An electro-optic device may include a substrate layer, and a first photonic layer over the substrate layer and having a first photonic device. The electro-optic device may include a second photonic layer over the first photonic layer and having a second photonic device. The electro-optic device may include a dielectric layer over the second photonic layer, and a first electrically conductive via extending through the dielectric layer and the second photonic layer to couple to the first photonic device, and a second electrically conductive via extending through the dielectric layer and coupling to the second photonic device. The electro-optic device may include a third electrically conductive via extending through the substrate layer, the second photonic layer, and the first photonic layer to couple to the substrate layer.

In an example, a method includes providing a photovoltaic string comprising a plurality of from 2 to 45 strips, each of the plurality of strips being configured in a series arrangement with each other, each of the plurality of strips being coupled to another one of the plurality of strips using an electrically conductive adhesive (ECA) material, detecting at least one defective strip in the photovoltaic string, applying thermal energy to the ECA material to release the ECA material from a pair of photovoltaic strips to remove the defective photovoltaic strip, removing any residual ECA material from one or more good photovoltaic strip, aligning the photovoltaic string without the damaged photovoltaic strip, and a replacement photovoltaic strip that replaces the defective photovoltaic strip, and curing a reapplied ECA material on the replacement photovoltaic strip to provide the photovoltaic string with the replacement photovoltaic strip.

A geared continuously variable transmission (GCVT) is provided. The GCVT includes a first set of solar gears having a first solar gear and first plurality of connection components. Power enters the GCVT through the first set of solar gears. The GCVT includes a second set of solar gears having a second solar gear and second plurality of connection components. Power exits the GCVT through the second set of solar gears. Power is transmitted from the first set of solar gears to the second set of solar gears via the first plurality of connection components and the second plurality of connection components. The GCVT includes a hydraulic pump and a hydraulic motor connecting first component from the first plurality of connection components to second component from the second plurality of connection components and providing constant rotation ratio between the first component and the second component.

Integrated power module device, systems, and methods are provided in accordance with various embodiments. For example, some embodiments include a system that may include one or more integrated power modules. Each integrated power module may include: one or more solar cells; one or more rechargeable energy storage cells; and/or one or more circuits coupling the one or more solar cells with the one or more rechargeable energy storage cells. In some embodiments, each integrated power module is configured such that the one or more rechargeable energy storage cells of the respective integrated power module are coupled with one or more back sides of the one or more solar cells. In some embodiments, at least two of the one or more integrated power modules are coupled with each other at least in parallel or in series.

Solar thermal units and methods of operating solar thermal units for the conversion of solar insolation to thermal energy are provided. In some examples, solar thermal units have an inlet, and a split flow of heat absorbing fluid to either side of the solar thermal unit, along a first fluid flow path and a second fluid flow path. Optionally, one or more photovoltaic panels can be provided as part of the solar thermal unit, which may convert solar insolation to electric power that may be used by a system connected to the solar thermal unit.

An inflatable divergent Fresnel lens and non-imaging CPC based non-tracking high concentration ratio solar concentrator system comprises a flexible domed divergent Fresnel lens, and an inflatable non-imaging CPC concentrator with a domed transparent top cover and a flat transparent bottom cover. Where, the flexible domed divergent Fresnel lens is attached onto the said domed transparent cover of the said inflatable non-imaging CPC concentrator. When in operation, the oblique incident sunlight including beam light and diffuse light onto the domed divergent Fresnel lens, is deflected to change its direction, and consequently change its original incident angle relative to the said CPC concentrator from large to small, then eventually fall in the acceptance half-angle to be concentrated by the said CPC in large concentration ratio.

A method is provided for using asymmetrically focused photovoltaic conversion in a hybrid parabolic trough solar power system. Light rays received in a plurality of transverse planes are concentrated towards a primary linear focus in an axial plane, orthogonal to the transverse planes. T band wavelengths of light are transmitted to the primary linear focus, while R band wavelengths of light are reflected towards a secondary linear focus in the axial plane. The light received at the primary linear focus is translated into thermal energy. The light received at the secondary linear focus is asymmetrically focused along a plurality of tertiary linear foci, orthogonal to the axial plane. The focused light in each tertiary linear focus is concentrated into a plurality of receiving areas and translated into electrical energy. Asymmetrical optical elements are used having an optical input interfaces elongated along rotatable axes, orthogonal to the axial plane.

Provided herein is a solar energy light collecting device, which includes a light reflection module, a sun tracking module, and a control module. The light reflection module includes reflection units, reflection unit support beams and a support wheel frame assembly. The sun tracking module includes an angle adjustment set, a height adjustment set, and a supporter set. The control module includes a sense control unit and a driving motor. The sense control unit senses the direction of the sunlight and controls the driving motor to drive the sun tracking module, such that the light reflection module faces the direction of the sunlight. Moreover, an additional balance adjustment module can also be adopted to resolve the spatial disposition problem.

A transparent solar heat absorbing apparatus includes a transparent member allowing sunlight to pass through, a wavelength selective member disposed beneath the transparent member, a heating tank formed between the transparent member and the wavelength selective member. The wavelength selective member allows light in a transmission range including at least a visible wavelength range to pass through and reflects light in a reflection range including at least an infrared wavelength range. At least one of the transparent member and the wavelength selective member has a waveform structure on at least one of its upper surface and bottom surface.

A roofing, cladding or siding product which is light weight, easy to install, durable, and resistant to environmental wear includes a module that can be used to form a weatherproof covering over top of a building surface. The module can also form a weatherproof covering, and be used as part of a thermal energy recovery or removal system. The module can also form part of a thermal energy recovery system that includes an array of solar cells to generate electrical energy.