Abstract: A load support system includes an elongate support member having a first diameter and a first end and a second end. The elongate support member includes, toward the first end, a first portion for direct earth burial and further includes, toward the second end, a second portion to which the load can be coupled. The first portion has a first length. The system additionally includes a lateral support having a second diameter greater than the first diameter and a second length less than the first length. The lateral support is mounted about the first portion of the elongate support member. The lateral support includes a first opening formed therein at a first location relative to a long axis of the elongate support member and a second opening formed therein at a different second location relative to the long axis in order to support a range of embedment depths.

Abstract: A method of designing bifacial solar panels installations that does not rely on the use of all available space to maximize electrical output and return on investment. Instead, the design method relies on building a solar farm that provides the buyer with less than optimal electrical output but meets requirements to improve the return and breakeven over traditional installations. The method weighs financial variables against the design criteria to achieve a new less than maximum effectiveness of the system.

Abstract: A method of designing bifacial solar panels installations that does not rely on the use of all available space to maximize electrical output and return on investment. Instead, the design method relies the market meter rate of the business sector in the area to determine of the KW size of the array. This production is then converted to cost per square Area for use in evaluating the costs, predicting profits, and generating lease agreements. The tenant pays a contract cost per square Area regardless of actually energy consumption.

Abstract: A seed layer structure is annealed. The seed layer structure comprises a crystallization catalyst material on a seed semiconductor over a substrate. The seed semiconductor comprises an amorphous portion. Annealing of the seed layer structure converts the amorphous portion into a crystalline portion. The crystalline portion is connected to the substrate by subsurface crystal legs. The crystallization catalyst material formed underneath the crystalline portion by annealing is removed from the underneath of the crystalline portion.

Abstract: In accordance with the present invention, there are provided solar water pasteurizers that are portable, efficient, inexpensive and easy to use. In its simplest form, the solar pasteurizer includes a transparent container such as a bag or envelope that contains at least one energy converting structure and has sufficient insulation to enable heating water to a temperature of at least 65° C. (and preferably to a temperature of at least 70° C.) for a time sufficient to achieve pasteurization (at 65-70° C., a period of only about 6 minutes is required for pasteurization). Invention solar pasteurizers are particularly useful for pasteurizing water. In additional embodiments, invention solar pasteurizers include additional features, such as, for example, a water pasteurization indicator, and a receptacle for retaining same within the invention container.

Abstract: Provided is a mobile lighting device that can derive power from a renewable energy source, such as solar power. The device can comprise a mobile base unit that can house one or more components of the device. The device further can comprise a solar power module associated with the mobile base unit that converts solar energy into electrical current. The device also can comprise a lighting module associated with the mobile base unit that is at least partially powered either directly or indirectly using the electrical current from the solar power module. The device further can comprise a solar power storage module, such as comprising one or more batteries, for storing energy and discharging as electrical current for powering the lighting module, which can be positioned atop a mast that can be extendable, pivotable, and/or rotatable. The invention also provides methods and systems for illuminating areas.

Abstract: Certain aspects of the present disclosure are directed to a method that includes: depositing, in a deposition environment, an amorphous semiconductor material on a substrate to form a semiconductor film on the substrate; filling, in the depositing process, the deposition environment with a first precursor material such that the semiconductor film formed on the substrate includes a first layer having a first material characteristic; filling, in the depositing process, the deposition environment with a crystallization-stop precursor material such that the silicon film includes a crystallization-stop layer having a crystallization characteristic different from a crystallization characteristic of the first layer; depositing a metal film on the semiconductor film; and annealing the semiconductor film and the metal film at an predetermined annealing temperature for a predetermined period of time such that the first layer is at least partially crystallized and the crystallization-stop layer is at least partially amo

Abstract: In one aspect, crystallization of multiple layers of amorphous materials is disclosed. In one embodiment, multiple layers of amorphous materials such as amorphous silicon, silicon carbide, and/or germanium are deposited using deposition methods such as PECVD or sputtering. A layer of metal such as aluminum is deposited on the surface of the deposited amorphous materials using sputtering or evaporation, and the structure is annealed in a hydrogen environment. The structure is contained on a semiconductor substrate, glass, a flexible metal/organic film, or other type of substrate.

Abstract: A photovoltaic shingle having a photovoltaic assembly with a photovoltaic cell or cells. The substrate has an outward face and an inward face and a profile having a plurality of traverse parallel ridges with each ridge separated from the next ridge by a traverse parallel trough. The substrate facilitates vertical and horizontal nesting and alignment. The photovoltaic cell substantially spans the outward face except for a portion thereof that is intended to be overlapped by another similar shingle. The substrate can have two tiers or more, each tier being separated by an integral riser that creates the appearance of two rows or more of shingles. The substrate can be produced from recyclable plastic. The shingles have a translucent color enhancing means for imparting an uniform color and can be produced in many colors and shapes. The shingle is attached directly to a building or roof structure without an intermediary support or framing structure therebetween.

Abstract: A solar water still (10) includes an enclosure assembly (12) and an evaporation assembly (14) that float on a body of source water and that are readily collapsed and folded for storage or transport. The enclosure assembly includes a transparent conical dome (20) covering a collection reservoir (18) and an inner float ring (16). The evaporation assembly is placed in the center of the inner float ring. During operation, solar radiation induces water to evaporate from the evaporation assembly. The water vapor is then condensed and collected by the enclosure assembly.