An energy harvesting vehicle includes a plurality of vehicular panels, and an energy canopy. The energy canopy is connected to at least two of the plurality of vehicular panels configured for generating electrical energy. The energy canopy includes a predetermined number of surfaces configured for receiving incident light, the incident light being received for a plurality of time durations. At least one of the predetermined number of surfaces includes a solar unit configured for harvesting the incident light. A predetermined number of solar units are positioned on a portion of the predetermined number of surfaces. The predetermined number of surfaces are connected in one of a series connection and a parallel connection with each other. The one of the series connection and the parallel connection between the predetermined number of surfaces are configured for improving an energy conversion efficiency of the energy canopy, through enhanced harvesting of the incident light.

An energy harvesting vehicle includes a plurality of vehicular panels, and an energy canopy. The energy canopy is connected to at least two of the plurality of vehicular panels configured for generating electrical energy. The energy canopy includes a predetermined number of surfaces configured for receiving incident light, the incident light being received for a plurality of time durations. At least one of the predetermined number of surfaces includes a solar unit configured for harvesting the incident light. A predetermined number of solar units are positioned on a portion of the predetermined number of surfaces. The predetermined number of surfaces are connected in one of a series connection and a parallel connection with each other. The one of the series connection and the parallel connection between the predetermined number of surfaces are configured for improving an energy conversion efficiency of the energy canopy, through enhanced harvesting of the incident light.

A method may include positioning one or more PV module mounting devices along a length of a structural component. The method may include specifying one or more parameters related to fastening the PV module mounting devices to the structural component, the one or more parameters indicating a spacing between the PV module mounting devices. The method may include fastening, by an automated attachment equipment, the PV module mounting devices to the structural component based on the specified parameters and moving the PV module mounting devices fastened to the structural component to an assembly platform.

A method may include positioning one or more PV module mounting devices along a length of a structural component. The method may include specifying one or more parameters related to fastening the PV module mounting devices to the structural component, the one or more parameters indicating a spacing between the PV module mounting devices. The method may include fastening, by an automated attachment equipment, the PV module mounting devices to the structural component based on the specified parameters and moving the PV module mounting devices fastened to the structural component to an assembly platform.

Systems and methods for providing and controlling solar panel arrays are provided. The solar panel array may include one or more articulating joints that may provide variability in the arrangement of solar panels, which may allow the solar panel array to be distributed over varying types of underlying surfaces. The articulating joints may allow orientations of solar panels to be different relative to one another. The articulating joints may convey rotational force across the joints, so that a rotational force used to drive a first solar panel may also be conveyed across the joint and used to drive a second solar panel. The controls system may include row-specific semi-autonomous, or autonomous, controllers as well as controllers to interface with multiple rows. The controllers may include sensors to measure system power generation and basic operations aspects of the solar field to directly measure, or infer, module shading within the solar field. The controller may use this shading and operations data to identify shading, mitigate shading, identify methods to increase power generation, and identify optimum tilt angles for the tracker rows.

Systems and methods for providing and controlling solar panel arrays are provided. The solar panel array may include one or more articulating joints that may provide variability in the arrangement of solar panels, which may allow the solar panel array to be distributed over varying types of underlying surfaces. The articulating joints may allow orientations of solar panels to be different relative to one another. The articulating joints may convey rotational force across the joints, so that a rotational force used to drive a first solar panel may also be conveyed across the joint and used to drive a second solar panel. The controls system may include row-specific semi-autonomous, or autonomous, controllers as well as controllers to interface with multiple rows. The controllers may include sensors to measure system power generation and basic operations aspects of the solar field to directly measure, or infer, module shading within the solar field. The controller may use this shading and operations data to identify shading, mitigate shading, identify methods to increase power generation, and identify optimum tilt angles for the tracker rows.

Method of installation of a PV array with planar PV modules of square/rectangular configuration, each module defining square/rectangular edge and comprising a pair of parallel end and side edges, the modules being connected along adjacent end edges and foldable relative to each other about the connected end edges between a closed condition and an open condition, whereby in the closed condition, the modules are stacked together on a movable carriage on which the modules can be transported, the modules comprising a leading module, a trailing module and two or more intermediate modules, and in the open condition, the modules are laterally displaced from the closed condition about the end edge connections to collect electromagnetic radiation, the method including securing the leading module and moving the carriage relative to the leading module so that the carriage moves away from the leading module, allowing the PV array to unfold from the carriage.

Method of installation of a PV array with planar PV modules of square/rectangular configuration, each module defining square/rectangular edge and comprising a pair of parallel end and side edges, the modules being connected along adjacent end edges and foldable relative to each other about the connected end edges between a closed condition and an open condition, whereby in the closed condition, the modules are stacked together on a movable carriage on which the modules can be transported, the modules comprising a leading module, a trailing module and two or more intermediate modules, and in the open condition, the modules are laterally displaced from the closed condition about the end edge connections to collect electromagnetic radiation, the method including securing the leading module and moving the carriage relative to the leading module so that the carriage moves away from the leading module, allowing the PV array to unfold from the carriage.

A solar panel is electrically coupled to a battery and configured to convert solar energy to electricity to charge the battery. A heating element is electrically coupled to the battery. A thermal sensor is configured to detect an ambient temperature. The thermal sensor is configured to produce a temperature stream indicative of the detected ambient temperature. A humidity sensor is configured to detect an ambient humidity. The humidity sensor is configured to produce a humidity stream indicative of the detected ambient humidity. A controller is electrically couple to the thermal sensor the humidity sensor, and the heating element. The controller is configured to receive a profile that includes an initial designated duration and an initial temperature needed for a designated machine, and produce a current for the heating element to heat the designated machine for the designated duration and temperature.

A solar-powered portable housing for a tool is also disclosed herein. The solar-powered portable housing for a tool can comprise a battery, one or more solar panels, a plug, a top enclosure, a bottom enclosure, a first slideable wall, and a first solar panel. The solar panels can be connectable to the battery. The solar panels can provide power source to the battery. The plug can allow the battery be charged through an electric power source. The top enclosure can be capable of housing a tool. The bottom enclosure can be capable of housing the battery. The battery can be capable of providing power to the tool. The first slideable wall can be mounted to one side of the housing. The first solar panel can be mounted to the first slideable wall.