Rotatable Panels on an Exterior of a Structure that Directs Solar Energy within the Structure

Abstract

In one aspect of the present invention, a structure comprises a plurality of reflective panels secured to the structure. Each reflective panel has an axis of rotation. A processing element controls an orientation of each reflective panel about its axis of rotation to direct solar energy within the structure.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A structure, comprising:
 a plurality of reflective panels secured to the structure, each reflective panel having an axis of rotation;   a processing element that controls an orientation of each reflective panel about its axis of rotation to direct solar energy within the structure.   
     
     
         2 . The structure of  claim 1 , wherein the structure comprises at least one solar application. 
     
     
         3 . The structure of  claim 2 , wherein the solar energy application comprises a solar energy heated working fluid. 
     
     
         4 . The structure of  claim 2 , wherein the solar energy application comprises an agricultural operation. 
     
     
         5 . The structure of  claim 2 , wherein the solar energy application comprises photovoltaic cells. 
     
     
         6 . The structure of  claim 1 , wherein one or more of the reflective panels comprises a curved reflective surface. 
     
     
         7 . The structure of  claim 1 , wherein one or more of the reflective panels comprises a planer reflective surface. 
     
     
         8 . The structure of  claim 1 , wherein the reflective panels are secured to a roof of the structure. 
     
     
         9 . The structure of  claim 1 , wherein the reflective panels are secured under a roof of the structure. 
     
     
         10 . The structure of  claim 1 , wherein the reflective panels are secured to a wall of the structure. 
     
     
         11 . The structure of  claim 1 , wherein the processing element comprises an electrical microprocessor. 
     
     
         12 . The structure of  claim 9 , wherein the microprocessor is in electrical communication with one or more photo-sensitive electrical elements. 
     
     
         13 . The structure of  claim 9 , wherein the microprocessor is in electrical communication with one or more temperature sensitive electrical elements. 
     
     
         14 . The structure of  claim 9 , wherein the microprocessor is in electrical communication with one or more servo motors. 
     
     
         15 . The structure of  claim 9 , wherein the microprocessor is in electrical communication with one or more linear actuators. 
     
     
         16 . The structure of  claim 1 , wherein at least one of the reflective panels comprise a metal coating. 
     
     
         17 . The structure of  claim 1 , wherein at least one of the reflective panels comprise metal film. 
     
     
         18 . The structure of  claim 1 , wherein at least one of the reflective panels comprises an air gap between two panes. 
     
     
         19 . The structure of  claim 1 , wherein at least one of the reflective panel comprises an opaque insulator between two panes. 
     
     
         20 . A method of utilizing solar power, comprising:
 providing a building comprising rotatable reflective panels secured to the building and one or more solar powered operations within the building;   prioritizing the solar energy applications;   rotating the reflective panels to focus solar energy reflected from the reflective panels to one or more solar powered operations according to priority.