Abstract: Disclosed herein is add-on electronic circuit structures and methods for providing protection against reverse-electrical-current failures and for enabling comprehensive electrical (current-voltage sweep) and electro-optical (electroluminescence or EL using reserve current flow) testing of solar photovoltaic cells and modules having at least one multi-modal maximum-power-point tracking (MPPT) power optimizer integrated circuit chip to increase electrical energy generation yield of the modules. Such multi-modal MPPT power optimizer chips are used for distributed solar electric power generation enhancement in solar photovoltaic cells, modules, and systems under realistic operating conditions with non-ideal manufacturing and environmental variations (e.g., variable and/or non-uniform sunlight or daylight, mismatched cells, etc.).

Abstract: A method for calculating a real-time effective temperature of a solar photovoltaic module at any operating time during power generation period between a daily wake-up time and sleep time of said solar photovoltaic module is provided. The method is based on, in part, measuring the solar photovoltaic module open-circuit voltage at said daily wake-up time and measuring the solar photovoltaic module open-circuit voltage at said operating time.

Abstract: Solar photovoltaic window blind slats for power generation from internal and external light sources are provided are provided. A plurality of solar cells are attached to at least two sides of a slat core. Distributed maximum power point tracking optimizer components are associated with each solar cell. The solar cells and corresponding distributed maximum power point tracking optimizer components on each slat side are connected in electrical series.

Abstract: A portable solar photovoltaic (PV) electricity generator module comprises a plurality of smart power slat (SPS) units, each SPS unit comprising a plurality of solar cells electrically connected together based on a specified cell interconnection design, and, N at least one power maximizing integrated circuit collecting electricity generated by the plurality of solar cells. The plurality of SPS units are mechanically connected such that the SPS units can be retracted for volume compaction of the module, and can be expanded for increasing PV electricity generation by the module. The module can be used as part of an electric power supply with a maximum power point tracking (MPPT) power optimizer, storage battery and leads to connect to a load. The load can be AC or DC.

Abstract: A maximum power point tracking optimizer is connected to and powered by at least one solar cell. The maximum power point tracking optimizer configured to operate: in a pass-through mode when said at least one solar cell voltage is greater than a passthrough threshold and greater than a ratio of the open-circuit voltage of said at least one solar cell, said pass-through mode flowing current through a pass-through circuit; in an optimizing mode when said at least one solar cell voltage is greater than an optimizing threshold and less than a ratio of the open-circuit voltage of said at least one solar cell, said optimizing mode modulating current flow using a DC-to-DC switching circuit to direct the voltage of said at least solar cell towards said ratio of the open-circuit voltage; in an active bypass mode when said at least one solar cell voltage is less than an active bypass threshold, said active bypass mode flowing current through an active bypass circuit.

Abstract: A photovoltaic module remote-access module switch and real-time temperature monitoring system is provided. In one embodiment, a remote-access module switch and monitoring circuit capable of communicating with a remote receiver and having a pair of output electrical leads, and a pair of input electrical leads connected to a pair of electrical power leads of a solar photovoltaic module is provided, and which further includes a series switch, a module voltage measurement circuit, a module current measurement circuit, a temperature sensor, and a communication circuit.