Method for Generating Electricity from Solar Panels

Abstract

A method for generating electricity from solar power to an air handling unit or an electrical system for a tractor/trailer, relying on a photovoltaic panels ( 1 ) DC disconnects ( 2,3 ); charge controller ( 4 ); batteries ( 5 ); air handling unit or an electrical system ( 7 ); electrical wires, and fuses. The photovoltaic panel(s) will generate electrical power that will provide sufficient power to run the air handling unit or an electrical system.

1 - 14 . (canceled) 
     
     
         15 . A system for generating electricity from sunlight sufficient to power an electrical load of greater than 12 volts of a vehicle without reliance on the vehicle's main drive engine or battery, the system comprising:
 a vehicle comprising an electric load;   at least one photovoltaic panel (PVP) mounted on an exterior surface of the vehicle;   a charge controller comprising logic for allocating and directing energy generated from the PVP;   at least one system battery distinct from the vehicle's main drive engine or battery for receiving and storing energy from the charge controller and for providing energy to the electric load and configured to meet a greater than 12 volt draw;   a first current disconnect from the at least one PVP; and   a second current disconnect from the at least one system battery;   
       wherein the system may power the electrical load directly, store excess energy from the PVP in the at least one battery, or power the electrical load from the battery, depending on an amount of sunlight. 
     
     
         16 . The system according to  claim 15 , wherein the electrical load comprises an air-handling unit. 
     
     
         17 . The system according to  claim 15 , wherein the vehicle comprises a tractor-trailer. 
     
     
         18 . The system according to  claim 15 , wherein the system generates electricity sufficient to power an electric load of between 24 volts and 33 volts. 
     
     
         19 . The system according to  claim 15 , wherein the system battery is capable of generating at least 24 volts and at least about about 25 amperes current in the absence of sunlight. 
     
     
         20 . The system according to  claim 17 , wherein the PVP is mounted to a roof of the tractor trailer. 
     
     
         21 . The system of  claim 15 , wherein the first current disconnect, and optionally, the second current disconnect, are located within reach of a vehicle operator. 
     
     
         22 . The system of  claim 15 , wherein charge controller logic:
 detects PVP energy generation;   detects electrical load energy consumption;   detects system battery charge; and   selectively routes power between the PVP, the electrical load, and the system battery based on the detected generation, consumption and charge.   
     
     
         23 . The system of  claim 20 , wherein the PVP is mounted to the roof of the tractor trailer by an adhesive. 
     
     
         24 . The system of  claim 22 , wherein the charge controller logic further maintains a charge on the system battery necessary to extend system battery life. 
     
     
         25 . The system of  claim 15 , wherein the charge controller comprises short-circuit condition protection, overload condition protection, overtemperature protection, and surge protection. 
     
     
         26 . The system of  claim 25 , wherein the charge controller is further configured to automatically recover following a protective action. 
     
     
         27 . A method for providing energy sufficient to power an electrical load of a vehicle without reliance on the vehicle's main drive engine or battery, wherein the electric load is greater than 12 volts, the method comprising: integrating the system according to claim  1  into a vehicle. 
     
     
         28 . The method according to  claim 27 , wherein the electrical load comprises an air handling unit and the vehicle is a tractor-trailer. 
     
     
         29 . The method according to  claim 28 , wherein when the tractor-trailer main drive engine is off, the air handling unit may be powered by the PVP, or by the system battery depending on an amount of sunlight. 
     
     
         30 . The method according to  claim 29 , wherein there is no or diminished sunlight and the air handling unit is powered by the system battery. 
     
     
         31 . The method according to  claim 29 , wherein the amount of sunlight varies and the charge controller logic operates to keep power to the air handling unit consistent with demand.