A method, system, apparatus, and/or device for preheating air for a rooftop air handling unit (RTU). The method, system, apparatus, and/or device may include a barrier system configured to surround the RTU. The barrier system may include a structure to provide a frame for the barrier system, a first barrier configured to connect to a first side of the structure, and a collector configured to connect to a second side of the structure. The method, system, apparatus, and/or device may include a duct configured to connect between the collector and a chamber. The method, system, apparatus, and/or device may include a chamber configured to connect to an air intake hood of the RTU. The chamber may include a first opening to receive air stored in the cavity, a second opening to receive external air, and a diverter configured to switch between a first position and a second position.

Apparatus for obtaining fresh water by artificially generating a precipitation. The apparatus comprises at least one darkening body that forms a darkening surface which has a width and/or length of at least 3 km and an albedo of less than 0.1. The apparatus further comprises at least one base frame which is arranged on a ground and configured to support the at least one darkening body so as to keep the at least one darkening body spaced apart from the ground in order to form a space between the at least one darkening body and the ground. Still further, the apparatus comprises a precipitation collection system which is arranged at least partially within the space and configured to collect the precipitation falling on the darkening surface.

The invention provides an apparatus which can heat water using a Fresnel lens or magnifying glass to focus and concentrate sunlight on water-filled radiator-like tubes which move water, by the water pressure from a water spigot/bib (without pumping), to: 1. move the heated water through tubes to heat any space inside any building, and 2. provide steam to power a steam-powered electricity generator to provide electricity, and charge a battery, during daylight hours, and then use the charged battery to supply electricity during the night hours, and 3. move water, cooled by the subsurface ground, by water pressure from a water spigot/bib without pumping, into proximity with any air space inside any building to cool the air space, and 4. array a series of magnifying glasses or Fresnel lenses in order to catch the rays of the sun from sunrise to sunset and focus those rays on the car radiator-like tubes full of water in order to heat the water without using fossil fuels, and 5. support the, array of magnifying glasses or Fresnel lenses and car-radiator-like water tubes with arch structures to hear the weight and protect the structure from earthquake damage.

Systems and methods of the present disclosure enable automated roof planning using a processor. The processor receives a digital image of a roof of a structure and models each roof plane of the roof to generate a roof model. The processor determines dimensions of each roof plane based on the roof model. The processor retrieves roofing accessory data from a database, the roofing accessory data solar roofing accessory part identifiers and solar roofing accessory part performance characteristics for solar roofing accessories. The processor simulates multiple candidate roof layouts based on the dimensions of each roof plan and the solar roofing accessory parts and determines a utilization prediction for each candidate layout. Based on each utilization prediction, the processor determines a particular roof layout having selected solar roofing accessory parts, and generates a solar roof design, including a list of materials, for the particular roof layout.

Systems and methods of the present disclosure enable automated roof planning using a processor. The processor receives a digital image of a roof of a structure and models each roof plane of the roof to generate a roof model. The processor determines dimensions of each roof plane based on the roof model. The processor retrieves roofing accessory data from a database, the roofing accessory data solar roofing accessory part identifiers and solar roofing accessory part performance characteristics for solar roofing accessories. The processor simulates multiple candidate roof layouts based on the dimensions of each roof plan and the solar roofing accessory parts and determines a utilization prediction for each candidate layout. Based on each utilization prediction, the processor determines a particular roof layout having selected solar roofing accessory parts, and generates a solar roof design, including a list of materials, for the particular roof layout.

A solar module includes a plurality of photovoltaic cells and a sandwich structure on which the plurality of photovoltaic cells is structurally supported. The sandwich structure includes top and bottom structural plates and an open-cell inner material located between the top and bottom structural plates.

A solar module includes a plurality of photovoltaic cells and a sandwich structure on which the plurality of photovoltaic cells is structurally supported. The sandwich structure includes top and bottom structural plates and an open-cell inner material located between the top and bottom structural plates.

A solar canopy has a solar panel assembly including a first solar panel coupled to a second solar panel and oriented non-parallel with respect to the second solar panel. The solar panel assembly has an effective solar-panel-assembly wind loading less than a sum of a first-solar-panel effective wind loading and a second-solar-panel effective wind loading determined individually. An actual load applied by the solar panel assembly to a solar-panel-assembly support structure coupled thereto when the solar panel assembly is subject to a wind loading is less than a design load for the solar panel assembly subject to the wind loading based on a sum of a first-solar-panel net pressure and a second-solar-panel net pressure determined independently.

Radiant energy traps are disclosed which comprise diffuse radiant energy concentrators with at least one reflector and receiver. A diffuse light concentrator (DLC) with optimizable flexibility may be used in multiple applications, such as solar electric, thermal (air or water), hybrid or a combination system.

A roof product has a thermal heat storage layer, a vent layer with channels for transferring excess heat through a length of the roof product, and a flame retardant to suppress fire through the vent layer. These three materials form a unitary structure. The roof product may have a radiant layer, the thermal heat storage layer and the vent layer to form the unitary structure. The roof products are assembled in an abutting configuration on the roof of a building. The vent layer vents excess heat from an eave of the roof up to a ridge of the roof and out to atmosphere. The roof products manage thermal energy in the roof by storing thermal heat with the unitary roof product during a heating cycle; venting excess heat through the unitary product; and releasing the stored thermal heat from the unitary product into or out of the building during a cooling cycle.