Photovoltaic (PV) systems are progressively used for decentralized electricity generation. To obtain the maximum yield from such systems, optimisation of all components is essential. In this contribution, we provide a comprehensive modelling and sizing of PV systems for any location. Three applications are here presented providing real time monitoring of PV potential, accurate prediction of yield taking into account thermodynamic temperature effects, optimization of modules orientation addressing the effects of shading and efficient sizing of inverter for a higher yield output. When combined, these models can accurately predict the real time performance of any PV system.@en

A small volume and low-mass THz spectroscopy instrument, integrated in a CubeSat platform, enables an accessible and low-cost pathway to earth science. Low-profile lens antennas emerge as a suitable candidate to realize a high gain, 50 dB, over a wide bandwidth, from 450 GHz to 550 GHz. To achieve a high aperture efficiency with a large numerical aperture lens, an advanced waveguide feed is required. In this work a concentric corrugated waveguide feed and multi-layer leaky-wave feed are presented and benchmarked against an open-ended circular waveguide feed. All three feeds are fabricated and will be evaluated in combination with a 7.4 cm diameter silicon lens. It is shown that the two feeds result in a 65% aperture efficiency, i.e. a 13% improvement with respect to the open-ended waveguide.@en