Solar turf devices systems and methods

Abstract

A device, system, and method for harvesting solar energy from an artificial turf field or other area exposed to sunlight. An array of solar collectors may be placed in a sports stadium or other open field, each solar collector having an artificial turf structure including simulated grass and an open support structure capable of supporting human foot traffic, the artificial turf structure overlying a resilient bed supporting photovoltaic panels. Light falling on the structure at incident angles of 30 degrees from the artificial turf surface normal may be transmitted from the open support structure to the photovoltaic panels, and the panels may convert the transmitted light to electricity. The photovoltaic panels may be oriented to maximize an amount of captured light responsively to latitude. The turf structure support members may be angled responsively to an average direction of the sun at an installation latitude.

1 . A solar collector, comprising
 an artificial turf structure including simulated grass and an open support structure capable of supporting human foot traffic;   the artificial turf structure overlying a resilient bed supporting photovoltaic panels;   the open support structure transmitting to the photovoltaic panels at least 30% of light falling thereon at incident angles of 30 degrees from the artificial turf surface normal.   
     
     
         2 . The collector of  claim 1 , wherein the support structure is a truss layer of polymer. 
     
     
         3 . The collector of  claim 1 , wherein the support structure is a truss layer of polyurethane. 
     
     
         4 . The collector of  claim 1 , wherein the simulated grass includes tufts supported by stems depending from a level below a top surface of the support structure. 
     
     
         5 . The collector of  claim 1 , wherein the support structure is a truss layer of polymer and the simulated grass includes tufts supported by stems depending from a level below a top surface of the support structure. 
     
     
         6 . The collector of  claim 1 , wherein the support structure is a truss layer of polymer and the simulated grass includes tufts of transparent material supported by stems depending from a level below a top surface of the support structure. 
     
     
         7 . The collector of  claim 1 , wherein the support structure is a truss layer of polymer and the simulated grass includes tufts of transparent material. 
     
     
         8 . The collector of  claim 1 , wherein the support structure is a truss layer of polyurethane and wherein the support structure is a truss layer of polymer and the simulated grass includes tufts of transparent material supported by stems depending from a level below a top surface of the support structure. 
     
     
         9 . The collector of  claim 1 , wherein the simulated grass includes tufts supported by stems depending from a level below a top surface of the support structure and the support structure is a truss structure of polymer and the simulated grass includes tufts of transparent material. 
     
     
         10 . The collector of  claim 1 , wherein the photovoltaic panels are spaced apart to permit drainage through the resilient bed. 
     
     
         11 . The collector of  claim 1 , wherein the photovoltaic panels are spaced apart to permit drainage through the resilient bed and the resilient bed is porous. 
     
     
         12 . The collector of  claim 1 , wherein the photovoltaic panels include cells embedded or encapsulated in polymer to form a unitary ruggedized unit. 
     
     
         13 . A system including the collectors of one of  claims 1 - 12 , the system including an array of the collectors arranged in a sports stadium. 
     
     
         14 . A solar collector, comprising:
 a support structure supporting an artificial turf structure in spaced relation to a ground surface; and   an array of photovoltaic panels disposed below the turf structure;   the turf structure being substantially open to permit an amount of light to pass through the turf structure to the array of photovoltaic panels.   
     
     
         15 . The collector of  claim 14 , wherein the amount of light is at least 30%. 
     
     
         16 . The collector of  claim 14 , wherein the turf structure includes an artificial turf including simulated grass and an open support structure capable of supporting human foot traffic. 
     
     
         17 . The collector of  claim 16 , wherein the turf support structure is a truss layer of polymer. 
     
     
         18 . The collector of  claim 16 , wherein the support structure is a truss layer of polyurethane. 
     
     
         19 . The collector of  claim 16 , wherein the simulated grass includes tufts supported on stems that extend from a level below a top surface of the support structure. 
     
     
         20 . The collector of  claim 16 , wherein the support structure is a truss layer of polymer and the simulated grass includes tufts supported on stems that extend from a level below a top surface of the support structure.