Solar energy apparatus and method

Abstract

Disclosed embodiments include multi-plane photovoltaic modules and/or solar panel arrangements, as well as solar farms constituted with such arrangements/modules. In embodiments, a solar panel arrangement may include a first solar panel having a first plurality of solar photovoltaic modules, disposed at a first plane; and a second solar panel having a second plurality of solar photovoltaic modules, disposed at a second plane, vertically offset from the first plane. Similarly, in embodiments, a photovoltaic module may include a first substrate having a first plurality of photovoltaic cells, disposed at a first plane; and a second substrate having a second plurality of photovoltaic cells, disposed at a second plane, vertically offset from the first plane. Other embodiments may be described and claimed.

1 - 25 . (canceled) 
     
     
         26 . A multi-level photovoltaic module for forming a solar panel of a solar panel arrangement having at least one level, comprising:
 a first substrate having a first plurality of photovoltaic cells and a plurality of vias, disposed at a first plane, the plurality of vias interspersed among the first plurality of photovoltaic cells; and   a second substrate having a second plurality of photovoltaic cells, and disposed at a second plane, vertically below the first plane;   wherein the multi-level photovoltaic module is arranged with other similarly constituted multi-levels photovoltaic modules to form a solar panel for one of at least one level of the solar panel arrangement, the formed solar panel having a plurality of photonic openings interspersed among the multi-level photovoltaic module and the other similarly constituted multi-levels photovoltaic modules.   
     
     
         27 . The photovoltaic module of  claim 26 , wherein the plurality of vias are arranged in one or more fractal patterns. 
     
     
         28 . The photovoltaic module of  claim 27 , wherein at least one of the one or more fractal patterns has a fractal dimension of about 1.6-1.8. 
     
     
         29 . The photovoltaic module of  claim 27 , wherein at least one of the one or more fractal patterns comprises a Sierpinski Carpet fractal pattern. 
     
     
         30 . The photovoltaic module of  claim 28 , wherein a vertical offset between the first and second planes is selected based at least in part on effective segment length of the second substrate. 
     
     
         31 . The photovoltaic module of  claim 28 , wherein a vertical offset between the first and second planes is selected based at least in part on an angle of incidence of light on the second substrate during an expected operating period. 
     
     
         32 . The photovoltaic module of  claim 26 , wherein a vertical offset between the first and second planes is selected based at least in part on a length of the first and second substrates, wherein the first and second substrates have substantially the same length. 
     
     
         33 . The photovoltaic module of  claim 26 , wherein the solar panel arrangement is a multi-level solar panel arrangement having at least two levels, the formed solar panel is a first solar panel of a first level, the plurality of photonic openings are first plurality of photonic openings and the other similarly constituted multi-level photovoltaic modules are first plurality of similarly constituted multi-level photovoltaic modules; and
 wherein a second plurality of other similarly constituted multi-level photovoltaic modules are arranged to form a second solar panel of a second level of the solar panel arrangement, with a second plurality of photonic openings interspersed among the second plurality of similarly constituted multi-level photovoltaic modules to form the second solar panel, the second solar panel of the second level being disposed vertically below the first solar panel of the first level.