Abstract: A wind energy system 10 comprises a wind tunnel module 12 having openings 14a and 14b at opposite ends. The openings have substantially the same cross-sectional area although the cross-sectional area of the wind tunnel module 12 decreases from the openings 14a and 14b in a direction toward an intermediate portion 16 of the tunnel module. The intermediate portion 16 has a substantially constant cross-sectional area. One or more wind turbines with equal or different number of blades may be mounted in the wind tunnel in or adjacent to the intermediate portion 16. The intermediate portion 16 is bendable to enable the module 12 to conform to a roof 20 of any pitch.

Abstract: A base tile 100 comprises a substrate 102 having a first surface 104 and an electrical connection system 200 supported by the substrate 102. The electrical connection system comprises a plurality of conducting posts 204. Each post 204 extends from a bottom surface 112 of the base tile 100 toward the first surface 104 of the substrate 102. A free end 206 of each post enables electrical and mechanical connection to a photovoltaic tile 10. The electrical connection system 200 also includes a electrical conductors 200 that electrically connect the posts 202 together.

Abstract: An electrical connection system 200 comprises a rail 202 and a plurality of electrically conducting posts 204 fixed to the rail 202. The rail 202 is in the form of a tube or rod provided with complimentary electrical connectors 208 and 210 at opposite ends. Each post 204 is coupled to a rail 202 by a short transverse link 205. A fitting 216 is provided at a free end 206 of each post 204 to facilitate mechanical and electrical connection with a through hole terminal. Pairs of rails 202 may be disposed side by side to form nominal positive and negative rails with the posts of the rails 202 interleaving each other and in mutual alignment. In some instances, photovoltaic tiles 10 that include holes 28 and 30 forming conductive terminals are fitted over posts 204.

Abstract: A connection system 10 comprises: a base 24 configured to support the photovoltaic panels 22a and 22b in a manner where they face the different directions D1 and D2 respectively; and, an electric circuit 26 which is supported by the base 24 and electrically couples the panels 22a and 22b together as well as enabling the electrical connection of the connection system 10 to a second like connection system. The base 24 is coupled to each of the PV panels 22 at two spaced apart locations by posts 30a1, 30a2, 30b1, 30b2 and a ridge plate 32 which provides support for each of the panels 22 along the length of an upper edge of each PV panel 22. The electric circuit 26 comprises: a sub-circuit 54 which is housed in the cavity 40; electrical terminals 56 that demountably engage the posts 30; and electrical connectors 58a and 58b which provide electrical connection with adjacent connection systems 10.

Abstract: A photovoltaic cell support assembly (10) comprises a first surface (32) provided with a plurality of recesses (14) configured to receive respective hooks (16) to facilitate hanging of the assembly (10) to a wall (18) to which the hooks (16) are attached. The assembly (10) is also provided with a second surface (13) configured to mechanically and electrically couple with one or more photovoltaic cells (24) and an electric circuit (22) supported by the assembly (10). The electrical circuit (22) is provided with a plurality of terminals (60) that extend through the second surface (13) to provide the mechanical and electrical coupling of the photovoltaic cells (24). The electric circuit (22) is configured to electrically connect the or each photovoltaic cell (24) coupled to the second surface together and to electrically connect the assembly (10) to a second like assembly (10).

Abstract: A system for measuring temperature and current at coupling points in an electric distribution network. A monitor device is connected to a series of measuring devices using radio waves. The monitor device sequentially interrogates measuring devices to determine the temperature and current of each one. The measuring devices include a core surrounding the conductor which provides power by induction to each measuring device and also provides a measure of the current. A temperature sensor connected to the core provides the temperature measurement.

Abstract: A solar panel 400 comprises: a base tile 100, a plurality of photovoltaic tiles 10, a connection system 200, for each photovoltaic tile 10 one or more electrical bypass devices 42. Each photovoltaic tile 10 comprises one or more photovoltaic cells 12 electrically connected together to form a photovoltaic cell circuit 40. The connection system 200 is supported by or on the base tile 100, and electrically connects the photovoltaic tiles 10 together in groups of two or more photovoltaic tiles, and mechanically couples the photovoltaic tiles 10 to the base tile 100. At least one bypass device 42 is shunted across a set of one or more of the photovoltaic cells 12 in the photovoltaic cell circuit 40. Each bypass device 42 provides a current path for the photovoltaic cell circuit 40 across the set of photovoltaic cells 12 when an output voltage across the set of photovoltaic cells is less than a predetermined threshold voltage.

Abstract: An electrical connection system 200 comprises a rail 202 and a plurality of electrically conducting posts 204 fixed to the rail 202. The rail 202 is in the form of a tube or rod provided with complimentary electrical connectors 208 and 210 at opposite ends. Each post 204 is coupled to a rail 202 by a short transverse link 205. A fitting 216 is provided at a free end 206 of each post 204 to facilitate mechanical and electrical connection with a through hole terminal. Pairs of rails 202 may be disposed side by side to form nominal positive and negative rails with the posts of the rails 202 interleaving each other and in mutual alignment.

Abstract: A base tile 100 comprises a substrate 102 having a first surface 104 and an electrical connection system 200 supported by the substrate 102. The electrical connection system comprises a plurality of conducting posts 204. Each post 204 extends from a bottom surface 112 of the base tile 100 toward the first surface 104 of the substrate 102. A free end 206 of each post enables electrical and mechanical connection to a photovoltaic tile 10. The electrical connection system 200 also includes a electrical conductors 200 that electrically connect the posts 202 together.

Abstract: A photovoltaic tile 10 comprises a carrier tile 12 and a photovoltaic tile 14 supported in a recess 20 formed on a first side 18 of the carrier tile 12. Through hole electrical terminals 28 and 30 are provided on the carrier tile 12 and are in electrical connection with the photovoltaic cell 14. A cover plate 16 overlays the photovoltaic cell 14 and is sealed to the carrier tile 12. The photovoltaic tile 10 is made of an appearance to mimic that of a slate or shingle used for covering a roof.

Abstract: A photovoltaic cell circuit (40, 50) is disclosed which comprises a plurality of photovoltaic cells (12) connected in series. At least one switching device (42) is shunted across a group of one or more of the photovoltaic cells (12). The switching device (42) provides a current path for the circuit (40, 50) when light is obstructed from impinging on one or more of the photovoltaic cells (12) across which the switching device (42) is shunted.

Abstract: A wind energy system 10 comprises a wind tunnel module 12 having openings 14a and 14b at opposite ends. The openings have substantially the same cross-sectional area although the cross-sectional area of the wind tunnel module 12 decreases from the openings 14a and 14b in a direction toward an intermediate portion 16 of the tunnel module. The intermediate portion 16 has a substantially constant cross-sectional area. One or more wind turbines with equal or different number of blades may be mounted in the wind tunnel in or adjacent to the intermediate portion 16. The intermediate portion 16 is bendable to enable the module 12 to conform to a roof 20 of any pitch.

Abstract: A system for measuring temperature and current at coupling points in an electric distribution network. A monitor device is connected to a series of measuring devices using radio waves. The monitor device sequentially interrogates measuring devices to determine the temperature and current of each one. The measuring devices include a core surrounding the conductor which provides power by induction to each measuring device and also provides a measure of the current. A temperature sensor connected to the core provides the temperature measurement.