« What is the most cost-effective place to buy large solar electric panels?
Solar panels (part 2 of 2) »

Spherical Solar Energy : DigInfo

25 Aug 2009

25 Aug, 2009  solar energy

DigInfo - http://movie.diginfo.tv
In the search for alternative energy Clean Venture 21 have developed a new spin on solar.
Their Spherical Silicon Solar Array are made from silicon spheres 1mm in diameter which sit in a reflector which is 2.2 to 2.7mm in width.
The sphere catches and stores the incidental light on its n-Si (or sphere surface) and transfers it to the p-Si (its internal sphere) which is in turn connected to a p-electrode. Clean Venture 21 also utilizes traditional flat-type arrays as well.

“These cells here are in a 5cm x 15cm formation- each individual cell has a 1mm silicon ball inside it and it has an overall efficiency conversion rate of about 10%. In other experiments we have had efficiency rates of about 12%. Very soon we’d like to achieve 13 to 14% rates.”

The benefits of their Micro condensing type spherical silicon solar array is that it’s 5 times cheaper to make, uses 5 times less material, and requires half the energy to reproduce than its contemporaries.

Duration : 0:1:21


Technorati Tags: , , , , , , , ,

TrackBack URI | RSS feed for comments on this post

4 Responses

  1. xlightwavex

    2009 Aug 25 1

    so its a double …
    so its a double pancake huh inside a glass ball

  2. Anothercoilgun

    2009 Aug 25 2

    Just waiting for …
    Just waiting for solar cells to reach 50+ percent. Lots of power in small size. I usually do everything myself sans aid from others. Must I because a special materials scientist just so I can hit 50+ percent efficiency in solar tech? Do I have to do everything myself!

  3. psychosavant

    2009 Aug 25 3

    This is interesting …
    This is interesting. I always thought that modern day flat panels were sorely inefficient. I had an idea I got from the mechanics used in expanding surface area that intestines use to gather nutrients. This uses a similar philosphy. Photons should be able to be reused once it strikes the silicon surface, if it can be trapped and bounced off multiple surfaces. I’d thought that a more “alternating” surface area would increase exposure, resulting in a smaller more convenient PV system.

  4. humexavier

    2009 Aug 25 4

    Solar Sphere Panels …
    Solar Sphere Panels,used on cars or in space: Energy to move the dishes all day to get the right angle focus on a car, Half the energy is used trying to move all the dishes all the time. Sphere Solar panels on say a truck more aero dynamic for traveling(compared to dish).Nasa space telescopes that have sphere shaped panels because to much energy to move a dish in space. Plus a dish must recharge its battery for dish motion.Battery last 10 years.Sphere solar panels don’t need to move for sun


Leave a reply