Photovoltaic-clad masonry unit

摘要

A masonry unit including a photovoltaic cell for generation of electricity is described herein. More particularly a photovoltaic-clad concrete block that combines the structural attributes of concrete block (or other masonry unit) and the energy production of solar photovoltaics is described herein. Methods for manufacturing, installing, and electrically connecting such photovoltaic-clad concrete blocks are also described herein.

主权项

1. A photovoltaic-clad masonry unit comprising:
a photovoltaic unit including:
a rigid support structure with a back surface and comprising a backer board;one or more photovoltaic cells supported by the rigid support structure; anda cover disposed above the one or more photovoltaic cells and configured to be secured to the rigid support structure to provide a water resistant enclosure that encloses the one or more photovoltaic cells; anda pass through wire adhered to a surface of the backer board opposite the one or more photovoltaic cells, the pass through wire electrically isolated from the one or more photovoltaic cells; a masonry unit including a depression defined by an outer surface extending between a raised area on an outward facing side of the masonry unit, the photovoltaic unit being secured within the depression with the back surface of the rigid support structure attached to the outer surface of the masonry unit; a positive terminal extending from the photovoltaic unit and electrically connected to the one or more photovoltaic cells; and a negative terminal extending from the photovoltaic unit and electrically connected to the one or more photovoltaic cells.