A photovoltaic (PV) system can include a plurality of PV modules and circuitry configured to receive an indication of a status of the PV system and to, in response to the indication, determine whether to switch between a first state in which the PV modules output DC power and a second state in which the PV modules do not output power.

The present disclosure provides a broadband dual-polarized solar cell antenna and an antenna array. The broadband dual-polarized solar cell antenna includes an antenna dipole layer, an isolation layer, a solar cell layer, and a ground that are arranged sequentially from top to bottom, where the antenna dipole layer is connected to the ground and a radio frequency (RF) coaxial connector through a metal feeding probe structure, the solar cell layer is placed on the ground, the isolation layer is located between the antenna dipole layer and the solar cell layer, and the isolation layer is made of a transparent material. The present disclosure is small in sunlight shielding and high in transparency, and has a broadband dual-polarized wide-angle scanning capability, which ensures performance of the antenna and power generation efficiency of the solar cell, and is highly applicable in engineering.

An image/video capture apparatus is provided, to capture image data of a photovoltaic panel (101) and surroundings, and a controller (502) recognizes a category corresponding to the image data, and generates different instructions to control rotation of a photovoltaic tracker (102), to remove dust or snow accumulating on the photovoltaic panel (101). This does not need continuous heating, but is simple and efficient, saves electric energy, and resolves a technical problem that a conventional snow removal method of heating has low efficiency and wastes electric energy. In addition, a corresponding controller (1200) is further provided.

An image/video capture apparatus is provided, to capture image data of a photovoltaic panel (101) and surroundings, and a controller (502) recognizes a category corresponding to the image data, and generates different instructions to control rotation of a photovoltaic tracker (102), to remove dust or snow accumulating on the photovoltaic panel (101). This does not need continuous heating, but is simple and efficient, saves electric energy, and resolves a technical problem that a conventional snow removal method of heating has low efficiency and wastes electric energy. In addition, a corresponding controller (1200) is further provided.

A method for testing a photovoltaic panel connected to an electronic module. The electronic module includes an input attached to the photovoltaic panel and a power output. The method activates a bypass to the electronic module. The bypass provides a low impedance path between the input and the output of the electronic module. A current is injected into the electronic module thereby compensating for the presence of the electronic module during the testing. The current may be previously determined by measuring a circuit parameter of the electronic module. The circuit parameter may be impedance, inductance, resistance or capacitance.

Solar tracker systems include a torque tube, a solar panel attached to the torque tube, and a damper assembly. The damper assembly includes an outer shell, a first chamber wall and a second chamber wall within the outer shell at least partially defining a chamber, and a piston to direct fluid through the chamber. A valve is within the chamber that includes a first axial end, a second axial end, and a seal positioned on the first axial end. The damper assembly further includes a biasing assembly that biases the valve into a first position within the chamber in which the seal is spaced from the first chamber wall. The valve is moveable within the chamber from the first position to a second position in which the seal contacts and seals against the first chamber wall to prevent the flow of fluid through the chamber.

A control arrangement for use in controlling the electrical supply from a power supply unit including an internal capacitance. The control arrangement includes first and second magnetically linked inductors arranged in series with one another and defining a connection therebetween. Third and fourth magnetically linked inductors are each connected to the connection between the first and second inductors. A switch means provides switched connections between the third and fourth inductors and ground, and a controller is operable to control the operation of the switch means such that closing of a switch of the switch means results in the formation of an LCR circuit. The internal capacitance forms the capacitance of the LCR circuit and the third or fourth inductor form the inductance of the LCR circuit. The magnetic link between the third and fourth inductors allow an output to be generated from the other of the third and fourth inductors.

A control arrangement for use in controlling the electrical supply from a power supply unit including an internal capacitance. The control arrangement includes first and second magnetically linked inductors arranged in series with one another and defining a connection therebetween. Third and fourth magnetically linked inductors are each connected to the connection between the first and second inductors. A switch means provides switched connections between the third and fourth inductors and ground, and a controller is operable to control the operation of the switch means such that closing of a switch of the switch means results in the formation of an LCR circuit. The internal capacitance forms the capacitance of the LCR circuit and the third or fourth inductor form the inductance of the LCR circuit. The magnetic link between the third and fourth inductors allow an output to be generated from the other of the third and fourth inductors.

A power line interface is electrically connectable to a direct-current power system including a power line. A voltage sensor measures a first voltage value of direct current flowing through a power line. A bidirectional DC-DC convertor circuit is electrically connected to the power line interface. A controller receives the first voltage value measured by the voltage sensor and a power charge or discharge command value indicating an amount of power to charge the battery or an amount of power to be discharged from the battery, and controls the bidirectional DC-DC converter circuit based on the first voltage value and the power charge or discharge command value. The bidirectional DC-DC convertor circuit controls the first voltage value to approximate to a prescribed voltage value, and a current value of a direct current flowing between the bidirectional DC-DC converter circuit and the power line to approximate to a prescribed current value.

Cable clips for supporting one or more cables or wires that can be quickly and releasably affixed to metal structures for wire management purposes are provided. The cable clips include a cable holding portion and a plurality of attachment members used to quickly and releasably affixed to the cable clip to metal structures. The cable holding portion and plurality of attachment members are made of an environmentally durable material.