Solar panel light indicator/decorative system

Abstract

A solar power generation system contains a housing that encloses photovoltaic panels, solar panel control systems, light sources and may also contain modules and assemblies such as solar panel processing circuitry, communication and power interfaces, heater assembly, electrical rotational assembly, self cleaning assembly, and so forth. For optimal functioning, it is essential that all these modules incorporated within the housing function properly. The light sources are communicatively coupled to the solar panel processing circuitry and a central control unit; and are operable to produce a visible output. The light sources identify a solar panel among plurality of solar panels of the solar power generation system, and display a visible light that indicates operating condition of that solar panel, which may be problems related to the maintenance, cleaning, solar panel positional adjustment, heater assembly. The visible output may display colorful holiday lighting and advertisements, especially at the roofing edges.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A solar panel of a solar power generation system comprising:
 a housing;   a photovoltaic panel disposed within the housing;   a plurality of light sources;   a solar panel control system disposed within the housing comprising:
 solar panel processing circuitry; 
 a solar panel communications interface; and 
 solar panel memory; 
   the solar panel control system operable to control the plurality of light sources and a plurality of light sources of at least one other solar panel to produce a visible output.   
     
     
         2 . The solar panel of  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of light sources and the solar panel control system are contained within the housing. 
     
     
         3 . The solar panel of  claim 1 , wherein the visible output communicates an operating condition of the at least one other solar panel. 
     
     
         4 . The solar panel of  claim 3 , wherein the operating condition of the at least one other solar panel comprises an indication that the at least one other solar panels requires maintenance. 
     
     
         5 . The solar panel of  claim 3 , wherein the operating condition of the at least one other solar panel comprises an indication that the at least one other solar panel requires cleaning. 
     
     
         6 . The solar panel of  claim 3 , wherein the operating condition of the at least one other solar panel comprises an indication that the at least one other solar panel requires positional adjustment. 
     
     
         7 . The solar panel of  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of light sources comprise a plurality of externally visible lights. 
     
     
         8 . The solar panel of  claim 7 , wherein the plurality of externally visible lights comprise light emitting diodes. 
     
     
         9 . The solar panel of  claim 1 , wherein the visible output comprises holiday lighting, 
     
     
         10 . The solar panel of  claim 1 , wherein the visible output comprises an advertisement. 
     
     
         11 . The solar panel of  claim 1 , wherein the solar panel control system produces the visible output based upon direction received from a central control unit coupled to the solar panel by the solar panel communications interface. 
     
     
         12 . A solar panel of a solar power generation system comprising:
 a housing;   a photovoltaic panel disposed within the housing;   at least one indicator light source;   a solar panel control system disposed within the housing comprising:
 solar panel processing circuitry; 
 a solar panel communications interface; and 
 solar panel memory; 
   the solar panel control system operable to control the at least one indicator light to indicate a maintenance condition of both the solar panel and another solar panel communicatively coupled to the solar panel via the solar panel communications interface.   
     
     
         13 . The solar panel of  claim 12 , wherein the plurality of light sources and the solar panel control system are contained within the housing. 
     
     
         14 . The solar panel of  claim 12 , wherein the maintenance condition indicates that at least one of the solar panel and the another solar panel requires cleaning. 
     
     
         15 . The solar panel of  claim 12 , wherein the maintenance condition indicates that at least one of the solar panel and the another solar panel requires positional adjustment. 
     
     
         16 . The solar panel of  claim 12 , wherein the at least one indicator light source comprises at least one light emitting diode. 
     
     
         17 . The solar panel of  claim 12 , further comprising a lighting display operable to produce holiday lighting, 
     
     
         18 . The solar panel of  claim 12 , further comprising a lighting display operable to produce an advertisement. 
     
     
         19 . A method for operating a solar power generation system having a plurality of solar panels in control of a central control unit and each including at least one light source, the method comprising:
 the central control unit communicating with the plurality of solar panels via respective communication interfaces; and   the central control unit individually directing the at least one light source of each of the plurality of solar panels operable to produce visible output in an intended lighting pattern that is at least one of holiday lighting and an advertisement.   
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 19 , further comprising directing the at least one light source of each of the plurality of solar panels operable to indicate that at least one solar panel requires maintenance.