A solar collection device is provided having a solar panel, a frame, a back panel, and a heat source. The frame is affixed to a rear surface of the solar panel. The back panel is affixed to a rear surface of the frame providing at least one air chamber between the solar panel, the frame, and the back panel. The heat source communicates with the chamber operative to heat the solar panel to melt ice from the solar panel. A method for heating a solar panel is also provided.

A reconfigurable solar array has a plurality of photovoltaic cells and an interconnect circuit including a plurality of switches for interconnecting the photovoltaic cells. A thermostatic feedback control circuit in communication with a temperature sensor is configured to produce a temperature signal that is proportional to a temperature of the photovoltaic cells. The thermostatic feedback control circuit is configured to cause at least one of the switches to change state at a preset temperature that is independent of supply voltage. When the temperature is above the preset temperature, the photovoltaic cells are arranged in a plurality of strings connected in parallel. When the temperature is at or below the preset temperature, at least one photovoltaic cell in each string is disconnected from a respective string and reconnected in series to each other to form a new string connected in parallel to the other strings.

A reconfigurable solar array has a plurality of photovoltaic cells and an interconnect circuit including a plurality of switches for interconnecting the photovoltaic cells. A thermostatic feedback control circuit in communication with a temperature sensor is configured to produce a temperature signal that is proportional to a temperature of the photovoltaic cells. The thermostatic feedback control circuit is configured to cause at least one of the switches to change state at a preset temperature that is independent of supply voltage. When the temperature is above the preset temperature, the photovoltaic cells are arranged in a plurality of strings connected in parallel. When the temperature is at or below the preset temperature, at least one photovoltaic cell in each string is disconnected from a respective string and reconnected in series to each other to form a new string connected in parallel to the other strings.

A heated solar panel device includes a housing which has a planar attachment surface attached to a roof of a building and a plurality of solar panels is each mounted in the housing. A heating unit is positioned in the housing thereby facilitating the heating unit to heat each of the plurality of solar panels to melt snow and ice that collects on the plurality of solar panels thereby ensuring proper functioning of the plurality of solar panels. A control unit is positioned in the housing and the control unit actuates the heating unit when the control unit senses a temperature that is below a trigger temperature. A rechargeable battery is in communication with the control unit such that the rechargeable battery is charged by the plurality of solar panels. Additionally, the rechargeable battery is in communication with the heating unit for supplying electrical power to the heating unit.

A heated solar panel device includes a housing which has a planar attachment surface attached to a roof of a building and a plurality of solar panels is each mounted in the housing. A heating unit is positioned in the housing thereby facilitating the heating unit to heat each of the plurality of solar panels to melt snow and ice that collects on the plurality of solar panels thereby ensuring proper functioning of the plurality of solar panels. A control unit is positioned in the housing and the control unit actuates the heating unit when the control unit senses a temperature that is below a trigger temperature. A rechargeable battery is in communication with the control unit such that the rechargeable battery is charged by the plurality of solar panels. Additionally, the rechargeable battery is in communication with the heating unit for supplying electrical power to the heating unit.

A heated solar panel device includes a housing which has a planar attachment surface attached to a roof of a building and a plurality of solar panels is each mounted in the housing. A heating unit is positioned in the housing thereby facilitating the heating unit to heat each of the plurality of solar panels to melt snow and ice that collects on the plurality of solar panels thereby ensuring proper functioning of the plurality of solar panels. A control unit is positioned in the housing and the control unit actuates the heating unit when the control unit senses a temperature that is below a trigger temperature. A rechargeable battery is in communication with the control unit such that the rechargeable battery is charged by the plurality of solar panels. Additionally, the rechargeable battery is in communication with the heating unit for supplying electrical power to the heating unit.

A heated solar panel device includes a housing which has a planar attachment surface attached to a roof of a building and a plurality of solar panels is each mounted in the housing. A heating unit is positioned in the housing thereby facilitating the heating unit to heat each of the plurality of solar panels to melt snow and ice that collects on the plurality of solar panels thereby ensuring proper functioning of the plurality of solar panels. A control unit is positioned in the housing and the control unit actuates the heating unit when the control unit senses a temperature that is below a trigger temperature. A rechargeable battery is in communication with the control unit such that the rechargeable battery is charged by the plurality of solar panels. Additionally, the rechargeable battery is in communication with the heating unit for supplying electrical power to the heating unit.

Disclosed herein is a habitable electronic material system that may comprise at least one layer of material having at least one embedded electronic sensor operable to detect at least one environmental indicator. The at least one layer of material is flexible and operable to form an interior space operable to support a user. The habitable electronic material system may be portable by manpower. The at least one layer may comprise a water-resistant layer, a solar energy collection subsystem layer protected by the water-resistant layer, a thermal insulator layer, and an energy storage subsystem layer. The habitable electronic material system may comprise a computer subsystem partially imbedded into the electronic material system and operably coupled with the solar energy collection subsystem and the energy storage subsystem. The habitable electronic material system may comprise a thermal converter subsystem operable to enable a user to control the temperature within the interior space.

Disclosed herein is a habitable electronic material system that may comprise at least one layer of material having at least one embedded electronic sensor operable to detect at least one environmental indicator. The at least one layer of material is flexible and operable to form an interior space operable to support a user. The habitable electronic material system may be portable by manpower. The at least one layer may comprise a water-resistant layer, a solar energy collection subsystem layer protected by the water-resistant layer, a thermal insulator layer, and an energy storage subsystem layer. The habitable electronic material system may comprise a computer subsystem partially imbedded into the electronic material system and operably coupled with the solar energy collection subsystem and the energy storage subsystem. The habitable electronic material system may comprise a thermal converter subsystem operable to enable a user to control the temperature within the interior space.

Apparatus for obtaining fresh water by artificially generating a precipitation. The apparatus comprises at least one darkening body that forms a darkening surface which has a width and/or length of at least 3 km and an albedo of less than 0.1. The apparatus further comprises at least one base frame which is arranged on a ground and configured to support the at least one darkening body so as to keep the at least one darkening body spaced apart from the ground in order to form a space between the at least one darkening body and the ground. Still further, the apparatus comprises a precipitation collection system which is arranged at least partially within the space and configured to collect the precipitation falling on the darkening surface.