A vehicle is provided. The vehicle includes a solar generator; a first battery configured to supply power for driving at least one load; and perform a recharge; a first charge amount detector configured to detect a charge amount of the first battery; and a controller configured to perform charging control on the first battery using electric energy generated by the solar generator in a parked state; determine whether the detected charge amount of the first battery is greater than or equal to a first reference charge amount during the charging control of the first battery; and perform charging termination control on the first battery when the detected charge amount of the first battery is determined to be greater than or equal to the first reference charge amount.

A multimodal renewable energy generation system for generating electric power from more than one renewable energy source is disclosed herein. The system includes two or more spinner units configured on a vertical pillar. The spinner units are configured for rotation under influence of a stream of a corresponding fluid. A set of electric power generators is operatively coupled to each of the two or more spinner units to generate electric power when the corresponding spinner unit rotates. At least one of the two or more spinner units is configured close to a base portion of the pillar to harness power from sea waves and remaining of the two or more spinner units are configured with an upper portion of the pillar for harnessing power from wind. The spinner units are configured for rotation in a horizontal plane even at less powerful winds or water streams.

A method of a solar cell array arranged on the surface of a support by providing and utilizing an assembly fixture having a smooth, concave surface. An uncured supporting film composed of a composite material (such as a carbon fiber composite) is mounted directly on the back side of the solar cells; and the film of composite material is co-cured on the assembly fixture so that the array of interconnected solar cells is bonded to the supporting film. The bonded and cured film of composite material and an array of interconnected solar cells is then removed from the assembly fixture.

A vehicle electricity supply control system, including: an acquisition section configured to acquire a power consumption of an auxiliary system, the auxiliary system being supplied with electricity from an auxiliary battery; and a control section configured to, in a first supply mode in which electricity is supplied to a drive battery and the auxiliary system and in a case in which the power consumption of the auxiliary system is greater than a predetermined value, control a ratio of electricity supplied to the drive battery and the auxiliary system such that an electricity supply amount to the auxiliary system becomes greater than in a case in which the power consumption of the auxiliary system is less than the predetermined value.

Vehicles having a plurality of solar cells arranged on a dashboard of the vehicle. The solar cells are arranged at an acute angle relative to a longitudinal axis of the dashboard, and may have an arcuate shape along the longitudinal axis of the dashboard. The solar cells may have an irregular octagon shape and may be more flexible along one axis of symmetry relative to the other axis of symmetry.

Vehicles having a plurality of solar cells arranged at an acute angle relative to a longitudinal axis of the vehicle. The solar cells may having an irregular octagon shape and may be more flexible along one axis of symmetry relative to the other axis of symmetry.

A solar powered electric vehicle comprising a conventional electric vehicle and an inflatable non-imaging solar concentrator based concentrating photovoltaic system trailer. The trailer is super-light and able to charge the front electric vehicle when it is moving. The inflatable non-imaging solar concentrator can concentrate both beam light and diffuse light. The inflatable non-imaging solar concentrator dramatically reduces the area of the semiconductor receiver of the concentrating photovoltaic system and significantly reduces its cost. The trailer is made foldable by hanging multiple trailer units mounted with the inflatable non-imaging solar concentrator based concentrating photovoltaic systems.

A self-powered laminated switchable glass system. The laminated switchable glass system having an interior and exterior tempered glass layer. A transparent luminescent solar concentrator layer and a switchable glass film layer is disposed between the exterior and interior glass layer. The solar layer provides power to the switchable glass film layer to allow selective opacity of the switchable glass film.

A step-through type vehicle includes: a frame assembly; at least one front wheel and at least one rear wheel connected to the frame assembly and rotated by a power unit; and a plurality of portions comprising one or more flexible portions, and one or more fixed portions. The fixed portions include a front structure, a rear structure, and a top structure disposed between the front structure and the rear structure. The flexible portions include at least one retractable member. The top structure and the retractable member include a plurality of solar panels. The retractable member is detachably attached with the top structure, and is retracted upwardly towards the top structure, and stretched downwardly from the top structure towards the front wheel and the rear wheel. The retractable member is foldably stowed inside at least one box like compartment, which is at least one part of the rear structure.

A solar panel can include at least one solar cell having a first surface and a second surface facing in mutually opposing directions; a first substrate disposed on the first surface of the at least one solar cell; a first encapsulant disposed between the first substrate and the at least one solar cell; a second substrate disposed on the second surface; and a second encapsulant disposed between the second substrate and the at least one solar cell, in which the second substrate includes a steel plate or fiber reinforced plastic.