GB2427209A

GB2427209A - Solar panels positioned at multiple levels on a building

Info

Publication number: GB2427209A
Application number: GB0512351A
Authority: GB
Inventors: David Andrew Johnston; Kevin Roger Johnston; Christopher Michael Johnston
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2005-06-17
Filing date: 2005-06-17
Publication date: 2006-12-20
Also published as: GB0512351D0

Abstract

Solar panels are mounted on a building at each storey, at a level between the windows of adjacent storeys, and on the building roof. The panels may be photovoltaic and produce electricity for use in the building or distribution exterior of the building. The panels may heat an air stream which provides heating for rooms. Hot water may be produced in the panels, for use in central heating or for hot water consumption. Hybrid solar panels may be used which combine the above features. The panels may be positioned at a sloping angle to the building. Advantageously, in use the panels may provide shade to the building windows to reduce the solar radiation incident thereon.

Description

SOLAR PANELS INSTALLED ON BUILDINGS TO

EMULATE THE TRADITIONAL CHINESE

ARCHICHTURAL STYLE

This invention relates to a system of solar panels, installed onto a building or buildings, such that the resulting morphology resembles the traditional style of Chinese architecture, i.e., roofing (hereinafter referred to as eaves) mounted on the outer wall of each storey, in addition to the roof on the top of the building.

Solar energy has a potential to make a significant contribution to energy demand in China, and in other countries. Building integrated solar energy systems collect solar energy close to the point of use, thus reducing the losses due to distribution or transport of energy. The primary uses of energy in buildings include space heating, water heating (for end use of hot water) and air conditioning. Solar air heating panels provide hot air for space heating. Solar water heating panels provide hot water, either for direct use, or for space heating via central heating radiators.

Air conditioning systems require an electricity supply. One source of this electrical energy is solar photovoltaic panels. During periods of high outdoor temperatures, solar gain, due to solar radiation passing through windows, increases the indoor temperature, and therefore increases the load on the air conditioning system(s). Shading structures would reduce solar gain, and hence the air conditioning load.

According to the present invention, solar panels are mounted to the walls of the building, at each storey, at a level between the windows of adjacent storeys. Where solar panels form only part of the eaves at each storey, additional roofing may additionally be installed to complete the eaves.

In addition, solar panels are mounted on the top of the building, forming all or part of the roof.

These solar panels are tilted at an angle, which presents a large collecting area to the incident solar radiation, at certain times during the day. The addition of panels to the building, as described above, results in a building which resembles a traditional style of Chinese architecture - specifically one with roofing (eaves) at each storey, in addition to the roof on the top of the building.

The system of solar panels described herein, installed in the configuration described herein, confers a number of advantages, in addition to those provided by solar energy systems generally.

1. The solar panels, installed as eaves at each storey, provide additional solar collecting area, in addition to the panels installed as the roof at the top of the building. This increases the total solar energy, which can be collected by the solar energy system of the building.

2. The distribution of solar panels as eaves, installed at each storey, results in energy collection, which is distributed over the vertical extent of the building. This reduces the requirement for vertical energy transfer, and therefore reduces the total distance, over which energy must be transferred. This has the potential to reduce the energy losses associated with such transfer of energy.

3. The solar panels, installed at each storey, at a level between the windows of adjacent storeys, provide shading for the underlying windows. This reduces the solar gain through these windows, which reduces the temperature increase due to solar gain, and therefore reduces the load on air conditioning systems.

Provision is made for connection to systems for distribution of electricity, hot water and hot air throughout the building. Provision is also made for connection to systems supplying electricity, hot water and hot air, from external sources, and/or from internal non-solar systems.

A specific embodiment of the invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawing in which - Figure 1 shows the building with solar panels installed on the walls as eaves, and solar panels installed on the roof.

Figure 2 shows the shading of underlying windows by wall-mounted solar panels, installed as eaves.

Referring to the drawing, the system of solar panels consists of a set of solar panels, which comprises part or all of the roof 1, and solar panels which comprise part or all of the roofing (eaves) 2, installed at each storey, at a level between the windows 3 of adjacent storeys, as shown in Figure 1. The eaves may include corner structures, which may include solar panels, or may have a solely aesthetic function.

The set of solar panels, forming the eaves at a given storey, has connection to systems providing for the delivery of the collected energy to the rooms and energy distributing and consuming systems of that storey, and additionally has connection to systems providing for the delivery of the collected energy to the rooms and energy distributing and consuming systems of other storeys.

The solar panels, installed as roofing (eaves) 2, installed at each storey, at a level between the windows 3 of adjacent storeys, provides total or partial shading of the underlying windows 3, as shown in Figure 2. For solar radiation 4 incident at the angle shown in Figure 2, the shaded region 5 includes all of the underlying window 3.

Claims

1. A system of solar panels, installed onto a building or buildings, mounted on the outer wall of each storey, at a level between the windows of adjacent storeys, in addition to the roof on the top of the building, such that the resulting morphology resembles the traditional style of Chinese'architecture, i.e., roofing (hereinafter referred to as eaves) at each storey, in addition to the roof on the top of the building.

2. A system of solar panels, as claimed in Claim I, wherein the solar panels are photovoltaic panels, which generate electricity for provision of electrical demand or demands within the building.

3. A system of solar panels, as claimed in Claim 1 and Claim 2, wherein the photovoltaic panels may additionally provide electrical energy to circuits and loads exterior to the building.

4. A system of solar panels, as claimed in Claim 1, wherein the solar panels heat an air stream, passing through, under and/or over the solar panels, for the purpose of providing space heating for rooms within the building.

5. A system of solar panels, as claimed in Claim 1, wherein the solar panels heat a water stream, passing through pipes or channels within, or attached to, the solar panels, for the purpose of providing space heating for rooms within the building.

6. A system of solar panels, as claimed in Claim 1, wherein the solar panels heat a water stream, passing through pipes or channels within, or attached to, the solar panels, for the purpose of providing hot water for use by the occupants.

7. A system of solar panels, as claimed in Claim 1, consisting of solar panels as described in some or all of Claim 2, Claim 3, Claim 4, Claim 5 and Claim 6, and combining some or all of the functions describe in those Claims.

8. A system of solar panels, as claimed in Claim 1, wherein some or all of the solar panels are multi-function solar panels, wherein some or all of the structures and functions described in Claim 2, Claim 3, Claim 4, Claim 5 and Claim 6 are combined in each such multi-function solar panel.

9. A system of solar panels substantially as described herein with reference to Figures 1 and 2 of the accompanying drawing.