WO2011013063A2

WO2011013063A2 - Photovoltaic electric power generator

Info

Publication number: WO2011013063A2
Application number: PCT/IB2010/053403
Authority: WO
Inventors: Luciano Palombi
Original assignee: I - Novatech S.R.L.
Priority date: 2009-07-30
Filing date: 2010-07-27
Publication date: 2011-02-03
Also published as: WO2011013063A3; IT1401597B1; SM200900067A; SM200900067B; ITRN20100043A1

Abstract

The invention regards a photovoltaic electrical generator characterized in that it comprises a total photovoltaic surface (10, 110, 210, 310, 410, 510) with a plurality of orientations (A, A', B, B', C, C'). The total photovoltaic surface is divided into two or more separate photovoltaic surfaces (30, 130, 330, 430), at least two of which having an orientation (A, A', B, B'-, C, C') different from each other, or the total photovoltaic surface (10, 110, 210, 310, 410, 510) is continuous and comprises zones (230) that are more or less active depending on their orientation to the sun.

Description

DESCRIPTION

TITLE : photovoltaic electrical generator

The present invention concerns a photovoltaic electrical generator. More specifically, the present invention is applicable to the field of photovoltaic electrical generators for supplying power to electrical or electronic devices on streets, in urban or civilian settings, such as street lamps, lighted billboards, speed indicator panels or other items. Nevertheless, other civilian uses are not excluded, such as the use in emergency fields of the type set up in case of natural disaster or in other movable fields like in campgrounds.

The present invention also concerns an electrical or electronic device on streets, in urban or civilian settings comprising such generator of photovoltaic electrical energy.

The present invention also concerns a photovoltaic electrical generator in kit form, the kit in particular is suitable for mounting a variable number of photovoltaic surfaces, for example photovoltaic panels, according to use requirements .

In the field of street lighting, it is known to make street lamps supplied with power by silicon photovoltaic panels. Even if such panels constitute an admirable innovation for exploiting renewable energy, nevertheless they have several drawbacks which considerably limit their diffusion and field of application.

The Applicant has in fact observed that the conventional silicon panels, in order to generate the required electrical energy, must be oriented orthogonally to the solar rays. Today, a slope of the panels of 30° is employed with respect to the horizon line. Nevertheless, such slope is just a compromise, unable to best exploit the electrical energy generation capacities of the silicon during the sun's rotation. In addition, the Applicant points out that the panels cannot have large size since they are very bulky, due to their slope, and thus the delivered power is minimal. A very widespread example is the street lamps, where a single panel is fixed to their top with a slope of 30°, in a not very firm position and also quite anti-aesthetic.

In addition, the Applicant indicates that the panels sloped 30° are subjected to accumulating dirt on their surface, which is not able to slide away with wind or rain> so that over time it screens the part in silicon which therefore can no longer emit electrical energy, and the entire system becomes unusable. If it is desired to maintain the efficiency of the known panels, it is necessary to provide for a periodic cleaning, which nevertheless results difficult and inconvenient.

Furthermore, the common silicon panels are based on a monocrystalline or polycrystalline form of such element. If on one hand this form increases the electrical energy generation capacities per surface unit, on the other hand it makes the panels fragile; in particular, it is necessary to cover the panels with glass, so that it is not possible to walk on them, for example.

A further disadvantage of the known street lamps supplied with power from a silicon panel is the fact that the photovoltaic surface cannot be adapted to the environmental conditions, e.g. in case of use in a shaded zone it is not possible to increase the photovoltaic surface area, which is the same for all the street lamps.

Finally, the Applicant observes that both for the bulk and for the low energies supplied many uses of the silicon panels are at the moment impossible.

One of the objects of the present invention is that of totally or at least partially solving the problems of the prior art, in particular providing a more versatile photovoltaic electrical energy generator, i.e. which is suitable for use in numerous application fields.

A further object is that of making a photovoltaic electrical generator that is less bulky and stronger than the prior art .

A further object is that of making a photovoltaic electrical generator with pleasant appearance, for example for use on streets, in urban or civilian settings.

A further object of the present invention is to provide a photovoltaic electrical generator that is prearranged for being adaptable to environmental needs, for example to the presence of shaded zones.

According to a first aspect thereof, the invention comprises a photovoltaic electrical generator as defined in claim 1, i.e. a photovoltaic electrical generator characterized in that it comprises a total photovoltaic surface with a plurality of orientations.

In the present description and in the following claims, by "photovoltaic surface" it is intended a surface capable of generating electrical energy when hit by solar rays.

Advantageously, the generator according to the present invention exploits as much as possible the portion of photovoltaic surface that in each instant has the best exposure to the sun.

According to a first preferred embodiment, the total photovoltaic surface is divided into two or more separate photovoltaic surfaces, at least two of which, preferably all of them, having an orientation different from the others. In this case, the greatest production simplicity is obtained when the two or more separate surfaces are flat.

According to an alternative embodiment, the total photovoltaic surface is a continuous surface, and thus comprises zones that, depending on the exposure to the sun, are more or less active.

Both the more or less active zones and the separate photovoltaic surfaces can be electrically connected in a manner such that the electrical energy delivered by the more active separate photovoltaic surfaces or zones is not absorbed by the less active separate photovoltaic surfaces or zones, but rather is delivered as electrical energy available for the users connected to the generator. This can be done, for example, by electrically connecting together the separate photovoltaic surfaces or portions, e.g. by means of diodes. More particularly, the separate photovoltaic surfaces or zones can be connected in parallel with each other with the interposition of one or more diodes or equivalent bypass devices.

Preferably, the separate photovoltaic surfaces or zones are connected in parallel with at least one electrical energy storage device, e.g. a battery, such that the generator can at any moment delivery the necessary electrical energy for a specific use, drawing it from the battery, or from the separate photovoltaic surfaces or zones, or from both.

In addition or as an alternative to the connection with the battery, it is also preferable that the separate surfaces or zones are connected in parallel with a charge regulator, which in use delivers the electrical energy produced by the generator to a load.

It should be noted that preferably, but not exclusively, at least part of the total photovoltaic surface, more preferably all of said surface, is made with a material comprising silicon in amorphous form and/or a polymer semiconductor. Even if the silicon in amorphous form and/or a polymer semiconductor today deliver less electrical current per surface unit, they are nevertheless capable of delivering at greater slopes with respect to the solar rays than the crystalline silicon, and additionally their efficiency only slightly suffers from possible temperature swings. In consideration of the fact that due to the arrangement of the total photovoltaic surface of the present invention it can be of greater size than the prior art, also the totally electrical energy produced can be greater.

The Applicant has also understood that the best extension for the photovoltaic surface is the vertical extension, since this reduces the bulk. Hence, preferably, at least one separate photovoltaic surface or zone of the total photovoltaic surface during use is horizontally- oriented, i.e. it is extended parallel to a vertical axis. In particular, if the photovoltaic surfaces are made of amorphous silicon, the energy production is still optimal.

Even better results are obtained in the case in which the total photovoltaic surface comprises at least two separate photovoltaic surfaces or zones which during use are horizontally oriented, preferably sloped with respect to each other by an angle comprised between 30° and 180°, more preferably between 50° and 150°. In this manner, during the rotation of the sun, it is certain that at least one of the two photovoltaic surfaces has a good production of electrical energy. For such purpose, preferably, said two sloped surfaces form a vertex with each other, substantially oriented southward during use.

Advantageously, it is possible to obtain an optimal efficiency throughout the day when the separate surfaces or zones are horizontally oriented and form the sides of a polygon, in other words they form a prism with vertical extension. The preferred polygons are the triangle, the square, the rectangle, the pentagon, the hexagon, the heptagon and the octagon. The man skilled in the art will of course know to adapt the invention to a greater number of sides, nevertheless these are less preferred since the construction and electrical connections between the surfaces are more complex and difficult.

According to one particularly preferred embodiment, a generator according to the present invention comprises a support structure of at least part of the total photovoltaic surface. More particularly, the support structure comprises a base and a coupling portion to at least part of the total photovoltaic surface, said coupling structure mainly extending in vertical direction with respect to the base.

Advantageously, the support structure must be utilized for coupling one or more accessories to the generator, so that it can comprise a coupling portion to at least one electrical or electronic accessory. In such case, the coupling portion to at least part of the total photovoltaic surface is interposed between the base and the coupling portion to at least one electrical or electronic accessory.

Such accessory can for example be one from among the following: a lamp, a lighted billboard, a speed detector, a wind electrical energy generator.

According to the most simple-to-make embodiment, a generator according to the present invention comprises a plurality of photovoltaic panels, the total photovoltaic surface comprising the photovoltaic surface of the photovoltaic panels.

In such case, preferably at least one photovoltaic panel, more preferably at least two panels, still more preferably all panels, is/are supported on the support structure with the photovoltaic surface oriented horizontally.

An advantage in the subsequent maintenance is attained when the panels are dismountably coupled to the support structure, e.g. by means of one of the following systems: screws, rivets, joints, support guides. Nevertheless, there may be solutions in which the panels are coupled fixed to the support structure.

As an alternative to the support structure, one embodiment is provided for in which the panels are coupled together in a manner so as to form a self-supporting structure .

According to a second aspect thereof, the invention comprises a support for an electrical or electronic accessory as defined in claim 30, i.e. a support for an electrical or electronic accessory comprising a photovoltaic electric energy generator according to any one of the claims 1 - 29 .

According to a third aspect thereof, the invention comprises an electrical or electronic device as defined in claim 31, i.e. an electrical or electronic device comprising a support according to claim 30 and an electrical or electronic accessory. Preferably such device is a street lamp.

According to a fourth aspect thereof, the invention comprises a kit for generating photovoltaic electrical energy as defined in claim 33, i.e. a kit for generating photovoltaic electrical energy characterized in that it is prearranged for mounting a variable number of separate photovoltaic surfaces.

Advantageously, when during the installation of one such kit, it is observed that it is necessary to produce more energy than that requested, or several sides are partially screened or concealed by natural obstacles such as trees or constructions, it is possible to increase the total photovoltaic surface by simply adding one or more panels into the prearranged seats.

Preferably, the kit comprises an electric circuit prearranged for connecting in parallel a variable number of separate photovoltaic surfaces. In this manner, advantageously, it is not necessary to proceed with the electrical connection of each panel that is added, but each panel is automatically electrically connected to the circuit by simply inserting it in the seat. In this manner, the panels can also be installed by non-expert people, since the operation does not require particular knowledge of the electrical field.

Preferably, the kit comprises a plurality of photovoltaic panels, each comprising at least one of the separate photovoltaic surfaces.

Still more preferably, the kit comprises a plurality of seats, each for the coupling of one of the panels, such that when a panel is inserted in the seat, it is electrically connected in parallel with the other panels inserted in the relative seats.

Preferably, the panels can be coupled to the support structure by means of one of the following systems: screws, rivets, joints, or sliding in support guides. The support guides have proven to be particularly practical, for example in combination with sliding electrical contacts, so that once the panel is inserted in the seat it closes the coupling contacts to the circuit.

Preferably, the photovoltaic surfaces are at least partially made with a material comprising silicon in amorphous form and/or a polymer semiconductor.

According to a fifth aspect thereof, the invention comprises a street lamp as defined in claim 39, i.e. a street lamp for street lighting comprising a photovoltaic panel covering with vertical extension. Preferably, the street lamp comprises at least one street lamp and a longitudinal support structure of the at least one lamp, the vertical panel covering at least part of the support structure. The photovoltaic panels preferably comprise a material comprising silicon in amorphous form and/or a polymer semiconductor.

According to a sixth aspect thereof, the invention comprises the use of a generator as defined in claim 42, i.e. the use of a generator according to any one of the claims 1 - 29 for the electrical power supply of a street lamp.

Further characteristics and advantages of the present invention will be clearer from the following detailed description of preferred embodiments thereof, made with reference to the attached drawings and given as indicative and non-limiting example. In such drawings:

Figure 1 schematically represents, in front view, a photovoltaic electrical generator according to the present invention;

Figure 2 schematically represents, in exploded perspective view, the generator of figure 1;

Figure 3 schematically represents a section view of the generator along plane III of figure 1;

Figure 4 schematically represents an electrical connection circuit of the generator of figure 1;

Figures 5 - 8 schematically represent variants of sections of the generator along the same plane of figure 3;

Figure 9 schematically represents, in perspective view, a generator variant according to the present invention;

Figure 10 schematically represents an electric connection circuit of the generator of figure 9;

Figure 11 schematically represents, in perspective view, a street lamp comprising a generator according to the present invention;

Figure 12 schematically represents, in perspective view, a second street lamp comprising a generator according to the present invention integrated with a wind generator; and

- Figure 13 schematically represents an electric connection circuit of the street lamp of figure 12.

With initial reference to figure 1, a photovoltaic electrical generator is shown - i.e. such to exploit solar energy for producing electrical energy - in accordance with the present invention and indicated with the reference number 1.

The generator 1 has proven particularly useful when employed in making a street lamp, and for this reason the following description will be made in reference to such use. Nevertheless, a man skilled in the art will be able to apply such generator towards other uses, also modifying its shape or size while remaining in the scope of the present invention.

The generator 1 comprises a support structure 5, for example the pole of a street lamp, at least partially covered by a total photovoltaic surface 10. The pole 5 comprises a support base 15 for coupling, for example, to a reinforced concrete bed 18, e.g. via bolts, a central portion 20 of coupling to the total photovoltaic surface 10, and a top portion 25 of coupling to possible accessories which will be shown below with reference to figures 11 and 12.

When the pole 5 is mounted on the bed 18, it has a vertical direction with respect to the horizon line coinciding with its longitudinal extension direction X. The total photovoltaic surface 10 is completely extended along such vertical direction X, i.e. with horizontal orientations, however other arrangements are not excluded, even only of portions of it. In addition, the total photovoltaic surface 10 of figure 1 covers the pole 5 substantially in every direction orthogonal to the vertical direction X, i.e. substantially for a covering angle of 360°; nevertheless, smaller covering angles are not excluded, provided that it is always possible to identify at least two portions of total photovoltaic surface 10 with a different orientation from each other.

With reference to the exploded view of figure 2, it is indicated that the total photovoltaic surface 10 is divided into a plurality of separate photovoltaic surfaces 30, i.e. with physical interruptions between each surface. In other words, it is possible to find empty space or a non- photovoltaic surface, even if minimal, between the two separate photovoltaic surfaces. Said separate photovoltaic surfaces are each comprised, for example, in the front surface of a preassembled photovoltaic panel 35, preferably they are flat and oriented along different directions, respectively indicated with A, B and C.

The structure of the panels 35 is not illustrated since conventional format panels can also be employed, e.g. comprising a rigid frame on which a sheet, mat or film of photovoltaic material is mounted. With respect to conventional panels, however, the applicant has noted that better results are obtained using a photovoltaic material comprising silicon in amorphous form and/or a polymer semiconductor and preferably a protection cover of such photovoltaic material comprising a translucent or transparent polymer. On one hand, this reduces the panel's sensitivity to the orientation with respect to the sun, and on the other hand it reduces its fragility.

The panels 35 can be coupled to the pole 5 in various ways, for example they can be removable via rivets screws, joints or movable guides. Alternatively, such coupling can also be non-removable, e.g. via welding or pasting.

The central coupling portion 20 comprises a frame 38 comprising a series of vertical bars 40 coupled to each other by spacer elements 42. In the illustrated embodiments, there are three bars 40 and the spacer elements 42 are of triangular form with the vertices coupled to the bars. In this manner, the bars 40 form two by two seats 45 for receiving the panels 35.

Figure 3 shows the section of the pole 5 along the plane III of figure 1, in particular the triangular section of the covering is shown, such covering being provided by the total photovoltaic surface 10. The separate surfaces 30 are substantially flat and form an angle ALFA between them, comprised between 30° and 180°, more preferably between 50° and 150°, still more preferably the triangle is equilateral. In use, it is preferable to orient one of the vertices of the triangle towards the south, and furthermore it is not necessary to mount all three panels 35, but it is preferably to mount at least two.

With reference to figure 4, an electric circuit 50 will now be described for connecting the photovoltaic panels 35.

Each panel 35 comprises a pair of connection poles 51 and 52, by means of which it is coupled to contact poles 53 and 54 of the circuit 50. The contact poles 50 lead to a connection line 55 by means of which the panels are connected in parallel to each other and with a charge regulator 58. Each panel 35 comprises at least one diode 60 for connecting to the line 55. Such diode 60 can be incorporated in the panel itself, upstream of one of the connection poles 51, 52, or it can be outside the panel and thus downstream of one of the connection poles 51 and 52. The diodes 60 are arranged in a manner such as to prevent the electrical energy produced by one or more active panels from flowing into one or more inactive panels instead of towards the charge regulator 58.

The charge regulator 58 is also connected to an electrical energy storage device, such as a battery 62, and a load 65 to be power supplied.

In this manner, the charge regulator acts as an electrical energy exchanger between the panels 35 and their load 65, in particular it conveys the electrical energy generated by the panels to the battery 62, and draws from the battery 62 the electrical energy to be delivered to the load 65. In other embodiments, there may be the additional or alternative possibility to manage the electrical energy produced by the panels 35 in numerous other ways, e.g. in the case of request peaks, it is possible to directly transfer it to the load as a supplement of the energy coming from the battery. In other embodiments, the electrical energy generated by the panels 35 can be supplemented with the electrical energy produced by other accessory devices such as a wind generator.

According to an alternative embodiment of the invention, the generator 1 is a kit suitable for mounting a variable number of panels 35. In other words, it is not necessary to mount all the panels 35 in order for the generator 1 to be able to work. In this case, preferably each panel 35 can be inserted in the relative seat 45 by means of sliding inside guides (not illustrated) until the coupling poles 51 and 52 of the panel 35 are coupled to the contact poles of the line 55. This can be done, for example, by prearranging the coupling poles and the contact poles 51, 52, 53 and 54 in the form of sliding contacts in predetermined position, e.g. inside a contact matrix.

Below, in the present description, several alternative, variant embodiments of the generator of figure 1 will be presented, in which elements or parts similar or with the same function as those of the generator 1 are marked by the same reference numbers used above and increased by 100 or a multiple thereof.

With reference to figures 5 - 8, several arrangement variants will be illustrated of the total photovoltaic surface .

Figure 5 illustrates a curved total photovoltaic surface 110, in particular it is divided into three separate curved surfaces 130, being part for example of curved panels connected in parallel as illustrated in figure 4. The separate curved surfaces 130 substantially cover, for a covering angle of 360°, a tubular support structure 105; in this case, the term "substantially" takes into account the interruption points 131 of the separate curved surfaces 130 (for construction reasons) . In this case, the orientation direction of each separated curved surface 130 is considered an average orientation direction and is respectively indicated with A, B and C, each of such average directions being different from the others. By average orientation, it is intended the resultant of the orientations of each surface portion of a separate curved surface 130.

Figure 6 illustrates a second curved total photovoltaic surface 210, which differs from that of figure 5 due to the fact that it is continuous. In other words, the total photovoltaic surface 210 is a surface without interruptions, i.e. it is capable of producing electrical energy in every portion thereof. It is possible to identify active zones and less active zones at any moment of the continuous photovoltaic surface 210, considering the orientation with respect to the sun. If, for example, the sun is in the upper part of figure 6, the continuous surface 210 can be considered to comprise two zones 230, one zone being illuminated and the other being dark, respectively with opposite orientations along the lines A and B. It is naturally possible to exploit the total electrical energy produced by the continuous surface as result of the compensation between active zones and inactive zones. Alternatively, it is also possible to arbitrarily identify two or more zones of the continuous surface 210 which depending on the time of day are more or less active and electrically connect them together in order to convey the electrical energy produced by the more active zone mainly or totally towards a load, a charge regulator or a battery, rather than towards a less active zone.

The man skilled in the art will understand that depending on the number of separate surfaces or zones forming the total photovoltaic surface, these can also be two by two along the same orientation line; however, their orientation directions outside the generator will result opposite, such that the orientation -intended as overall direction of each separate surface or zone- is different from those of the others.

Figure 7 illustrates a fitting embodiment after that said in the preceding paragraph, in particular, it illustrates a total photovoltaic surface 310 with an hexagonal section. In detail, the total photovoltaic surface 310 is divided into six flat, separate photovoltaic surfaces 330, part for example with the same number of panels, or the same number of adjacent photovoltaic cells of a single panel. The orientations are in this case along the lines A, A' , B, B' , C, C , and are two by two coinciding along the same line, but with opposite directions. The hexagonal section is useful, for example, when the generator 1 is used for supporting a plurality of lamps for lighting a roundabout.

Figure 8 illustrates a total photovoltaic surface 410 with a square section, in particular divided into four, flat separate photovoltaic surfaces 430, part for example of the same number of panels or the same number of adjacent photovoltaic cells of a single panel.

With reference now to Figure 9, an alternative embodiment will be described of a generator according to the present invention. The generator 501 of figure 9 differs from the generator 1 of figure 1 due to the fact that the total photovoltaic surface comprises a plurality of sides, each comprising more than one panel 535, for example 2 panels. Such solution can be employed in association with or as an alternative to a greater number of sides covered with a photovoltaic surface, when it is necessary to deliver greater electrical energy.

Figure 10 illustrates an electrical circuit 550 for connecting the photovoltaic panels 535 of figure 9. In particular, such circuit 550 differs from that of figure 4 due to the fact that there are more panels; nevertheless, their connection is still in parallel with the charge regulator 558 via the connection line 555 and the diodes 560. The circuit also comprises the battery 562 and the connection to a load 565, respectively connected to the load regulator 558.

With reference to figures 11 - 13, several electrical or electronic devices according to the present invention will now be described.

Figure 11 in particular shows a street lamp 600 comprising a generator 601 of the previously illustrated type, for example that illustrated in figure 1, and an accessory 665 which in this case is a lamp carrier equipped with at least one lamp, preferably low-consumption, e.g. of LED type or fluorescent type, supplied with power by the generator 1. The generator 601 supports the lamp carrier 665 at its own top end, such carrier rotatable in any position with respect to the pole 605.

The connection circuit of the components of the street lamp can be equivalent to the circuit 50 illustrated in figure 4, for example.

Figure 12 shows a second street lamp 700 comprising a generator 701 of the type previously illustrated, e.g. in figure 1, integrated with an auxiliary accessory 770 for the production of electrical energy. In particular, the auxiliary accessory 770 is a wind device, preferably with vertical rotation axis of the blades, i.e. directed like the vertical axis of the pole 705 and supported on electromagnetic supports 775. Also in this case, the load comprises a lamp 765.

Figure 13 schematically shows an electric circuit 750 for connecting the components of the street lamp 700. In particular, the circuit 750 differs from the circuit 50 of figure 4 due to the fact that the wind device 770 is connected in parallel to the photovoltaic panels 735 of the generator 701 and to the charge regulator 758, preferably with the interposition of one or more diodes. The connection line 755 and the battery 762 are entirely similar to those of the circuit of figure 4.

The power supply of the lamp 765 is preferably supplied through the charge regulator 758, by drawing electrical energy from the battery 762 - to which energy is transferred by the panels 735.

To give an idea of possible non-limiting dimensions of the invention, it is considered that in each of the embodiments described and illustrated with flat, separate photovoltaic surfaces, the latter are preferably rectangular, preferably with a width comprised between 0.20 m and 1 m and a length comprised between 2.5 m and 3.5 m.

In addition, the photovoltaic surface covering is preferably positioned on the pole 5 at a minimum height of greater than 2.5 m in order to prevent acts of vandalism.

Although the embodiments regarding separate photovoltaic surfaces illustrated up to now regard a photovoltaic surface 30, 130, 330, 430 for panel 35, the man skilled in the art, as also described above for the embodiments of figures 7 and 8, will be able to generalize such cases, for example employing more than one separate surface per panel, further dividing the panel into photovoltaic cells, or by making a prismatic panel whose side comprise photovoltaic cells physically connected to each other but always such that the photovoltaic surface, i.e. activated surface, of each cell is interrupted with respect to the photovoltaic surface of the adjacent cells.

In addition, according to an entirely general consideration of the invention, it is preferable that the entire electric circuit for connecting the components of the generator and the accessories, indicated overall with 50, 550 and 750 in the described embodiments, is under low voltage, i.e. it preferably has 12V or 24V. Consequently, also possible lamps placed as load are preferably at low voltage. Advantageously, therefore, it is not necessary to connect the generator to a high-voltage circuit, or provide for high-voltage circuit parts for supplying power to a load, so as to increase the safety of use of the generator.

Still generally, it is observed that when the accessory placed as load is a lamp, it is preferable that it is of the type for lowering light pollution.

Naturally, the embodiments described and illustrated up to now are merely exemplifying, and a man skilled in the art, for the purpose of meeting specific and contingent needs, will be able to make numerous modifications and variants, including for example the combination of said embodiments, all moreover contained in the scope of protection of the present invention as defined by the following claims.

Claims

1. Photovoltaic electrical generator characterized in that it comprises a total photovoltaic surface (10, 110, 210, 310, 410, 510) with a plurality of orientations (A, A' , B, B' , C, C).

2. Generator according to claim 1, characterized in that the total photovoltaic surface (10, 110, 210, 310, 410, 510) is divided into two or more separate photovoltaic surfaces (30, 130, 330, 430) at least two of which having an orientation (A, A' , B, B' , C, C ) different from each other.

3. Generator according to claim 2, characterized in that the two or more separate photovoltaic surfaces (30, 130, 330, 430) are flat.

4. Generator according to claim 2 or 3, characterized in that the two or more separate photovoltaic surfaces (30, 130, 330, 430) are electrically connected to each other in a manner such to prevent that the electrical energy produced by a more active separate photovoltaic surface can be absorbed by a less active separate photovoltaic surface.

5. Generator according to claim 1, characterized in that the total photovoltaic surface (10, 110, 210, 310, 410, 510) is continuous and comprises zones (230) that are more or less active depending on their orientation with respect to the sun.

6. Generator according to claim 4 or 5, characterized in that the separate photovoltaic surfaces or zones (30, 130, 230, 330, 430) are connected in parallel with each other with the interposition of one or more diodes (60, 560, 760) or equivalent bypass devices.

7. Generator according to claim 6, characterized in that the separate photovoltaic surfaces or zones (30, 130, 230, 330, 430) are connected in parallel with at least one electrical energy storage device (62, 562, 762).

8. Generator according to claim 6 or 7, characterized in that the separate photovoltaic surfaces or zones (30, 130, 230, 330, 430) are connected in parallel with a charge regulator (58, 568, 768) which during use delivers the electrical energy produced by the generator to a load (65, 565, 765) .

9. Generator according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that at least part of the total photovoltaic surface (10, 110, 210, 310, 410, 510) is made with a material comprising silicon in amorphous form and/or a polymer semiconductor.

10. Generator according to claim 9, characterized in that the entire total photovoltaic surface (10, 110, 210, 310, 410, 510) is made with a material comprising silicon in amorphous form and/or a polymer semiconductor.

11. Generator according to claim 9 or 10, characterized in that at least a part of the total photovoltaic surface (10, 110, 210, 310, 410, 510) has a horizontal orientation during use.

12. Generator according to claim 11, characterized in that the total photovoltaic surface (10, 110, 210, 310, 410, 510) comprises at least two separate photovoltaic surfaces or zones (30, 130, 230, 330, 430) which are horizontally oriented during use.

13. Generator according to claim 12, characterized in that the at least two horizontally oriented separate photovoltaic surfaces or zones (30, 130, 230, 330, 430) are sloped from each other by an angle comprised between 30° and 180°.

14. Generator according to claim 13, characterized in that the at least two horizontally oriented separate photovoltaic surfaces or zones (30, 130, 230, 330, 430) are sloped from each other by an angle comprised between 50° and 150°.

15. Generator according to claim 2 or 5 or a claim dependent thereon, characterized in that the at least two separate photovoltaic surfaces or zones (30, 130, 230, 330, 430) are horizontally oriented and form the sides of a polygon.

16. Generator according to claim 15, characterized in that the polygon is one of the following: a triangle, a square, a rectangle, a pentagon, a hexagon, a heptagon, an octagon.

17. Generator according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises a support structure (5, 15, 38) of at least part of the total photovoltaic surface (10, 110, 210, 310, 410, 510).

18. Generator according to claim 17, characterized in that the support structure comprises a base (5, 15) and a coupling portion (38) to at least part of the total photovoltaic surface (10, 110, 210, 310, 410, 510) , and said coupling portion is extended in vertical direction with respect to the base (15) .

19. Generator according to claim 18, characterized in that the support structure comprises a coupling portion (25) to at least one electrical or electronic accessory (65, 565, 665, 765, 770).

20. Generator according to claim 19, characterized in that the coupling portion (38) to at least part of the total photovoltaic surface (10, 110, 210, 310, 410, 510) is interposed between the base (15) and the coupling portion (25) to at least one electrical or electronic accessory.

21. Generator according to claim 19 or 20, characterized in that such at least one accessory (65, 565, 665, 765, 770) is selected from among: a lamp, a lighted billboard, a speed detector, a wind electrical energy generator.

22. Generator according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises a plurality of photovoltaic panels (35, 535, 735) .

23. Generator according to claim 22 when dependent on one of the claims 17 - 21, characterized in that at least one photovoltaic panel (35, 535, 735) is supported on the support structure (5, 15, 38) with the photovoltaic surface horizontally oriented.

24. Generator according to claim 23, characterized in that at least two panels (35) are supported on the support structure (5, 15, 38), each with its photovoltaic surface horizontally oriented.

25. Generator according to claim 24, characterized in that all the panels (35) are supported on the support structure (5, 15, 38), each with its photovoltaic surface (30) horizontally oriented.

26. Generator according to any one of the claims 23 - 25, characterized in that the panels (35) are dismountably coupled to the support structure (5, 15, 38) .

27. Generator according to claim 26, characterized in that the panels (35) are coupled to the support structure (5, 15, 38) with at least one of the following systems: screws, rivets, joints, support guides.

28. Generator according to any one of the claims

23 - 25, characterized in that the panels are coupled fixed to the support structure.

29. Generator according to claim 22, characterized in that the panels are coupled to each other in a manner so as to form a self-supporting structure.

30. Support (1, 501, 601, 701) for an electrical or electronic accessory (65, 565, 665, 765, 770) comprising a generator of photovoltaic electrical energy (1, 501, 601, 701) according to any one of the claims 1 - 29.

31. Electrical or electronic device comprising a support (1, 501, 601, 701) according to claim 30 and an electrical or electronic accessory (65, 565, 665, 765, 770) .

32. Electrical or electronic device according to claim 31, characterized in that it is a street lamp (600, 700) .

33. Kit for generating photovoltaic electrical energy characterized in that it is suitable for mounting a variable number of separate photovoltaic surfaces (30).

34. Kit according to claim 32, characterized in that it comprises an electric circuit (50) prearranged for electrically connecting in parallel a variable number of separate photovoltaic surfaces (30) .

35. Kit according to claim 34, characterized in that it comprises a plurality of photovoltaic panels (35), each comprising at least one of the separate photovoltaic surfaces (30) .

36. Kit according to claim 35, characterized in that it comprises a plurality of seats (45) , each for the coupling with one of the panels (35) , each seat comprising an electrical connection (53, 54) so that when a panel (35) is inserted in the seat (45) it is connected in parallel with the other panels (35) connected to the circuit (50) .

37. Kit according to claim 36, characterized in that the panels (35) can be coupled to the support structure (5, 15, 38) by means of one of the following systems: screws, rivets, joints, sliding in support guides.

38. Kit according to any one of the claims 33 - 37, characterized in that the separate photovoltaic surfaces (30) are at least partially made with a material comprising silicon in amorphous form and/or a polymer semiconductor .

39. Street lamp for street lighting comprising a photovoltaic panel covering with vertical extension (35, 535, 735).

40. Street lamp according to claim 39, characterized in that it comprises at least one street lamp (65, 665, 765) and a longitudinal support structure of at least one lamp (5, 15, 38, 25), the vertical panel covering (35) at least partly covering the support structure.

41. Street lamp according to claim 40, characterized in that the photovoltaic panels (35) comprise a material comprising silicon in amorphous form and/or a polymer semiconductor.

42. Use of a generator according to any one of the claims 1 - 29 for supplying the electrical power of a street lamp.