An Ocean Thermal Energy Conversion (OTEC) system having a turbine with an upstream side and a downstream side. Warm water under a partial vacuum is converted into a vapor, the vapor being supplied to the upstream side of the turbine at a pressure controlled by the temperature of the warm water. A condenser is situated on the downstream side of the turbine to cause the vapor, after passing through the turbine, to undergo a phase change back to a liquid, which can be used as potable water. The condenser is coupled to a source of a cooling liquid, and the pressure of the vapor on the downstream side of the turbine is determined by the temperature of the cooling liquid. A flexible floating solar collector supplies the warm liquid to the upstream side at a temperature higher than normal ambient temperature.

An Ocean Thermal Energy Conversion (OTEC) system having a turbine with an upstream side and a downstream side. Warm water under a partial vacuum is converted into a vapor, the vapor being supplied to the upstream side of the turbine at a pressure controlled by the temperature of the warm water. A condenser is situated on the downstream side of the turbine to cause the vapor, after passing through the turbine, to undergo a phase change back to a liquid, which can be used as potable water. The condenser is coupled to a source of a cooling liquid, and the pressure of the vapor on the downstream side of the turbine is determined by the temperature of the cooling liquid. A flexible floating solar collector supplies the warm liquid to the upstream side at a temperature higher than normal ambient temperature.

A renewable-energy electrical generation and distribution system including a container. At least one power source is sized to be retained within the container and deployable therefrom, the at least one power source being configured to generate energy from renewable resources. A battery is disposed within the container and in communication with the at least one power source. A power distribution system is disposed within the container and in communication with the battery and the at least one power source, the power distribution system including: at least one switch and at least one interface connected to the at least one switch and disposed external to the container, the at least one switch configured selectively turn on and off power distribution to the at least one interface based on at least one predetermined parameter.

A renewable-energy electrical generation and distribution system including a container. At least one power source is sized to be retained within the container and deployable therefrom, the at least one power source being configured to generate energy from renewable resources. A battery is disposed within the container and in communication with the at least one power source. A power distribution system is disposed within the container and in communication with the battery and the at least one power source, the power distribution system including: at least one switch and at least one interface connected to the at least one switch and disposed external to the container, the at least one switch configured selectively turn on and off power distribution to the at least one interface based on at least one predetermined parameter.

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.

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.

Systems and methods for controlling a solar panel or solar panel array to power one or more appliances are disclosed. The systems include at least a solar panel or solar panel array, an appliance or electrical load, and a power controller connected between the solar panel or solar panel array and the electrical load. The controller performs a maximum power point tracking (MPPT) algorithm on the solar panel or array. The controller also takes into account contextual information, including location and time information, and allows the battery to be discharged beyond a defined threshold only if the contextual information indicates that sufficient solar power will be available to recharge it.

Energy storage and distribution systems are provided that comprises an energy storage device (e.g., one or more batteries) that can be used in conjunction with one or more electrical power sources—e.g., solar, wind, electric grid, fuel cell, or diesel. A controller is provided that manages energy storage and power distribution to loads, the energy storage device, or both. Energy storage and distribution systems can be configured to meter DC energy such that DC power usage for each load can be acquired. In this way, operators such as mobile network operators (MNOs) can be charged according to their DC power usages. Energy storage and distribution systems can also be configured to enable prioritized load shedding of one or more loads.

Energy storage and distribution systems are provided that comprises an energy storage device (e.g., one or more batteries) that can be used in conjunction with one or more electrical power sources—e.g., solar, wind, electric grid, fuel cell, or diesel. A controller is provided that manages energy storage and power distribution to loads, the energy storage device, or both. Energy storage and distribution systems can be configured to meter DC energy such that DC power usage for each load can be acquired. In this way, operators such as mobile network operators (MNOs) can be charged according to their DC power usages. Energy storage and distribution systems can also be configured to enable prioritized load shedding of one or more loads.

A power source apparatus that combines power generated by a photovoltaic system and power generated from another power source by using a power combiner and transmits the combined power to a load side, wherein an output voltage of the photovoltaic system can be changed by changing a cell connection state of a plurality of solar cells of the photovoltaic system, and the highest efficiency of the photovoltaic system can be obtained by adding the output voltage of the photovoltaic system to an output voltage of the another power source.