System for capturing and converting solar insolation into thermal, kinetic and electrical energy

Abstract

A selective/reflective solar screen, shade and panel system includes a woven material that creates a plenum between itself and a building envelope. The woven material may selectively admit solar energy into the plenum during the winter months and block the solar energy from it during the summer months. The system captures the solar insolation between the woven material and the building envelope so that it can be used as a source of renewable energy for heating the building. This air can be vented to the exterior so that the building envelope is shaded from the summer sun, which offers a substantial reduction in air conditioning costs.

1 . A system for providing renewable energy, the system comprising:
 a weave adapted to selectively control solar insolation through the weave, the weave being disposed a predetermined distance from a structure to form a plenum between the weave and the structure.   
     
     
         2 . The system of  claim 1 , further comprising furring on the sides of the weave to provide at least a partial enclosure for the plenum. 
     
     
         3 . The system of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a lower exterior vent for receiving air into the plenum from an exterior of the structure;   a lower interior vent for receiving air into the plenum from an interior of the structure;   an upper exterior vent for expelling air from the plenum to the exterior of the structure; and   an upper interior vent for expelling air from the plenum to the interior of the structure.   
     
     
         4 . The system of  claim 3 , further comprising:
 a first damper for controlling the air intake between the lower exterior vent and the lower interior vent; and   a second damper for controlling the air expelled between the upper exterior vent and the upper interior vent.   
     
     
         5 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the weave is pleated at a predetermined angle. 
     
     
         6 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the weave is disposed at an angle relative to the structure, wherein the plenum has a larger cross-sectional area at a lower portion thereof as compared to an upper section thereof. 
     
     
         7 . The system of  claim 2 , further comprising standoffs disposed between the weave and the structure, the standoffs adapted to support the weave and maintain dimensions of the plenum. 
     
     
         8 . The system of  claim 1 , further comprising fins disposed inside the plenum. 
     
     
         9 . The system of  claim 8 , further comprising diverters adapted to divert air flowing through the plenum toward the structure. 
     
     
         10 . The system of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a frame disposed about the weave;   at least two insulators disposed on opposite sides of the frame, the insulators adapted to electrically isolate portions of the frame; and   wires extending from the electrically isolated portions of the frame, wherein electricity is generated in the wires due to a temperature gradient of the system.