The present disclosure provides a thermomechanical actuator and a cleaning system implementing the thermomechanical actuator. The thermomechanical actuator includes a solar heat collector (SHC) housing shape memory alloy springs connected between a piston movably disposed therein and one end of the SHC. A cable extending from the piston through an opposite end of the SHC is connected to a bias load that develops returning force on the springs. In presence of solar radiation, the springs contract and cause linear movement of the piston in a direction of contraction and, in absence of the solar radiation, the springs expand and cause linear movement of the piston in direction of expansion. Useful power and work is extracted in form of the cleaning system from such linear movement of the piston.

An eco-smart panel is described comprising a a solar thermal panel, a phase change material, a metal foil layer, and a structural frame constructed of materials including wood studs, gypsum, or fiberglass-reinforced concrete. The materials may be variously configured to create modular systems for fabricating buildings or structures. Eco-smart panels may be utilized to create buildings or structure with enhanced energy efficiency, increased fire resistance, increased flood resistance, and decreased construction cost and time.

An eco-smart panel is described comprising a a solar thermal panel, a phase change material, a metal foil layer, and a structural frame constructed of materials including wood studs, gypsum, or fiberglass-reinforced concrete. The materials may be variously configured to create modular systems for fabricating buildings or structures. Eco-smart panels may be utilized to create buildings or structure with enhanced energy efficiency, increased fire resistance, increased flood resistance, and decreased construction cost and time.

Solar energy device comprising at least one of a photovoltaic cell or a solar thermal collector having an absorption bandwidth in the infrared wavelength region of the solar spectrum; a visible light-transmitting reflector; and at least one of a graphic film or lighted display. The graphic film or a lighted display present is visible through the visible light-transmitting reflector. The solar energy devices can be used, for example, as a sign (e.g., an advertising sign or a traffic sign), on the side and/or roof, as well as in a window, of a building.

Solar photovoltaic window blind slats for power generation from internal and external light sources are provided are provided. A plurality of solar cells are attached to at least two sides of a slat core. Distributed maximum power point tracking optimizer components are associated with each solar cell. The solar cells and corresponding distributed maximum power point tracking optimizer components on each slat side are connected in electrical series.

Solar photovoltaic window blind slats for power generation from internal and external light sources are provided are provided. A plurality of solar cells are attached to at least two sides of a slat core. Distributed maximum power point tracking optimizer components are associated with each solar cell. The solar cells and corresponding distributed maximum power point tracking optimizer components on each slat side are connected in electrical series.

The present disclosure provides a thermomechanical actuator and a cleaning system implementing the thermomechanical actuator. The thermomechanical actuator includes a solar heat collector (SHC) housing shape memory alloy springs connected between a piston movably disposed therein and one end of the SHC. A cable extending from the piston through an opposite end of the SHC is connected to a bias load that develops returning force on the springs. In presence of solar radiation, the springs contract and cause linear movement of the piston in a direction of contraction and, in absence of the solar radiation, the springs expand and cause linear movement of the piston in direction of expansion. Useful power and work is extracted in form of the cleaning system from such linear movement of the piston.

The present disclosure provides a thermomechanical actuator and a cleaning system implementing the thermomechanical actuator. The thermomechanical actuator includes a solar heat collector (SHC) housing shape memory alloy springs connected between a piston movably disposed therein and one end of the SHC. A cable extending from the piston through an opposite end of the SHC is connected to a bias load that develops returning force on the springs. In presence of solar radiation, the springs contract and cause linear movement of the piston in a direction of contraction and, in absence of the solar radiation, the springs expand and cause linear movement of the piston in direction of expansion. Useful power and work is extracted in form of the cleaning system from such linear movement of the piston.

Solar energy device (100) comprising at least one of a photovoltaic cell or a solar thermal collector (101) having an absorption bandwidth in the infrared wavelength region of the solar spectrum; a visible light-transmitting reflector (103); and at least one of a graphic film or lighted display (105). The graphic film or a lighted display present is visible through the visible light-transmitting reflector. The solar energy devices can be used, for example, as a sign (e.g., an advertising sign or a traffic sign), on the side and/or roof, as well as in a window, of a building.

Solar energy device (100) comprising at least one of a photovoltaic cell or a solar thermal collector (101) having an absorption bandwidth in the infrared wavelength region of the solar spectrum; a visible light-transmitting reflector (103); and at least one of a graphic film or lighted display (105). The graphic film or a lighted display present is visible through the visible light-transmitting reflector. The solar energy devices can be used, for example, as a sign (e.g., an advertising sign or a traffic sign), on the side and/or roof, as well as in a window, of a building.