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Just found this company that recently was awarded a patent for a 3D solar panel that they claim can double the power of a conventional solar cell. I am a complete novice when it comes to understanding solar technology so I was just wondering if anyone here has heard of this company and what your thoughts were? Does this technology have promise or is it a lot of fluff? Link to the article is below:
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Like J.P.M. says - wait for confirmation - chances are 99.99% it is a con game.[SIGPIC][/SIGPIC]Comment
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While they don't go into any details that article sounds more like a CSP or Concentrated Solar Power system which uses mirrors to focus more light onto the solar panel or target to get a higher output.
There is some research being performed on high efficiency multi-layered solar panels. The technology is described as a panel having multiple layers of solar cells which can capture more of the photons that hit it. Since it is still a laboratory project it is not in production yet I wouldn't get too excited about it.Comment
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Thanks guys.
Here is their website describing their technology. They have a few patents I am searching for as well.
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Its all PR from someone looking for Suckers to invest.MSEE, PEComment
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Reads like B.S. & hype to me, starting with implying a 30% reflection loss from conventional products.
Lots of other loose semi-factoids in there as well. Might be some variation on a CPC (compound parabolic concentrator) or high index of refraction/internal reflection scheme.
I'll wait for the independent testing/peer review.Comment
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I just this I saw this new study by Northwestern University :
Seems like Solar3D figured it out years ago
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3D solar panel
I too had gone through that news about 3 dimensional solar panels. Yeah they claims that 3D on the macro scale can achieve power output that is 20 times greater than the traditional solar panels with the same base area. It captures the sun's rays in a better way. And that's really a great news. Between, I am also a novice when it comes to understanding about solar field, I've just started to attend a course in renewable energy in Cestar college ( http://www.cestarcollege.com/courses...-pv-installer/ ) . And I think I can discuss a lot more about the 3D after when I complete the course!Comment
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I'm still quite skeptical about this as well. I want to hear more details and reviews, of course. I also want to hear some form of confirmation. There aren't enough information surrounding what a 3-d solar panel is all about.Comment
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Here is another 3d solar solution.
More art then practical but pretty cool and pretty expensive.Comment
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I wonder how many will be approved by HOA's. Kinda artsy/fartsy.Here is another 3d solar solution.
More art then practical but pretty cool and pretty expensive.
Looks a bit like an outsized version of something called a Campbell-Stokes Sunshine Recorder - a device used in the very old days ( and still in use) to record periods of "bright sunshine" by concentrating/focusing direct beam sunlight via a sphere onto special paper that charred as f(sun intensity) in strip chart fashion. There were/are several variations on the burn method/materials. Sizes varied, the sphere being about 4 " or so.Comment
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