A system configured to efficiently generate electricity from the Sun without occupying a large area of land can include at least one distribution center and at least two solar panels. Each solar panel can include a first side having a plurality of photovoltaic cells configured to sense sunlight. The first side of each of the at least two solar panels facing the at least one distribution center such that the at least one distribution center is located between the at least two solar panels.

A solar energy harvesting assembly having a unique attachment that can be arranged, mounted, moved and attached to new or existing structures. Solar rings are mounted on any vertical structure that may benefit from solar power using an aesthetically pleasing design that is resistant to wind load. The assembly does not require the need for pitch, azimuth or bearing measurements. The assembly is also capable of energy harvesting from reflected light below with the use of bifacial photovoltaic panels. The mounting design allows the solar energy harvest device to be installed on any vertical structure, including light poles, power poles, parking structures and other minimal load bearing structures. Further, the assembly can be attached to water towers, existing radio towers (guyed, monopole, stealth, self-supporting towers) all used to create vast amounts of unshaded vertical space for solar energy harvesting.

A retention apparatus, system and method of attaching items, panels or other devices to a rail formed in longitudinal lengths configured with a cross-sectional profile having multiple cooperating structures between the rail and a channel nut including a recess formed between a tooth and shelf on an interior first channel portion of the rail and a flange of the channel nut, between an anchor latch of the rail and hook flange on the channel nut, and cooperating forces and movement of the biasing element secured to the channel nut.

A retention apparatus, system and method of attaching items, panels or other devices to a rail formed in longitudinal lengths configured with a cross-sectional profile having multiple cooperating structures between the rail and a channel nut including a recess formed between a tooth and shelf on an interior first channel portion of the rail and a flange of the channel nut, between an anchor latch of the rail and hook flange on the channel nut, and cooperating forces and movement of the biasing element secured to the channel nut.

A lightning strike alarm system using a Bipolar Conventional Air Terminal comprises a sensor electrically connected to a rod element electrified by a ground charge and an electrification plate-cone or an electrification plate-tube electrified by a thunderstorm cloud, and configured to measure electric energy induced in the electrification plate-cone or the electrification plate-tube; and a controller configured to determine that the thunderstorm cloud has approached when the electrical energy is greater than a reference energy; and an alarm device configured to output an alarm signal, based on a result of determining that the thunderstorm cloud has approached, wherein the sensor comprises: a luminescence unit, including a voltage stabilizer preventing induction of a high voltage due to the thunderstorm cloud, configured to emit light by the electric energy; and a light receiver configured to receive the light, convert the light to electric energy, and transfer the electric energy to the controller.

A lightning strike alarm system using a Bipolar Conventional Air Terminal comprises a sensor electrically connected to a rod element electrified by a ground charge and an electrification plate-cone or an electrification plate-tube electrified by a thunderstorm cloud, and configured to measure electric energy induced in the electrification plate-cone or the electrification plate-tube; and a controller configured to determine that the thunderstorm cloud has approached when the electrical energy is greater than a reference energy; and an alarm device configured to output an alarm signal, based on a result of determining that the thunderstorm cloud has approached, wherein the sensor comprises: a luminescence unit, including a voltage stabilizer preventing induction of a high voltage due to the thunderstorm cloud, configured to emit light by the electric energy; and a light receiver configured to receive the light, convert the light to electric energy, and transfer the electric energy to the controller.

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. A solar panel assembly support structure is coupled to the solar panel assembly. One or more components of the support structure are manufactured by cold rolling. 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.

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. A solar panel assembly support structure is coupled to the solar panel assembly. One or more components of the support structure are manufactured by cold rolling. 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.

A barrage with a function of collecting floating garbage on a water surface is provided. It includes a first dam body as a main body of the barrage provided with multiple built-in low water level drainage channels and high water level drainage channels, a second dam body provided with multiple notches for converging floating garbage on the water surface, a garbage collecting and storing equipment arranged between the first dam body and the second dam body and a solar power generating equipment. The garbage collecting and storing equipment maintains running of the garbage conveyor belt by utilizing electric energy provided by the solar power generating equipment, thereby collecting garbage in a garbage pool beside the barrage. It not only has conventional functions of the barrage, but also greatly saves cost of manually salvaging garbage and avoids water pollution caused by accumulation of garbage on the river surface.

A retention apparatus, system and method is useful for attaching items, panels or other devices to a rail formed in longitudinal lengths and configured with a cross-sectional profile having multiple cooperating structures between the rail and a channel nut including a recess formed between a tooth and shelf on an interior first channel portion of the rail and a flange of the channel nut, between an anchor latch of the rail and hook flange on the channel nut, and cooperating forces and movement of the biasing element secured to the channel nut.