Abstract: Systems and methods for controlling a solar panel or solar panel array to power one or more appliances are disclosed. The systems include at least a solar panel or solar panel array, an appliance or electrical load, and a power controller connected between the solar panel or solar panel array and the electrical load. The controller performs a maximum power point tracking (MPPT) algorithm on the solar panel or array. The controller also takes into account contextual information, including location and time information, and allows the battery to be discharged beyond a defined threshold only if the contextual information indicates that sufficient solar power will be available to recharge it.

Abstract: A solar water purifier is disclosed. The solar water purifier uses waste heat from a solar panel, or direct heat from the sun, to boil, evaporate, and condense water to create a stream of purified water. In one embodiment, a boiling tank is mounted under and in direct thermal contact with a solar panel to absorb waste heat. In another embodiment, a transparent wall of the boiling tank is directly exposed to solar energy. Unpurified water enters the boiling tank from an inlet tank. Once in the boiling tank, a stream of steam and water vapor leaves the tank and is allowed to condense within a condenser. The condenser is located within the inlet tank, such that the heat recovered during condensation is used to preheat the inlet water to the boiling tank.

Abstract: Systems and methods for controlling a solar panel or solar panel array to power one or more appliances are disclosed. The systems include at least a solar panel or solar panel array, an appliance or electrical load, and a power controller connected between the solar panel or solar panel array and the electrical load. The controller performs a maximum power point tracking (MPPT) algorithm on the solar panel or array. The controller also takes into account contextual information, including location and time information, and allows the battery to be discharged beyond a defined threshold only if the contextual information indicates that sufficient solar power will be available to recharge it.

Abstract: A solar water purifier is disclosed. The solar water purifier uses waste heat from a solar panel, or direct heat from the sun, to boil, evaporate, and condense water to create a stream of purified water. In one embodiment, a boiling tank is mounted under and in direct thermal contact with a solar panel to absorb waste heat. In another embodiment, a transparent wall of the boiling tank is directly exposed to solar energy. Unpurified water enters the boiling tank from an inlet tank. Once in the boiling tank, a stream of steam and water vapor leaves the tank and is allowed to condense within a condenser. The condenser is located within the inlet tank, such that the heat recovered during condensation is used to preheat the inlet water to the boiling tank.