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WO-2026093878-A1 - PHOTOVOLTAIC MODULE TO CREATE A FIXED WINDOW OR A FIXED EXTERNAL COVER FOR A BUILDING AND BUILDING COMPRISING AT LEAST ONE SUCH PHOTOVOLTAIC MODULE

WO2026093878A1WO 2026093878 A1WO2026093878 A1WO 2026093878A1WO-2026093878-A1

Abstract

Fixed photovoltaic module (1) in the form of a fixed window or external covering for a building (2), comprising: a first panel (4) made of photovoltaic glass and comprising a first face (5) configured to be exposed to sunlight and a second face (6) opposite the first face; a second panel (7) made of glass comprising a first face (8) facing the second face (6) of the first panel (4) to form a cavity between the first (4) and the second panel (7); an intermediate photovoltaic device (9) in the cavity; a perimeter frame (11) to hold the panels (4, 7) and the intermediate PV device in place and to insulate the cavity; an external frame (20) configured to install the module as a fixed window or as covering for a building; an electrical transfer system for transferring the current generated by the first panel (4) and by the intermediate PV device (9) to the building (2).

Inventors

  • SALERNO, GUGLIELMO

Dates

Publication Date
20260507
Application Date
20251027
Priority Date
20241030

Claims (10)

  1. 1. A fixed photovoltaic module (1) in the form of a fixed window or external covering for a building (2) ; wherein the fixed photovoltaic module (1) comprises: - a first panel (4) made of photovoltaic glass and comprising a first face (5) configured to be exposed to sunlight and a second face (6) opposite the first (5) ; - a second panel (7) made of glass and comprising a first face (8) facing the second face (6) of the first panel (4) to form a cavity between the first (4) and the second panel (7) ; - an intermediate photovoltaic device (9) in the cavity; - a perimeter frame (11) to hold the panels (4, 7) and the intermediate photovoltaic device in place and to insulate the cavity; - an external frame (20) one piece with or made integral with the perimeter frame (11) configured to install the module as a fixed window or as a covering for the building; - an electrical transfer system for transferring the current generated by the first panel (4) and by the intermediate photovoltaic device to the building (2) .
  2. 2. The photovoltaic module according to claim 1, wherein the intermediate photovoltaic device comprises a Venetian blind (9) comprising a plurality of sunshade slats (10) ; the Venetian blind (9) being switchable between a first configuration in which the sunshade slats (10) are interposed between the panels so as to at least partially intercept the sunlight passing the first panel (4) and in a second configuration in which the sunshade slats (10) are compacted at one side of the perimeter frame (11) so as to allow the sunlight passing the first panel (4) to freely reach the second panel, in which at least some of the slats (10) of the Venetian blind (9) are covered with photovoltaic cells, preferably made of monocrystalline silicon.
  3. 3. The photovoltaic module according to claim 1, wherein the intermediate photovoltaic device comprises a plurality of sunshade slats (10) parallel to one another that extend from one side to the other of the perimeter frame along a corresponding axis; the sunshade slats (10) being rotatable about their axis to allow adjustment of the inclination thereof with respect to the solar rays.
  4. 4. The photovoltaic module according to claim 1, wherein the intermediate photovoltaic device comprises a plurality of fixed sunshade slats (10) parallel to one another that extend from one side to the other of the perimeter frame along a corresponding axis .
  5. 5. The photovoltaic module according to claim 1, wherein the intermediate photovoltaic device comprises a flexible thin-film photovoltaic panel of the rollable type so as to be selectively rollable to an edge of the perimeter frame (11) .
  6. 6. The photovoltaic module according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the electrical transfer system is integrated into the window frame (11) so that the photovoltaic window module (1) is of the ready-to-install and use type.
  7. 7. The photovoltaic window module according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the electrical transfer system comprises : - an electrical junction box (14) housed in the window frame (11) and in electrical contact with the panels (4, 7) and the intermediate photovoltaic device; - electrical transfer cables (15) extending in the window frame (11) from a first end coupled to the electrical junction box (14) to a second end that extends externally from the window frame (11) ;
  8. 8. The photovoltaic window module as claimed in claim 6 or 7, wherein vertical cables (27) are provided extending along the sides of the intermediate photovoltaic device and configured to receive the current produced by the intermediate photovoltaic device and to deliver the same to the electrical junction box (14) .
  9. 9. A building (2) for private or public use comprising: - a fixed frame or portion of a building (2) configured to house the photovoltaic module (1) as claimed in any one of the preceding claims to obtain a fixed photovoltaic window; a photovoltaic module (1) as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein the external frame is coupled to the fixed frame or to a portion of the building; - an electrical distribution system for transferring the current generated by the first panel (4) , by the intermediate photovoltaic device and possibly by the second panel (7) inside the building (2) .
  10. 10. The building (2) for private or public use comprising: - a fixed frame (21) of an external covering for the building (2) configured to house a plurality of photovoltaic modules (1) as claimed in any one of the preceding claims to obtain a fixed photovoltaic covering; a photovoltaic module (1) as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein the external frame (20) is coupled to the fixed frame (21) of the external covering of the building (2) ; - an electrical distribution system for transferring the current generated by the first panels (4) , by the intermediate photovoltaic devices and possibly by the second panels (7) inside the building (2) .

Description

PHOTOVOLTAIC MODULE FOR PROVIDING A FIXED WINDOW OR A FIXED EXTERNAL COVERING FOR A BUILDING AND A BUILDING COMPRISING AT LEAST ONE SAID PHOTOVOLTAIC MODULE Cross-Reference to Related Applications This Patent Application claims priority from Italian Patent Application No . 102024000024252 filed on October 30 , 2024 , the entire disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference . Technical Field The technical field of the present invention relates to a photovoltaic module configured for providing a fixed window or a fixed external covering for a building and to spontaneously generate electrical current as a result of exposure of the same to the sun . In said context , the present invention will provide a solution that on one si ze maximizes the production of current and on the other side addresses the problem of concentrating the current generated by multiple photovoltaic sources for the safe trans fer of current from the module to the electrical users of the building . State of the Art Fixed modules in the form of panels made of glass are currently known for use in buildings as fixed windows installed directly in the external brickwork or as modules of an external covering structure that acts as a shell for the building . Said fixed windows are widely used today because the spread of home automation and air conditioning via mechanical ventilation makes it increasingly unnecessary to open windows for ventilation . Furthermore , in public buildings , said fixed windows of fer a greater degree of security . Photovoltaic glass , such as amorphous silicon, is now known and used in buildings for the dual function thereof , namely, to isolate the building from the outside environment while still allowing light to enter, and to exploit exposure thereof to the sun in order to generate electrical current . These photovoltaic modules in the form of fixed windows , however, are not capable of producing large amounts of current . Description of the Invention Based on said prior art , one obj ect of the present invention is to provide a photovoltaic module in the form of a fixed window or external covering for a building that is capable of generating electrical current in signi ficant quantities and wherein the current is safely trans ferred from the module to the building by conveying the current generated by all the photovoltaic devices provided in the module into a single line . The term " fixed window" refers to a window without hinges or handles , and in any case , one that cannot be opened or moved relative to the building . Said obj ects are achieved by providing a photovoltaic module in the form of a fixed window or external covering for a building; wherein the photovoltaic module comprises : - a first panel , or external panel , made of photovoltaic glass , preferably made of amorphous sil icon, and compri sing a first face configured to be exposed to sunlight and a second face opposite the first ; the shape of the panel may be any type ; - a second panel , or internal panel , made of glass and comprising a first face facing the second face of the first panel , so as to form a cavity between the first and second panels ; the shape of the second panel is obviously the same as that of the first in order to obtain a double-pane window; - an intermediate photovoltaic device arranged in the cavity; a window perimeter frame to hold the panels and the intermediate photovoltaic device in place and to insulate the cavity; - an external frame ( one piece with or made integral with the perimeter frame , preferably made of aluminium ( or other material ) designed to couple ( for example , by means of holes or threaded rods ) to the building structure ; an electrical trans fer system to trans fer the current generated by the first panel and by the intermediate photovoltaic device to the building . The intermediate photovoltaic device can be of any type , and non-limitative examples thereof wi ll be listed in the following . According to a first example , the photovoltaic device is a device that can be selectively switched between two configurations . In a first configuration, it is a sunshade element placed between the panels , capable of at least partially intercepting the sunlight passing through the outer panel . In a second configuration, it is compacted along one side of the frame to allow the sunlight passing through the panel to reach the inner panel and possibly penetrate the building . In this example , therefore , the intermediate photovoltaic device may be a Venetian blind comprising a plurality of slats , wherein at least some of the slats of the Venetian blind are coated with monocrystalline silicon photovoltaic cells . In this case , the slats can all be selectively raised and packed along the upper edge of the module to completely free the window from the sunshade elements . In this example , the slats , in addition to being moveable as a pack, can also rotate along their axis to freely change the a