Abstract: Apparatuses and methods to reduce safety risks associated with photovoltaic systems by providing a safety switch on a photovoltaic panel. In one embodiment, a photovoltaic panel includes: at least one photovoltaic cell; a connector to output energy from the photovoltaic panel; and a switch coupled between the at least one photovoltaic cell and the connector. The switch is configured to disconnect the at least one photovoltaic cell from the connector during installation of the photovoltaic panel, and to connect the at least one photovoltaic cell with the connector after installation of the photovoltaic panel.

Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed for controlling photovoltaic cell temperature by removing excess thermal energy from photovoltaic cells in a photovoltaic module and using the excess thermal energy for heating or to drive a heating and/or cooling apparatus. In one instance, the heating and/or cooling apparatus is an absorption chiller. A generator of the absorption chiller can either be thermally connected to the photovoltaic module or can be heated by transferring the thermal energy from the photovoltaic module to the absorption chiller via a heating fluid such as water.

Abstract: Apparatuses and methods to firewall distributed energy sources. In one aspect, an apparatus includes: a first connector configured to interface with a distributed energy source; a second connector configured to interface with a connection point of an electric power system; at least one switch coupled between the first connector and the second connector; at least one sensor coupled with the switch; and a controller coupled with the at least one switch, the controller to use the at least one switch to selectively connect or disconnect an electric path between the first connector and the second connector based on signals from the at least one sensor.

Abstract: Apparatuses and methods to reduce safety risks associated with photovoltaic systems by providing a safety switch on a photovoltaic panel. In one embodiment, a photovoltaic panel includes: at least one photovoltaic cell; a connector to output energy from the photovoltaic panel; and a switch coupled between the at least one photovoltaic cell and the connector. The switch is configured to disconnect the at least one photovoltaic cell from the connector during installation of the photovoltaic panel, and to connect the at least one photovoltaic cell with the connector after installation of the photovoltaic panel.

Abstract: Apparatuses and methods to reduce safety risks associated with photovoltaic systems by providing a safety switch on a photovoltaic panel. In one embodiment, a photovoltaic panel includes: at least one photovoltaic cell; a connector to output energy from the photovoltaic panel; and a switch coupled between the at least one photovoltaic cell and the connector. The switch is configured to disconnect the at least one photovoltaic cell from the connector during installation of the photovoltaic panel, and to connect the at least one photovoltaic cell with the connector after installation of the photovoltaic panel.

Abstract: A system and method of configuring solar energy systems that includes at least one processor, and a memory coupled to the at least one processor. The memory can store instructions to cause the at least one processor to 1) search one or more data sources for information, 2) store the information in a data store, 3) receive one or more images associated with a location to receive a solar energy system, 4) display the one or more images in real-time on a user interface on a display, 5) receive input data from a user interacting with the user interface, 6) process the information, images, and input data to determine parameters associated with the location, and 7) identify a useable area in the location for placement of the solar energy system based on the parameters.

Abstract: Apparatuses and methods to firewall distributed energy sources. In one aspect, an apparatus includes: a first connector configured to interface with a distributed energy source; a second connector configured to interface with a connection point of an electric power system; at least one switch coupled between the first connector and the second connector; at least one sensor coupled with the switch; and a controller coupled with the at least one switch, the controller to use the at least one switch to selectively connect or disconnect an electric path between the first connector and the second connector based on signals from the at least one sensor.

Abstract: Apparatuses and methods to reduce safety risks associated with photovoltaic systems by providing a safety switch on a photovoltaic panel. In one embodiment, a photovoltaic panel includes: at least one photovoltaic cell; a connector to output energy from the photovoltaic panel; and a switch coupled between the at least one photovoltaic cell and the connector. The switch is configured to disconnect the at least one photovoltaic cell from the connector during installation of the photovoltaic panel, and to connect the at least one photovoltaic cell with the connector after installation of the photovoltaic panel.

Abstract: Apparatuses and methods to reduce safety risks associated with photovoltaic systems by providing a safety switch on a photovoltaic panel. In one embodiment, a photovoltaic panel includes: at least one photovoltaic cell; a connector to output energy from the photovoltaic panel; and a switch coupled between the at least one photovoltaic cell and the connector. The switch is configured to disconnect the at least one photovoltaic cell from the connector during installation of the photovoltaic panel, and to connect the at least one photovoltaic cell with the connector after installation of the photovoltaic panel.

Abstract: The present invention provides a vacuum processing system for creating processed substrates having a domed lid on at least the transfer chamber. The lid may be provided either convex to the chamber, thus decreasing the volume of the chamber and the amount of microparticulate matter present in the chamber, or concave to the chamber. The invention also provides features to enhance the use of the domed lid, e.g., structural features that decrease lifting of the edges of the lid upon introduction of a vacuum to the chamber.

Abstract: The present invention provides a vacuum processing system for creating processed substrates having a domed lid on at least the transfer chamber. The lid may be provided either convex to the chamber, thus decreasing the volume of the chamber and the amount of microparticulate matter present in the chamber, or concave to the chamber. The invention also provides features to enhance the use of the domed lid, e.g., structural features that decrease lifting of the edges of the lid upon introduction of a vacuum to the chamber.

Abstract: The present invention provides a vacuum processing system for creating processed substrates having a domed lid on at least the transfer chamber. The lid may be provided either convex to the chamber, thus decreasing the volume of the chamber and the amount of microparticulate matter present in the chamber, or concave to the chamber. The invention also provides features to enhance the use of the domed lid, e.g., structural features that decrease lifting of the edges of the lid upon introduction of a vacuum to the chamber.

Abstract: A sputtering shield for use in a plasma sputter reactor and formed of one or more layers of mesh bent into a desired shield shape is disclosed. The multiple layers are arranged to minimize overlap of mesh apertures to thereby decrease line-of-sight holes through the mesh assembly. A foil may be placed between the outermost two mesh layers to further increase opacity. The mesh may be fixed to solid metal parts, such as flanges, grommets, hemming, or complex parts of the overall shield. The mesh shield provides better adhesion of sputter coated layers, thereby allowing longer use before replacement, and is less expensive to fabricate so that it can be treated as a consumable.

Abstract: A sputtering shield for use in a plasma sputter reactor and formed of one or more layers of mesh bent into a desired shield shape. The multiple layers are arranged to minimize overlap of mesh apertures to thereby decrease line-of-sight holes through the mesh assembly. A foil may be placed between the outermost two mesh layers to further increase opacity. The mesh may be fixed to solid metal parts, such as flanges, grommets, hemming, or complex parts of the overall shield. The mesh shield provides better adhesion of sputter coated layers, thereby allowing longer use before replacement, and is less expensive to fabricate so that it can be treated as a consumable.