US20110056485A1 - Subterranean solar panel system - Google Patents

Subterranean solar panel system Download PDF

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Publication number
US20110056485A1
US20110056485A1 US12/584,682 US58468209A US2011056485A1 US 20110056485 A1 US20110056485 A1 US 20110056485A1 US 58468209 A US58468209 A US 58468209A US 2011056485 A1 US2011056485 A1 US 2011056485A1
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United States
Prior art keywords
solar panel
solar
subterranean
station
inches
Prior art date
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Abandoned
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US12/584,682
Inventor
Raymond Saluccio
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Individual
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Individual
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Priority to US12/584,682 priority Critical patent/US20110056485A1/en
Publication of US20110056485A1 publication Critical patent/US20110056485A1/en
Abandoned legal-status Critical Current

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    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F24—HEATING; RANGES; VENTILATING
    • F24S—SOLAR HEAT COLLECTORS; SOLAR HEAT SYSTEMS
    • F24S23/00—Arrangements for concentrating solar-rays for solar heat collectors
    • F24S23/30—Arrangements for concentrating solar-rays for solar heat collectors with lenses
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G02—OPTICS
    • G02B—OPTICAL ELEMENTS, SYSTEMS OR APPARATUS
    • G02B6/00—Light guides; Structural details of arrangements comprising light guides and other optical elements, e.g. couplings
    • G02B6/04—Light guides; Structural details of arrangements comprising light guides and other optical elements, e.g. couplings formed by bundles of fibres
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G02—OPTICS
    • G02B—OPTICAL ELEMENTS, SYSTEMS OR APPARATUS
    • G02B6/00—Light guides; Structural details of arrangements comprising light guides and other optical elements, e.g. couplings
    • G02B6/24—Coupling light guides
    • G02B6/26—Optical coupling means
    • G02B6/32—Optical coupling means having lens focusing means positioned between opposed fibre ends
    • Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
    • Y02—TECHNOLOGIES OR APPLICATIONS FOR MITIGATION OR ADAPTATION AGAINST CLIMATE CHANGE
    • Y02B—CLIMATE CHANGE MITIGATION TECHNOLOGIES RELATED TO BUILDINGS, e.g. HOUSING, HOUSE APPLIANCES OR RELATED END-USER APPLICATIONS
    • Y02B10/00—Integration of renewable energy sources in buildings
    • Y02B10/20—Solar thermal
    • Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
    • Y02—TECHNOLOGIES OR APPLICATIONS FOR MITIGATION OR ADAPTATION AGAINST CLIMATE CHANGE
    • Y02E—REDUCTION OF GREENHOUSE GAS [GHG] EMISSIONS, RELATED TO ENERGY GENERATION, TRANSMISSION OR DISTRIBUTION
    • Y02E10/00—Energy generation through renewable energy sources
    • Y02E10/40—Solar thermal energy, e.g. solar towers

Definitions

  • This invention relates to eliminating the unsightly visual effects associated with traditional solar panel installations, by placing the solar panel installation underground to make the solar panel (modules) virtually invisible to the eye.
  • the current method of mounting solar panels on rooftops or ground installations allows the solar panels to become tainted with dust, air pollutants, natural residues, and bird droppings that gradually decrease the overall electric productivity output of these solar panels/modules.
  • An object of the present invention is placing solar panel installations in a subterranean system, that keeps the solar panels out of the elements, which will increase their life span and reduce the need for upkeep, maintenance, and cleaning of the solar modules, since they are no longer on rooftops or exposed to any weather elements or foreign debris from all outside installations.
  • Another object of the present invention is that these solar panel modules that are stored under the earth, eliminate the current negative effects of outside exposure and eliminate the need for ongoing maintenance to keep them clean and operational.
  • the solar panel industry has suffered from solar panels that generate too much heat and reduce the electrical output. Another object is that the cooler underground environment improves and reduces the fluctuations of electrical output.
  • the present invention provides a better solar panel electrical system, in many ways: mechanically, electrically, aesthetically, and keeps them out of eyesight, and keeps them out of harms way.
  • a subterranean solar panel system 10 for collecting solar energy and generating electricity includes a structure 12 having a building section 14 , a roof 16 , and rooftop surface 18 .
  • a plurality of solar panels forming a solar panel station 30 is provided in an underground space 20 .
  • An optical device 50 is provided for capturing and magnifying sunlight in the form of a transparent lens 52 that is either concave or convex, which receives and magnifies the sunlight, or enhances it to be transferred to the solar panel station 30 .
  • a system of fiber optic conductors 60 is provided having fiber optic strands contained therein which are connected to the transparent lens 52 and the solar panel station 30 for transferring the collected sunlight from the transparent lens 52 to the solar panel station 30 .
  • FIG. 1 is a diagram showing the subterranean solar panel system of the present invention.
  • the present invention includes a subterranean solar panel system 10 , which includes a structure 12 having a building section 14 and a roof 16 , which has a rooftop surface 18 .
  • a subterranean solar panel system 10 which includes a structure 12 having a building section 14 and a roof 16 , which has a rooftop surface 18 .
  • each solar panel station includes multiple solar panel units, which can be of any number, such as two solar panels up to fifteen solar panels for each solar panel station 30 .
  • solar panel station 30 includes seven solar panels 32 , 34 , 36 , 38 , 40 , 42 , and 44 which form a single solar panel station 30 .
  • multiple solar panel stations 30 can be linked together to form a single subterranean solar panel system 10 .
  • the solar panel stations 30 are placed underground at least 2 to 4 feet below the frontline.
  • the optical device 50 is mounted on rooftop surface 18 .
  • the optical device 50 is a transparent lens 52 that may be either concave or convex which receives the sunlight and magnifies it or enhances it to be transferred to the solar panel station 30 using a system of fiber optic conductors 60 having fiber optic strands contained therein for transferring the collected sunlight from the transparent lens 52 to the solar panel station 30 .
  • the transparent lens 52 may be of any size, such as 24 inches by 24 inches, or 36 inches by 36 inches, or 72 inches by 72 inches.
  • fiber optic conductors 60 are connected between transparent lens 52 and solar panel station 30 using individual fiber optic conductors 62 , 64 , 66 , 68 , 70 , 72 , and 74 each connected to a different solar panel 32 to 44 in order to conduct the sunlight to each individual solar panel in the solar panel station 30 .
  • the electrical energy output from solar panel station 30 is connected by a wire 80 to an inverter 82 and an electric meter 84 for collecting, storing, and reading the amount of electric energy produced by the solar panel station 30 .
  • the present invention has provided the advantage of placing solar panel installations in a subterranean system, that keeps the solar panels out of the elements, which will increase their life span and reduce the need for upkeep, maintenance, and cleaning of the solar modules, since they are no longer on rooftops or exposed to any weather elements or foreign debris from all outside installations.

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  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
  • Sustainable Development (AREA)
  • Sustainable Energy (AREA)
  • Thermal Sciences (AREA)
  • Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
  • Combustion & Propulsion (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Roof Covering Using Slabs Or Stiff Sheets (AREA)

Abstract

A subterranean solar panel system 10 for collecting solar energy and generating electricity, includes a structure 12 having a building section 14, a roof 16, and rooftop surface 18. A plurality of solar panels forming a solar panel station 30 is provided in an underground space 20. An optical device 50 is provided for capturing and magnifying sunlight in the form of a transparent lens 52 that is either concave or convex, which receives and magnifies the sunlight, or enhances it to be transferred to the solar panel station 30. A system of fiber optic conductors 60 is provided having fiber optic strands contained therein which are connected to the transparent lens 52 and the solar panel station 30 for transferring the collected sunlight from the transparent lens 52 to the solar panel station 30.

Description

    FIELD OF THE INVENTION
  • This invention relates to eliminating the unsightly visual effects associated with traditional solar panel installations, by placing the solar panel installation underground to make the solar panel (modules) virtually invisible to the eye.
    • BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
  • Currently, the solar panel industry has been plagued by the unsightly design and installation of solar panel systems for creating electricity. This invention avoids the negative aesthetics of the presently designed solar panel module installations, and also provides mechanical benefits. Also, with the present invention, there is no need for dedicated areas of land or rooftops for solar panels for either ground-mounted units or roof-top mounted units. In addition, solar panels that are rooftop mounted add extra load to the roof, and during the installation, there is a need to make many penetrations within the roof itself that lead to future leaks and subject the rooftop and the underneath to possible water damage and structural damage.
  • The current method of mounting solar panels on rooftops or ground installations, allows the solar panels to become tainted with dust, air pollutants, natural residues, and bird droppings that gradually decrease the overall electric productivity output of these solar panels/modules.
  • With the subterranean solar technology of the present invention, the above-referenced negative effects are eliminated because they will be in a controlled environment under the ground.
    • OBJECTS OF THE PRESENT INVENTION
  • An object of the present invention is placing solar panel installations in a subterranean system, that keeps the solar panels out of the elements, which will increase their life span and reduce the need for upkeep, maintenance, and cleaning of the solar modules, since they are no longer on rooftops or exposed to any weather elements or foreign debris from all outside installations.
  • Another object of the present invention, is that these solar panel modules that are stored under the earth, eliminate the current negative effects of outside exposure and eliminate the need for ongoing maintenance to keep them clean and operational.
  • The added benefits of subterranean solar technology is a much cooler environment to produce electricity which does not suffer from becoming overheated from exposure to the sun; therefore, increasing the electrical productivity.
  • The solar panel industry has suffered from solar panels that generate too much heat and reduce the electrical output. Another object is that the cooler underground environment improves and reduces the fluctuations of electrical output.
  • The present invention provides a better solar panel electrical system, in many ways: mechanically, electrically, aesthetically, and keeps them out of eyesight, and keeps them out of harms way.
    • SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
  • A subterranean solar panel system 10 for collecting solar energy and generating electricity, includes a structure 12 having a building section 14, a roof 16, and rooftop surface 18. A plurality of solar panels forming a solar panel station 30 is provided in an underground space 20. An optical device 50 is provided for capturing and magnifying sunlight in the form of a transparent lens 52 that is either concave or convex, which receives and magnifies the sunlight, or enhances it to be transferred to the solar panel station 30. A system of fiber optic conductors 60 is provided having fiber optic strands contained therein which are connected to the transparent lens 52 and the solar panel station 30 for transferring the collected sunlight from the transparent lens 52 to the solar panel station 30.
    • BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
  • FIG. 1 is a diagram showing the subterranean solar panel system of the present invention.
    •  DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
  • The present invention includes a subterranean solar panel system 10, which includes a structure 12 having a building section 14 and a roof 16, which has a rooftop surface 18. In an underground space 20, there is provided a plurality of solar panels in a solar panel station 30, wherein each solar panel station includes multiple solar panel units, which can be of any number, such as two solar panels up to fifteen solar panels for each solar panel station 30. As shown in the attached drawing, solar panel station 30 includes seven solar panels 32, 34, 36, 38, 40, 42, and 44 which form a single solar panel station 30. It should be understood that multiple solar panel stations 30 can be linked together to form a single subterranean solar panel system 10. In addition, the solar panel stations 30 are placed underground at least 2 to 4 feet below the frontline.
  • Mounted on rooftop surface 18 is an optical device 50 to capture and magnify sunlight. Preferably, the optical device 50 is a transparent lens 52 that may be either concave or convex which receives the sunlight and magnifies it or enhances it to be transferred to the solar panel station 30 using a system of fiber optic conductors 60 having fiber optic strands contained therein for transferring the collected sunlight from the transparent lens 52 to the solar panel station 30.
  • The transparent lens 52 may be of any size, such as 24 inches by 24 inches, or 36 inches by 36 inches, or 72 inches by 72 inches.
  • In the present invention, fiber optic conductors 60 are connected between transparent lens 52 and solar panel station 30 using individual fiber optic conductors 62, 64, 66, 68, 70, 72, and 74 each connected to a different solar panel 32 to 44 in order to conduct the sunlight to each individual solar panel in the solar panel station 30.
  • The electrical energy output from solar panel station 30 is connected by a wire 80 to an inverter 82 and an electric meter 84 for collecting, storing, and reading the amount of electric energy produced by the solar panel station 30.
    • ADVANTAGES OF THE PRESENT INVENTION
  • The present invention has provided the advantage of placing solar panel installations in a subterranean system, that keeps the solar panels out of the elements, which will increase their life span and reduce the need for upkeep, maintenance, and cleaning of the solar modules, since they are no longer on rooftops or exposed to any weather elements or foreign debris from all outside installations.
  • A latitude of modification, change and substitution is intended in the foregoing disclosure, and in some instances, some features of the invention will be employed without a corresponding use of other features. Accordingly, it is appropriate that the appended claims be construed broadly and in a manner consistent with the spirit and scope of the invention herein.

Claims (5)

What is claimed is:
1) A subterranean solar panel system 10 for collecting solar energy and generating electricity, comprising:
a) a structure 12 having a building section 14, a roof 16, and rooftop surface 18;
b) a plurality of solar panels forming a solar panel station 30 in an underground space 20;
c) an optical device 50 for capturing and magnifying sunlight in the form of a transparent lens 52 that is either concave or convex, which receives and magnifies the sunlight, or enhances it to be transferred to said solar panel station 30; and
d) a system of fiber optic conductors 60 having fiber optic strands contained therein are connected to the transparent lens 52 and the solar panel station 30 for transferring the collected sunlight from the transparent lens 52 to the solar panel station 30.
2) A subterranean solar panel system 10 in accordance with claim 1, wherein each solar panel station 30 includes 2 solar panels up to 15 solar panels.
3) A subterranean solar panel system 10 in accordance with claim 1, wherein multiple solar panel stations 30 are connected together.
4) A subterranean solar panel system 10 in accordance with claim 1, wherein each solar panel in said solar panel station 30 is connected by one or more fiber optic conductors to optical device 50.
5) A subterranean solar panel system 10 in accordance with claim 1, wherein said transparent lens 52 may be of any size, such as 24 inches by 24 inches, or 36 inches by 36 inches, or 72 inches by 72 inches.
US12/584,682 2009-09-10 2009-09-10 Subterranean solar panel system Abandoned US20110056485A1 (en)

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Cited By (6)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US20110103088A1 (en) * 2009-10-30 2011-05-05 Wemmer Jeffrey M Multi-mode lighting apparatus
US9219181B2 (en) 2012-12-11 2015-12-22 Daniel Robert Watkins Apparatus for generating electricity using an optical fiber cable light source and related methods
PL423947A1 (en) * 2017-12-19 2019-07-01 Jacek Jagiełło Photovoltaic module
US11316470B2 (en) * 2017-12-26 2022-04-26 Can Baran Unal Solar power plant design with underground light room
US20220228777A1 (en) * 2021-01-18 2022-07-21 Renewable Energy Aggregators Inc. Hardened solar energy collector system
US20230370016A1 (en) * 2022-05-16 2023-11-16 Joseph Chung Solar redirect system for a vehicle

Citations (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US5575860A (en) * 1994-08-11 1996-11-19 Cherney; Matthew Fiber optic power-generation system
US20080236652A1 (en) * 2006-12-19 2008-10-02 Defries Anthony Method or means to use or combine plasmonic, thermal, photovoltaic or optical engineering

Patent Citations (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US5575860A (en) * 1994-08-11 1996-11-19 Cherney; Matthew Fiber optic power-generation system
US20080236652A1 (en) * 2006-12-19 2008-10-02 Defries Anthony Method or means to use or combine plasmonic, thermal, photovoltaic or optical engineering

Cited By (9)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US20110103088A1 (en) * 2009-10-30 2011-05-05 Wemmer Jeffrey M Multi-mode lighting apparatus
US8459851B2 (en) 2009-10-30 2013-06-11 Bmd Properties, Ltd. Multi-mode lighting apparatus
US9360182B2 (en) 2009-10-30 2016-06-07 Bmd Properties, Ltd. Multi-mode lighting apparatus
US9219181B2 (en) 2012-12-11 2015-12-22 Daniel Robert Watkins Apparatus for generating electricity using an optical fiber cable light source and related methods
PL423947A1 (en) * 2017-12-19 2019-07-01 Jacek Jagiełło Photovoltaic module
US11316470B2 (en) * 2017-12-26 2022-04-26 Can Baran Unal Solar power plant design with underground light room
US20220228777A1 (en) * 2021-01-18 2022-07-21 Renewable Energy Aggregators Inc. Hardened solar energy collector system
US11402131B1 (en) * 2021-01-18 2022-08-02 Renewable Energy Aggregators Inc. Hardened solar energy collector system
US20230370016A1 (en) * 2022-05-16 2023-11-16 Joseph Chung Solar redirect system for a vehicle

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