The present disclosure provides device for generating electric energy. The device comprises a panel for receiving incident light. The panel is at least partially transmissive for visible light and has first and second surfaces and having a peripheral region comprising at least one edge and/or corner. The panel is arranged such that a portion of light incident on the panel is redirected within the panel towards the peripheral region of the panel. The device further comprises a flexible photovoltaic element that has first and second portions separated by a bend. The bend is located adjacent the edge or corner of the panel whereby the first and second portions of the flexible photovoltaic element are disposed with different orientations within the device.

An insulating glass pane arrangement includes at least one first pane having a first surface and a second surface, wherein the first pane is designed as an inner pane, at least one second pane having a first surface and a second surface, wherein the second pane is designed as an outer pane, at least one first cavity that is arranged between the first pane and the second pane, at least one component arranged in the first cavity including a data memory, a read-out device with an active transmitting device, and an energy harvesting element, wherein the read-out device and the energy harvesting element are designed for read-out and energy harvesting through the first pane.

The LPSP invention comprises an array of solar panel slats called solar slats along with inter-digitized filler slats. The solar slates on the outside can be open to the outside air or behind a covering window. The solar slats, filler slats or both types of slats can rotate or be fixed in angle position with respect to the sun solar angle. In a window shade application, the filler slats can rotate to avoid blocking the sun's rays from impinging on the solar slats. Alternatively, the filler slats can be transparent, or be adapted with electrically activated films (electroactive) to change the degree of transparency. The solar slats comprise structural material adapted with or containing photovoltaic material, even semi-transparent solar photo electric glass, and further comprising accompanying electrodes and wiring to conduct the generated electricity to an electrical load. The LPSP can be used as elements in a LPSP systems that folds and allows walking support such as a deck. The LPSP flips sides exposed to the environment to offer a different functionality.

A solar powered smart window includes a light diffuser configured to convert an incident direct solar radiation to a diffusive light toward interior direction, a light diffuser positioner, a driving mechanism, a solar panel, and a control unit. The control unit moved the light diffuser from a predetermined opened position to a closed position and to hold the light diffuser at the closed position with latch mechanism, when the output power of the solar panel exceeds a threshold for over a duration time. The controller releases the latch mechanism and to cause the light diffuser to return to the predetermined opened position when the output power lowers below threshold for over the duration time. A method includes storing a predetermined condition, monitoring the output power, comparing the output power with the predetermined conditions, making decision whether a positional transition is necessary, and causing the transitional transition or maintaining current position.

The present invention relates to an alternative power generation system, comprising a portable electricity harvesting device for generating electrical power, a power unit coupled to said portable electricity harvesting device including circuitry for processing electrical power generated by said portable electricity harvesting device and storing said electrical power in a battery within said power unit, and a plurality of distribution components in electrical communication with said power unit and a plurality of devices to be electrically powered.

An integrated building photovoltaic apparatus for closing an opening on a building facade and generating electricity from a solar radiation which pass through the opening, includes at least two panes that are at least partially transparent and joined to each other by an interposed spacer to form an internal chamber therebetween; a blind arranged inside the internal chamber and having movable photovoltaic slats to vary the amount of the solar radiation passing through the opening; and connection elements, configured to pull or push the photovoltaic slats. Each slat has a photovoltaic sheet with interconnection grooves which define thin film solar cells monolithically connected in series. The solar cells include at least two coupling thin film solar cells (40′), each one having a through hole and a close-pattern isolation groove surrounding the through hole to define an inactive area of the coupling single thin film solar cell surrounding the through hole.

A solar tracker system is a system and method to integrate the solar cells to a greenhouse. The solar tracker system comprises solar tracker modules that include solar cells, racks, gears, pinons, motors, and mounting brackets to efficiently and conveniently be installed to the roofs and walls of a new greenhouse and/or an existing greenhouse for retrofit application. Additionally, the solar tracker system uses various sensors to provide real-time conditions to the greenhouse. The method uses actual or system default values to adjust the angle and position of solar cells according to various environmental factors, such as DLI, weather, date, time, direction of sunlight, or type of plant.

In one aspect, window inserts are described herein, which can modulate transmission of electromagnetic radiation through a window and can be self-powered. In some embodiments, a window insert comprises a photovoltaic device, the photovoltaic device including a photosensitive layer having peak absorption between 250 nm and 450 nm and an average transmittance of at least 50 percent in the visible region of the electromagnetic spectrum.

The present invention relates to a solar electric roller shade, including a roller shade body and a solar panel that are independent of each other. The roller shade body includes a scroll, a curtain cloth wound onto the scroll, and a speed reduction motor for driving the scroll to rotate, the solar panel is externally disposed on a back surface of the roller shade body through a fixed support member, and the solar panel is electrically connected to the speed reduction motor and a battery. In the present invention, the solar panel and the roller shade body are two separated independent structures. Once mounted and debugged, the solar panel can continuously absorb light energy and provide electric energy for the electric roller shade under sufficient sunlight, and the solar panel is mounted on the back surface of the roller shade body without occupying a special erection space.

A daylighting device of the present invention includes: a daylighting member including: a first light-transmitting base member; and a plurality of protruding, light-transmitting daylighting sections provided on a first face or a second face of the first light-transmitting base member; and a ventilation hole configured to enable a space on the first face to communicate with a space on the second face opposite from the first face.