A flexible laminate of photovoltaic cells is provided, including a layer of photovoltaic cells that are connected to one another; a front layer and a back layer configured to encapsulate the layer of photovoltaic cells; and an outer film of flexible material with anti-soiling properties disposed on the front layer, the outer film having an average roughness that is less than 1 μm. There is also provided a method for decreasing or limiting soiling on a surface of a flexible laminate of photovoltaic cells, the method including applying an outer film of flexible material with anti-soiling properties to the front layer, the outer film having an average roughness that is less than 1 μm.

A window planter includes a first compartment including a first sidewall and a second sidewall. The first compartment is configured to house a first group of plants. A second compartment is slidably coupled to the first compartment. The first compartment includes a first outer sidewall. The second compartment is configured to house a second group of plants separated from the first group of plants by the first sidewall of the first compartment. A third compartment is slidably coupled to the first compartment. The third compartment includes a second outer sidewall. The third compartment is configured to house a third group of plants separated from the first group of plants by the second sidewall. At least the first compartment and the second compartment are configured to be secured to a window frame.

A solar cell includes a semiconductor substrate, a bus-bar electrode, a plurality of finger electrodes, and a heavily doped layer. The semiconductor substrate has a surface. The bus-bar electrode is on the surface of the semiconductor substrate and extending along a first direction. The finger electrodes are on the surface of the semiconductor substrate and extending along a second direction. One of two ends of each of the finger electrodes is connected to the bus-bar electrode. An angle created by the first direction and the second direction is less than 180 degrees. The heavily doped layer is formed on the surface of the semiconductor substrate and includes a first portion and a plurality of second portions. The first portion is extending along the first direction. Each of the second portions is extending from the first portion along the second direction and beneath the corresponding finger electrode.

A solar tracking system includes a base member, a first shaft rotatably coupled to the base member, a support arm pivotably coupled to the first shaft, a second shaft having a first end and an opposing second end, the first end rotatably coupled to the support arm, a solar rack pivotably coupled to the second end of the second shaft, and a mass positioner configured to change an angle between the support arm and the first shaft by moving a predetermined mass between a first position and a second position.

There is a dynamically adjustable photovoltaic (PV) system for transforming solar energy into electrical energy. The dynamically adjustable PV system includes a first PV fold including a first set of PV cells for generating electrical energy, and a first laminating film that encapsulates the first set of PV cells; a second PV fold including a second set of PV cells for generating electrical energy, and a second laminating film that encapsulates the second set of PV cells; and a connecting mechanism that connects the first laminating film to the second laminating film. The connecting mechanism includes a chamber.

Switchable radiative energy harvesting systems and methods of harvesting radiation are disclosed. A system includes an optical filter that includes at least one of an active material and a passive material. The optical filter is switchable between a shield mode and a harvesting mode such that the at least one of the active material and the passive material is in a reflecting state during the shield mode such that the optical filter blocks passage of radiation from a thermal emitter to a thermophotovoltaic cell and a transmitting state during the harvesting mode such that that the optical filter allows the radiation to pass from the thermal emitter to the thermophotovoltaic cell.

Ruptureable, dual reagent mono-capsules are disclosed that have a core composition, which includes a first reagent, encapsulated within a polymer wall, and a shell connected to an exterior surface of the polymer wall by a surfactant. The shell is made from a second reagent that is chemically bonded to the surfactant by a chemical electrostatic interaction. Upon rupture of the polymer wall of the mono-capsule, the first reagent and the second reagent chemically react with one another to form a reaction product.

The present invention relates to a fault detection system and method of a photovoltaic module and string. The fault detection system of a photovoltaic module and string includes a measurement input unit receiving a current power generation performance measurement value of the photovoltaic module and string from the outside, an estimation calculating unit calculating a power generation performance estimation value of the photovoltaic module and string based on input current environmental conditions, and a fault determining unit determining whether the photovoltaic module and string have a fault by comparing and analyzing the power generation performance measurement value from the measurement input unit and the power generation performance estimation value from the estimation calculating unit, wherein the photovoltaic module is configured as a double-sided or single-sided photovoltaic module.

A method for sorting optoelectronic semiconductor components is specified. The semiconductor components each include an active region for emission or detection of electromagnetic radiation. The method includes the following steps: introducing the semiconductor components into a sorting region on a specified path; irradiating the optoelectronic semiconductor components with electromagnetic radiation of a first wavelength range to generate dipole moments by charge separation in the active regions of the optoelectronic semiconductor components; and deflecting the optoelectronic semiconductor components from the specified path as a function of their dipole moment by means of a non-homogeneous electromagnetic field. A device for sorting optoelectronic semiconductor components is further specified.

Methods, systems, and computer program products for mitigating the effects of shading in photovoltaic cells using flow batteries are provided herein. A computer-implemented method includes connecting at least one fuel stack to one or more photovoltaic cells, wherein each fuel stack comprises (i) one or more ports and (ii) one or more electrochemical cells; determining that one or more portions of the one or more photovoltaic cells are impacted by a shading effect; converting chemical energy stored in an electrolytic solution to electrical energy, by interacting the electrolytic solution with the electrochemical cells of each fuel stack connected to the portions of the impacted photovoltaic cells; automatically opening the ports of each fuel stack connected to the one or more portions of the impacted photovoltaic cells; and supplying the electrical energy to the portions of the impacted photovoltaic cells.