Photovoltaic window
An apparatus for collecting solar energy, including a first panel, wherein the first panel allows at least 50% of incident light having a wavelength in the range of 1 nm to 1,500 nm to pass through said panel and a second panel, wherein the second panel allows at least 50% of incident light having a wavelength in the range of 410 nm to 650 nm to pass through said panel. A photovoltaic cell is disposed between the first panel and second panel, which includes a first electrode disposed adjacent to the first panel, a second electrode disposed adjacent to the second panel, a photovoltaic component contacting the first and second electrodes. The photovoltaic component absorbs at least 50% of light having a wavelength in one of the following ranges: greater than 650 nm, less than 410 nm and combinations thereof.
1. An apparatus for converting solar energy,
comprising:
a first panel, wherein said first panel allows at least 50% of incident light having a wavelength in the range of 1 nm to 1,500 nm to pass through said first panel;
a second panel, wherein said second panel allows at least 50% of incident light having a wavelength in the range of 410 nm to 650 nm to pass through said second panel; and
a photovoltaic cell disposed between said first panel and said second panel wherein said photovoltaic cell allows incident light wavelengths in the range of 410 nm to 650 nm to pass through and includes:
a first electrode disposed adjacent to said first panel,
a second electrode disposed adjacent to said second panel,
a photovoltaic component contacting said first and second electrodes, wherein said photovoltaic component absorbs at least 50% of light having a wavelength in one of the following ranges: greater than 650 nm, less than 410 nm and combinations thereof, wherein said photovoltaic component comprises at least two layers, a first layer that exhibits a bandgap of 3.0 eV or greater and a second layer that exhibits a bandgap of 1.9 eV or less.
2. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein said photovoltaic cell further comprises a piezo-element mechanically coupled to said photovoltaic component.
3. The apparatus of claim 2 , wherein a face of said photovoltaic component defines an area and said photovoltaic cell further comprises a stress transmitting element mechanically coupled to said piezo-element, wherein said piezo-element is coextensive with less than 50% of said area defined by said face.
4. The apparatus of claim 1 , including a plurality of photovoltaic cells arranged in between said first panel and said second panel in a non-overlapping manner.
5. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein said photovoltaic component includes a fluid constituent, and said apparatus further comprises a fluid supply system configured to selectively remove said fluid constituent from a gap defined between said first panel and said second panel.
6. The apparatus of claim 5 , further comprising a transparent fluid, wherein during operation of said apparatus said fluid supply system is configured to exchange said fluid constituent with said transparent fluid in said gap.
7. The apparatus of claim 5 , wherein said photovoltaic component further includes a solid constituent disposed on at least one of said first electrode and said second electrode and contacts said fluid constituent.
8. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein said first panel and said second panel define a gap therebetween and said first panel includes a reservoir and a passageway, wherein said passageway defines an opening between said reservoir and said gap, wherein said photovoltaic component includes a photocurrent generating fluid and is flowable between said reservoir and said gap during operation of the apparatus.
9. A system for converting solar energy, comprising:
a plurality of windows, wherein each window includes:
a first panel, wherein said first panel allows at least 50% of incident light having a wavelength in the range of 1 nm to 1 cm to pass through said first panel;
a second panel, wherein said second panel allows at least 50% of incident light having a wavelength in the range of 410 nm to 650 nm to pass through said second panel; and
a photovoltaic cell disposed between said first panel and said second panel wherein said photovoltaic cell allows incident light wavelengths in the range of 410 nm to 650 nm to pass through and includes:
a first electrode disposed adjacent to an interior surface of said first panel,
a second electrode disposed adjacent to an interior surface of said second panel,
a photovoltaic component contacting said first electrode and said second electrode, wherein said photovoltaic component absorbs at least 50% of light having a wavelength in one of the following ranges: greater than 650 nm, less than 410 nm and combinations thereof, wherein said photovoltaic component comprises at least two layers a first layer that exhibits a bandgap of 3.0 eV or greater and a second layer that exhibits a bandgap of 1.9 eV or less; and
circuitry to which said photovoltaic cells are in each of said windows is operatively coupled, wherein said circuitry is configured to supply converted energy to a power supply system.
10. The system of claim 9 , wherein said photovoltaic cell further comprises a piezo-element mechanically coupled to said photovoltaic component.
11. The system of claim 10 , wherein said photovoltaic component defines face having a surface area and said piezo-element is coextensive with less than 50% of said surface area and said photovoltaic cell further comprises a stress transmitting element mechanically coupled to said piezo-element and said photovoltaic component.
12. The system of claim 11 , wherein said circuitry includes control circuitry configured to activate said piezo-element.
13. The system of claim 9 , wherein said photovoltaic component includes a fluid constituent, and said system further comprises a fluid supply system configured to selectively remove said fluid constituent from a gap defined by said first and second panels during operation of said system.
14. The system of claim 13 , wherein said circuitry includes control circuitry configured to selectively remove said fluid constituent from said gap.
15. The system of claim 13 , further comprising a transparent fluid, wherein said fluid supply system is configured to exchange said fluid constituent with said transparent fluid in said gap.
16. The system of claim 9 , wherein said first panel and said second panel define a gap therebetween and at least one of said first panel and said second panel includes a reservoir and a passageway defining an opening between said reservoir and said gap, wherein said photovoltaic component includes a photocurrent generating fluid that is flowable between said reservoir and said gap during operation of the system.
17. The system of claim 16 , wherein said circuitry includes control circuitry configured to selectively remove said photocurrent generating fluid from said gap.