Solar powered heater

Abstract

A solar powered heater system includes a water heater located within an insulated closet or container along with a heater located internal to the closet that is configured to regulate an elevated air temperature around the water tank. The system includes a solar panel to generate the energy to power the heater. A controller is used to regulate the energy and optimize performance of the heater in the closet near the water heater. The system is used to heat the air around the water heater to minimize losses and inefficiencies found within water heaters and to allow the system to simply operate with any style water heater.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A solar powered heater, comprising:
 a water heater;   a solar panel configured to capture solar energy;   a controller in communication with the solar panel to receive the solar energy and convert it to usable electrical energy; and   a heater coupled to the controller and configured to receive electrical energy to generate heat in air adjacent to the water heater, the heater configured to maintain an elevated air temperature around the water heater to minimize energy losses from the water heater.   
     
     
         2 . The heater of  claim 1 , wherein the controller is separated from the heater so as to be exposed to different air environments. 
     
     
         3 . The heater of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a power supply coupled to the controller to provide electrical power as the solar panel fails to produce sufficient energy.   
     
     
         4 . The heater of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a control unit coupled to the controller configured to help regulate performance of the heater and collect data from the air environment around the heater.   
     
     
         5 . The heater of  claim 4 , further comprising:
 a power supply coupled to the controller to provide electrical power as the solar panel fails to produce sufficient energy.   
     
     
         6 . A solar powered heater system, comprising:
 a water heater;   an insulated closet;   a solar panel configured to capture solar energy;   a controller in communication with the solar panel to receive the solar energy and convert it to usable electrical energy; and   a heater coupled to the controller and configured to receive electrical energy to generate heat in air adjacent to the water heater, the heater configured to maintain an elevated air temperature around the water heater to minimize energy losses from the water heater.   
     
     
         7 . The system of  claim 6 , wherein the controller is external to the insulated closet. 
     
     
         8 . The system of  claim 6 , wherein the controller is internal to the insulated closet. 
     
     
         9 . The system of  claim 6 , wherein the controller is coupled to the water heater. 
     
     
         10 . The system of  claim 6 , further comprising:
 a power supply coupled to the controller to provide electrical power as the solar panel fails to produce sufficient energy.   
     
     
         11 . The system of  claim 6 , further comprising:
 a control unit coupled to the controller configured to help regulate performance of the heater and collect data from the air environment around the heater.   
     
     
         12 . The system of  claim 11 , further comprising:
 a power supply coupled to the controller to provide electrical power as the solar panel fails to produce sufficient energy.   
     
     
         13 . The system of  claim 11 , wherein the control unit is internal to the insulated closet. 
     
     
         14 . The system of  claim 11 , wherein the controller serves as a Master controller with a plurality of control units as slave.