A system includes a concentrated photovoltaic (CPV) array that includes a plurality of multi-junction solar cell modules, each of which includes a plurality of multi-junction solar cells and solar concentrating optics mounted on a two-axis solar tracker. The system also includes an energy storage system configured to receive electricity produced by the CPV array and configured to convert the electricity into formic acid by electrolysis.

A sun visor assembly used in a vehicle is disclosed. The sun visor assembly comprises a sun visor having at least one light intensity sensor for detecting sunlight or light intensity entering the vehicle. The sun visor further comprises a microprocessor for receiving a signal indicating detection of the light intensity entering the vehicle from the light intensity sensor. The sun visor further comprises at least one motor operatively coupled to the microprocessor. In response to the signal, the microprocessor instructs the at least one motor to position the sun visor to block the sunlight or light intensity sensor entering the vehicle.

A photovoltaic system's configuration specification can be inferred by an evaluative process that searches through a space of candidate values for the variables in the specification. Each variable is selected in a specific ordering that narrows the field of candidate values. A constant horizon is assumed to account for diffuse irradiance insensitive to specific obstruction locations relative to the photovoltaic system's geographic location. Initial values for the azimuth angle, constant horizon obstruction elevation angle, and tilt angle are determined, followed by final values for these variables. The effects of direct obstructions that block direct irradiance in the areas where the actual horizon and the range of sun path values overlap relative to the geographic location are evaluated to find the exact obstruction elevation angle over a range of azimuth bins or directions. The photovoltaic temperature response coefficient and the inverter rating or power curve of the photovoltaic system are determined.

The sun safety display and dispenser is a rugged outdoor device designed to measure the direct and scattered UV radiation in the atmosphere; to calculate and display a sun safety awareness index warning of the time to skin burn and or potential damage; to provide a personalized sun safety awareness index reading to help the user determine the appropriate SPF sunscreen, manually or automatically; and, to dispense sunscreen generally or by specific SPF as correlated with the user's personalized sun safety awareness index reading.

Embodiments of architecture, systems, and methods employ sensor data to encrypt data including creating a one-time pad (OTP) where the sensor data that may be generated from a sensor of an IoT system. Other embodiments may be described and claimed

A system and method for robust automatic control of an air-conditioning system in a vehicle includes at least one sensor configured to continuously capture technical driving parameters of the vehicle. The system has a computing unit configured to determine a current air quality from the captured technical driving parameters by way of a suitable algorithm. The system has a control unit configured to control the air-conditioning system in the vehicle, wherein the control of the air-conditioning system includes activating the recirculation circuit of the air-conditioning system and/or activating the fresh-air circuit of the air-conditioning system with reference to the determined air quality.

Certain aspects pertain to a combination sensor comprising a set of physical sensors facing different directions proximate a structure, and configured to measure solar radiation in different directions. The combination sensor also comprises a virtual facade-aligned sensor configured to determine a combi-sensor value at a facade of the structure based on solar radiation readings from the set of physical sensors.

The present disclosure relates to a light exposure monitoring system that includes a central control server; a plurality of indoor light exposure zones and a positioning system configured to communicate with the central control server to determine: a position (P) of an individual within the plurality of indoor light exposure zones, and a distance between a head of the individual and a floor within the plurality of indoor light exposure zones.

A sensor (2) for determining solar altitude information includes at least one diode (24) for measuring sun intensity. A computation module (20) has interfaces (72, 74) at its input side for time- and location-based data for determining the current sun position from said location-based data, said time-based data and sun intensity measured and for providing a sun output signal on an output interface (80).

A photodiode comprising a photoactive spinel oxide layer is described. This photoactive spinel oxide layer forms a contact with both a light absorption layer of quantum dots, quantum wires, or quantum rods, and an inorganic substrate layer. In some embodiments, the inorganic substrate layer and the photoactive spinel oxide layer form an isotype junction. Methods of characterizing the photodiode are provided and demonstrate commercially relevant electrical and optoelectronic properties, particularly the ability to operate as a photodetector with a high photosensitivity. An economical process for preparing the photodiode is provided as well as applications.