A power supply for supplying energy to a load includes an energy supply source for generating energy, an energy storage device that is charged from the energy generated by the energy supply source, an optional regulator for improving the energy matching of the energy supply source and the energy storage device, an energy converter for delivering energy from the energy storage device and/or the energy supply source to a load, a detector for monitoring the energy level of the energy storage device and for determining when to activate the energy converter to allow energy delivery to the load from the energy storage device and/or the energy supply source, an optional energy discharge controller that allows the energy storage device to discharge over time, and an optional switch controller for controlling a switch, valve, relay, etc.

An autonomous solid state lighting system has a charge mode which collects energy and produces electric power with a solid state energy source, converts the voltage of the electric power using a bi-directional power converter, and stores the power in an energy storage device. A discharge mode draws electric power from the energy storage device, converts the voltage of the electric power using the bi-directional power converter, and produces light from a solid state light source. A controller controls the charge and discharge modes. In one embodiment, the solid state energy source can be a solar cell panel, the solid state light source can be an LED module, and the energy storage device can be a battery pack.

A continuous environmental noise level recording and analysis system is provided. The system is capable of sampling, processing and storing Equivalent Sound Level values over a period of about two weeks. The recorded data is downloaded and analyzed to show graphs, and to automatically detect noise events of interest. The measurement system conforms to ANSI/IEC Type I or Type II standards for noise level monitoring

A solar system for a motor vehicle has a solar generator and an energy storage for supplying power to at least one power consuming device, the solar generator being intended for charging of the energy storage, which is formed by at least one high-capacitance capacitor.

A long-life telemetry power storage and delivery system includes a power bus electrically connected through a voltage regulator to a wireless communications unit operable for periodic high-current transmissions. The power bus is connected to a direct power source and at least three power storage sources. The direct power source includes at least one solar panel. The power storage sources include: (1) a primary, low-voltage, non-rechargeable battery; (2) a secondary, low-voltage, rechargeable battery; and (3) a set of high capacity capacitors. To provide a long life to the system, current limiting resistors are interposed between the power bus and the primary and secondary batteries, such that high current requirements of a transmission are supplied by the set of capacitors rather than the batteries.