An apparatus for harvesting energy, such as solar, wind, wave, thermal, and the like, including a solar panel and a duct supporting the solar panel at an operational angle. The duct comprises a bottom shroud and side shrouds, therein forming a large aperture, a small aperture, and an oblique frustum shaped cavity. The oblique frustum shaped cavity is configured to direct a flow of fluid from the large aperture to the small aperture. A flow energy generator, such as a turbine, located at the small aperture is configured to collect flow energy. Temperature differences between the solar panel and the environment may be used to harvest thermal energy with a thermoelectric generator. Fluid flow under the solar panel may decrease the panel temperature and increase the efficiency. Generators may be operated in reverse to lower the solar panel temperature and increase efficiency.

The present disclosure describes methods and systems for generating electricity. A method of generating electricity can include evaporating water with a low grade heat source to form low-temperature steam. The low-temperature steam can be superheated to a superheated temperature by transferring heat to the low-temperature steam from a thermal energy storage that is at a temperature higher than the superheated temperature. A steam turbine generator can be powered with the superheated steam to generate electricity. The thermal energy storage can be recharged using electricity from an intermittent electricity source.

The present disclosure describes methods and systems for generating electricity. A method of generating electricity can include evaporating water with a low grade heat source to form low-temperature steam. The low-temperature steam can be superheated to a superheated temperature by transferring heat to the low-temperature steam from a thermal energy storage that is at a temperature higher than the superheated temperature. A steam turbine generator can be powered with the superheated steam to generate electricity. The thermal energy storage can be recharged using electricity from an intermittent electricity source.

The present disclosure provides a photovoltaic (PV) disconnect device used in an electrical system. The electrical system includes an energy control system electrically coupled to a utility grid. The electrical system includes a PV power generation system electrically coupled to the energy control system. The electrical system includes an energy storage system electrically coupled to the energy control system. The PV disconnect device is electrically coupled to the PV power generation system and the energy control system. The PV disconnect device electrically disconnects the PV power generation system from the energy control system.

The present disclosure provides a photovoltaic (PV) disconnect device used in an electrical system. The electrical system includes an energy control system electrically coupled to a utility grid. The electrical system includes a PV power generation system electrically coupled to the energy control system. The electrical system includes an energy storage system electrically coupled to the energy control system. The PV disconnect device is electrically coupled to the PV power generation system and the energy control system. The PV disconnect device electrically disconnects the PV power generation system from the energy control system.

Provided is a portable facility (1) including: a power generation unit (3) and a function unit (5), wherein the power generation unit (3) includes a transportable first housing (H1) and at least one power generation device attached to the first housing (H1), the first housing including a top wall (15), a bottom wall (17), and a surrounding wall (19), the at least one power generation device being one or more of a wind power generation device (7), a solar power generation device (9), and a hydraulic power generation device, and the function unit (5) includes a transportable second housing (H2) and an electric apparatus (11) disposed inside the second housing (H2) and configured to be powered by the power generation unit (3) to operate, the second housing including a top wall (15), a bottom wall (17), and a surrounding wall (19).

Provided is a mobile shop (1) including: a transportable shop body (3) including a top wall (11), a bottom wall (13), and a surrounding wall (15); and at least one power generation device attached to the shop body (3), the at least one power generation device being one or more of a wind power generation device (5), a solar power generation device (7), and a hydraulic power generation device. The mobile shop (1) may include all of the wind power generation device (5), the solar power generation device (7), and the hydraulic power generation device. The shop body (3) may be a freight container.

The present disclosure provides a photovoltaic-photothermal reaction complementary full-spectrum solar utilization system, comprising: a waveband thermal reactor having a reactant flow channel and a reaction chamber therein, a photovoltaic cell attached to a surface of the waveband thermal reactor, and a full spectrum concentrator configured to concentrate full spectrum sunlight onto a surface of the photovoltaic cell, wherein the full spectrum concentrating device concentrates the full spectrum sunlight onto a upper surface of the opaque or transmissive photovoltaic cell, wherein a portion of the sunlight is converted into electric energy and another portion of the sunlight is converted into thermal energy, and wherein the thermal energy is utilized by the waveband thermal reactor to preheat reactant(s) in the reaction chamber and to make a portion of the reactant(s) to undergo an endothermic chemical reaction such that the thermal energy is stored as chemical energy.

The present disclosure provides a photovoltaic-photothermal reaction complementary full-spectrum solar utilization system, comprising: a waveband thermal reactor having a reactant flow channel and a reaction chamber therein, a photovoltaic cell attached to a surface of the waveband thermal reactor, and a full spectrum concentrator configured to concentrate full spectrum sunlight onto a surface of the photovoltaic cell, wherein the full spectrum concentrating device concentrates the full spectrum sunlight onto a upper surface of the opaque or transmissive photovoltaic cell, wherein a portion of the sunlight is converted into electric energy and another portion of the sunlight is converted into thermal energy, and wherein the thermal energy is utilized by the waveband thermal reactor to preheat reactant(s) in the reaction chamber and to make a portion of the reactant(s) to undergo an endothermic chemical reaction such that the thermal energy is stored as chemical energy.

An arc detection and intervention system for a solar energy system. One or more arc detectors are strategically located among strings of solar panels. In conjunction with local management units (LMUs), arcs can be isolated and affected panels disconnected from the solar energy system.