Device with light control structure having magnetizable particles

Abstract

According to one embodiment, a solar device, comprises one or more photovoltaic cells disposed in an encapsulant and a light control structure including a louver film having a series of louver structures, wherein each louver structure includes one or more groupings of a plurality magnetizable particles aligned at least in a first orientation dispersed in a binding matrix. The light control structure substantially transmits light incident at a first angle and substantially limits transmission of light incident at a second angle. Each louver structure is spaced apart from an adjacent louver structure, wherein each louver structure is substantially aligned in a plane substantially parallel to an adjacent louver structure.

1 . A solar device, comprising:
 one or more photovoltaic cells disposed in an encapsulant; and   a light control structure including a louver film having a series of louver structures, wherein each louver structure includes one or more groupings of a plurality magnetizable particles aligned at least in a first orientation dispersed in a binding matrix,
 wherein the light control structure substantially transmits light incident at a first angle and substantially limits transmission of light incident at a second angle, 
 wherein each louver structure is spaced apart from an adjacent louver structure, wherein each louver structure is substantially aligned in a plane substantially parallel to an adjacent louver structure. 
   
     
     
         2 . The solar device of  claim 1 , wherein each louver structure is oriented at a louver angle from about 0° to about 500 from a normal to a light incident surface of the light control structure. 
     
     
         3 . The solar device according to  claim 1 , wherein each louver structure is oriented at a louver angle from about 10° to about 30°. 
     
     
         4 . A solar device according to  claim 1 , wherein the light control structure has a maximum relative brightness ratio (RBR) is at least 50%. 
     
     
         5 . The solar device according to  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of magnetizable particles includes a plurality of groupings of magnetizable particles, wherein each grouping of particles is spaced apart from an adjacent grouping by from about 0.05 mm to about 5 mm. 
     
     
         6 . The solar device according to  claim 1 , wherein the magnetizable particles comprise one or more particles selected from the group consisting of ceramics, metal alloy powder, metal alloys, glass particles coated to be magnetizable, mica particles coated to be magnetizable, composites, and combinations thereof. 
     
     
         7 . The solar device according to  claim 1 , further comprising a cover layer and a backsheet layer, wherein the encapsulated photovoltaic cells are disposed between the backsheet layer and the cover layer. 
     
     
         8 . The solar device according to  claim 7 , wherein the cover layer comprises one of glass and ultra barrier film. 
     
     
         9 . The solar device according to  claim 7 , wherein the light control structure is formed as an adhesive bonding the cover layer to the encapsulant. 
     
     
         10 . The solar device according to  claim 1 , further comprising a frame covering the edges of the solar device. 
     
     
         11 . solar device according to  claim 1 , wherein the solar device comprises a solar roof panel. 
     
     
         12 . The solar device according to  claim 11 , wherein the solar device is installed on a roof having roof tiles, and wherein the solar device has a visible color that substantially matches a roof tile color. 
     
     
         13 . The solar device according to  claim 11 , wherein the louver angle is selected based at least in part on the pitch of the roof upon which the solar device is to be installed.