(DE4131393-A)      Structural units, esp. facade elements have an outside pane in which solar cells are arranged between an outer and inner pane. They have another innner layer which, by means of an inner-space-defined spacer frame, is spaced from the outer pane, where the solar cells are embedded in a cast resin layer. The inner pane in the region of at least one edge at least partially with regard to the edge of the outer layer recedes, so forming an overlapping recess on to the case resin layer through which the required electrical conductors pass. The recess is covered by the spacer frame and the inner space sealing to the centre of the structural element.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   Useful as structural elements esp. facade elements, with solar cells. The element has enhanced sound and heat insulation.    (US5213627-A)      A structural facade element has an outside plate assembly with solar cells (4) between facing plates (1, 3) and an inner plate (7) spaced from the assembly by a frame (5), to define an internal space (10). The cells are embeded in a casting resin layer (2), and there is a recess in the inner facing plate and resin at one edge for passage of electrical leads with the recess internally of the element and covered by the frame and an interior seal. The casting resin is pref. highly transparent and sound-proofing, and the element interior can be filled with dry air or SF6. The inner plate is e.g. a single prestressed plate of normal glass with a thermally insulating coating on its inner surface. The cells are e.g. polycrystalline solar cells for high transparency.    ADVANTAGE -   Is of good appearance from both sides, has high acoustic and thermal insulation and can be made simply and economically.    (US5273593-A)      The structural element has an outside plate sandwich having solar cells arranged between inner and outer plates, and a further inner plate distanced from the sandwich by way of a spacing frame to define an interior space. The further inner plate is supplemented with a second plate having an intermediate layer comprising a sound-proof casting resin forming an inside plate sandwich. The solar cells are embedded in a casting resin layer; and the inner plate recedes in dimension at at least one edge at least partially with respect to the corresp. edge of the outer plate to form a recess extending through the casting resin layer through which output leads are guided. The recess is covered by the spacing frame and an interior seal.    USE -   Facade element acoustic and thermal insulation.    (DE4143516-A1)      No further information has been published for this application.    (DE4131393-C2)      The device with solar cells, is a facade element and possesses disc arrangements on the inside and on the outside. Between them there is a gas-filled intermediate space.    The outer disc arrangement (1,2,3) consists of a composite structure with an intermediate layer which has at least partly transparent solar cells (4), but there can be also solar cells (43) on the side of the arrangement facing away from the sum.    The absorption maximum for the sum's light incident on the solar cells (4) is in a different region of the spectrum from th light on the other solar cells (43).    USE/ADVANTAGE -   Suitable for solar energy installations. There is an improvement in the efficiency with which the energy is extracted, using a simple and effective design.