Device for generating electricity

1. A device for generating electricity, comprising:

first, second and third panels that are each at least partially transmissive for visible light, the first panel defining a light receiving surface, wherein the first and second panels are spaced apart from one another by a support so that a cavity is defined therebetween, the first panel and the third panel being supported within the cavity by the support, the third panel having an end face that is substantially transverse to the light receiving surface and a region near the end face that is substantially parallel to the light receiving surface; and

first and second photovoltaic elements positioned within the cavity, the first photovoltaic element being arranged in a first orientation with respect to the light receiving surface and the second photovoltaic element being arranged in a second orientation that is different to both the orientation of the first photovoltaic element and the orientation of the light receiving surface;

wherein the device is arranged to generate the electricity from at least a portion of light being in use received by the light receiving surface and to the first and/or second photovoltaic element,

wherein the first orientation is substantially parallel to the light receiving surface and the second orientation is transverse to the light receiving surface,

wherein the second panel, the third panel, the first photovoltaic element, the second photovoltaic element and the support are located entirely within the projection of the circumference of the first panel in a direction along a surface normal of the first panel,

wherein the first photovoltaic element is positioned in spaced relation with the first panel and adjacent the region near the end face of the third panel, and the second photovoltaic element is positioned adjacent the end face, and

wherein the third panel is positioned between the first photovoltaic element and the light receiving surface.

2. The device of claim 1 , wherein the support surrounds the third panel at an edge of the first panel.

3. The device of claim 1 , wherein the support surrounds at least a portion of the first and second photovoltaic elements.

4. The device of claim 1 , wherein the third panel comprises an arrangement for re-directing light incident on the light receiving surface in at least one direction that is transversal to a surface normal of the first panel for collection by photovoltaic elements.

5. The device of claim 4 , wherein the arrangement for redirecting light comprises a diffraction grating and/or a luminescent material and/or a light scattering material.

6. The device of claim 4 , wherein in use the re-directed light is guided by total internal reflection through the third panel.

7. The device of claim 1 , wherein the third panel comprises a plurality of panel portions.

8. The device of claim 5 , wherein the third panel comprises a plurality of panel portions and wherein the diffraction grating and/or light scattering element and/or the luminescent material are positioned within or between panel portions.

9. The device of claim 7 , wherein panel portions mate with one another to form a stack in which each of the panel portions are arranged substantially parallel to one another.

10. The device of claim 1 , wherein a transparent spacer is provided between the first photovoltaic element and the third panel.

11. The device of claim 1 , wherein the support comprises:

a first wall and a second wall opposite the first wall, the first and second walls being arranged parallel to the light receiving surface;

a third wall and a fourth wall opposite the third wall, the third and fourth walls being arranged transversely to the light receiving surface, the third and fourth walls connecting the first and second walls; and

a flange extending over an edge portion of the third panel in a direction parallel to the light receiving surface.

12. The device of claim 11 , wherein the first photovoltaic element is positioned between the flange and the third panel and the second photovoltaic element is positioned between the edge portion of the third panel and the third wall.

13. The device of claim 1 , comprising a third photovoltaic element arranged in the first orientation and positioned between the support and the first panel at or near an edge of the first panel.

14. The device of claim 12 , comprising a third photovoltaic element arranged in the first orientation and positioned between the support and the first panel at or near an edge of the first panel, wherein the third photovoltaic element is positioned on the second wall.

15. The device of claim 1 configured to fit into a standard window frame.

16. The device of claim 1 , wherein an adhesive portion is positioned within the cavity.

17. A system comprising a plurality of devices in accordance with claim 1 that are electrically connected.