Deployable solar panels are disclosed. In some embodiments, the deployable solar panel includes an extendable member comprising a composite material and having a length and a width; a plurality of hinges, each of the plurality of hinges extending across the width of the extendable member, the plurality of hinges comprising composite material and a shape memory polymer; and a plurality of solar panels coupled with the extendable member. In some embodiments, the deployable solar panel includes a lenticular shape extending along the length of the extendable member.

Deployable solar panels are disclosed. In some embodiments, the deployable solar panel includes an extendable member comprising a composite material and having a length and a width; a plurality of hinges, each of the plurality of hinges extending across the width of the extendable member, the plurality of hinges comprising composite material and a shape memory polymer; and a plurality of solar panels coupled with the extendable member. In some embodiments, the deployable solar panel includes a lenticular shape extending along the length of the extendable member.

A building construction surface element includes a PV-panel and, spaced therefrom, a building construction element including a mounting plate spaced from and facing the backside of the PV-panel and a thermal insulation plate. Spacers define for an interspace between the backside of PV module and the topside of the mounting plate. Building construction surface elements are used to finish building surfaces. As such building surfaces may possibly not be covered by an integer number of the building construction surface elements, dummy building construction surface elements may be provided which do not have a PV module, but whereon a more easily tailorable PV module fake is applied. By combining building construction surface elements with appropriately tailored dummies the building construction surface may be completely covered, thereby providing for a homogeneous optical appearance.

A building construction surface element includes a PV-panel and, spaced therefrom, a building construction element including a mounting plate spaced from and facing the backside of the PV-panel and a thermal insulation plate. Spacers define for an interspace between the backside of PV module and the topside of the mounting plate. Building construction surface elements are used to finish building surfaces. As such building surfaces may possibly not be covered by an integer number of the building construction surface elements, dummy building construction surface elements may be provided which do not have a PV module, but whereon a more easily tailorable PV module fake is applied. By combining building construction surface elements with appropriately tailored dummies the building construction surface may be completely covered, thereby providing for a homogeneous optical appearance.

A near-field ThermoPhotoVoltaic system comprises a hot emitter and a cold absorbing PhotoVoltaic cell separated by a small gap. The emitter emits hot photons and includes a polaritonic material that supports a surface-polaritonic mode. The PhotoVoltaic cell has a metallic back electrode and includes a semiconductor that absorbs the photons and supports guided photonic modes. The surface-polaritonic mode and the first guided photonic mode resonantly couple at a frequency slightly above the semiconductor bandgap. The system material and geometrical parameters are such that the surface-polaritonic mode and the first guided photonic mode are approximately impedance-matched, so that power is transmitted at frequencies just above the semiconductor bandgap, even for relatively large gap widths, while the power transmitted at other frequencies is relatively small, leading to high system efficiency. Also described the PhotoVoltaic cell's front electrode, which may include highly-doped semiconductor regions, thin conducting oxide or silver films, or graphene layers.

A near-field ThermoPhotoVoltaic system comprises a hot emitter and a cold absorbing PhotoVoltaic cell separated by a small gap. The emitter emits hot photons and includes a polaritonic material that supports a surface-polaritonic mode. The PhotoVoltaic cell has a metallic back electrode and includes a semiconductor that absorbs the photons and supports guided photonic modes. The surface-polaritonic mode and the first guided photonic mode resonantly couple at a frequency slightly above the semiconductor bandgap. The system material and geometrical parameters are such that the surface-polaritonic mode and the first guided photonic mode are approximately impedance-matched, so that power is transmitted at frequencies just above the semiconductor bandgap, even for relatively large gap widths, while the power transmitted at other frequencies is relatively small, leading to high system efficiency. Also described the PhotoVoltaic cell's front electrode, which may include highly-doped semiconductor regions, thin conducting oxide or silver films, or graphene layers.

Photovoltaic (PV) assemblies and modules for converting solar radiation to electrical energy are disclosed. A PV module comprises a plurality of PV or solar cells for generating DC power. In some embodiments, the plurality of solar cells are encapsulated within a PV laminate. A PV assembly comprises an electronic component assembly coupled to the PV module. The electronic component assembly comprises an enclosure defining an interior region and a power conditioning circuit within the interior region of the enclosure. The power conditioning circuit comprises at least one electronic component for conditioning power generated by the plurality of solar cells. The electronic component assembly comprises a first electrical conduit for inputting direct current (DC) generated by the plurality of solar cells to the power conditioning circuit. The electronic component assembly further comprises a second electrical conduit for outputting conditioned power from the power conditioning circuit. Additionally, the electronic component assembly comprises a humidity control circuit within the enclosure for performing a dehumidification operation. The humidity control circuit comprises a first heating component and regulates a moisture or humidity level within the interior region of the enclosure.

Photovoltaic (PV) assemblies and modules for converting solar radiation to electrical energy are disclosed. A PV module comprises a plurality of PV or solar cells for generating DC power. In some embodiments, the plurality of solar cells are encapsulated within a PV laminate. A PV assembly comprises an electronic component assembly coupled to the PV module. The electronic component assembly comprises an enclosure defining an interior region and a power conditioning circuit within the interior region of the enclosure. The power conditioning circuit comprises at least one electronic component for conditioning power generated by the plurality of solar cells. The electronic component assembly comprises a first electrical conduit for inputting direct current (DC) generated by the plurality of solar cells to the power conditioning circuit. The electronic component assembly further comprises a second electrical conduit for outputting conditioned power from the power conditioning circuit. Additionally, the electronic component assembly comprises a humidity control circuit within the enclosure for performing a dehumidification operation. The humidity control circuit comprises a first heating component and regulates a moisture or humidity level within the interior region of the enclosure.

A photovoltaic inverter and a temperature detection apparatus. The photovoltaic inverter includes a plurality of photovoltaic terminals, a converter, a printed circuit board (PCB), a temperature detection circuit, and a controller. The plurality of photovoltaic terminals are correspondingly connected to a plurality of photovoltaic modules. The PCB includes an electrically conductive layer and at least one thermally conductive insulation layer. One end of each photovoltaic terminal is soldered on the PCB, and the other end is connected to a corresponding photovoltaic module in a thermally conductive manner. The electrically conductive layer transmits electric energy generated by the plurality of photovoltaic modules to the converter. Each thermally conductive insulation layer conducts heat generated by at least one photovoltaic terminal. The temperature detection circuit detects a temperature of each thermally conductive insulation layer.

A photovoltaic inverter and a temperature detection apparatus. The photovoltaic inverter includes a plurality of photovoltaic terminals, a converter, a printed circuit board (PCB), a temperature detection circuit, and a controller. The plurality of photovoltaic terminals are correspondingly connected to a plurality of photovoltaic modules. The PCB includes an electrically conductive layer and at least one thermally conductive insulation layer. One end of each photovoltaic terminal is soldered on the PCB, and the other end is connected to a corresponding photovoltaic module in a thermally conductive manner. The electrically conductive layer transmits electric energy generated by the plurality of photovoltaic modules to the converter. Each thermally conductive insulation layer conducts heat generated by at least one photovoltaic terminal. The temperature detection circuit detects a temperature of each thermally conductive insulation layer.