Solar thermoelectric power generation system, and process for making same

Abstract

A solar thermoelectric power generation system includes roofing products such as shingles with solar heat reflective areas and roofing products with solar heat absorptive areas. Thermoelectric power generating elements are provided in thermal contact with the solar heat reflective areas and the solar heat absorptive areas.

1 . A roofing product for use in a solar thermoelectric power generating system, the roofing product comprising:
 (a) at least one solar heat reflective area;   (b) at least one solar heat absorptive area;   (c) at least one thermoelectric power generating element in thermal contact with the at least one solar heat reflective area and the at least one solar heat absorptive area.   
     
     
         2 . A roofing product for use in a solar thermoelectric power generating system according to  claim 1 , the solar heat reflective area including solar heat reflective roofing granules. 
     
     
         3 . A roofing product for use in a solar thermoelectric power generating system according to  claim 2 , the solar heat absorptive area including solar heat absorptive roofing granules. 
     
     
         4 . The roofing product according to  claim 3 , wherein said at least one solar heat reflective area has a first solar heat reflectivity, wherein said at least one solar heat absorptive area has a second solar heat reflectivity, and wherein the difference between the first solar heat reflectivity and the second solar heat reflectivity is at least five percent. 
     
     
         5 . A roofing product for use in a solar thermoelectric power generating system according to  claim 4 , the at least one solar heat reflective area differing in E* from the at least one solar heat absorptive area by less than 10. 
     
     
         6 . A roofing product for use in a solar thermoelectric power generating system according to  claim 5 , the at least one solar heat reflective area differing in E* from the at least one solar heat absorptive area by less than 5. 
     
     
         7 . A roofing product for use in a solar thermoelectric power generating system according to  claim 6 , the at least one solar heat reflective area differing in E* from the at least one solar heat absorptive area by less than 2. 
     
     
         8 . The roofing product according to  claim 4 , wherein the difference between the first solar heat reflectivity and the second solar heat reflectivity is at least ten percent. 
     
     
         9 . A roofing product for use in a solar thermoelectric power generating system according to  claim 8 , the at least one solar heat reflective area differing in E* from the at least one solar heat absorptive area by less than 10. 
     
     
         10 . A roofing product for use in a solar thermoelectric power generating system according to  claim 9 , the at least one solar heat reflective area differing in E* from the at least one solar heat absorptive area by less than 5. 
     
     
         11 . A roofing product for use in a solar thermoelectric power generating system according to  claim 10 , the at least one solar heat reflective area differing in E* from the at least one solar heat absorptive area by less than 2. 
     
     
         12 . A roofing product for use in a solar thermoelectric power generating system according to  claim 5 , the at least one thermoelectric power generating element having a first junction in thermal contact with the at least one solar heat reflective area and a second junction in thermal contact with the at least one solar heat absorptive area. 
     
     
         13 . A roofing product according to  claim 5  for use in a solar thermoelectric power generating system, the system including a plurality of thermoelectric power generating elements electrically connected in series to provide a predefined output voltage. 
     
     
         14 . A roofing product for use in a solar thermoelectric power generating system according to  claim 5 , further comprising thermal insulation between the solar heat reflective area and the solar heat absorptive area. 
     
     
         15 . The roofing product according to  claim 5 , wherein the roofing product comprises a plurality of thermoelectric power generating elements, and wherein said roofing product is a bituminous roofing shingle provided with said at least one solar heat reflective area and with said at least one solar heat absorptive area. 
     
     
         16 . The roofing product according to  claim 15 , wherein said at least one solar heat absorptive area is located above said at least one solar heat reflective area in superimposed relationship, and wherein said plurality of thermoelectric power generating elements are positioned to be intermediate said solar heat absorptive area and said solar heat reflective area. 
     
     
         17 . The roofing product according to  claim 16 , further comprising a layer of thermal insulation positioned under said solar heat absorptive area and over said solar heat reflective area. 
     
     
         18 . The roofing product according to  claim 17 , wherein each of said plurality of thermoelectric power generating elements has a hot junction and a cold junction, wherein said hot junction of each of said plurality of thermoelectric power generating elements is in thermal contact with said at least one solar heat absorptive area, and wherein said cold junction of each of said plurality of thermoelectric power generating elements is in thermal contact with said at least one solar heat reflective area. 
     
     
         19 . The roofing product according to  claim 17 , wherein each of said plurality of thermoelectric power generating elements is in thermal contact with said at least one solar heat absorptive area, and wherein each of said plurality of thermoelectric power generating elements is in thermal contact with said at least one solar heat reflective area. 
     
     
         20 . The roofing product according to  claim 15 , wherein said at least one solar heat absorptive area is laterally spaced from said at least one solar heat reflective area so as not to overlap said at least one solar heat reflective area, wherein each of said plurality of thermoelectric power generating elements is in thermal contact with said at least one solar heat absorptive area, and wherein each of said plurality of thermoelectric power generating elements is in thermal contact with said at least one solar heat reflective area. 
     
     
         21 . The roofing product according to  claim 20 , further comprising a layer of thermal insulation positioned under said at least one solar heat reflective area. 
     
     
         22 . The roofing product according to  claim 21 , wherein each of said plurality of thermoelectric power generating elements has a hot junction and a cold junction, wherein said hot junction of each of said plurality of thermoelectric power generating elements is in thermal contact with said at least one solar heat absorptive area, and wherein said cold junction of each of said plurality of thermoelectric power generating elements is in thermal contact with said at least one solar heat reflective area.