An air conditioning system using a fuel cell system can reduce energy consumption for air conditioning and can use the electricity produced by operating the fuel cells, where a fuel cell blower that is used to operate fuel cells is also used for air conditioning. The air conditioning system includes an air intake line connected between an interior and an exterior of a building; an air blower disposed in the air intake line to supply external air to the interior; a first intake shut-off valve for opening or closing the air intake line; a fuel cell system receiving air in the interior by operation of the fuel cell blower and producing electrical energy; and a controller controlling operation of the first intake shut-off valve to open the air intake line when the fuel cell system is operated.

The invention provides an apparatus which can heat water using a Fresnel lens or magnifying glass to focus and concentrate sunlight on water-filled radiator-like tubes which move water, by the water pressure from a water spigot/bib (without pumping), to:

1. move the heated water through tubes to heat any space inside any building, and

2. provide steam to power a steam-powered electricity generator to provide electricity, and charge a battery, during daylight hours, and then use the charged battery to supply electricity during the night hours, and

3. move water, cooled by the subsurface ground, by water pressure from a water spigot/bib without pumping, into proximity with any air space inside any building to cool the air space, and

4. array a series of magnifying glasses or Fresnel lenses in order to catch the rays of the sun from sunrise to sunset and focus those rays on the car radiator-like tubes full of water in order to heat the water without using fossil fuels, and

5. support the, array of magnifying glasses or Fresnel lenses and car-radiator-like water tubes with arch structures to hear the weight and protect the structure from earthquake damage.

In a control device, an instruction acquirer acquires an instruction to suppress in a specified period supplying of generated power generated by power generator installed in a power-consuming area to a commercial electrical power system. Upon the instruction acquirer acquiring the instruction, a water heater controller commands a water heater installed in the power-consuming area to perform a water heat-up operation when a predetermined condition is satisfied in the specified period.

An instant hot water delivery system includes a thermal storage bin that receives hot water from a water heater via a hot water supply conduit and stores the hot water therein. The thermal storage bin is disposed adjacent a point of demand to deliver the hot water instantly to the point of demand responsive to a demand. The thermal storage bin is configured to retain a thermal energy of the hot water for a prolonged period using a phase change material. When the hot water stored in the thermal storage bin cools down below a threshold temperature, the cooled down hot water is recirculated to the water heater via a cold water supply conduit using a crossover valve. The recirculation is based on thermosiphon. Fresh hot water from the water heater replaces the cooled down hot water that is displaced from the thermal storage bin.

A solar power system can include a rail and a solar module disposed on the rail. A clamp assembly can couple the solar module to the rail. The clamp assembly can have a clamped configuration in which the solar module is secured to the rail and an unclamped configuration. The clamp assembly can comprise an upper clamp member, a lower clamp member coupled to the rail, and a stabilization member mechanically engaging the upper clamp member and the lower clamp member. The stabilization member can prevent rotation of the lower clamp member relative to the rail when the clamp assembly is in the clamped and unclamped configurations. In the unclamped configuration, the stabilization member can be biased such that the upper clamp member is disposed at a sufficient clearance above the rail to permit the insertion of the solar module between the upper clamp member and the rail.

A mounting bracket (320) for trapezoidal rib profiles is disclosed. This mounting bracket (320) includes an upper section (330) and a lower section (350). A first leg (352a) in a second leg (352b) extend from a lower portion of the upper section (330) in diverging relation to one another. Each of these legs (352a, 352b) is deflectable through a certain range of motion to accommodate installation of the mounting bracket (320) on a variety of different trapezoidal rib profiles.

A roof ventilation system having a housing with an integrated fan and power source, such as a solar panel, for integration into a roof ridge vent or a roof soffit and having a flexible center area to adjust the profile of the housing to accommodate the profile of the roof ridge vent or roof soffit.

A mounting device includes a base having an internal cavity, a top, and an open bottom in communication with the internal cavity. The device includes a first upper member above the base, wherein the first upper member extends upwardly from the base, and a second upper member is above the base, wherein the second upper member extends upwardly from the base. The device further includes a fastener opening formed though the base for receiving a fastener when the mounting device is secured to a roof. The fastener opening is in communication with the internal cavity.

Single-piece hinged-clamps employed used in assemblies used to mount solar power modules to surface installation are disclosed. In some embodiments, a clamp with a right portion with a right notch having a right platform, a left portion with a left notch having a left platform, and a base portion with a flexible hinge is disclosed. The left portion also includes a threaded aperture extending downwardly from the left platform. In some embodiments, a method of securing a component with the clamp is disclosed in which a right member of a component is inserted into a right notch of a clamp, an applied force imparts movement of a left notch away from the right notch, and a buildup of potential energy in the flexible hinge during the application of the force moves the left notch in the opposite direction to engage the left member of the component.

A roof mounting system for the attachment of an article to a roof, the system comprising a plurality of PV modules each having at least one corner and a frame member, a flashing member having a top surface; an upstanding sleeve attached to the top surface of the flashing member; an elevated water seal having a borehole formed therethrough, the elevated water seal further comprising at least one screw for providing a waterproof seal between the article and the roof structure; and whereby the plurality of PV modules are interlocked in a way to provide a corner-to-corner coupling arrangement supported above the roof through the frame members of the plurality of PV modules.