Abstract: A solar powered lighting system comprises a photovoltaic array coupled to a rechargeable battery and an LED array having a variable brightness output. A memory device contains a lighting profile for each day of a calendar year at a predetermined geophysical location on the surface of the earth, and includes a calendar of events including times of activation and deactivation of one or more LED arrays and brightness levels associated with each array for each event. A real time clock times the reading of the events by a controller in a control module for controlling the intensity of the LED array such that the LED array is energized at preselected times as determined by the real time clock and at preselected intensities based upon the lighting profile and includes a control module that consumes on average no more than 2 mA of current.

Abstract: A system for harvesting and storing energy including photovoltaic structure continuously harvesting energy from an internal lighting system, at least one supercapacitor for receiving and storing electrical energy produced by the photovoltaic structure, and a microprocessor continually powered by the supercapacitor and programmed to activate an electrically operated device when the stored energy in the supercapacitor exceeds a minimum voltage charge level sufficient to maintain operation of the microprocessor.