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 thin film solar cells include at least two coupling thin film solar cells, 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.

Various implementations relate generally to a multi-sensor device. Some implementations more particularly relate to a multi-sensor device including a ring of radially-oriented photosensors. Some implementations more particularly relate to a multi-sensor device that is orientation-independent with respect to a central axis of the ring. Some implementations of the multi-sensor devices described herein also include one or more additional sensors. For example, some implementations include an axially-directed photosensor. Some implementations also can include one or more temperature sensors configured to sense an exterior temperature, for example, an ambient temperature of an outdoors environment around the multi-sensor. Additionally or alternatively, some implementations can include a temperature sensor configured to sense an interior temperature within the multi-sensor device. Particular implementations provide, characterize, or enable a compact form factor. Particular implementations provide, characterize, or enable a multi-sensor device requiring little or no wiring, and in some such instances, little or no invasion, perforation or reconstruction of a building or other structure on which the multi-sensor device is mounted.

Various implementations relate generally to a multi-sensor device. Some implementations more particularly relate to a multi-sensor device including a ring of radially-oriented photosensors. Some implementations more particularly relate to a multi-sensor device that is orientation-independent with respect to a central axis of the ring. Some implementations of the multi-sensor devices described herein also include one or more additional sensors. For example, some implementations include an axially-directed photosensor. Some implementations also can include one or more temperature sensors configured to sense an exterior temperature, for example, an ambient temperature of an outdoors environment around the multi-sensor. Additionally or alternatively, some implementations can include a temperature sensor configured to sense an interior temperature within the multi-sensor device. Particular implementations provide, characterize, or enable a compact form factor. Particular implementations provide, characterize, or enable a multi-sensor device requiring little or no wiring, and in some such instances, little or no invasion, perforation or reconstruction of a building or other structure on which the multi-sensor device is mounted.

A method for controlling a shading device includes: moving a screen by electrical activation of an electromechanical actuator; determining a value of data representing operation of a motorised drive device during screen movement; and comparing the determined data to a first predetermined threshold. Depending on the result, the method includes: reducing a rotational speed setpoint of an output shaft of the electromechanical actuator if the value of the determined data ≥ the value of the first predetermined threshold, to reduce power consumed by the electromechanical actuator; or maintaining the rotational speed setpoint of the output shaft of the electromechanical actuator as long as the determined data < the value of the first predetermined threshold. The determined data is the power consumed or the torque delivered by the electromechanical actuator. The determining, comparing, and reducing are iterated until a value of a second predetermined speed threshold is reached.

A shading device comprises a power supply device comprising a battery, a first and a second electrical connection elements and a resilient element. The battery is disposed at a holding device for holding the screen. The first element is disposed at a load bar or the screen and configured so as to be electrically connected to an external electrical supply source. The second element is disposed at the holding device and configured to cooperate with the first element. The resilient element is configured to be fixed on the load bar or on the screen. The first element is integral with the resilient element. Furthermore, the resilient element is configured to compensate a misalignment of the first electrical connection element with respect to the second electrical connection element, when the screen reaches a position for recharging the battery.

Described herein are systems, methods, devices, and other techniques for implementing smart windows, smart home systems that include smart windows, and user devices and applications for control thereof. A smart window, or photovoltaic window, may include a photovoltaic configured to generate electrical power from incident light onto the photovoltaic window, store the electrical power, and send the electrical power to an electronics package or various electrical loads including a wireless communication system, sensors, or window functions. The photovoltaic window may communicate with various smart home system devices such as hub devices and user devices, which may include the reception of control data at the photovoltaic window and the transmission of sensor data captured by the window sensors.

A solar adjustment apparatus includes a control circuit, two optical encoders, two driving modules, and a power circuit. The control circuit is arranged in an upper rail, and the upper rail is fixed on the upper side of a door or window of a building or vehicle. The two driving modules pivot two spools at the same speed. One of the driving modules controls a height of a middle rail in vertical direction of the door or window through one of optical encoders and one of spools. The other driving module controls a height of a lower rail in vertical direction of the door or window through the other optical encoder and the other spool.

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.

A solar cell module can include a plurality of solar cells, each solar cell among the plurality of solar cells including a first electrode and a second electrode arranged in parallel on a rear surface of a semiconductor substrate; a substrate including a conductive pattern electrically connecting the plurality of solar cells with each other; and a protective film disposed on the plurality of solar cells on a front surface of the substrate, in which the conductive pattern includes: a plurality of conductive portions, each of the plurality of conductive portions being arranged between two adjacent solar cells among the plurality of solar cells, an electrode portion formed on a rear surface of the substrate, and a connection portion connected to the electrode portion and surrounding a side surface of the substrate.

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.