Wood fibers possess natural unique hierarchical and mesoporous structures that enable a variety of new applications beyond their traditional use. For the first time we dramatically modulate the propagation of light through random network of wood fibers. A highly transparent and clear paper with transmittance >90% and haze <1.0% applicable for high-definition displays is achieved. By altering the morphology of the same wood fibers that form the paper, highly transparent and hazy paper targeted for other applications such as solar cell and anti-glare coating with transmittance >90% and haze >90% is also achieved. A thorough investigation of the relation between the mesoporous structure and the optical properties in transparent paper was conducted, including full-spectrum optical simulations. We demonstrate commercially competitive multi-touch touchscreen with clear paper as a replacement for plastic substrates, which shows excellent process compatibility and comparable device performance for commercial applications. Transparent cellulose paper with tunable optical properties is an emerging photonic material that will realize a range of much improved flexible electronics, photonics and optoelectronics.

Methods for arc detection in a system including one or more photovoltaic generators, one or more photovoltaic power devices and a system power device and/or a load connectible to the photovoltaic generators and/or the photovoltaic power devices. The methods may measure voltage, current, and/or power delivered to the load or system power device, and the methods may measure voltage noise or current noise within the photovoltaic system. The methods may periodically, and/or in response to detecting noise, reduce an electrical parameter such as current or voltage in order to extinguish an arc. The methods may compare one or more measurements to one or more thresholds to detect arcing, and upon a comparison indicating that arcing is or was present, an alarm condition may be set.

A luminescent optical device, comprising an optical substrate that provides a wave guide, and an illuminating ink composition are disclosed. The device comprises a cured layer of said ink composition at an interface of said waveguide, substantially comprising a polymer matrix and a luminescence agent that is dispersed in said polymer matrix. The ink composition comprises a polymerizable acrylate compound, particularly a poly-di-acrylate matrix, preferably a poly-glycol di-acrylate matrix. The ink composition further contains a polymerization initiator that is configured and capable of releasing free radicals during polymerization of said acrylate compound and a polymerization promoter that comprises a thiol compound.

A photovoltaic element including at least one photovoltaic cell at least partially segmented and having a base electrode, a top electrode, and a layer system comprising at least one photoactive layer, wherein the layer system is arranged between the base electrode and the top electrode, the segments are configured such that at least the top electrode and the layer system of one of the segments are separated from the top electrode and the layer system of another segment by at least one cavity to prevent contact between one another, the at least one cavity is formed substantially vertically relative to the layer system of the at least one photovoltaic cell, and the segments are electrically conductively connected in parallel with one another such that a flow of electric current through the at least one photovoltaic cell is distributed over each of the segments.

A first plurality of roofing shingles installed in a first plurality of rows on a roof deck, and a second plurality of roofing shingles installed in a second plurality of rows. An edge of one of the second roofing shingles in each of the second rows is offset from the edge of another one of the second roofing shingles in another adjacent one of the second rows. An edge of a first photovoltaic shingle is juxtaposed with the edge of a first roofing shingle of the second roofing shingles in a first row of the second rows. The edge of at least another photovoltaic shingle in at least one of another row of the second rows is substantially aligned with the edge of the first photovoltaic shingle. An additional roofing shingle is installed intermediate one of the second roofing shingles and one of the photovoltaic shingles.

A roof mount system supports a solar panel above a roof and includes a base positioned on the roof and a first fastener connected to the base and extending away from the roof and moveable along the base in a direction generally parallel to the roof. A first clamp supports a bottom surface of a solar panel frame and adjusts the height of the solar panel above the roof by moving the first clamp along a first fastener in a direction perpendicular to the roof. A second clamp is connected to a second fastener and moves with respect to the first clamp perpendicular to the roof. The solar panel is clamped between the first clamp and the second clamp portion. A protrusion extends from the first or second clamp to form an electrical bond between the solar panel frame and the respective first or second clamp.

A solar panel includes a plurality of photovoltaic cells embedded in a layer of encapsulant. A textured and/or colored layer is positioned on a back side of the layer of encapsulant. The textured and/or colored layer matches a color and/or texture of the plurality of photovoltaic cells. A top layer is positioned on a front side of the layer of encapsulant.

A portable solar photovoltaic (PV) electricity generator module comprises a plurality of smart power slat (SPS) units, each SPS unit comprising a plurality of solar cells electrically connected together based on a specified cell interconnection design, and, N at least one power maximizing integrated circuit collecting electricity generated by the plurality of solar cells. The plurality of SPS units are mechanically connected such that the SPS units can be retracted for volume compaction of the module, and can be expanded for increasing PV electricity generation by the module. The module can be used as part of an electric power supply with a maximum power point tracking (MPPT) power optimizer, storage battery and leads to connect to a load. The load can be AC or DC.

Surface mount assemblies for mounting to a solar panel frame to an installation surface are disclosed. In some embodiments, a base is coupled to a height-adjustable rail mount to slidably couple a track with a fastener assembly that includes of a fastener, spacer, and nut. In some embodiments, a base is coupled to a rail mount and positioned on a base plate to slidably couple to a surface track with a fastener assembly that includes a first fastener slidably coupled to a groove formed by the track, spacer, and second fastener. In some embodiments, a base is coupled to a rail mount for slidably coupling the rail to a height-adjustable base with a fastener. In some embodiments, a two-configuration, track-mounted, rectangular base is designed with a rectangular base having a pair of short-sided legs, a pair of long-sided legs, and a fastener for engaging outer surfaces of a track.

The invention relates to a connection device for earthing an electrical apparatus or putting it at a reference potential. It is inserted between a first electrically conductive part belonging to said electrical apparatus and a second part belonging to a support structure on which said electrical apparatus is mounted and which may be at least partly electrically insulating. It is characterized in that it comprises a first automatic connection area for automatically creating electrical contact with said first part, and a second automatic connection area for automatically creating electrical contact with an electrical conductor that is earthed or connected to a reference potential, when said electrical apparatus is mounted on said support structure. The electrical apparatus is thus automatically earthed or connected to a reference potential when it is mounted on said support structure via said connection device and said electrical conductor, specifically without any tools, screws or any other fastening member.