The present invention relates to a close-contacting module capable of bringing a solar photovoltaic panel and a thermal collector of a solar photovoltaic-thermal panel into close contact without creating an interface. The close-contacting module comprises: a plurality of elastic members (36) which provide an elastic force that presses the thermal collector (20) toward the solar photovoltaic panel (10) from the backside of the thermal collector (20); a support member (35) for supporting the elastic members (36); and a pair of clips (31, 32, 33) provided at both ends of the support member (35) to fix the support member (35) to the edges of the solar photovoltaic-thermal panel (1).

The present invention relates to a close-contacting module capable of bringing a solar photovoltaic panel and a thermal collector of a solar photovoltaic-thermal panel into close contact without creating an interface. The close-contacting module comprises: a plurality of elastic members (36) which provide an elastic force that presses the thermal collector (20) toward the solar photovoltaic panel (10) from the backside of the thermal collector (20); a support member (35) for supporting the elastic members (36); and a pair of clips (31, 32, 33) provided at both ends of the support member (35) to fix the support member (35) to the edges of the solar photovoltaic-thermal panel (1).

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 hybrid solar thermal and photovoltaic power generation system with a pumped thermal storage system with a mode switchable heat pump/heat engine apparatus realizes utility scale stabilized power generation with low cost thermal storage, ultra-high conversion efficiency with hybrid solar thermal and photovoltaic cogeneration system, and low capital cost with the mode switchable heat pump/heat engine apparatus. The present system heat, cool, and supply power to buildings simultaneously over the four seasons. The synergistically combination of the hybrid solar thermal and photovoltaic cogeneration and the pumped thermal storage of the present invention is to make a transformative change of power supply landscape.

A vehicle sun shade is provided having a sun shade, at least one solar cell, and a heat source. The sun shade has a light receiving portion configured to be carried beneath a vehicle wind shield. The at least one solar cell is provided in the light receiving portion. The heat source is provided proximate the at least one solar cell traversing the light receiving portion configured to mitigate condensate occlusion of the at least one solar cell on a vehicle wind shield. A method is also provided.

A vehicle sun shade is provided having a sun shade, at least one solar cell, and a heat source. The sun shade has a light receiving portion configured to be carried beneath a vehicle wind shield. The at least one solar cell is provided in the light receiving portion. The heat source is provided proximate the at least one solar cell traversing the light receiving portion configured to mitigate condensate occlusion of the at least one solar cell on a vehicle wind shield. A method is also provided.

An apparatus comprises a plurality of power sources, one or more processors embedded with the plurality of power sources, and memory storing processor executable instructions that, when executed by the one or more processors, cause the apparatus to modify duty cycles of the power sources, and to modify timing for each phase of a multiphase cycle. In some cases, the apparatus: transfers, for each phase of the multiphase cycle, power from a different power source of a plurality of power sources to a load; determines, for each phase of the multiphase cycle, an input voltage associated with the transferred power, an output voltage associated with the transferred power, and current from the power source associated with the transferred power; determines a duty cycle associated with the power source; modifies duty cycles of the power sources; and modifies timing for each phase of the multiphase cycle.

A hybrid solar thermal and photovoltaic panel based cogeneration system and heat pump and non-tracking non-imaging solar concentrator based CSP stabilized power generation system comprises a hybrid solar thermal and photovoltaic panel based cogeneration subsystem to cogenerate electricity and heat, a heat pump subsystem to raise the temperature of the cogenerated heat, a non-tracking non-imaging solar concentrator based CSP subsystem to further upgrade the cogenerated thermal energy, a thermal storage to store the cogenerated heat, and a thermal power regeneration system, to take the stored cogenerated heat to regenerate power. The power output of the cogeneration subsystem supplemented with the power output from the thermal power regeneration system realizes stabilized power output.

A solar panel is electrically coupled to a battery and configured to convert solar energy to electricity to charge the battery. A heating element is electrically coupled to the battery. A thermal sensor is configured to detect an ambient temperature. The thermal sensor is configured to produce a temperature stream indicative of the detected ambient temperature. A humidity sensor is configured to detect an ambient humidity. The humidity sensor is configured to produce a humidity stream indicative of the detected ambient humidity. A controller is electrically couple to the thermal sensor the humidity sensor, and the heating element. The controller is configured to receive a profile that includes an initial designated duration and an initial temperature needed for a designated machine, and produce a current for the heating element to heat the designated machine for the designated duration and temperature.