Disclosed herein are improved methods for applying rapid mechanical loading to a photovoltaic module to better simulate the rapid displacements exhibited by photovoltaic modules under wind loading.

A strap object, preferably a strap watch provided with a photovoltaic cell. The photovoltaic cell is preferably arranged on a button and/or the crown of the watch. In another form of embodiment, the cell is arranged inside the housing, and the crown and/or the button is provided with a waveguide allowing the light to be transported to the cell. In another form of embodiment, a movement is provided with a photovoltaic cell.

A strap object, preferably a strap watch provided with a photovoltaic cell. The photovoltaic cell is preferably arranged on a button and/or the crown of the watch. In another form of embodiment, the cell is arranged inside the housing, and the crown and/or the button is provided with a waveguide allowing the light to be transported to the cell. In another form of embodiment, a movement is provided with a photovoltaic cell.

A method is provided that integrates an autonomous energy harvesting capacity in buildings in an aesthetically neutral manner. A unique set of structural features combine to implement a hidden energy harvesting system on a surface of the building to provide electrical power to the building, and/or to electrically-powered devices in the building. Color-matched, image-matched and/or texture-matched optical layers are formed over energy harvesting components, including photovoltaic energy collecting components. Optical layers are tuned to scatter selectable wavelengths of electromagnetic energy back in an incident direction while allowing remaining wavelengths of electromagnetic energy to pass through the layers to the energy collecting components below. The layers uniquely implement optical light scattering techniques to make the layers appear opaque when observed from a light incident side, while allowing at least 50%, and as much as 80+%, of the energy impinging on the energy or incident side to pass through the layer.

A method is provided that integrates an autonomous energy harvesting capacity in buildings in an aesthetically neutral manner. A unique set of structural features combine to implement a hidden energy harvesting system on a surface of the building to provide electrical power to the building, and/or to electrically-powered devices in the building. Color-matched, image-matched and/or texture-matched optical layers are formed over energy harvesting components, including photovoltaic energy collecting components. Optical layers are tuned to scatter selectable wavelengths of electromagnetic energy back in an incident direction while allowing remaining wavelengths of electromagnetic energy to pass through the layers to the energy collecting components below. The layers uniquely implement optical light scattering techniques to make the layers appear opaque when observed from a light incident side, while allowing at least 50%, and as much as 80+%, of the energy impinging on the energy or incident side to pass through the layer.

A photovoltaic module includes an encapsulated photovoltaic element and an infrared-transmissive decorative overlay simulating conventional roofing.

A photovoltaic module includes an encapsulated photovoltaic element and an infrared-transmissive decorative overlay simulating conventional roofing.

The present disclosure provides device for generating electric energy. The device comprises a panel for receiving incident light, The panel is at least partially transmissive for visible light and has first and second surfaces and having a peripheral region comprising at least one edge and/or corner. The panel is arranged such that a portion of light incident on the panel is redirected within the panel towards the peripheral region of the panel. The device further comprises a flexible photovoltaic element that has first and second portions separated by a bend. The bend is located adjacent the edge or corner of the panel whereby the first and second portions of the flexible photovoltaic element are disposed with different orientations within the device.

The present disclosure provides device for generating electric energy. The device comprises a panel for receiving incident light, The panel is at least partially transmissive for visible light and has first and second surfaces and having a peripheral region comprising at least one edge and/or corner. The panel is arranged such that a portion of light incident on the panel is redirected within the panel towards the peripheral region of the panel. The device further comprises a flexible photovoltaic element that has first and second portions separated by a bend. The bend is located adjacent the edge or corner of the panel whereby the first and second portions of the flexible photovoltaic element are disposed with different orientations within the device.

Treatments are provided to strengthen adhesion of an optical filter layer in a photovoltaic (PV) module to an encapsulant layer, or generally, between inorganic materials and organic polymers. The embodiments disclosed herein can provide five or more times the adhesive forces of untreated encapsulant-filter interfaces. As a result, the system can enhance long-term reliability of PV modules by reducing interface surface charges and dangling bonds and reducing gaps and cracks, thereby preventing moisture, impurities, and particles from entering the interface. The treated optical filter layer can result in a surface modification. In some embodiments, treating the optical filter layer includes applying a chemical treatment such as an acid or alkaline wash, and/or ultrasonic cleaning.