A system for a solar-powered protective car charging cover. The solar-powered car charging cover is designed to directly trickle charge electric cars by bypassing the internal charging power supply whilst also providing a protective barrier around the vehicle. This trickle charge provides enough power for charging cellular phones, powering lights, and other small electronics without further draining the battery and may even produce a net-positive charge to charge the vehicle's batteries. The barrier portion is a multi-layer cover with an adjustable-rigid air bladder layer sandwiched between an outer solar-panel layer and an inner vehicle paint protection layer. Zippered portions provide multiple configurations including using the solar-powered car charging cover without a vehicle for a make-shift tent with solar-powered charging ports. A power control box provides the means to connect external power sources to the solar-powered car charging cover.

A method and assembly for mounting a conduit on a mounting surface utilizing a conduit mounting assembly. The conduit mounting assembly includes a first clamp portion, a second clamp portion, a connecting screw and a conduit securement screw. The method includes providing the conduit mounting assembly, mounting the first clamp portion on a tile, mounting the second clamp portion opposite to the first clamp portion on the tile, connecting the first clamp portion with the second clamp portion utilizing the connecting screw and mounting the conduit on the second clamp portion utilizing the conduit securement screw and a conduit fastening member.

A method and assembly for mounting a conduit on a mounting surface utilizing a conduit mounting assembly. The conduit mounting assembly includes a first clamp portion, a second clamp portion, a connecting screw and a conduit securement screw. The method includes providing the conduit mounting assembly, mounting the first clamp portion on a tile, mounting the second clamp portion opposite to the first clamp portion on the tile, connecting the first clamp portion with the second clamp portion utilizing the connecting screw and mounting the conduit on the second clamp portion utilizing the conduit securement screw and a conduit fastening member.

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.

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.

A moldable photovoltaic module is provided. The module includes a flexible polymeric flex-circuit substrate having an electrically conductive printed wiring pattern and solder pads defined on it. Small photovoltaic cells are affixed to the flex-circuit substrate by back-surface contacts in electrical contact with the solder pads. At least one thermoformable polymeric film is joined to the flex-circuit substrate. Each said solder pad comprises a solder composition that, after an initial melt, has a melting point that lies above at least a portion of the temperature range for thermoforming the polymeric film.

A moldable photovoltaic module is provided. The module includes a flexible polymeric flex-circuit substrate having an electrically conductive printed wiring pattern and solder pads defined on it. Small photovoltaic cells are affixed to the flex-circuit substrate by back-surface contacts in electrical contact with the solder pads. At least one thermoformable polymeric film is joined to the flex-circuit substrate. Each said solder pad comprises a solder composition that, after an initial melt, has a melting point that lies above at least a portion of the temperature range for thermoforming the polymeric film.

A deployable/retractable structure, or a template thereof, is disclosed. The structure comprises a plurality of pleating folds among peaks and valleys, which extend away, retract towards, and/or rotate around a central hub. The folds, with extended continuous planar surfaces, can be configured to host objects, such as solar arrays. In a retracted configuration, solar arrays are protected and folded away, taking up much less space. Electricity generated via the arrays is coupled with signals to instruct the structure to transition among stages of retractions and/or deployments. This structural design enables the solar arrays to be positioned in many angles and facets, which makes it an overall non-flat unit, less dependent on the directions of sunlight. A smaller scaled down unit can be light, portable, and operated by hand. A larger scaled up unit can be stationed on the ground or atop existing charging stations, which affords easier access and maintenance.

A deployable/retractable structure, or a template thereof, is disclosed. The structure comprises a plurality of pleating folds among peaks and valleys, which extend away, retract towards, and/or rotate around a central hub. The folds, with extended continuous planar surfaces, can be configured to host objects, such as solar arrays. In a retracted configuration, solar arrays are protected and folded away, taking up much less space. Electricity generated via the arrays is coupled with signals to instruct the structure to transition among stages of retractions and/or deployments. This structural design enables the solar arrays to be positioned in many angles and facets, which makes it an overall non-flat unit, less dependent on the directions of sunlight. A smaller scaled down unit can be light, portable, and operated by hand. A larger scaled up unit can be stationed on the ground or atop existing charging stations, which affords easier access and maintenance.

A self-deployable array of panels includes a plurality of panels, each panel having a first compressed panel thickness state and a second expanded panel thickness state, and including a spring bias element biased to the second expanded panel thickness state. A plurality of locking hinges hingedly couple each of the panels to an adjoining panel. Each locking hinge is biased to an open position. A release of stored potential energy of both of the spring bias element biased to the second expanded panel thickness state, and the locking hinges biased to the open position causes the self-deployable array of panels to self-deploy from a folded stowed state. A single part offset locking hinge is also described.