A solar central receiver system employing common positioning mechanism for heliostats relates to a system of concentrating and harvesting solar energy. The heliostats of said system are positioned like facets of a Fresnel type of reflector. The heliostats are placed in arrays, wherein each array has a common positioning mechanism. The common positioning mechanism synchronously maneuvers the arrays of heliostats in altitudinal and/or azimuthal axis for tracking an apparent movement of the sun. The common positioning mechanism is employed for synchronously orienting said heliostats with respect to a stationary object and the sun such that incident solar radiation upon said heliostats is focused upon said stationary object from dawn to dusk. Subsequent to each said orientation of said heliostats, collective disposition of said heliostats always forms an arrangement that is capable of reflecting and thereby focusing incident solar radiation upon said stationary object.

A thermoelectric module extends in a longitudinal direction and includes an outer tube, an inner tube disposed within the outer tube and an interspace between the tubes. At least one first strip-shaped structure and one second strip-shaped structure are provided. The first strip-shaped structure extends from a first connection on the inner tube and the second strip-shaped structure extends from a second connection on the outer tube in opposite directions in at least one circumferential direction or in the longitudinal direction and at least partly form an overlap at least in the circumferential direction or in the longitudinal direction. At least one pair of semiconductor elements is disposed in the region of the overlap. A method for producing a thermoelectric module and a thermoelectric generator are also provided.

A power semiconductor module, including a housing and a substrate having at least one conductive path is located, at least one power semiconductor device arranged on said conductive path at least one contact, a self-sustaining system for detecting a physical parameter or a chemical substance, a device for wireless transmitting data provided by the sensor, and an energy source. The sensor detects at least one of current, voltage magnetic fields, mechanical stress, and humidity. The power semiconductor module may be part of an electronic device.

Methods, apparatuses, and products passively generate electrical energy from waste heat. Electronic components in cabinets generate waste heat that is used to illuminate an interior of a cabinet. A thermovoltaic semiconductor detects a temperature differential between a pair of terminals installed in the cabinet. The thermovoltaic semiconductor generates a low voltage output in response to the temperature differential. A power supply receives the low voltage output and produces a higher voltage for low-wattage light sources installed in the cabinet.