A method for displaying charge and gain energy by a vehicle solar roof system is provided. The method includes determining whether the vehicle is in a parking or driving mode based on whether the vehicle key is turned on or off when the solar roof system installed in the vehicle operates. A corresponding consumed energy is calculated by determining whether the solar roof system charges the auxiliary battery or the main battery. The consumed energy is displayed in the cluster of the vehicle and booting is performed when the key is turned on in the parking mode and displayed when the key is turned off in the driving mode. The consumed energy is calculated based on efficiency of a charge amount of the auxiliary battery or the main battery and a gain fuel amount is changed based on the charge amount and calculated due to the saved energy.

A Very Large Bag (VLB) suitable for containing and transporting various liquids is disclosed that includes solar arrays to generate electric power. The VLB further comprises various features useful in the transportation, navigation, and storage of liquids on very large bodies of water, such as an ocean. Such features include navigational and positioning devices, powered by solar arrays that include perovskite materials with efficiencies that exceed silicon based solar arrays. Aspects of embodiments of the present invention further include features useful for purifying or preserving the purity of the fluid being transported.

A Very Large Bag (VLB) suitable for containing and transporting various liquids is disclosed that includes solar arrays to generate electric power. The VLB further comprises various features useful in the transportation, navigation, and storage of liquids on very large bodies of water, such as an ocean. Such features include navigational and positioning devices, powered by solar arrays that include perovskite materials with efficiencies that exceed silicon based solar arrays. Aspects of embodiments of the present invention further include features useful for purifying or preserving the purity of the fluid being transported.

In a solar power generator, a plurality of first solar cell strings (51) are formed in a way that, in each first solar cell string (51), two or more first solar cells (41) are connected in series and disposed in descending order of potential, with an end narrower in width facing one end (E1) in a first direction (D1), from another end (E2) in the first direction (D1). A plurality of second solar cell strings (52) are formed in a way that, in each second solar cell string (52), two or more second solar cells (42) are connected in series and disposed in descending order of potential, with an end wider in width facing the one end (E1) in the first direction (D1), from the another end (E2) in the first direction (D1). Each of the plurality of first solar cell strings (51) and each of the plurality of second solar cell strings (52) are aligned alternately along the second direction (D2) that is orthogonal to the first direction (D1).

In a solar power generator, a plurality of first solar cell strings (51) are formed in a way that, in each first solar cell string (51), two or more first solar cells (41) are connected in series and disposed in descending order of potential, with an end narrower in width facing one end (E1) in a first direction (D1), from another end (E2) in the first direction (D1). A plurality of second solar cell strings (52) are formed in a way that, in each second solar cell string (52), two or more second solar cells (42) are connected in series and disposed in descending order of potential, with an end wider in width facing the one end (E1) in the first direction (D1), from the another end (E2) in the first direction (D1). Each of the plurality of first solar cell strings (51) and each of the plurality of second solar cell strings (52) are aligned alternately along the second direction (D2) that is orthogonal to the first direction (D1).

A power pack and related components are provided for powering night vision devices and other electronic devices using solar panels. In one embodiment, a solar powered power pack with a rechargeable battery is mountable on a helmet or is otherwise attachable to wearable or portable gear.

A power pack and related components are provided for powering night vision devices and other electronic devices using solar panels. In one embodiment, a solar powered power pack with a rechargeable battery is mountable on a helmet or is otherwise attachable to wearable or portable gear.

An article for providing shade includes a sunshade and a slip-on mounting base. The sunshade includes a shield, a set of ribs connected to the shield, and a plurality of support arms connected to the shield. The slip-on mounting base includes a body that defines a cavity and an opening. The body is configured to slip on the back portion of an item of outdoor furniture into the cavity through the opening. The body is stretchable and is configured to stretch to receive the back portion of different items of outdoor furniture with different sizes. The slip-on mounting base includes a plurality of receptacles attached to the body. Each receptacle includes an opening to receive a support arm of the sunshade. Each receptacle holds the corresponding support arm such that the shield, when unfolded, covers at least a portion of the back portion of the item of outdoor furniture.

An article for providing shade includes a sunshade and a slip-on mounting base. The sunshade includes a shield, a set of ribs connected to the shield, and a plurality of support arms connected to the shield. The slip-on mounting base includes a body that defines a cavity and an opening. The body is configured to slip on the back portion of an item of outdoor furniture into the cavity through the opening. The body is stretchable and is configured to stretch to receive the back portion of different items of outdoor furniture with different sizes. The slip-on mounting base includes a plurality of receptacles attached to the body. Each receptacle includes an opening to receive a support arm of the sunshade. Each receptacle holds the corresponding support arm such that the shield, when unfolded, covers at least a portion of the back portion of the item of outdoor furniture.

A system for harvesting solar energy on a spacecraft includes a stiff substrate layer and a working layer disposed on the substrate layer to provide at least one of a photovoltaic or a reflective function. In a first operational state, the substrate layer is arranged as a tape spring to store potential energy which causes the substrate layer to uncoil and provide, in a second operational state, a photovoltaic module and/or a solar concentrator.