Self powered building unit

A building unit comprising:

• first and second light transmissive panels, the first panel defining a light receiving surface;
• a structure supporting the panels in a spaced apart relationship to form a cavity therebetween;
• one or more photovoltaic cells disposed within the cavity adjacent the structure;
• an arrangement supported by the structure for re-directing non-visible wavelengths of sunlight incident on or passing through the light receiving surface in a direction generally transverse to a plane of the unit toward structure for collection by the one or more photovoltaic cells;
• and
• a rechargeable electrical energy storage device coupled with the one or more photovoltaic cells wherein the storage device is arranged to power one or more electrical devices located inside or outside of the cavity.

A building unit comprising:

• first and second light transmissive panels, the first panel defining a light receiving surface;
• a structure supporting the panels in a spaced apart relationship to form a cavity therebetween;
• one or more photovoltaic cells disposed within the cavity and adjacent the structure for producing electrical energy from light passing through the light receiving surface;
• and
• a rechargeable electrical energy storage device coupled with the one or more photovoltaic cells for storing the electrical energy wherein the storage device is arranged to power one or more electrical devices located inside or outside of the cavity.