A vehicle-mounted solar power generation device includes a solar panel, a solar battery that is a battery temporarily storing electric power, and a controller configured to perform control by switching between an electric power generation mode in which the solar battery is charged with a generated electric power of the solar panel and an electric power saving mode in which at least the charging of the solar battery is stopped such that power consumption is suppressed in comparison with the electric power generation mode. The controller determines to switch between modes based on the output voltage of the solar panel. In the electric power saving mode, the controller restricts a switch to the electric power generation mode based on any of the frequency of switching between modes, the amount of electric power stored in the solar battery, and the state of stoppage of a vehicle.

A vehicle-mounted solar power generation device includes a solar panel, a solar battery that is a battery temporarily storing electric power, and a controller configured to perform control by switching between an electric power generation mode in which the solar battery is charged with a generated electric power of the solar panel and an electric power saving mode in which at least the charging of the solar battery is stopped such that power consumption is suppressed in comparison with the electric power generation mode. The controller determines to switch between modes based on the output voltage of the solar panel. In the electric power saving mode, the controller restricts a switch to the electric power generation mode based on any of the frequency of switching between modes, the amount of electric power stored in the solar battery, and the state of stoppage of a vehicle.

A solar energy harvesting assembly having a unique attachment that can be arranged, mounted, moved and attached to new or existing structures. Solar rings are mounted on any vertical structure that may benefit from solar power using an aesthetically pleasing design that is resistant to wind load. The assembly does not require the need for pitch, azimuth or bearing measurements. The assembly is also capable of energy harvesting from reflected light below with the use of bifacial photovoltaic panels. The mounting design allows the solar energy harvest device to be installed on any vertical structure, including light poles, power poles, parking structures and other minimal load bearing structures. Further, the assembly can be attached to water towers, existing radio towers (guyed, monopole, stealth, self-supporting towers) all used to create vast amounts of unshaded vertical space for solar energy harvesting.

A solar energy harvesting assembly having a unique attachment that can be arranged, mounted, moved and attached to new or existing structures. Solar rings are mounted on any vertical structure that may benefit from solar power using an aesthetically pleasing design that is resistant to wind load. The assembly does not require the need for pitch, azimuth or bearing measurements. The assembly is also capable of energy harvesting from reflected light below with the use of bifacial photovoltaic panels. The mounting design allows the solar energy harvest device to be installed on any vertical structure, including light poles, power poles, parking structures and other minimal load bearing structures. Further, the assembly can be attached to water towers, existing radio towers (guyed, monopole, stealth, self-supporting towers) all used to create vast amounts of unshaded vertical space for solar energy harvesting.

Disclosed are novel forms of operable and fixed windows capable of at least one or more of: producing an electrical current utilizing a transparent or semi-transparent solar collecting coating or film on a pane, and selectively changing one or more of opacity and tint of one or more electrochromatic layers in the window. Some embodiments also disclose a robust scaffold assembly utilized to enclose the perimeter of the substrate and one or more transparent solar cells or electrochromatic layers, or transparent solar cells and electrochromatic layers. Various structural and electrical configurations are disclosed to satisfy the kinematic demands of operable windows. Wired and wireless configurations of the windows are contemplated as are self-powered versions whereby the transparent solar collector or wireless power powers the electrochromatic function. Also disclosed are self-powered and self-contained glaze units with wireless control or control from user interface controls on an indoor facing pane.

The disclosed apparatus, system and method may include at least the delivery of device power to a single or plurality of workstations, which may include at least one power storage unit suitable to supply power to the plurality of workstations; a plurality of control units each associated with one of the plurality of workstations, wherein each of the control units receives power from the at least one power unit, is communicatively associated with the at least one power unit, and comprises a plurality of power outputs suitable to output power from the power unit to devices associated with the respective workstation; and may include at least one ambient energy collector suitable to provide accumulated power to the at least one power unit.

The disclosed apparatus, system and method may include at least the delivery of device power to a single or plurality of workstations, which may include at least one power storage unit suitable to supply power to the plurality of workstations; a plurality of control units each associated with one of the plurality of workstations, wherein each of the control units receives power from the at least one power unit, is communicatively associated with the at least one power unit, and comprises a plurality of power outputs suitable to output power from the power unit to devices associated with the respective workstation; and may include at least one ambient energy collector suitable to provide accumulated power to the at least one power unit.

This specification describes automated reel processes for producing solar modules and solar module reels. In some examples, a method includes receiving a continuous feed of photovoltaic devices on a photovoltaic device sheet. The method includes locating and bypassing one or more defective photovoltaic devices on the photovoltaic device sheet. The method includes installing bussing for the photovoltaic devices on the photovoltaic device sheet. The method includes feeding the photovoltaic device sheet to an encapsulation system to output a photovoltaic module sheet.

This specification describes automated reel processes for producing solar modules and solar module reels. In some examples, a method includes receiving a continuous feed of photovoltaic devices on a photovoltaic device sheet. The method includes locating and bypassing one or more defective photovoltaic devices on the photovoltaic device sheet. The method includes installing bussing for the photovoltaic devices on the photovoltaic device sheet. The method includes feeding the photovoltaic device sheet to an encapsulation system to output a photovoltaic module sheet.

Provided is a power-generating apparatus comprising a box having a cavity and a lid, one or more solar panels disposed on the box, and one or more battery packs disposed within the cavity, where the one or more solar panels are configured to charge the one or more battery packs. The apparatus may further comprise a turbine configured to charge the one or more battery packs.