Abstract: A concentrated photovoltaic receiver and backplane assembly is described herein. A thermally conductive heat spreader is configured between the receiver and the backplane for dissipating at least a portion of the thermal energy in a direction including a horizontal component towards a portion of the heat spreader which is not directly in contact with a receiver portion. In some embodiments, the heat spreader is electrically conductive and is adapted for conducting current from the receiver to the backplane. In some embodiments, a surface area of a receiver substrate is less than 5 times larger than a surface area of a solar cell that is mounted onto the receiver substrate. In some embodiments, the receiver substrate comprises vias for conducting current from a top face to a bottom face of the receiver.

Abstract: A substrate pad for soldering at least one self-aligning component thereon, wherein at least one edge of a body of the substrate pad is shaped to conform to a corresponding edge of a component pad, and the at least one edge of the body of the substrate pad further include a plurality of pad fingers leading away from the substrate pad. Related apparatus and methods are also described.

Abstract: A flexible, CPV array having high incident light conversion efficiency, the CPV array comprising: a reflective surface; a plurality of photovoltaic cells configurable to collect radiation from the reflective surface; a concentrating lens (optics) configurable to concentrate the incident light onto the reflective surface and onto the plurality of photovoltaic cells; and a conductor adapted to conduct electricity and heat from the plurality of photovoltaic cells, wherein the CPV array is exposed to incident solar radiation to generate electricity without an incident solar tracking mechanism.

Abstract: A method of assembling an optical element on top of an active component in a substrate, by providing a substrate with active component and an optical element with a base and lateral base walls, fixating a bottom surface of a frame holder with opening and lateral frame walls arranged in a polygonal structure to the substrate so that the opening is positioned over the active component, and mounting the optical element in the opening so the lateral frame walls apply lateral confining mechanical force on the lateral base walls.

Abstract: A flexible, CPV array having high incident light conversion efficiency, the CPV array comprising: a reflective surface; a plurality of photovoltaic cells configurable to collect radiation from the reflective surface; a concentrating lens (optics) configurable to concentrate the incident light onto the reflective surface and onto the plurality of photovoltaic cells; and a conductor adapted to conduct electricity and heat from the plurality of photovoltaic cells, wherein the CPV array is exposed to incident solar radiation to generate electricity without an incident solar tracking mechanism.

Abstract: A multi junction CPV package device comprising: an anode carrier plate; a solar cell array adapted to be electrically connected with wire bonds to the anode carrier plate, the solar cell array comprising an active area; an SOE positionable on the solar cell array and the anode, the SOE forming a first aperture with a wall around at least a portion of the active area and a second aperture around at least a portion of the anode carrier plate, the wall of the first aperture comprising a UV-resistant material; and a cathode plate having an electrical insulation from the anode carrier plate and the cathode plate having a first surface having a thermal connection to the solar cell and a second surface opposed to the first surface, wherein the solar cell and the cathode plate have a thermal connection and the second surface is adapted to be surface-mounted to a PCB.

Abstract: A method of assembling an optical element on top of an active component in a substrate, by providing a substrate with active component and an optical element with a base and lateral base walls, fixating a bottom surface of a frame holder with opening and lateral frame walls arranged in a polygonal structure to the substrate so that the opening is positioned over the active component, and mounting the optical element in the opening so the lateral frame walls apply lateral confining mechanical force on the lateral base walls.

Abstract: A substrate pad for soldering at least one self-aligning component thereon, wherein at least one edge of a body of the substrate pad is shaped to conform to a corresponding edge of a component pad, and the at least one edge of the body of the substrate pad further include a plurality of pad fingers leading away from the substrate pad. Related apparatus and methods are also described.

Abstract: A concentrated photovoltaic receiver and backplane assembly is described herein. A thermally conductive heat spreader is configured between the receiver and the backplane for dissipating at least a portion of the thermal energy in a direction including a horizontal component towards a portion of the heat spreader which is not directly in contact with a receiver portion. In some embodiments, the heat spreader is electrically conductive and is adapted for conducting current from the receiver to the backplane. In some embodiments, a surface area of a receiver substrate is less than 5 times larger than a surface area of a solar cell that is mounted onto the receiver substrate. In some embodiments, the receiver substrate comprises vias for conducting current from a top face to a bottom face of the receiver.

Abstract: A transportable solar harvester system for electrical generation in expeditionary, military, and commercial settings comprising: a photovoltaic array deployable in an open configuration and in a compact closed configuration; a set of stabilizing legs to enable stable positioning of the photovoltaic array in the open configuration; and an auxiliary power module connectable to the photovoltaic array, having system management functionalities to interface the system with other devices wherein the system is deployable from the compact closed configuration to the open configuration manually by two persons in less than 30 minutes and vice versa.

Abstract: A light and heat resistant circuit board apparatus LHRPCB, comprising: at least one thermally conductive material (TCM) layer adapted to serve as a mechanical and thermal substrate for the LHRPCB; at least one layer of electrically isolating material (EIM) configurable on respective TCM layers, the at least one EIM layer being resistant to UV radiation; at least one electrically conducting layer (ECL) layer configurable above the at least one TCM layer and adapted to be patterned and to selectively conduct electrical current; at least one heat and UV radiation resistant bonding layer (HUVRBL) appliable between respective ECL, TCM, and EIM layers; and at least one electronic component mountable upon the at least one ECL layer, wherein the LHRPCB is adapted to be exposed to light and heat for an extended period.

Abstract: Methods and systems of managing electric energy delivery and/or commerce. One of the methods comprises providing a plurality of power sell offers of a plurality of first consumers each connected to an electric grid, providing a power purchase offer of a second consumer connected to the electric grid, selecting at least one of the plurality of sell offers of at least one of the plurality of first consumers according to the power purchase offer, and billing the second consumer according to the at least one selected sell offer so at to allow crediting the at least one first consumer.