sized and shaped to be rotatably coupled to a corresponding bearing (not shown) disposed on the frame 26. In the example shown, the shaft 64 has fastened thereto a gear wheel 134 having a plurality of gear teeth 136 formed circumferentially on its outer surface. The gear teeth 136 are configured to matingly engage corresponding teeth (not shown) of a transmission member that is configured to be coupled to the drive motor 34. In the example shown, the transmission member is a flexible drive belt 138, and the shaft 64 of one louver 30 being coupled to the drive motor 34. Although not shown, the drive belt 138 is sized to extend the length of the frame 26, and is configured to engage the first gear wheel 134 of every louver 30 in the photovoltaic array 22. As will be understood, by virtue of this configuration, activation of the drive motor 34 rotates the drive belt 138, which in turn causes simultaneous rotation of the plurality of louvers 30, in unison.

[0059] The photovoltaic array 22 is configured to be rotated between two (2) closed configurations, namely the first closed configuration, shown in Figure 9A, and the second closed configuration, shown in Figure 9B. A rotational difference of nearly 180 degrees (namely, 167 degrees) exists for each louver 30 between the first closed configuration and the second closed configuration. At rotational positionsintermediate the first closed configuration and the second closed configuration, the photovoltaic array 22 is in an open configuration, shown in Figure 3.

[0060] When the photovoltaic array 22 is in the first closed configuration (Figure 9A), each louver 30 is oriented such that its first face 56 is upwardly facing. The distal angled tab 82 and the proximal angled tab 102 of adjacent louvers 30 overlap in a nested manner and cooperate to provide a seal between the adjacent louvers 30, for preventing the elements such as light, rain, wind, water, and the like, or debris such as dust, leaves, and the like, from passing through the array of louvers 30. Any rain, water and / or debris impinging on the louvers 30 may accumulate in the first water drainage channel 84, in the second water drainage channel 96 and, if any, in the first elongate cavity 108. As the photovoltaic array 22 is inclined by an angle 0 relative to gravity, rain, water and / or debris collected in the first water drainage channel 84, the second water drainage channel 96 and if any, in the first elongate cavity 108, flows downwardly along the louvers 30 into an eavestrough (not shown) accommodated in the frame 26, and in turn into a downspout (not shown) accommodated in one of the vertical supports 28.

[0061] When the photovoltaic array 22 is in the second closed configuration (Figure 9b), each louver 30 is oriented such that its second face 58 is generally upwardly facing. The distal angled tab 82 and the proximal projection 122 of adjacent louvers 30 overlap and abut, and cooperate to provide a seal between the adjacent louvers 30, for preventing the elements such as light, rain, wind, water, and the like, or debris such as dust, leaves, and the like, from passing through the array of louvers 30. Any rain, water and / or debris impinging on the louvers 30 may accumulate in the third water drainage channel 116, in the fourth water drainage channel 126 and, if any, in a channel 142 defined where the first longitudinal tab 92 of the distal angled tab 82 abuts the second face 58. As the photovoltaic array 22 is inclined by an angle ^relative to gravity, rain, water and / or debris collected in the third water drainage channel 116, in the fourth water drainage channel 126 and, if any, in the channel 142, flows downwardly along the louvers 30 into the eavestrough (not shown) accommodated in the frame 26, and in turn into the downspout (not shown) accommodated in one of the vertical supports 28.

[0062] As will be understood, in the second closed configuration, the photovoltaic cells 32 are advantageously oriented away, and thereby shielded, from: i) potentially damaging weather elements such as hail and strong winds, which enables the service life of the photovoltaic cells 32 to be extended; and ii) accumulation of light-obscuring elements such as snow, ice, leaves, and the like, which enables the photovoltaic cells 32 to resume generating photovoltaic current immediately once the photovoltaic array 22 is rotated out of the second closed configuration.

[0063] As will be appreciated, positioning the bore 62 laterally relative to the geometric center of the body 50 advantageously allows the louver 30 to accommodate a wide, concave surface 78 to provide a large reflecting surface for embodiments in which the one or more photovoltaic cells 32 are one or more bifacial solar cells. Additionally, and as will be appreciated, providing a wide, concave surface 78 advantageously allows the weight of the body 50 to advantageously be reduced, particularly for embodiments in which the body 50 has a solid construction.

[0064] As will be appreciated, the design of the distal angled tab 82 comprising the intermediate bend 86, the inwardly -oriented section 88, and the first longitudinal tab 92 and the second longitudinal tab 94 arranged in a “T-shape” advantageously enables the distal angled tab 82 to provide channels for water drainage when the louvers 30 are in either the first closed configuration or the second closed configuration.

[0065] As will be appreciated, the rotational mechanism provided by the gear teeth 136 and the drive belt 138 advantageously allows each louver 30 to be rotated by nearly 180 degrees, and between the rotationally opposite orientations of the first closed configuration and the second closed configuration, as compared to rotational mechanisms of conventional louvered photovoltaic arrays in which the rotational range of each louver is less than 150 degrees.

[0066] As will be appreciated, the convex surface 114 of the body 50 provides efficient strength in compression by virtue of its arched sectional profile, and thereby efficiently provides greater shielding against potentially damaging weather elements such as hail and strong winds, as compared to conventional louvered photovoltaic arrays having different profiles.

[0067] The system 20 is not limited to the configuration described above, and in other embodiments, the system may be differently configured. For example, Figure 11 shows another embodiment of a louvered photovoltaic array forming part of the photovoltaic system 20. The photovoltaic array is generally identical to the photovoltaic array 22 described above and with reference to Figures 1 to 10, and comprises the plurality of rotatable, elongate louvers 30, each of which comprises the shaft having fastened thereto a gear wheel 134 having a plurality of gear teeth formed circumferentially on its outer surface. The gear teeth are configured to matingly engage corresponding teeth of a transmission member that is configured to be coupled to a drive motor 238.

[0068] In this embodiment, the transmission member is a linear actuator 234 that matingly engages a drive gear (not shown) coupled to the drive motor 238. Although not shown, the linear actuator 234 is sized and configured to engage the gear wheel 134 of every louver 30 in the photovoltaic array. As will be understood, by virtue of this configuration, activation of the drive motor 238 causes linear translation of the linear actuator 234, which in turn causes simultaneous rotation of the plurality of louvers 30, in unison.

[0069] Still other configurations are possible. For example, in other embodiments, although not shown, the transmission member may alternatively form part of a gearing assembly that matingly engages a drive gear (not shown) fastened to the shaft. In particular, the gearing assembly may comprise a plurality of toothed gear wheels that are configured to engage the drive gear of every louver in the photovoltaic array. The gearing assembly may be coupled through one or more additional gears to a drive motor. As will be understood, by virtue of this configuration, activation of the drive motor causes rotation of the gearing assembly, which in turn causes simultaneous rotation of the plurality of louvers, in unison.

[0070] Still other configurations are possible. For example, although in the embodiment described above, each louver 30 comprises a single photovoltaic cell 32, in other embodiments, each louver may alternatively comprise multiple photovoltaic cells.

[0071] Although in the embodiment described above, each louver 30 comprises a photovoltaic cell 32 that is a bifacial solar cell, in other embodiments,each louver may alternatively comprise one or more photovoltaic cell that are monofacial solar cells.

[0072] In other embodiments, the louver 30 may optionally have a protective layer disposed over the at least one photovoltaic cell 32. The protective layer may be, for example, an optically transparent or translucent layer of plastic, glass, and the like.

[0073] Although in the embodiment described above, the body 50 is formed of aluminum alloy, in other embodiments, body may alternatively be formed of a material selected from metal alloys, metal composites, polymers, and the like.

[0074] Although in the embodiment described above, the body 50 formed as a solid body by extrusion, in other embodiments, the body may alternatively be formed as a hollow body, such as a hollow body formed by extrusion.

[0075] Although in the embodiment described above, the body 50 formed as a single solid body, in other embodiments, the body may alternatively be formed from a plurality of parts, such as for example a plurality of extruded parts, a plurality of injection molded parts, a plurality of machined parts, and combinations thereof.

[0076] Although in the embodiment described above, the body 50 has defined therein the generally concave surface 78, in other embodiments, the body may alternatively have no concave surface defined therein. In still other embodiments, the concave surface defined in the body an inwardly -facing side of the photovoltaic cell(s) may be differently shaped, and may alternatively have a square or “V-shape” profile, for example.

[0077] Although in the embodiments described above, the transmission member is a flexible drive belt 138, a linear actuator 222, or a gearing assembly 322, in other embodiments, the transmission member may alternatively be a combination of a flexible drive belt, a linear actuator, and / or a gearing assembly. In still other embodiments, the transmission member may alternatively be still another suitable form of transmission, provided the transmission member enables each louver to be rotated by at least 180 degrees.

[0078] Although in the embodiments described above, the gear teeth 136 of the gear wheel 134 are configured to matingly engage corresponding teeth of the flexible drive belt 138, in other embodiments, the gear wheel and the drive belt may alternatively be configured engage each other in a different manner, such as forexample by friction alone. In other embodiments, the flexible drive belt 138 may alternatively be another form of flexible material, such as a drive chain.

[0079] The photovoltaic system 20 may also be differently configured. For example, although in the embodiments described above, the support structure 24 comprises a plurality of vertical supports 28, in other embodiments, the support structure 24 may alternatively comprise only one (1) vertical support, such as a wall or a lateral enclosure.

[0080] Although in the embodiments described above, the photovoltaic array 22 is inclined by an angle relative to gravity, in other embodiments, the photovoltaic array may alternatively not be inclined and may alternatively be horizontal relative to gravity.

[0081] Although in the embodiments described above, the photovoltaic system 20 comprises the power conditioner 36, the storage battery 38, the DC load 42, the DC / AC inverter / converter 44, the AC load 46, and the external electrical grid 48, in other embodiments, the photovoltaic system may alternatively comprise fewer components or additional components, and / or the above mentioned components may alternatively be differently arranged and / or connected relative to each other and / or to the photovoltaic array 22.

[0082] Although embodiments have been described above with reference to the accompanying drawings, those of skill in the art will appreciate that variations and modifications may be made without departing from the scope thereof as defined by the appended claims.

Claims

What is claimed is:

1. A photovoltaic system comprising: a photovoltaic array comprising a plurality of rotatable louvers, each louver having: an elongate body accommodating at least one photovoltaic cell, the body having defined therein a plurality of water drainage channels; and a shaft at a longitudinal end of the body; a drive motor; and a transmission member coupling the drive motor to the shafts, the rotatable louvers being configured to rotate in response to action of the drive motor.

2. The photovoltaic system of claim 1, wherein the body has defined therein a concave surface facing the at least one photovoltaic cell.

3. The photovoltaic system of claim 1 or 2, wherein the at least one photovoltaic cell comprises a bifacial solar cell.

4. The photovoltaic system of any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the louver further comprises a first angled tab protruding from the body, the first angled tab defining at least water drainage channel of said plurality of water drainage channels.

5. The photovoltaic system of claim 4, wherein the louver further comprises a second angled tab protruding from the body.

6. The photovoltaic system of claim 5, wherein the first angled tab and the second angled tab are shaped such that the first angled tab and the second angled tab of adjacent louvers overlap when the louvers are in a closed configuration.

7. The photovoltaic system of any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the body has first face on which the at least one photovoltaic cell is disposed, and a second face opposite the first face.

8. The photovoltaic system of claim 7, wherein the plurality of water drainage channels comprises: at least one first water drainage channel defined in the first face; and at least one second water drainage channel defined in the second face.

9. The photovoltaic system of claim 7, wherein the plurality of water drainage channels comprises: a plurality of first water drainage channels defined in the first face; and a plurality of second water drainage channels defined in the second face.

10. The photovoltaic system of any one of claims 7 to 9, wherein the body further comprises a convex surface defined in the second face.

11. The photovoltaic system of any one of claims 1 to 10, wherein the transmission member is a belt, a chain, a linear actuator, or a threaded shaft.

12. The photovoltaic system of claim 11, wherein: the belt is a toothed belt, and the shaft has a gear wheel mounted thereon, the gear wheel comprising an array of teeth configured to matingly engage the toothed belt.

13. The photovoltaic system of any one of claims 1 to 12, further comprising at least one of the following in direct electrical connection or indirect electrical connection with the at least one photovoltaic cell: a power conditioner, a storage battery, and a DC load.

14. The photovoltaic system of any one of claims 1 to 12, further comprising at least one of the following in direct electrical connection or indirect electrical connection with the at least one photovoltaic cell: a power conditioner, a storage battery, a DC toad, a DC / AC inverter / converter, an AC toad, and a connection to an external electrical grid.

15. The photovoltaic system of any one of claims 1 to 14, further comprising a support structure supporting the photovoltaic array, the support structure comprising: a frame, and at least one vertical support.

16. A rotatable louver for a photovoltaic system, the louver comprising: an elongate body accommodating at least one photovoltaic cell, the body having defined therein a plurality of water drainage channels; and a shaft at a longitudinal end of the body.

17. The rotatable louver of claim 16, wherein the body has defined therein a concave surface facing the at least one photovoltaic cell.

18. The rotatable louver of claim 16 or 17, wherein the at least one photovoltaic cell comprises a bifacial solar cell.

19. The rotatable louver of any one of claims 16 to 18, further comprising a first angled tab protruding from the body, the first angled tab defining at least water drainage channel of said plurality of water drainage channels.

20. The rotatable louver of claim 19, further comprising a second angled tab protruding from the body.

21. The rotatable louver of claim 20, wherein the first angled tab and the second angled tab are shaped such that the first angled tab and the second angled tab of adjacent louvers overlap when the louvers are in a closed configuration.

22. The rotatable louver of any one of claims 16 to 21, wherein the body has first face on which the at least one photovoltaic cell is disposed, and a second face opposite the first face.

23. The rotatable louver of claim 22, wherein the plurality of water drainage channels comprises: at least one first water drainage channel defined in the first face; and at least one second water drainage channel defined in the second face.

24. The rotatable louver of claim 22, wherein the plurality of water drainage channels comprises: a plurality of first water drainage channels defined in the first face; and a plurality of second water drainage channels defined in the second face.

25. The rotatable louver of any one of claims 22 to 24, wherein the body further comprises a convex surface defined in the second face.

26. The rotatable louver of any one of claims 16 to 25, further comprising: a first shaft protruding from the first longitudinal end of the body, and a second shaft protruding from a second longitudinal end of the body.

27. The rotatable louver of claim 26, wherein the second shaft has a tubular shape and defines a conduit configured to accommodate electrical cabling.

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