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: 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 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: 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: 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 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.