A system and method are provided for forming energy filter layers or shutter components, including energy scattering layers that are actively electrically switchable. The energy filters or shutter components are operable between at least a first mode in which the layers, and thus the presentation of the shutter components, appear substantially transparent when viewed from an energy/light incident side, and a second mode in which the layers, and thus the presentation of the energy filters or shutter components, appear opaque to the incident energy impinging on the energy incident side. The differing modes are selectable by electrically energizing, differentially energizing and/or de-energizing electric fields in a vicinity of the energy scattering layers. Refractive indices of transparent particles, and the transparent matrices in which the particles are fixed, are tunable according to the applied electric fields. The energy scattering layers may conceal a sensor such as a camera or photovoltaic cell.

A solar actuator comprises a top coupler, a bottom coupler, and a plurality of fluidic bellows actuators, wherein a fluidic bellows actuator of the plurality of fluidic bellows actuators moves the top coupler relative to the bottom coupler.

A solar actuator comprises a top coupler, a bottom coupler, and a plurality of fluidic bellows actuators, wherein a fluidic bellows actuator of the plurality of fluidic bellows actuators moves the top coupler relative to the bottom coupler.

The present invention aims to provide a light-concentrating film capable of concentrating at least one of direct sunlight and diffuse sunlight with high efficiency; a photovoltaic module having the light-concentrating film; and a transfer mold (die) for producing the light-concentrating film. The present invention relates to a light-concentrating film including alternating fine concavo-convex structure on at least one surface, the film having a concavo-convex height (H) of 0.05 to 15 m and a concavo-convex pitch (P) of 0.05 to 50 m, the film concentrating at least one of direct sunlight and diffuse sunlight.

The present invention aims to provide a light-concentrating film capable of concentrating at least one of direct sunlight and diffuse sunlight with high efficiency; a photovoltaic module having the light-concentrating film; and a transfer mold (die) for producing the light-concentrating film. The present invention relates to a light-concentrating film including alternating fine concavo-convex structure on at least one surface, the film having a concavo-convex height (H) of 0.05 to 15 m and a concavo-convex pitch (P) of 0.05 to 50 m, the film concentrating at least one of direct sunlight and diffuse sunlight.

A solar battery module is provided that includes plural solar battery cells, plural interconnectors each having a shock absorber, a sealing layer, a back face layer, and a front face layer having optical transparency. The plural solar battery cells each include an electrode on a peripheral edge portion at a back face that does not receive sunlight. The plural interconnectors extend along the peripheral edge portions, and connect the electrodes of the plural solar battery cells to each other. The sealing layer seals each of the solar battery cells and each of the interconnectors. The shock absorber is disposed in a region between corner portions of adjacent or diagonally opposing solar battery cells, and permits movement of the solar battery cells accompanying expansion or contraction of at least one out of the back face layer or the front face layer.

A solar battery module is provided that includes plural solar battery cells, plural interconnectors each having a shock absorber, a sealing layer, a back face layer, and a front face layer having optical transparency. The plural solar battery cells each include an electrode on a peripheral edge portion at a back face that does not receive sunlight. The plural interconnectors extend along the peripheral edge portions, and connect the electrodes of the plural solar battery cells to each other. The sealing layer seals each of the solar battery cells and each of the interconnectors. The shock absorber is disposed in a region between corner portions of adjacent or diagonally opposing solar battery cells, and permits movement of the solar battery cells accompanying expansion or contraction of at least one out of the back face layer or the front face layer.

An apparatus and system for mechanically coupling a power conditioning unit (PCU) to a photovoltaic (PV) module. In one embodiment, the apparatus comprises a base member, adapted for mounting a power conditioning unit (PCU) on a PV module backsheet, comprising a plurality of PCU retention members for retaining the PCU; and at least one compression spring, coupled to the base member, for maintaining the PCU in a position, with respect to the PV module backsheet, that can be dynamically changed between a first position and a second position.

An apparatus and system for mechanically coupling a power conditioning unit (PCU) to a photovoltaic (PV) module. In one embodiment, the apparatus comprises a base member, adapted for mounting a power conditioning unit (PCU) on a PV module backsheet, comprising a plurality of PCU retention members for retaining the PCU; and at least one compression spring, coupled to the base member, for maintaining the PCU in a position, with respect to the PV module backsheet, that can be dynamically changed between a first position and a second position.

A solar actuator comprises a top coupler, a bottom coupler, and a plurality of fluidic bellows actuators, wherein a fluidic bellows actuator of the plurality of fluidic bellows actuators moves the top coupler relative to the bottom coupler.