Abstract: A photovoltaic (PV) system can include a plurality of PV modules and circuitry configured to receive an indication of a status of the PV system and to, in response to the indication, determine whether to switch between a first state in which the PV modules output DC power and a second state in which the PV modules do not output power.

Abstract: A solid-state thermal battery system is disclosed herein. The system includes a stationary thermal storage medium that can be charged by adding heat to the thermal storage medium. Actuated heat engines can be utilized to discharge the solid-state thermal battery, converting the heat stored in the thermal storage medium into electricity. The heat engines are actuated in a manner that reduces thermal gradients in the thermal storage medium to increase the efficiency of the system. In one embodiment, the thermal storage medium is contained in a main chamber of an insulated container. The heat engines are stored, when idle, in an ancillary chamber adjacent to the main chamber and moved into the main chamber by an actuation system to begin discharging the solid-state thermal battery. The heat engines follow a path during discharge to dynamically move between regions of the thermal storage medium to reduce thermal gradients induced therein.

Abstract: The technology relates to producing an optoelectronic device. A method for forming an optoelectronic device on a substrate may include growing an epitaxial structure on the substrate, wherein the substrate comprises a semiconductor material having a lattice constant between 5.7 and 6.0 Angstroms, and wherein the epitaxial structure includes an epitaxial device layer, then depositing a metal layer on the epitaxial structure, and selectively removing the epitaxial layer, thereby separating the optoelectronic device from the substrate. An optoelectronic device may include an optoelectronic device structure including an epitaxial device layer having a lattice constant between 5.7 and 6.0 Angstroms, a metal layer deposited onto a surface of the optoelectronic device structure, and a carrier structure, wherein the optoelectronic device comprises a thin film, single crystal device.

Abstract: A thermal storage solution system is disclosed herein. The system includes an insulated container having a thermal storage medium, a heating element configured to heat the thermal storage medium, a heat receiving unit (e.g., thermophotovoltaic (TPV) heat engine, heat transfer fluid, an industrial process component) configured to convert heat into electric energy, and a mechanism configured to control a view factor between the thermal storage medium and the heat engine. In another embodiment, the system includes multiple thermal storage media as unit cells in a single enclosure or container with insulation between adjacent unit cells.

Abstract: A photovoltaic (PV) system can include a plurality of PV modules and circuitry configured to receive an indication of a status of the PV system and to, in response to the indication, determine whether to switch between a first state in which the PV modules output DC power and a second state in which the PV modules do not output power.

Abstract: A photovoltaic (PV) system can include a plurality of PV modules and circuitry configured to receive an indication of a status of the PV system and to, in response to the indication, determine whether to switch between a first state in which the PV modules output DC power and a second state in which the PV modules do not output power.

Abstract: A photovoltaic (PV) system can include a plurality of PV modules and circuitry configured to receive an indication of a status of the PV system and to, in response to the indication, determine whether to switch between a first state in which the PV modules output DC power and a second state in which the PV modules do not output power.

Abstract: A solid-state thermal battery system is disclosed herein. The system includes a stationary thermal storage medium that can be charged by adding heat to the thermal storage medium. Actuated heat engines can be utilized to discharge the solid-state thermal battery, converting the heat stored in the thermal storage medium into electricity. The heat engines are actuated in a manner that reduces thermal gradients in the thermal storage medium to increase the efficiency of the system. In one embodiment, the thermal storage medium is contained in a main chamber of an insulated container. The heat engines are stored, when idle, in an ancillary chamber adjacent to the main chamber and moved into the main chamber by an actuation system to begin discharging the solid-state thermal battery. The heat engines follow a path during discharge to dynamically move between regions of the thermal storage medium to reduce thermal gradients induced therein.

Abstract: A photovoltaic (PV) system can include a plurality of PV modules and circuitry configured to receive an indication of a status of the PV system and to, in response to the indication, determine whether to switch between a first state in which the PV modules output DC power and a second state in which the PV modules do not output power.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and computer readable media are disclosed for maintaining photovoltaic power plant reactive power capability, e.g., through the manipulation of direct current (DC) voltage. In some examples, A control system includes a monitor input for receiving a monitor signal indicative of an input voltage of an inverter system and a control output for outputting a control signal to a voltage-clipping device of a solar panel system supplying a solar output voltage to the inverter system. The control system includes a control circuit configured to perform operations comprising: determining, using the monitor signal, that the input voltage of the inverter system exceeds a threshold voltage; and in response to determining that the input voltage of the inverter system exceeds the threshold voltage, causing, using the control signal, the voltage-clipping device to reduce the solar output voltage by shorting out one or more photovoltaic solar cells of the solar panel system.

Abstract: A photovoltaic (PV) module can include a plurality of solar cells and circuitry configured to switch between a first state in which output voltage from the PV module includes voltage from the plurality of solar cells and a second state in which the output voltage includes voltage from fewer that all the plurality of solar cells.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and computer readable media are disclosed for maintaining photovoltaic power plant reactive power capability, e.g., through the manipulation of direct current (DC) voltage. In some examples, A control system includes a monitor input for receiving a monitor signal indicative of an input voltage of an inverter system and a control output for outputting a control signal to a voltage-clipping device of a solar panel system supplying a solar output voltage to the inverter system. The control system includes a control circuit configured to perform operations comprising: determining, using the monitor signal, that the input voltage of the inverter system exceeds a threshold voltage; and in response to determining that the input voltage of the inverter system exceeds the threshold voltage, causing, using the control signal, the voltage-clipping device to reduce the solar output voltage by shorting out one or more photovoltaic solar cells of the solar panel system.

Abstract: A photovoltaic (PV) system can include a plurality of PV modules and circuitry configured to receive an indication of a status of the PV system and to, in response to the indication, determine whether to switch between a first state in which the PV modules output DC power and a second state in which the PV modules do not output power.

Abstract: A photovoltaic (PV) module can include a plurality of solar cells and circuitry configured to switch between a first state in which output voltage from the PV module includes voltage from the plurality of solar cells and a second state in which the output voltage includes voltage from fewer that all the plurality of solar cells.