Abstract: The present invention relates to a device for supporting one or more solar panels or thermal collectors which may be arrangeable on a flat roof. The device has a bottom wall, a rear wall which extends upwardly from a rear side of the bottom wall, and two oppositely arranged side walls which are integrally joined with side edges of the bottom wall and rear wall. The side walls slope from the rear wall to a front edge of the bottom wall.

Abstract: For facilitating work and improving durability of a grounding conductor without a need for preparation of a separate grounding conductor for grounding a solar cell array, a solar cell array is provided comprising a plurality of solar cell modules each comprising a solar cell element and an electroconductive outer portion, the plurality of solar cell modules being electrically connected by an electric wire, wherein the electric wire has a plurality of cores, at least one of the cores being connected to an electric connection portion for leading a power of the solar cell elements out and at least one of the cores being connected to a grounding portion.

Abstract: The object of this invention is to provide a solar cell module having a terminal extracting structure for it, with high adhesion workability, high productivity, and high reliability. The solution to this object is a solar cell module wherein a box member having therein an electrical connecting portion between a solar cell element and an outer lead wire is adhered to the solar cell module with a pressure-sensitive adhesive, and a lid member is adhered to the solar cell module with an adhesive so as to cover the box member.

Abstract: A solar cell module according to the present invention includes at least a base material, a first insulating material formed on the base material, a photovoltaic element set including a plurality of photovoltaic elements formed on the first insulating material, and a second insulating material formed on the photovoltaic element set. The base material has an L or W shape. In one embodiment, the base material has an L section shape, and a bent portion is formed in a portion where no photovoltaic element is arrange. In another embodiment, the photovoltaic element set includes a wiring material for electrically connecting the photovoltaic elements, and a bent portion is formed in a portion where the wiring material is arranged. Power generation and heat collection efficiency are increased, and optical deterioration of a non-single-crystal semiconductor are decreased in the present solar cell modules.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a sunlight collection apparatus with increased sunlight gathering and receiving capabilities, which is cheap to produce and allows reliable collection of sunlight without having to track the sun. This sunlight collection apparatus has a light collection portion, facing toward the sun, for collecting sunlight; a light conducting portion, having optical fiber cables, for conducting sunlight collected by said light collection portion indoors; and a light scattering portion, provided at a tip of said light conducting portion, for lighting a room with sunlight conducted by said light conducting portion. The light collection portion has a plurality of lens elements arranged facing in the direction of the sun, with the front surface of each lens element which faces toward the sun having a curved surface. The lens elements have a tapered shape in a rearward direction from the front surface.

Abstract: An outer wall element for buildings wherein, between the inner wall shell and a solar-radiation permeable outer wall shell, a solar-radiation permeable and heat-insulating layer is arranged, the latter being separated from an inner heat-insulating layer of the inner wall shell by an interface that absorbs the solar radiation from the outer heat-insulating layer. At least the inner wall shell is provided with marginal lining elements, which can be parts of a frame, panels or the like, extending at least up to the interface and conveying heat to the inner wall side. In order to protect the lining elements from the high temperatures reached in the outer heat-insulating layer because of the use of solar energy, the outer heat-insulating layer and the lining elements are separated from each other by insulating elements with poor heat conductivity, which starting from the lining elements cover the inner heat-insulating layer along a marginal strip in the interface.

Abstract: A light weight modular solar water heater whereby the entire solar collector of the system can be shipped in a single box by a low cost parcel service (like UPS) which is designed to be easily assembled and installed by one person such as a homeowner, handyman or installer hereinafter referred to as "installer" wherein the preferred embodiment the collector module is shipped in a single box with the frame and solar energy absorber in two sections using a three piece glazing and trim assembly allowing for the collector end sections to be fully assembled at the factory and allowing for the center section to be open for the solar collector installer to have easy access to connect the frame and absorber sections and may be attached to the roof using a unique tabbed mounting rails which allow for the attachment to the roof of multiple collectors using a tabbed U shaped bracket between collectors with absorber connections made using couplers which pull or "float" out of the collector after shipping for connection t

Abstract: There is provided the combination of a corrugated solar collector panel and a building surface to which it is attached, in spaced relationship. At least some of the panel corrugations are flat and located such that they face in the general direction of the sun during at least a portion of the daylight hours. Generally uniformly distributed apertures are provided in the panel, and specifically at flat areas in the corrugations. The combination further includes photovoltaic cells mounted to the corrugations at flat portions thereof containing the apertures, with the cells being supported substantially parallel with and adjacent to but spaced apart from the flat surfaces, thus leaving air passages between the photovoltaic cells and the solar collector, whereby air can enter and leave the enclosed space by flowing through the air passages and along the undersides of the photovoltaic cells, thus removing excess heat build-up from the voltaic cells.

Abstract: A directing and concentrating solar energy collector with a concentrating reflector and one or more cooperating directing reflectors concentrates solar radiation to a substantially narrow and straight line of concentration. The directing reflectors, being perpendicular to the concentrating reflector, confine the zones of concentration at the line of concentration. A stationary optimizing energy converter having multiple energy conversion sections receives the concentrated radiation, converts part of it to electricity, with another part to thermal energy. A building includes multiple collectors in an energy collection system, with one variation of the collectors used under a transparent roof and another inside a transparent wall. The concentrating reflector is provided either with single axis tracking, or with no tracking at all, enabling different installations and having different advantages.

Abstract: A solar cell module in which the reduction in conversion efficiency is small, and a passive solar heating system using the solar cell module. The solar cell module has a solar cell covered with a filler. A back reinforcement member, the filler and a back insulating member larger than the solar cell are superposed on the non-light-receiving side of the solar cell. The back insulating member has openings corresponding to pierced portions of the solar cell module at which the solar cell module is affixed to a roof. A greater amount of clean energy is obtained with the system. The solar cell is used without any additional base to limit the reduction in the conversion efficiency of the solar cell.

Abstract: In a sheet-shaped solar module mounting structure, rail members include locking members to which the end portions of sheet-shaped solar batteries are locked, so that, in mounting the sheet-shaped solar batteries to a roof bed, it is unnecessary to nail the solar batteries to the roof bed with screws or the like.

Abstract: A solar energy collector consists of a plurality of collector elements (5, 6, 7, 8) which can be secured on a preferably inclined supporting surface (2), for example a roof, and which have each a base body (9) with one or several collector channels lying in a plane (12) that faces the sun and connectable to a heat transfer fluid network, as well as possibly one or several absorber channels lying in a plane (13) transversely oriented to the collector channel. At least in the area of two parallel sides among its four sides, the base body (9) of the collector element is provided with a coupling stud (15) that extends transversely to the plane (14) of the base body, and at it opposite side, the base body (9) is provided with a coupling groove (17) whose dimensions are adapted to those of the coupling stud (15) and which receives the coupling stud (15) of the directly adjacent base body (9).

Abstract: A roof system utilizing a solar cell comprising a first modular roof member composed of a plurality of first light collecting plate segments each of which having a solar cell embedded therein, the first light collecting plate segments being aligned in one direction and in the other direction perpendicular to the one direction; and a second modular roof member composed of a plurality of second light collecting plate segments each of which is equal in size to the first light collecting plate segment, the second light collecting plate segments being aligned in one direction and in the other direction perpendicular to the one direction, the number of the second light collecting plate segments in one direction being larger by one than that of the first light collecting plate segments.

Abstract: A solar energy collector (14) which comprises a heat absorbing structure (16) which takes in radiant energy and transfers the radiant energy to water carried therein. A main body (18) encompasses the heat absorbing structure (16). The radiant energy will enter a transparent top portion (19) of the main body (18) to reach the heat absorbing structure (16). Elements (20) are for carrying the water into and out of the heat absorbing structure (16). Components (22) are for supporting opposite ends of the heat absorbing structure (16) within the main body (18) on a roof (24) of a building 26). A facility (28) is for covering the transparent top portion (19) of the main body (18).

Abstract: A solar cell module in which the reduction in conversion efficiency is small, and a passive solar heating system using the solar cell module. The solar cell module has a solar cell covered with a filler. A back reinforcement member, the filler and a back insulating member larger than the solar cell are superposed on the non-light-receiving side of the solar cell. The back insulating member has openings corresponding to pierced portions of the solar cell module at which the solar cell module is affixed to a roof. A greater amount of clean energy is obtained with the system. The solar cell is used without any additional base to limit the reduction in the conversion efficiency of the solar cell.

Abstract: A system and method for natural light illumination of residential and commercial buildings. A tubular skylight, the system comprises a highly reflective tubular body positioned in the space between a building's roof and ceiling with a first end with a supporting lip attached to a roof assembly, and a second end attached to a ceiling assembly. The roof assembly further comprises a semi-spherical transparent globe and a molded roof mount with a tapered sleeve. The ceiling assembly comprises a semi-spherical, light diffusing cap and a molded ceiling mount with a straight sleeve. In a preferred embodiment of the system, the first end of the tubular body is inserted through the tapered sleeve and supported therein by a right angle supporting lip and the second end of the tubular body is positioned over the sleeve of the ceiling mount.

Abstract: A roof shingle for solar heat collection comprises an upper segment and a lower segment. The upper segment of the roof shingle has a greater thickness than the lower segment. The upper segment has a transverse opening extending therethrough for receiving hollow tubing inserted therein. The opening is adapted to be aligned with openings in adjacent roof shingles on either side of the roof shingle.

Abstract: A self-sufficient apparatus and method for conveying solar heat energy from an attic (20) under a solar energy absorbing roof (10) to a place remote from the attic. A synergetic combination of in-attic air controlling devices such as fans and motorized vents (40a, 40b) are energized by stored electrical energy generated by a sunlight-to-electrical-energy panel (14), located adjacent the roof. The panel, preferably a photovoltaic array, has a limited size, providing just sufficient electrical energy to operate the electrical elements of the apparatus. It will not impair the heat absorbing capability of the roof and can be located where it is not aesthetically objectionable. In a preferred embodiment a forced-air-to-water heat exchanger (30) provides solar heated domestic hot water (90). In another embodiment solar heated attic air is drawn into a fan (50) and forced via a duct to another part of the building (100).

Abstract: A roof mounted solar collector structure has cross-pieces arranged at regular intervals parallel to the eaves line on overlying roof members which enclose a part of the roof structure. Connecting members are mounted orthogonally on the cross-pieces at regular intervals. Solar energy collection members are laid between the connecting members. Support members are mounted at peripheral edges of an enclosed part of the roof to cover upper side and outside surfaces of the crosspieces. A lower end of each support member contacts an upper side of the overlying roof members. Receiving portions formed at outside lower ends of the connecting members are in close proximity to side edges of the enclosed part of the roof and receive one of the support members.

Abstract: A solar heater for a swimming pool or the like is formed by heat sealing two rectangular sheets of a flexible thermoplastic material, such as black vinyl, around the peripheral edges thereof. A plurality of spaced apart heat sealed seams are formed between the two sheets. The seams have end portions alternately spaced from and joined to the sealed peripheral edge to define a plurality of passageways forming a serpentine water pathway through the collector. Inlet and outlet fittings communicate with the passageways to permit pool water to circulate in the collector to be heated therein.