Modular photovoltaic light and power cube

Abstract

Submitted is a modular stationary portable photovoltaic solar powered electrical generation, storage and supply device and light tower. The device forms a protective crate shaped module when the various components, such as the solar panel arrays, telescoping mast, and light assembly or outriggers of the device are retracted to where the boundaries may be defined by the perimeters of the cube or prism. This modular design can allow for the modules to be stored, loaded, or shipped quickly, efficiently, and in greater quantities on flatbeds, in shipping containers, in warehouses, and other settings and modes where they can not only be packed end to end and side to side with no unused space, but can also be stacked up to three modules high for significantly higher storage density. Multiple modules can be interconnected to create incrementally larger power generation, storage and distribution systems.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A solar power energy generation module comprising:
 a rectangular structure at least partially defining boundaries of a protective enclosure;   at least one retractable mounting frame connected to the rectangular structure by an articulating means and positionable between a first, retracted configuration and a second, lifted configuration;   at least one extendable solar panel array attached to the retractable mounting frame, the at least one extendable solar panel array positionable between a first, collapsed transport configuration and a second, extended operating configuration; and   a system for storing and using power harvested by the solar panel array, the system in electrical communication with the solar panel array and including;
 at least one battery housed within the boundaries of the protective enclosure and configured to store the power harvested by the at least one solar panel array, and 
   at least one electrical load configured to use the power harvested by the solar panel array, wherein the electrical load is configured to extend beyond the rectangular structure and retract back within to the boundaries of the protective enclosure.   
     
     
         2 . The solar power energy generation module of  claim 1 , wherein the system for storing and using power further comprises a DC/AC inverter. 
     
     
         3 . The solar power energy generation module of  claim 1 , wherein the system for storing and using power further comprises a DC power optimizer. 
     
     
         4 . The solar power energy generation module of  claim 1 , wherein the system for storing and using power further comprises a battery charger configured to convert AC power from a generator or an AC outlet. 
     
     
         5 . The solar power energy generation module of  claim 1 , wherein the solar power energy generation module further comprises any combination of components to utilize either 110 v or 220 v AC or DC input or output. 
     
     
         6 . The solar power energy generation module of  claim 1 , wherein the solar power energy generation module further comprises at least one additional power source, wherein the at least one additional power source is a wind turbine, a fuel cell, or a combustion powered generator. 
     
     
         7 . The solar power energy generation module of  claim 1 , wherein in the second, extended configuration, the solar panel array is longer than the rectangular structure. 
     
     
         8 . The solar power energy generation module of  claim 1 , wherein the first, collapsed configuration of the solar panel array is a folded configuration, and wherein the second, extended configuration of the solar panel array is an unfolded configuration. 
     
     
         9 . The solar power energy generation module of  claim 1 , wherein the electrical load is connected to a top portion of an extendable and retractable telescoping mast, the top portion of the telescoping mast extendable to a first vertically oriented position above an upper surface of the rectangular structure and retractable to a second vertically oriented position below the upper surface of the rectangular structure, such that the electrical load is storable within the boundaries of the protective enclosure. 
     
     
         10 . The solar power energy generation module of  claim 9 , wherein the upper surface of the rectangular structure comprises a portal through which the mast extends in the first vertically oriented position, and a portal cover for closing the upper surface of the rectangular structure when the mast is in the second vertically oriented position. 
     
     
         11 . The solar power energy generation module of  claim 9 , wherein the electrical load is a light, communication device, antenna, or camera. 
     
     
         12 . The solar power energy generation module of  claim 1 , wherein the rectangular structure comprises a first plurality of rails forming a base perimeter of the rectangular structure, vertical posts extending perpendicularly from the first plurality of rails, and a second plurality of rails forming an upper platform and extending perpendicularly from the vertical posts. 
     
     
         13 . The solar power energy generation module of  claim 12 , wherein the rectangular structure further comprises at least two extendable stabilizer rails extending through at least two corresponding ones of the first plurality of rails. 
     
     
         14 . A method of harvesting and using solar energy, the method comprising:
 providing the solar power energy generation module of  claim 1 ;   harvesting solar energy via the at least one extendable solar panel array;   storing harvested solar energy to the at least one battery;   transferring power stored in the battery to one or more electrical loads; and   using the harvested solar energy.   
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein the electrical load is a light, communication device, antenna, or camera that is storable within the boundaries of the protective enclosure. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein the electrical load is an external or auxiliary electrical tool, machine, device, or facility. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 14 , further comprising inverting DC power supplied by the solar panel array to AC power within the boundaries of the protective enclosure. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 14 , further comprising electrically connecting the at least one battery of the solar power energy generation module to a battery housed within a protective enclosure of one or more additional solar power energy generation modules to create a battery grid, and transferring the power of the battery grid to a remote DC/AC power inverter prior to transferring power to the electrical load. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 14 , further comprising electrically connecting the at least one battery of the solar power energy generation module to a battery housed within a protective enclosure of one or more additional solar power energy generation modules to create a battery grid, and transferring the power of the battery grid to a remote power distribution center prior to transferring power to the electrical load. 
     
     
         20 . A power generation device comprising:
 at least one DC/AC inverter;   at least one electrical load; and   a plurality of energy generation modules in electrical communication with each other, the DC/AC inverter, and the at least one electrical load, each module comprising;   a rectangular structure at least partially defining boundaries of a protective enclosure,   at least one DC power source configured to be stored within the protective enclosure and positionable outside of the boundaries of the protective enclosure, and   at least one battery.   
     
     
         21 . The power generation device of  claim 20 , wherein the power generation device further comprises a battery grid, the battery grid including at least one battery from each module of the plurality of solar power energy generation modules. 
     
     
         22 . The power generation device of  claim 21 , wherein the DC/AC inverter is positioned and configured to invert energy collected from multiple batteries of the battery grid. 
     
     
         23 . The power generation device of  claim 20 , wherein the at least one DC/AC inverter is positioned within the boundaries of the protective enclosure. 
     
     
         24 . The power generation device of  claim 20 , wherein the at least one DC power source is a solar panel array. 
     
     
         25 . The power generation device of  claim 24 , further comprising at least one additional DC power source, wherein the at least one additional DC power source is a wind turbine.