DESCRIPTION

The present invention relates to an energy generation by means of solar power, especially to generators utilizing solar power to generate electricity.

The solar power generators are well known in the prior art for generating electricity from sunlight using photovoltaic system. The photovoltaic system comprises photovoltaic solar modules absorbing sunlight as a source of energy to generate direct current electricity. A photovoltaic module is a packaged, connected assembly of photovoltaic solar cells available in different voltages and wattages. The photovoltaic or solar module should be made such as to withstand environmental or weather impact. Usually, solar modules are encompassed in resistant enclosures. The following enclosures considerably increase an overall cost of solar modules. Moreover, the solar modules should be cleaned in order to keep clean a sunlight receiving surfaces of the solar modules. Necessary' rigid structure and cleaning of the solar modules increases the cost of design and manufacturing as well as cost of service.

The aim of the invention is to design a solar power generator that does not require a use of expensive tempered glass or other complicated structures for protection as well as is easy to maintain, for example, does not require complicated cleaning procedures.

The aim of the invention is reached by design of a solar power generator comprising a housing. The housing may be in the form of a container, a box, a building or any other enclosure able to fit at least one photovoltaic solar panel. The housing comprises at least one hole or aperture through which a sunlight may enter the housing. The generator further comprises a solar bulb comprising a transparent container filed with a transparent liquid. The solar bulb mounted in the hole or aperture of the housing. The solar bulb is configured so that a sunlight from outer environment can travel through the solar bulb into the housing. At least one photovoltaic solar panel is mounted in the housing and positioned within the housing so that that the sunlight incoming from the outer environment through the solar bulb reaches the photovoltaic solar panel generating electricity. The housing further comprises a frame structure on which the photovoltaic panel is mounted. The frame structure may be integral with the housing. The solar bulb is also known as a solar bottle bulb, which usually is installed in the roof of homes with the purpose of refracting sunlight in order to light up a room. The solar bulbs may be made of cheap, durable and readily available materials to produce high quality natural lighting within the room or housing to be lighted up. The following solution is utilized in the present invention.

Moreover, the liquid in the solar bulb may be water or may be a mixture of water with other chemicals, which enhance the light like phosphorus base chemical.

The photovoltaic solar panels may be arranged in various configurations in order to facilitate an incoming light from the solar bulb. In one embodiment, at least one photovoltaic solar panel may be arranged against another at least one photovoltaic solar panel so that the back surfaces of both photovoltaic solar panels are opposed to each other, preferably mounted together. In another embodiment the photovoltaic solar panels may be arranged not only from two sides of the solar bulb but also from four or even five sides of the solar bulb.

The shape of solar bulb may be made in many configurations. The solar bulb may be for example in a shape of cube, cylinder and bottle. The shape of the solar bulb may be also tailor made. Moreover, the solar bulb may further comprises auxiliary reflection elements for increasing a light scattering within the housing.

A small part of the solar bulb is left outside while the rest of it protrudes into the housing. Sealant is put around the hole made in the housing to keep it weather proof. The refractive properties of water ensures that the light from the sun that reaches the inside of the solar bulb becomes omni-directional mimicking an electric light bulb. Adding bleach to the water inhibits algal growth and ensures a high quality light keeping the water clear for a longer time. The solar bulb functions like a deck prism.

The figures provided below give a detailed description of the invention.

Fig. l is a perspective view of a generator. The casing 1 is illustrated transparent for ease of understanding the enclosed elements.

Fig. 2 is a cross section view of the generator as seen in Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is a perspective view of another embodiment of generator. The casing 1 is illustrated transparent for ease of understanding the enclosed elements. Fig. 4 is a cross section view of the generator as seen in Fig. 3.

Fig. 5 is a perspective view of another embodiment of a generator. The casing 1 is illustrated transparent for ease of understanding the enclosed elements.

Fig. 6 is a perspective view of the generator as seen in Fig. 5 showing the casing 1 that encloses photovoltaic solar panels 5.

Fig. 7 is a cross section view of the generator in a longitudinal direction as seen in Figs. 5 and

6

Fig. 8 is a cross section view of the generator in a orthogonal direction as seen in Figs. 5 and

6

Other objects and features of the present invention will become apparent when viewed in light of the detailed description of the preferred embodiment when taken in conjunction with the attached drawings and appended claims.

In one embodiment of the invention (see Figs. 1 and 2), the solar power generator comprises a housing 1 which comprises five holes 2 in the upper part of the housing 1. The generator further comprises five solar bulbs 4 arranged within the five holes 2. The solar bulbs 4 are arranged so that one part of the solar bulb 4 is outside the housing, but another part of the solar bulb 4 is within the housing 1, in result of which the light from outer environment can travel through the solar bulb 4 into the housing 1. The solar bulb 4 is transparent bottle type container 41 filed with transparent liquid 42 such as water. The liquid 42 further contains a bleach to inhibit algal growth so that the liquid 42 is kept transparent for longer time. The housing 1 further comprises a frame structure 3 within the housing 1 in order to hold the photovoltaic solar panels 5 in the housing 1. The housing 1 protects solar panels 5 from external forces and contamination, but the solar bulbs 4 provide sunlight to said solar panels 5 thereby generating electricity. In the following embodiment, the solar generator comprises ten solar panels or wafers 5. Eight photovoltaic solar panels 5 make four pairs of solar panels 5, wherein in each pair the two solar panels 5 are mounted against each other with their back faces, thereby saving unnecessary space.

In another embodiment of the invention (see Figs. 3 and 4) the solar power generator comprises a housing 1 one hole 2 in the upper part of the housing 1, in which a solar bulb 4 is inserted. The solar bulb 4 is in a shape of a container filed with a water and algal growth inhibiting substance. The generator comprises two photovoltaic solar panels 5 arranged on each side of the solar bulb 4. The solar panels 5 are supported by the frame structure 3.

In another embodiment of the invention (see Figs. 5 to 8), the solar power generator comprises a housing 1 which comprises three holes 2 in the upper part of the housing 1. The generator further comprises three solar bulbs 4 arranged within the three holes 2. The solar bulbs 4 are arranged so that one part of the solar bulb 4 is outside the housing, but another part of the solar bulb 4 is within the housing 1, in result of which the light from outer environment can travel through the solar bulb 4 into the housing 1. The housing 1 further comprises three sets of photovoltaic solar panels 5. Each set comprises five solar panels 5 arranged around the solar bulb 4. Four solar panels 5 are arranged on each side around the solar bulb 4 and one solar panel 5 is arranged on the bottom surface of the housing 1.

While particular embodiments of the invention have been shown and described, numerous variations alternate embodiments will occur to those skilled in the art.