Solar photovoltaic blinds and curtains for residential and commercial buildings

Abstract

Solar photovoltaic window blind slats for power generation from internal and external light sources are provided are provided. A plurality of solar cells are attached to at least two sides of a slat core. Distributed maximum power point tracking optimizer components are associated with each solar cell. The solar cells and corresponding distributed maximum power point tracking optimizer components on each slat side are connected in electrical series.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A solar photovoltaic blind slat, comprising:
 a plurality of solar cells having a light receiving frontside and a backside, each of said solar cell backsides attached to a slat core, said light receiving frontside facing externally and said backside facing said slat core;   said slat core having at least a first side and a second side; said solar cells attached on said first side and said second side;   each slat side supporting a string of solar cells connected in series; and   a maximum-power-point tracking power optimizer component corresponding to each of said plurality of solar cells.   
     
     
         2 . The solar photovoltaic blind slat of  claim 1 , wherein said slat core is planar. 
     
     
         3 . The solar photovoltaic blind slat of  claim 1 , wherein said slat core is curved. 
     
     
         4 . The solar photovoltaic blind slat of  claim 1 , wherein said slat core is elliptical. 
     
     
         5 . The solar photovoltaic blind slat of  claim 1 , wherein said slat core is convex. 
     
     
         6 . The solar photovoltaic solar blind slat of  claim 1 , wherein said slat core is cylindrical. 
     
     
         7 . The solar photovoltaic solar blind slat of  claim 1 , wherein said slat core is concave. 
     
     
         8 . The solar photovoltaic solar blind slat of  claim 1 , wherein said plurality of solar cells are back contact solar cells. 
     
     
         9 . The solar photovoltaic solar blind slat of  claim 1 , further comprising a plurality of blind slats electrically connected in electrical series. 
     
     
         10 . The solar photovoltaic solar blind slat of  claim 1 , further comprising a plurality of blind slats electrically connected in electrical parallel. 
     
     
         11 . A photovoltaic solar blind system, comprising:
 a plurality of slats, each of said slats comprising:
 a plurality of solar cells having a light receiving frontside and a backside, each of said solar cell backsides attached to a slat core, said light receiving frontside facing externally and said backside facing said slat core; 
 said slat core having at least a first side and a second side; said solar cells attached on said first side and said second side; 
 each slat side supporting a string of solar cells connected in series; and 
 a maximum-power-point tracking power optimizer component corresponding to each of said plurality of solar cells. 
   
     
     
         12 . The photovoltaic solar blind system of  claim 11  wherein said plurality of slats are vertical. 
     
     
         13 . The photovoltaic solar blind system of  claim 11  wherein said plurality of slats are horizontal. 
     
     
         14 . The photovoltaic solar blind system of  claim 11  wherein said plurality of slats are connected in electrical series. 
     
     
         15 . The photovoltaic solar blind system of  claim 11  wherein said plurality of slats are connected in electrical parallel.