Wind screen for one or more photovoltaic arrays and method thereof. For example, a wind screen for one or more photovoltaic arrays includes a screen foundation including a concrete block, and one or more perforation blocks on the concrete block. In another example, the wind screen is configured to cover at least a first side of each array of the one or more photovoltaic arrays.

Concepts of distributed solar energy prediction imaging are described. In one embodiment, a solar forecast system includes a computing environment, a network, and an imaging device. Among other elements, the imaging device can include a wide-angle optical component, an imaging assembly, and a computing device. The computing device of the imaging device can capture an array of images using the imaging assembly, combine the array of images into a combined-resolution image, transform the combined-resolution image into a transformed image based on a calibration transformation matrix associated with the wide-angle optical component, identify and track cloud features in the transformed image, and generate a solar forecast using ray tracing based on the cloud features. The imaging device can also transmit the solar forecast to the computing environment via the network, and the computing environment can fuse solar forecast data from several imaging device into a distributed geographic area forecast.

A solar system is provided comprising a light receiving surface, a condensation subassembly, a water collection subassembly, and a cleaning subassembly. The expansion chamber of the condensation subassembly is thermally coupled to the light receiving surface and thermally insulated from the ambient such that expansion of compressed air in the expansion chamber, as controlled by the compressed air expansion valve, encourages humidity condensation on the light receiving surface by reducing the temperature of the light receiving surface. The water collection subassembly comprises a water collection vessel and water direction hardware positioned to direct condensed water on the light receiving surface to the water collection vessel. The cleaning subassembly comprises a water dispensing unit positioned to dispense water from the water collection vessel over the light receiving surface of the solar system.

A solar system is provided comprising a light receiving surface, a condensation subassembly, a water collection subassembly, and a cleaning subassembly. The expansion chamber of the condensation subassembly is thermally coupled to the light receiving surface and thermally insulated from the ambient such that expansion of compressed air in the expansion chamber, as controlled by the compressed air expansion valve, encourages humidity condensation on the light receiving surface by reducing the temperature of the light receiving surface. The water collection subassembly comprises a water collection vessel and water direction hardware positioned to direct condensed water on the light receiving surface to the water collection vessel. The cleaning subassembly comprises a water dispensing unit positioned to dispense water from the water collection vessel over the light receiving surface of the solar system.

The present disclosure provides a solar cell device for mounting over a movable object, which includes a housing and a solar panel. The housing is disposed on an outer surface of the movable object. The solar panel is disposed inside the housing. The housing is provided with an openable cover, configured to allow the solar panel to expose to an external environment to thereby generate electricity if opened and to shield the solar panel from the external environment if closed. Herein the movable object can be a vehicle, a train, a ship or an airplane.

Photovoltaic (PV) assemblies and modules for converting solar radiation to electrical energy are disclosed. A PV module comprises a plurality of PV or solar cells for generating DC power. In some embodiments, the plurality of solar cells are encapsulated within a PV laminate. A PV assembly comprises an electronic component assembly coupled to the PV module. The electronic component assembly comprises an enclosure defining an interior region and a power conditioning circuit within the interior region of the enclosure. The power conditioning circuit comprises at least one electronic component for conditioning power generated by the plurality of solar cells. The electronic component assembly comprises a first electrical conduit for inputting direct current (DC) generated by the plurality of solar cells to the power conditioning circuit. The electronic component assembly further comprises a second electrical conduit for outputting conditioned power from the power conditioning circuit. Additionally, the electronic component assembly comprises a humidity control circuit within the enclosure for performing a dehumidification operation. The humidity control circuit comprises a first heating component and regulates a moisture or humidity level within the interior region of the enclosure.

An exemplary method for installing at an installation site a photovoltaic module including a panel and support legs includes disposing the photovoltaic module over a support surface such that the support legs are in a stowed position; lifting the photovoltaic module from a support surface while engaging a magnetic field with the support legs so as to maintain the support legs in the stowed position; disengaging the magnetic field from the support legs of the lifted photovoltaic module so as to release the support legs from the stowed position to an installation position in which the support legs are rotated downwards relative to the stowed position; and lowering the photovoltaic module to the installation site with the support legs in the installation position so as to install the photovoltaic module at the installation site, the support legs supporting the panel at the installation site.

An exemplary method for installing at an installation site a photovoltaic module including a panel and support legs includes disposing the photovoltaic module over a support surface such that the support legs are in a stowed position; lifting the photovoltaic module from a support surface while engaging a magnetic field with the support legs so as to maintain the support legs in the stowed position; disengaging the magnetic field from the support legs of the lifted photovoltaic module so as to release the support legs from the stowed position to an installation position in which the support legs are rotated downwards relative to the stowed position; and lowering the photovoltaic module to the installation site with the support legs in the installation position so as to install the photovoltaic module at the installation site, the support legs supporting the panel at the installation site.

A retaining clip configured to secure an elongate member to a generally planar panel is described herein. The retaining clip includes a first side wall, a second side wall opposite the first side wall, and an end wall interconnecting the side walls. The side walls define a gap configured to receive the panel. The retaining clip includes further includes a resilient first cantilevered prong projecting into the gap from the first side wall and a resilient second cantilevered prong projecting from into the first gap from the second side wall. Free ends of the first and second prongs are characterized as having a pair of pointed barbs on distal edges of the first and second prongs. The pointed barbs are configured to increase a removal force required to remove the panel from the first gap. A method of forming such a retaining clip is also described.

A self-powered light seeking apparatus and method for directing a target-plane towards a light source. The apparatus includes a photovoltaic powering arrangement configured to convert light energy into a driving current to power an actuator. The actuator is coupled to a support platform and is wired to the photovoltaic powering arrangement such that the polarity of the driving current causes the actuator to drive the target-plane towards alignment with the light source. A solar energy collection system including a photoelectric assembly for generating electricity from light incident upon an active area; a light concentrator comprising a substantially planar reflective surface subtending an angle to the active area such that light arriving along a line perpendicular to the active area and striking the reflective surface is reflected onto the active area; and a cooling unit configured to maintain the photoelectric assembly at an efficient operating temperature.