Abstract: A renewable energy certificate business model embodiment of the present invention accumulates small shares of qualifying energy produced by many small solar installations into the minimum unit sizes that can be certified, traded and sold. Renewable energy generation and load control monitors are installed at hundreds and thousands of small installations to automatically report to centralized servers. These servers log and certify the production of renewable energy into the lot sizes needed for an efficient market. A system integrator provides the brokerage mechanisms needed for buyers and sellers to trade quickly and easily. In one aspect, an online auction website is constructed and maintained on the Internet as a centralized clearing house. The system integrator backs the quality of the lots and the trades with their large enterprise reputation and credit worthiness. The trading can be in renewable energy portfolios, emission offsets, carbon dioxide offsets, and other environmental attributes.

Abstract: A centralized server managed by an employer receives reports of renewable energy generation from many remote generation sites belonging to its employees, and then summarizes and details the generation for certification by a certifying standards process. Renewable energy power generation monitors are placed at independent remote locations owned by the employees that collectively report to the server any fractional units of renewable energy power generation represented in aggregate by particular REC's traded on the e-trading platform. And, an ad-hoc sellers consortium automatically aggregates fractional and small units of REC's into marketable lots according to individual preferences of participating small sellers, and the marketable lots of REC's are offered for sale on the e-trading platform.

Abstract: Provided are easy-to-install rooftop photovoltaic systems. One rooftop photovoltaic system includes a roofing material piece, a photovoltaic module disposed on the roofing material piece and an inverter configured to convert DC from the photovoltaic module into AC. Another rooftop photovoltaic system includes at least one active unit including one or more photovoltaic modules each including photovoltaic cells shaped as shingles to provide a roofing material appearance; and one or more inactive units having the roofing material appearance.

Abstract: A utility meter adapter plugs between a utility meter and its meter socket to provide a power pigtail suitable for a solar electric system to backfeed power to the utility. A round plastic base has several connector jaw blades underneath positioned like a meter to fit in a meter socket and its jaw sockets. A corresponding set of jaw sockets is provided for the jaw blades on the meter to plug into the topside. The jaw sockets in the adapter on the load side of the meter are pigtailed to terminal lugs with a conduit access. A solar electric system backfeed can be run through conduit tubing to the terminal lugs on top of any flush walls, thus avoiding any disturbances to the pre-existing walls and service panels.

Abstract: A business tuning system collects streams of informational reports from remote renewable energy systems. A database holds the information and associates it with a particular renewable energy business operation. A pre-processor semi-structures the information into failure analyses, sales histories, performance results, regional trends, seasonal trends, and demographics. A data mining processor provides for knowledge discovery and prediction from semi-structured information related to said particular renewable energy business operation.

Abstract: A utility meter adapter plugs between a utility meter and its meter socket to provide a power pigtail suitable for a solar electric system to backfeed power to the utility. A round plastic base has several connector jaw blades underneath positioned like a meter to fit in a meter socket and its jaw sockets. A corresponding set of jaw sockets is provided for the jaw blades on the meter to plug into the topside. The jaw sockets in the adapter on the load side of the meter are pigtailed to terminal lugs with a conduit access. A solar electric system backfeed can be run through conduit tubing to the terminal lugs on top of any flush walls, thus avoiding any disturbances to the pre-existing walls and service panels.

Abstract: A renewable energy monitoring system collects streams of informational reports from remote renewable energy systems. It separates the data streams by client, and client identification, in order to template such data streams onto models of clients' equipment configurations and topologies. The system sorts and groups client data by categories, so workstations can be employed to access statistics, monitor operational flags, initiate/display reports, and control system operations. Particular client/user information is accumulated and assembled on a per account basis to issue client statements, revenue checks, invoices, and controls, wherein, headquarters workstations can be used to access single-client statistics, monitor operational flags, initiate/display reports, and engage payables, receivables, and general ledger accounting operations.

Abstract: A renewable energy system maintenance method comprises network server based system for monitoring and repairing, for example, a solar power installation. Such comprises solar panels to convert sunlight to DC electricity, one or more inverters to convert the DC to AC electricity, and a metered utility connection for selling to or offsetting energy charges for AC electricity from an electric utility. A monitor with sensors and connections to the inverter provides system operation measurements and data through a wireless or wired connection the Internet. A centralized server collects measurements and data from many solar installation monitors and analyzes the inputs to provide useful information to the users and their systems integrator and third parties. In particular, such information is employed in several ways to conduct various parts of a solar energy business.

Abstract: A sales method provides for the demonstration, performance forecasting, financing, leasing, renting, power purchase agreement, tax-advantages, and group benefits of complete renewable energy systems. Even before a sales call is attempted, a system integrator has arranged a special group of lenders and investors that will fund any project initiated, has engaged credit services to check consumer credit files, has collected operational data from a number of its own systems, has created forecast models of performance, and arranged open-membership groups to which a new user can join immediately to share in collective bargaining with utilities, spread down-time risk and expense, utilize tax incentives, etc.

Abstract: Some aspects of the present invention relate to an example solar energy system that includes a solar panel and a support which is secured to the solar panel such that the support may be detached from the solar panel by manually manipulating at least one of the support and the solar panel. In some embodiments, the solar energy system further includes a clamp that secures the solar panel to the support. It should be noted that the support may be adapted to be secured to a structure that includes a roof. In some embodiments, the support may be adapted to extend through the roof in order to be secured to a portion of a structure that is below the roof. The solar energy system makes it easier to install, displace and/or remove the solar panels which form the solar energy system from the structure where the solar panels are attached.

Abstract: A photovoltaic module includes a first photovoltaic cell, a second photovoltaic cell and an energy storage device, such as a battery or capacitor, integrated into the module.

Abstract: Provided are easy-to-install rooftop photovoltaic systems. One rooftop photovoltaic system includes a roofing material piece, a photovoltaic module disposed on the roofing material piece and an inverter configured to convert DC from the photovoltaic module into AC. Another rooftop photovoltaic system includes at least one active unit including one or more photovoltaic modules each including photovoltaic cells shaped as shingles to provide a roofing material appearance; and one or more inactive units having the roofing material appearance.

Abstract: One photovoltaic module includes a plurality of photovoltaic cells and at least one device selected from a sensor, a data storage device and an indicator. Another photovoltaic module includes a plurality of photovoltaic cells and a flexible circuit configured to act as an antenna for electromagnetic radiation. Methods of using such photovoltaic modules are also disclosed.

Abstract: One photovoltaic module has a plurality of photovoltaic cells including a first photovoltaic cell and a second photovoltaic cell, a collector-connector configured to collect a current from the first photovoltaic cell and electrically connect the first photovoltaic cell to the second photovoltaic cell and at least one diode configured to bypass at least one of the photovoltaic cells. Another photovoltaic module has a plurality of cells including a first photovoltaic cell and a second photovoltaic cell, such that the first photovoltaic cell contains an active portion and a shaded portion, that is configured as a diode bypassing the second photovoltaic cell. Methods of making photovoltaic modules that incorporate bypass diodes are also provided.

Abstract: Provided herein are exemplary embodiments of an efficient pump apparatus. In one embodiment the pump apparatus comprises a piston assembly loosely disposed within a cylinder. The piston assembly includes a driving cable connecting a top leaky piston and a bottom leaky piston having a check valve connected thereto. The cylinder includes an outlet pipe at an upper portion thereof and a check valve located at a lower end of the cylinder. The pistons move in the cylinder at a velocity relative to the conduit such that as the pistons move along the cylinder they create a substantial tortuous leak path forming a hydrodynamic seal between the pistons and the cylinder.

Abstract: A photovoltaic (PV) module includes a plurality of PV cells and a plurality of reconfigurable interconnects which electrically interconnect the plurality of PV cells.

Abstract: A photovoltaic module includes a first photovoltaic cell, a second photovoltaic cell, and a collector-connector which is configured to collect current from the first photovoltaic cell and to electrically connect the first photovoltaic cell with the second photovoltaic cell. The collector-connector may include an electrically insulating carrier and at least one electrical conductor which electrically connects the first photovoltaic cell to the second photovoltaic cell.

Abstract: A photovoltaic module includes a first photovoltaic cell, a second photovoltaic cell, and an interconnect comprising an electrically insulating carrier and at least one electrical conductor which electrically connects the first photovoltaic cell to the second photovoltaic cell.

Abstract: A computer-controlled display device. In one embodiment, the display device includes a flat panel display coupled to one end of a moveable assembly. A base containing computer components is coupled to an opposite end of the moveable assembly. Power and data cables linking the flat panel display to one or more of the computer components are positioned within an interior portion of the moveable assembly. In one embodiment, the moveable assembly includes a first arm coupled to a second arm and provides movement in two or more dimensions simultaneously.

Abstract: A computer-controlled display device. In one embodiment, the display device includes a flat panel display coupled to one end of a moveable assembly. A base containing computer components is coupled to an opposite end of the moveable assembly. Power and data cables linking the flat panel display to one or more of the computer components are positioned within an interior portion of the moveable assembly. In one embodiment, the moveable assembly includes a first arm coupled to a second arm and provides movement in two or more dimensions simultaneously.