Abstract: Building integrated photovoltaic (BIPV) systems provide for solar panel arrays that can be aesthetically pleasing to an observer. BIPV systems can be incorporated as part of roof surfaces as built into the structure of the roof, particularly as multi-region roofing modules that have photovoltaic elements embedded or incorporated into the body of the module, in distinct tiles-sized regions. Such multi-region photovoltaic modules can replicate the look of individual roofing tiles or shingles. Further, multi-region photovoltaic modules can include support structures between the distinct regions having a degree of flexibility, allowing for a more efficient installation process.

Abstract: This disclosure describes methods and apparatus for assembly a roofing structure that incorporates photovoltaic modules as shingles of the roofing structure. A sidelap is used to both establish consistent spacing between the solar shingles and prevent water passing between adjacent shingles from collecting beneath the solar shingles by guiding the water passing through the solar shingles and redirecting the water down-roof. In some embodiments, the sidelaps can have additional functionality. For example, a sidelap can include tabs configured to interact with lateral securing features positioned on downward-facing surfaces of the solar roofing modules to help keep the lateral sides of the photovoltaic modules from pulling away from the roofing structure during severe weather conditions. The sidelap could also include means for attaching a wire clip to one end of the sidelap.

Abstract: A photovoltaic (PV) module sub-circuit for an energy generation system includes a plurality of PV sub-modules coupled together via external cables, the plurality of PV sub-modules includes a first PV sub-module and a second PV sub-module, a negative output terminal coupled to the first PV sub-module, a positive output terminal coupled to the second PV sub-module, and a plurality of connectors external to the PV sub-modules and coupling the PV sub-modules together to form the PV module sub-circuit. The sub-circuit further includes a bypass mechanism including a first terminal coupled to only the negative output terminal and the first PV sub-module, and a second terminal coupled to only the positive output terminal and the second PV sub-module, the bypass mechanism configured to prevent current flow in a first direction and allow current flow in a second direction opposite of the first direction.

Abstract: Mounting systems are disclosed for attaching photovoltaic modules to torque tubes. Such systems can include saddle brackets that maximize space along a torque tube by sharing torque tube mounting holes between adjacent brackets. The brackets can be positionally stable on the torque tube prior to complete installation to enable a single installer to assemble a complete tracker array.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates, in some embodiments, to materials, systems, organisms, and methods for enhancing abiotic stress tolerance (e.g., cold, salinity, drought, heat, wind) and/or enhancing biomass in plants. For example, enhancing abiotic stress tolerance may be achieved in plants having Arabidopsis thaliana BCL-2-associated athanogene 4 (AtBAG4) nucleic acids and/or polypeptides, Caenorhabditis elegans Ced-9 nucleic acids and/or polypeptides, and/or human Bcl-2-161 nucleic acids and/or polypeptides.

Abstract: A photovoltaic mounting system having an elongated connector base. The elongated connector base can included photovoltaic module connector portion for supporting a pair of elevated photovoltaic modules above the base. The base may include a captive screw system for holding a pair of mounting screws in place prior to installation and functioning as a screw guide during installation. An assistance clamp fits over the elongated base under the photovoltaic module connector portion to secure the elongated connector base to relatively narrow portion of a roof to provide lateral stability to the elongated connector base.

Abstract: A photovoltaic (PV) mounting system having a base portion that is substantially planar and having a first roof-facing side and an opposite module-facing side. The base portion has a lip that circumscribes the perimeter of the base portion and curves inward on the module-facing side. A clamp having a spring base is partially installed in the base portion and has a pair of clamping flanges extending upwardly from the base portion. A support beam comprising a pair of ledges adapted to mate with the clamping flanges of the clamp and a bottom portion that is supported by the spring base. A PV module coupling device is mechanically coupled to the support beam and configured for coupling to the frames of at least two photovoltaic modules.

Abstract: A method to calibrate a nuclear magnetic resonance tool is disclosed having steps of starting a nuclear magnetic resonance sequence from the nuclear magnetic resonance tool, disabling an active damping circuit in the nuclear magnetic resonance tool, collecting auxiliary calibration data for the nuclear magnetic resonance tool, estimating a natural Q value for the nuclear magnetic resonance tool, determining an optimal active damping setting for the tool, deploying the optimal active damping setting for the tool, collecting nuclear magnetic resonance response data generated from the nuclear magnetic resonance sequence and calibrating the nuclear magnetic resonance data.

Abstract: A photovoltaic (PV) module sub-circuit for an energy generation system includes a plurality of PV sub-modules coupled together via external cables, the plurality of PV sub-modules includes a first PV sub-module and a second PV sub-module, a negative output terminal coupled to the first PV sub-module, a positive output terminal coupled to the second PV sub-module, and a plurality of connectors external to the PV sub-modules and coupling the PV sub-modules together to form the PV module sub-circuit. The sub-circuit further includes a bypass mechanism including a first terminal coupled to only the negative output terminal and the first PV sub-module, and a second terminal coupled to only the positive output terminal and the second PV sub-module, the bypass mechanism configured to prevent current flow in a first direction and allow current flow in a second direction opposite of the first direction.

Abstract: Methods and systems for mounting an array of photovoltaic modules atop a rooftop are disclosed. In particular the mounting hardware includes a photovoltaic module tray supported above the rooftop by a number of support structures fastened to the rooftop. The photovoltaic module trays include bottom and sidewalls configured to support and align photovoltaic modules along the rooftop. Since the bottom wall supports the weight of the photovoltaic module, the sidewalls can have a thin form-factor that allows the photovoltaic modules trays to be tightly spaced. In this way, the photovoltaic module tray can occupy very little area on the roof allowing the effective collection area of photovoltaic modules supported by the photovoltaic module trays to be significantly larger than photovoltaic modules using wider photovoltaic module frames.

Abstract: Building integrated photovoltaic (BIPV) systems provide for solar panel arrays that can be aesthetically pleasing to an observer. BIPV systems can be incorporated as part of roof surfaces as built into the structure of the roof, particularly as multi-region roofing modules that have photovoltaic elements embedded or incorporated into the body of the module, in distinct tiles-sized regions. Such multi-region photovoltaic modules can replicate the look of individual roofing tiles or shingles. Further, multi-region photovoltaic modules can include support structures between the distinct regions having a degree of flexibility, allowing for a more efficient installation process.

Abstract: This disclosure describes methods and apparatus for assembly a roofing structure that incorporates photovoltaic modules as shingles of the roofing structure. A sidelap is used to both establish consistent spacing between the solar shingles and prevent water passing between adjacent shingles from collecting beneath the solar shingles by guiding the water passing through the solar shingles and redirecting the water down-roof. In some embodiments, the sidelaps can have additional functionality. For example, a sidelap can include tabs configured to interact with lateral securing features positioned on downward-facing surfaces of the solar roofing modules to help keep the lateral sides of the photovoltaic modules from pulling away from the roofing structure during severe weather conditions. The sidelap could also include means for attaching a wire clip to one end of the sidelap.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates, in some embodiments, to materials, systems, organisms, and methods for enhancing abiotic stress tolerance (e.g., cold, salinity, drought, heat, wind) and/or enhancing biomass in plants. For example, enhancing abiotic stress tolerance may be achieved in plants having Arabidopsis thaliana BCL-2-associated athanogene 4 (AtBAG4) nucleic acids and/or polypeptides, Caenorhabditis elegans Ced-9 nucleic acids and/or polypeptides, and/or human Bcl-2-161 nucleic acids and/or polypeptides.

Abstract: This disclosure relates to the design of pile cap assemblies configured to rotatably couple the torque tube of a photovoltaic solar tracker to multiple support piles that elevate the torque tube above the ground. The pile cap assemblies define low friction bearings that allow the torque tube to rotate smoothly within the low friction bearings. The pile cap assemblies also include numerous mounting hole configurations that allow for adjustment of a position of the pile cap assemblies with respect to the support piles. This allows for any small variation in positioning of the support piles to be accommodated.

Abstract: A photovoltaic (PV) mounting hardware support system having a base portion. A foot has an elongated body adapted to connect to at least one PV module frame mounting component. A latch is located between the foot and the base portion and comprising first and second flexible flanges adapted to extend into fixed connection with the top portion of base portion. A plunger having first and second extensions, the plunger is located between the latch and the base portion and moveable from a first position to a second position. In the first position of the plunger, the first and second flexible flanges of the latch are not in fixed connection with the base portion. In the second position of the plunger, the first and second extensions of the plunger respectively apply forces to the first and second flexible flanges such that the first and second flexible flanges are placed into fixed connection with the base portion.

Abstract: A wellscreen assembly has first and second screen joints connected together and has at least first and second adjoining tubes with opposed ends separated by a gap from one another. At least one jumper tube has first and second tubulars and fits in the gap between the adjoining tubes. The first tubular has a first end connectable to one of the opposed ends, while the second tubular has a second end connectable to another of the opposed ends. The second tubular is telescopically connected to the first tubular, and a biasing element biases the first and second tubulars away from one another. The first and second tubulars are operable between (i) a retracted condition retracting the first and second ends from the opposed ends and (ii) an extended condition extending the first and second ends to the opposed ends of the adjoining tubes.

Abstract: A two-piece rooftop photovoltaic mounting system. A fixed base portion is attached directly to a roof surface via a lag bolt or other mechanical fastener. A movable portion is attached to and pivots about the base portion providing freedom of movement radially and axially with respect to the base portion. A photovoltaic module coupler is attached to the movable portion to support at least two photovoltaic modules at a location dictated by positioning of the movable portion. A locking nut locks the movable portion to the base portion at the desired location. A sheet of sealant material under the base portion helps prevent ingress of water into the roof surface via the lag bolt.

Abstract: Photovoltaic mounting systems and coupling assemblies for mounting photovoltaic modules are provided. The mounting systems may include short extruded base members that are mounted onto the supporting surface at approximate locations on the supporting surface, and coupling assemblies that may slide along the length of the base members during installation and be locked at particular positions on the length of the base members. The coupling assemblies may be coupled to connectors that in turn couple to two photovoltaic modules. In operation, the installer may first determine approximate locations on which to mount the base members and mount all required base members, and then, place the coupling assemblies at desired locations, lock the coupling assemblies at the desired locations, position the photovoltaic modules in the connectors of the coupling assemblies, and move to the next set of coupling assemblies.

Abstract: Methods and systems for mounting an array of photovoltaic modules atop a rooftop are disclosed. In particular the mounting hardware includes a photovoltaic module tray supported above the rooftop by a number of support structures fastened to the rooftop. The photovoltaic module trays include bottom and sidewalls configured to support and align photovoltaic modules along the rooftop. Since the bottom wall supports the weight of the photovoltaic module, the sidewalls can have a thin form-factor that allows the photovoltaic modules trays to be tightly spaced. In this way, the photovoltaic module tray can occupy very little area on the roof allowing the effective collection area of photovoltaic modules supported by the photovoltaic module trays to be significantly larger than photovoltaic modules using wider photovoltaic module frames.

Abstract: A rapidly installable photovoltaic mounting system that can be manually snapped onto a first photovoltaic module and then lowered onto a trapezoidal metal roof to serve as a base for receiving a second photovoltaic module thereon.