Abstract: Compositions and methods for constructing a photovoltaic (PV) module bound by multiple layers of encapsulant as well as a custom lamination protocol. Various embodiments described herein include a PV apparatus comprising transparent polycarbonate (PC) plates containing a silicon solar power cell bound with a novel multilayer encapsulation polymers encompassing each side of the solar power cell, where the multilayer encapsulation polymers are in contact with the PC plate surface and the solar power cell surface. The multilayer encapsulant comprises an encapsulation polymer first layer and a second layer, where the first layer is a first thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) layer that is in contact with a second layer comprising an additional encapsulation polymer.

Abstract: A system is disclosed including a solar panel, a drive shaft operatively coupled to the solar panel, a sensor to sense a power output from the solar panel, and a controller programmed to receive the power output, conduct a first comparison between the power output and a power output threshold, rotate the drive shaft based on the first comparison, conduct a second comparison between the power output and the power output threshold, and cease rotation of the drive shaft based on the second comparison. Rotating the drive shaft feeds an amount of film from a source roll of film over a face of the solar panel and feeds an amount of film from a cover portion of film extending from the source roll of film around the drive shaft.

Abstract: The disclosure provides systems and methods to monitor the degradation of polymer layers in polymer based photovoltaic modules using an optical sensor. The optical sensor is embedded in a polymer layer of the polymer based photovoltaic module.

Abstract: Disclosed are methods, systems, and computer-readable media to perform operations including: receiving, by a first machine learning model, information including one or more of: a solar panel current, a solar panel voltage, a battery current, a battery voltage, a load current, or a load voltage of the off-grid solar power system; predicting, by the first machine learning model, operating parameters of the off-grid solar power system including one or more of: a solar panel power, a solar intensity, a load profile, a battery voltage over time based on the received information; receiving, by a second machine learning model, a comparison between one or more predicted operating parameters and one or more actual operating parameters; and sending, by the second machine learning model, a user notification for an abnormal operating condition of the off-grid solar power system based on the comparison result.

Abstract: The disclosure provides systems and methods to monitor the degradation of polymer layers in polymer based photovoltaic modules using an optical sensor. The optical sensor is embedded in a polymer layer of the polymer based photovoltaic module.

Abstract: A photovoltaic panel and an interchangeable module are described. The photovoltaic panel includes a plurality of interchangeable modules that are mechanically and electrically interconnected. Each module includes a solar cell panel with electrically conductive ribbons providing electrical connections, the solar cell panel having a face extending between peripheral edges, a cell length, and a cell width; a frame receiving the solar cell panel that includes a front portion defining a central aperture through which the face of the solar cell panel is exposed; and a back portion attached to the front portion, the front portion and the back portion defining a groove extending around the central aperture and open to the central aperture, the groove having a groove length at least 10 millimeters longer than the cell length and a groove width at least 10 millimeters longer than the cell width, the solar cell panel received in the groove.

Abstract: A system includes a particle receiver, a heat exchanger, an electric generator, and a reactor. The particle receiver is configured to receive solar energy and transfer the solar energy to a heat transfer fluid. The heat exchanger is configured to transfer heat from the heat transfer fluid to a working fluid. The electric generator is configured to generate electrical power as the working fluid expands through the electric generator. The reactor includes a first compartment, a second compartment, and a heat transfer barrier. The heat transfer barrier is configured to transfer heat from the heat transfer fluid in the first compartment to the reaction feed stream in the second compartment, thereby maintaining an operating temperature of the reaction feed stream to at least a specified reaction temperature and converting at least one reactant in the reactant feed stream into at least one specified product.

Abstract: The disclosure provides systems and methods to monitor the degradation of polymer layers in polymer based photovoltaic modules using an optical sensor. The optical sensor is embedded in a polymer layer of the polymer based photovoltaic module.

Abstract: A photovoltaic panel and an interchangeable module are described. The photovoltaic panel includes a plurality of interchangeable modules that are mechanically and electrically interconnected. Each module includes a solar cell panel with electrically conductive ribbons providing electrical connections, the solar cell panel having a face extending between peripheral edges, a cell length, and a cell width; a frame receiving the solar cell panel that includes a front portion defining a central aperture through which the face of the solar cell panel is exposed; and a back portion attached to the front portion, the front portion and the back portion defining a groove extending around the central aperture and open to the central aperture, the groove having a groove length at least 10 millimeters longer than the cell length and a groove width at least 10 millimeters longer than the cell width, the solar cell panel received in the groove.