Solar energy system

A modular solar panel to heat a fluid using sunlight comprising:

• a first, generally planar plate comprised of a heat conductive material;
• a second, generally planar plate comprised of a heat conductive material, the second planar plate affixed to the first generally planar plate and oriented in a plane generally parallel to the plane of the first generally planar plate;
• the first and second generally planar plates being affixed together in a fluid tight relationship forming a channel therebetween, the channel having an inlet for fluid to be introduced into the channel and an outlet for discharging fluid from the channel;
• each of the first and second, generally planar plates being thin, the second generally planar plate having a plurality of channels defined by alternating partitions therein;
• and
• a photovoltaic cell matrix affixed in heat conducting relationship to the second generally planar plate.

A method of constructing a solar panel comprising the steps of:

• providing a first, generally planar plate comprised of a heat conductive material, providing a second, generally planar plate comprised of a heat conductive material and having elongated indentations therein;
• affixing the second generally planar plate to the first generally planar plate so as be in a plane oriented generally parallel to the plane of the first generally planar plate to form a plurality of channels defined by alternating partitions therein;
• sealing the perimeter of the first plate to the second plate while leaving a fluid inlet and a fluid outlet to the channel;
• and
• laminating a photovoltaic cell matrix to one of the planar plates in heat conducting relationship.

A structure having a plurality of solar panels affixed thereto and generally oriented to face the sun, each solar panel comprised of:

• a first, generally planar plate comprised of a heat conductive material;
• a second, generally planar plate comprised of a heat conductive material, the second planar plate affixed to the first generally planar plate and oriented in a plane generally parallel to the plane of the first generally planar plate;
• the first and second generally planar plates being affixed together in a fluid tight relationship forming a channel therebetween, the channel having an inlet for fluid to be introduced into the channel and an outlet for discharging fluid from the channel;
• each of the first and second, generally planar plates being thin, the second generally planar plate having a plurality of channels defined by alternating partitions therein;
• and
• a photovoltaic cell matrix affixed in heat conducting relationship to the second generally planar plate;
• wherein the plurality of solar panels comprises at least a first row of solar panels and a second row of solar panels, the second row of panels being at an elevation lower that the first row of solar panels, the first row of panels each having inlets and outlets and the second row of solar panels each having inlets and outlets;
• wherein the inlets of the first and second rows of panels each have fluid inlet lines in fluid communication with a cold fluid supply line;
• and
• wherein the outlets of the first and second rows of panels each have fluid outlet lines in communication with a warm fluid return line.