Disclosed herein are methods, devices, and systems for providing electric vehicle (EV) group charging events. According to one embodiment, an apparatus includes a plurality of electric vehicle (EV) chargers configured to be coupled with an energy source, and a computing device coupled with the plurality of EV chargers. In another embodiment, a method receiving a scheduling availability for the apparatus, receiving user data associated with a plurality of EV users, and determining a first EV user of the plurality of EV users to invite to an EV group charging event based on the user data, and transmitting an invitation for the EV group charging event to a user device associated with the first EV user.

The present disclosure is directed to an energy management system that allows leveraging DC energy at user premises. The system allows for use of local or remote DC energy generated by photovoltaic modules or a battery pack. The system comprises a premises electricity network interface arranged to deliver and draw energy to and from a premises electricity network; a premises energy measurement module arranged to measure the amount of energy required by the premises electricity network; a DC energy input arranged to receive energy from one or more DC energy sources; and an energy analytics module arranged to receive data from the energy measurement module and, based on the received data, calculate an amount of energy to be delivered to the premises electricity network via the premises electricity network interface.

The present disclosure is directed to an energy management system that allows leveraging DC energy at user premises. The system allows for use of local or remote DC energy generated by photovoltaic modules or a battery pack. The system comprises a premises electricity network interface arranged to deliver and draw energy to and from a premises electricity network; a premises energy measurement module arranged to measure the amount of energy required by the premises electricity network; a DC energy input arranged to receive energy from one or more DC energy sources; and an energy analytics module arranged to receive data from the energy measurement module and, based on the received data, calculate an amount of energy to be delivered to the premises electricity network via the premises electricity network interface.

A solar powered smart window includes a light diffuser configured to convert an incident direct solar radiation to a diffusive light toward interior direction, a light diffuser positioner, a driving mechanism, a solar panel, and a control unit. The control unit moved the light diffuser from a predetermined opened position to a closed position and to hold the light diffuser at the closed position with latch mechanism, when the output power of the solar panel exceeds a threshold for over a duration time. The controller releases the latch mechanism and to cause the light diffuser to return to the predetermined opened position when the output power lowers below threshold for over the duration time. A method includes storing a predetermined condition, monitoring the output power, comparing the output power with the predetermined conditions, making decision whether a positional transition is necessary, and causing the transitional transition or maintaining current position.

A solar powered smart window includes a light diffuser configured to convert an incident direct solar radiation to a diffusive light toward interior direction, a light diffuser positioner, a driving mechanism, a solar panel, and a control unit. The control unit moved the light diffuser from a predetermined opened position to a closed position and to hold the light diffuser at the closed position with latch mechanism, when the output power of the solar panel exceeds a threshold for over a duration time. The controller releases the latch mechanism and to cause the light diffuser to return to the predetermined opened position when the output power lowers below threshold for over the duration time. A method includes storing a predetermined condition, monitoring the output power, comparing the output power with the predetermined conditions, making decision whether a positional transition is necessary, and causing the transitional transition or maintaining current position.

A solar module mounting bracket system including a plurality of solar modules including mounting slots formed in a sidewall of the solar module, a torque tube configured to support the solar modules such that they can be rotated, a plurality of mounting brackets configured for integration with the torque tube and to which the plurality of solar modules are mounted, at least one first retainer assembly connected to one of the plurality of mounting brackets, the first retainer assembly including a through bolt, a spring, a mounting tab, and nut. When a solar module is placed on the mounting bracket and supported by the torque tube the mounting tab retainer assembly is received in the mounting slot of the solar module.

The present disclosure relates to apparatus and methods for generating solar power. In some examples, a solar unit can have multiple solar panels (and one or more non-solar panels), a set of hinges, and air driven cooling. The unit can be configured to couple the plurality of panels to one another in a geometric shape. In an example, a set of hinges can include at least one rotatable hinge that can be coupled to at least one respective rotatable solar panel of the plurality of solar panels.

The present disclosure relates to apparatus and methods for generating solar power. In some examples, a solar unit can have multiple solar panels (and one or more non-solar panels), a set of hinges, and air driven cooling. The unit can be configured to couple the plurality of panels to one another in a geometric shape. In an example, a set of hinges can include at least one rotatable hinge that can be coupled to at least one respective rotatable solar panel of the plurality of solar panels.

Shade house for casting an adjustable shadow over a surface, the shade house including: at least one frame extending in a longitudinal direction; a first set of photovoltaic panels mounted on the frame substantially orthogonally to a same orientation axis; a second set of opaque panels, for preference photovoltaic, mounted on the frame and movable in longitudinal translation relative to the frame at least between an open configuration, in which the panels are at least partially superposed over the panels in a view along the orientation axis, and a closed configuration, in which the panels at least partially extend beyond the panels in a view along the orientation axis; and an actuation system configured to actuate the second set at least from the open configuration to the closed configuration, and vice versa, the actuation system including pulleys mounted on the frame.

Shade house for casting an adjustable shadow over a surface, the shade house including: at least one frame extending in a longitudinal direction; a first set of photovoltaic panels mounted on the frame substantially orthogonally to a same orientation axis; a second set of opaque panels, for preference photovoltaic, mounted on the frame and movable in longitudinal translation relative to the frame at least between an open configuration, in which the panels are at least partially superposed over the panels in a view along the orientation axis, and a closed configuration, in which the panels at least partially extend beyond the panels in a view along the orientation axis; and an actuation system configured to actuate the second set at least from the open configuration to the closed configuration, and vice versa, the actuation system including pulleys mounted on the frame.