Energy generating shelter system and method

Abstract

A shelter capable of producing electrical energy is provided. The shelter includes a canopy which defines a sheltered area, a photovoltaic device capable of producing an electrical current when exposed to a light source (sunlight or artificial light), and a supporting structure to support the canopy and permit unobstructed access to the sheltered area. An electrical load is operatively connected to the photovoltaic device for utilizing the electricity generated by the photovoltaic device when the photovoltaic device is exposed to light. The shelter is well-suited to protect vehicles in large parking lots from the sun and other elements while simultaneously providing an alternate energy source.

1 . A system for generating electricity from a parking lot comprising: 
 an outdoor parking area having at least one vehicle parking space;    a canopy having a width and a length defining a sheltered area for said parking space and having a photovoltaic device capable of producing an electrical current when exposed to a light source, said photovoltaic device associated with said canopy to produce electrical current from sunlight;    a supporting structure connected to and supporting said canopy and permitting substantially unobstructed access to the sheltered area; and    an electrical load operatively connected to the photovoltaic device for utilizing the electricity generated by the photovoltaic device when the photovoltaic device is exposed to light.    
     
     
         2 . A method of producing electricity comprising: 
 providing a canopy having a width and a length defining a sheltered area and having a photovoltaic device capable of producing an electrical current when exposed to a light source, said photovoltaic device associated with said canopy to produce electrical current from sunlight;    supporting the canopy without walls above an outdoor vehicle parking area with a supporting structure that permits substantially unobstructed access to the parking area;    exposing the photovoltaic device to light to generate electricity; and    connecting an electrical load to the electricity.    
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 2  wherein said electrical load is a power meter and the method further comprises reverse metering the power meter.  
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 2  wherein said electrical load is a utility company power distribution grid.  
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 2  further comprising producing electricity at night with a light emissive material operatively associated with the photovoltaic device dispersed within or placed in the (PV) roof's vicinity.  
     
     
         6 . A panel for producing electricity comprising: 
 a substantially transparent panel body having a top surface and a bottom surface;    said substantially transparent panel body including at least one transparent photovoltaic device associated with at least one of the top surface and bottom surface; and    an organic light emitting diode associated with said at least one photovoltaic device, wherein said organic light emitting diode is capable of displaying human readable information.    
     
     
         7 . The panel of  claim 6  wherein the human readable information is human readable video.