A photovoltaic module includes a first protective element, a second protective element, photovoltaic cells that are located between the first protective element and the second protective element, an envelope in which the photovoltaic cells are encapsulated. The envelope links the first protective element to the second protective element and includes a first portion that is located between the photovoltaic cells and the first protective element, and a second portion that is located between the photovoltaic cells and the second protective element. The disassembly method includes separating the photovoltaic cells with respect to the first protective element and cutting the first portion of the envelope by an abrasive wire.

The present invention provides a photovoltaic module for paving surfaces that supports pedestrians and vehicles, comprising one or more photovoltaic cells interconnected in serial or in parallel and placed in the same plane including: an upper protective layer that is non-opaque and is seamlessly adhered to both the photovoltaic cells and another protective mounting layer that is and is seamlessly adhered from the bottom and sides. A further binding layer underneath the second protective layer, an anti-skid layer seamlessly adhered at the very top to the entire structure with irregular textures of various granularities, and a baseplate seamlessly adhered from the very bottom to the entire structure allow a glutinous material to be applied when paving a road surface with the disclosed modules.

A non-acoustic measurement unit is provided to be integrated into an all-optical acoustic antenna, the non-acoustic measurement unit including a portion of an optical fiber, termed non-acoustic, intended to convey non-acoustic measurements, at least one non-acoustic sensor with electrical output able to deliver at least one electrical signal representative of at least one physical quantity, and a passive electro-optical transducer subjected to the electrical signal, the passive electro-optical transducer acting on a mechanical constraint undergone by a first sensitive zone of the optical fiber portion, in such a way that a value of a measurable property of a first optical signal conveyed by the non-acoustic optical fiber is representative of the electrical signal, and at least one photovoltaic cell coupled electrically to the non-acoustic sensor so as to electrically supply the sensor.

A non-acoustic measurement unit is provided to be integrated into an all-optical acoustic antenna, the non-acoustic measurement unit including a portion of an optical fiber, termed non-acoustic, intended to convey non-acoustic measurements, at least one non-acoustic sensor with electrical output able to deliver at least one electrical signal representative of at least one physical quantity, and a passive electro-optical transducer subjected to the electrical signal, the passive electro-optical transducer acting on a mechanical constraint undergone by a first sensitive zone of the optical fiber portion, in such a way that a value of a measurable property of a first optical signal conveyed by the non-acoustic optical fiber is representative of the electrical signal, and at least one photovoltaic cell coupled electrically to the non-acoustic sensor so as to electrically supply the sensor.

A light collection and photovoltaic member combination assembly includes a plate is comprised of a transparent material. The plate has a front side, a back side, and a peripheral edge, wherein the peripheral edge includes an upper edge and a lower edge. A photovoltaic material is positioned against each of the front and back sides. The photovoltaic material is spaced from the upper edge on each of the front and back sides to define a free portion of the plate extending from the photovoltaic material to the upper edge. The free portion is configured to receive light and direct the light to the photovoltaic material.

A method for controlling the orientation of a single-axis solar tracker orientable about an axis of rotation, the method repetitively completing successive control phases, where each control phase implements the following successive steps: observing the cloud coverage above the solar tracker; comparing the observed cloud coverage with cloud coverage models stored in a database, each cloud coverage model being associated to an orientation setpoint value of the solar tracker; matching the observed cloud coverage with a cloud coverage model; servo-controlling the orientation of the solar tracker by applying the orientation setpoint value associated to said cloud coverage model retained during step c).

A method for controlling the orientation of a single-axis solar tracker orientable about an axis of rotation, the method repetitively completing successive control phases, where each control phase implements the following successive steps: observing the cloud coverage above the solar tracker; comparing the observed cloud coverage with cloud coverage models stored in a database, each cloud coverage model being associated to an orientation setpoint value of the solar tracker; matching the observed cloud coverage with a cloud coverage model; servo-controlling the orientation of the solar tracker by applying the orientation setpoint value associated to said cloud coverage model retained during step c).

An electromagnetic energy receiving device includes an energy conversion component and an opto-mechanical coupling. The opto-mechanical coupling is arranged to receive a fiber-based conduit. The energy conversion component includes at least one internal surface having an arced profile of radius R, and the internal surface has a plurality of photovoltaic (PV) assemblies arranged thereon such that each one of the plurality of PV assemblies is shingled upon at least one adjacent PV assembly.

An electromagnetic energy receiving device includes an energy conversion component and an opto-mechanical coupling. The opto-mechanical coupling is arranged to receive a fiber-based conduit. The energy conversion component includes at least one internal surface having an arced profile of radius R, and the internal surface has a plurality of photovoltaic (PV) assemblies arranged thereon such that each one of the plurality of PV assemblies is shingled upon at least one adjacent PV assembly.

A light box is designed to receive sunlight guided through optical-fibers and to divert it through optics onto a photovoltaic chip which converts sunlight into electrical energy. The optics can be arranged as a prism or a reflective surface. The chip is not integrated with the light box.