indiatechnews.com » Solar

Flexible solar panels on your rooftop soon

Raats — Tue, 13 Jul 2010 16:06:58 +0000

Flexible solar panels on roof

Yeah it is the future. First it was rain water harvesting and now it may soon be Solar power supply too. Some companies have introduced flexible solar panels for use on commercial rooftops. The panels are made out of thin-film solar cells from a combination of copper, indium, gallium, and selenium (CIGS), which will subsequently be placed on a flexible foil. This set of solar panels are deemed to see action on flat roofs of commercial buildings.

solar roofs

These are lighter compared to glass-encased panels which can be installed a whole lot quicker compared to other technologies. These panels can be laminated onto rooftops if you want, or mounted mounted on racks to tilt the panels. Considering the amount of solar panels that would fit the roof it will be nice to know whats the ROI on such fixtures!

But the technology seems interesting and everyone’s always happy to get free Green and Clean power!

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Household Chin Hua transparent solar panel

Raats — Thu, 10 Jun 2010 08:32:57 +0000

solar-glass

Have you seen transparent solar panels? A Chinese company, called Chin Hua solar glass generates electricity using transparent solar panels, lets sunlight pass through it. Hua Qin solar glass generates electricity, Putting solar panels on the roof will do your energy bill a lot of good, but won’t necessarily help any other aspect of your house. Install a fleet of solar windows, however, and you could have more natural light to go right along with your additional enviro-smugness. At Taipei’s International Optoelectronics Week, the Engadget Chinese crew caught sight of the Chin Hua solar window, a small, slightly foggy pane that delivers 2W of light in the configuration you see above.

The glass can apparently be manufactured with more or less haze, delivering greater or lesser solar power efficiency. This means you could install the most efficient windows on the side of your house facing your nosy neighbors, making you feel better about the environment and better about not bothering to put on pants in the morning.

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The Moon a huge solar power plant?

Raats — Wed, 02 Jun 2010 10:13:51 +0000

lunar_solarplant

There is no limit for exploring useful power sources. A bunch of Japanese scientists at construction firm Shimizu Corporation take that saying “Make no little plans; they have no magic to stir men’s blood” literally, with six of the boldest megaprojects ever imagined. Topping the list is Luna Ring, a lunar solar power plant. It’s a 6,800 mile belt of solar panels built around the moon’s equator, whose power is transmitted back to Earth using microwave and laser wizardry. Phew!

lunar_solarplant

How do they intend building it? it will be built by robots using moon rocks and dust. Their plans have even figured out a way to create water with lunar soil and hydrogen mixed together. Once all that energy is gathered and transmitted back to Earth, it’s converted back into electrical power at numerous terrestrial power stations. Sounds great, might take ages before it can be implemented.

There is still plenty of sunlight beamed on earth going wasted, why not get a way to harness that instead for now?

Technorati shortcode

QNNGS4T2B9YA

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Sunflower the “HCPV”

Neo — Thu, 08 Apr 2010 16:28:23 +0000

Energy Innovations "sunflower"

The name Sunflower instinctively, we think about the flower or something related to sun!! so folks this is something related to the latter. This is a highly concentrated photovoltaic (HCPV) system integrates photovoltaic modules, advanced tracking, unique power optimization, an embedded controller and wireless communication into one elegant solution to produce cost-competitive solar power while reducing installation and maintenance costs.

sunflower

The following are the features and benefits:
High-Efficiency Module

* Industry-leading 29% module efficiency
* 1,200 sun concentration onto high-efficiency, triple junction cells
* Tempered glass composite primary lens enhances reliability and reduces soiling

Wide Acceptance Angle

* Advanced optical design yields industry leading +/- 0.9° acceptance angle

Integrated Tracker Frame-Set

* Low-profile design enables quicker installation and minimal on-going maintenance
* Wiring is pre-assembled at the factory; field wiring connection is plug and play
* Non-penetrating, self-ballasting ground mount structure
* Sealed gearbox requires no maintenance

Micro-Converter Technology

* Optimizes power by providing local MPPT
* Improves performance of shaded modules
* Improves inverter performance in low light conditions

Performance Monitoring

* Built-in performance monitoring allows module level performance statistics, fault alarms, remote monitoring and field management
* Provides up-to-date energy delivery statistics for the customer
* Integrated wireless communications eliminates the need for extra cabling

sunflower technology

Sunflower Technology
Sunflower – Only UL Listed HCPV system in the world

High Concentration

The Sunflower module uses a proprietary optical system to focus the sun’s rays 1,200:1 onto a very small piece of photovoltaic material. Traditional CPV solutions concentrate the sun 500:1 or less. These systems use 2.4 times the expensive triple junction cell material. Sunflower enjoys a substantial cost advantage from our higher concentration.
Advanced Optical Design

At the heart of the Sunflower module is our advanced optical system. Our unique optical path allows for an astonishing +/- 0.9 degree acceptance angle. This performance is made even more impressive when you consider our 1,200:1 concentration ratio. The optical path is composed of Fresnel lens and advanced secondary optics. Our Fresnel lens is a composite structure constructed with the latest Silicone on Glass (SoG) technology. A silicone Fresnel lens is embossed on the back of a sheet of tempered glass. This creates the highly attractive combination of a very durable and yet highly accurate Fresnel lens structure. The Sunflower Fresnel lens sheet is the largest monolithic SoG produced today. Our secondary optics condition the light energy providing ideal utilization of the cell while making it very tolerant of any tracking errors. This provides two key advantages. First, it produces a very uniform distribution of light energy allowing the cell to run cooler and more efficient. It also provides a significantly wider acceptance angle than traditional prism based systems.
Triple Junction Cells

Our PV cells are called triple junction cells and were originally developed for the demanding performance needs of the satellite industry. These cells are among the most efficient in the world with over 38% efficiency. They are composed of three photovoltaic junctions, each of which responds to a different wavelength of light, enabling our cells to produce more energy than traditional silicon or thin film modules. Each cell is backed by a set of aluminum cooling fins that use natural air flow to keep the cell at a low operating temperature despite the concentration levels.
2-Axis Tracking

HCPV systems like Sunflower need their modules pointed directly at the sun. This requires a tracking system that moves the module in two axes. 2-axis tracking is known to provide over 30% additional energy boost over flat system designs. The Sunflower system comes complete with a unique single module tracking system. This 2-axis, closed loop tracking system monitors the energy output of each module and uses that information to adjust the positions of the module for maximum yield.
Built-in Performance Monitoring

By directly measuring the output of each module, the Sunflower system eliminates the need for costly sensors and their associated need for calibration and maintenance. In addition, the sophisticated Sunflower performance monitoring system can now provide module level performance data, making troubleshooting and maintenance more efficient. This performance monitoring capability is built into every Sunflower system.
Low-Profile Design

Unlike large trackers typical of CPV systems, the Sunflower HCPV system tracks a single rigid module allowing for a low profile design. Keeping the module low to the ground where wind speeds are lowest improves tracking accuracy by limiting wind flexure. It also eliminates certain permitting requirements associated with larger structures. As an additional benefit, the Sunflower system is easily adapted for roof mount applications.
Ease of Installation

The module mounting frames are pre-assembled in the factory to reduce the need for expensive and time-consuming field labor. The primary wiring, micro-converter, controller and performance monitoring system are all integrated into the modular 10-module frame-sets at the factory. These frame-sets are designed to quickly connect to adjacent units, perfectly spacing them apart to reduce inter-unit shading.
Lowest Installed Cost

Since its inception, Energy Innovations believed in a holistic approach to minimizing costs. In fact, Energy Innovations owned an installation company for several years, learning firsthand the value of a system designed from the ground up to minimize installation time, labor and complexity. By designing a completely integrated solution and pre-assembling as much as possible in the factory, we have achieved a very simple and streamlined installation process. This saves time and expensive field installation costs.

The 2-axis tracker, mounting structure, primary wiring, micro-converter, controller and performance monitoring system are all integrated at our factory into 10-module building blocks called “frame-sets”. These frame-sets are optimally designed to minimize shipping costs, simplify installation and reduce field labor. This system is deployed without the need for specialized equipment, cranes, digging holes, building footers or pouring concrete. It simply rests on graded land. The pre-assembled frames are merely unfolded and bolted together in the field. This patented, self-ballasting mounting structure saves two precious commodities, time and money.
Micro-Converter Technology

The Sunflower system uses proprietary Micro-Converter technology to improve energy delivery by conditioning modules’ power output and optimizing maximum power point. A Micro-Converter optimizes Maximum Power Point Tracking (MPPT) over only 5 modules versus up to several thousand modules in traditional single inverter MPPT architecture. This provides more precise and effective MPPT and therefore more usable energy. In addition, this architecture reduces electrical losses within the array and increases the energy produced. This occurs when both shaded modules and unshaded modules are present, and under low light conditions such as sunrise and sunset when traditional inverters would shut down due to under voltage conditions.

sunflower

Sunflower Specifications
System-Level Specifications
2.7 kW (STC) System Unit
Number of modules per tracker frame-set        10
Frame-set footprint        2.03 m x 11.7 m
Frame-set row spacing        2.03 m
Source strings per frame-set        2
Frame-set nominal power (STC)         2,700 Wdc (1)
Electrical Specifications
Source string electrical (2)
Vop (PTC)        400 Vdc
Iop (PTC)        3.13 A
Power (PTC)        1,253 Wdc
Fuse rating (per NEC §690)        4.9 A
Frame-set power rating (PTC, CEC)         2,506 Wdc (2)(3)
Tracker
Tracking algorithm        Individual module,
Maximum Power Tracking
Operable global latitude range        45°S – 45°N
Range of Motion
Azimuth        160°E – 160°W from South
Elevation        0° – 120° from horizon
Elevation drive motor        Single stepper
Azimuth drive motor        Single stepper
Installation Considerations
Power connectivity        Junction box at tracker frame
Inverter compatibility        Compatible with any standard UL 1741 Listed
grid tie DC/AC inverter
Installation zoning
Wind        Wind Exposure D – Max 90 mph fast-mile
(ASCE 07-05/IBC/UBC/CBC)
Seismic        Seismic Zone 4 (UBC/CBC)
Installation tolerances
Tilt (with respect to ground)        +/- 2°
Flatness at frame bases        +/- 30 mm

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Solar Fabric Threads – Future of lit clothing perhaps?

Raats — Tue, 02 Mar 2010 05:46:53 +0000

clothes-with-lights

There may be a time not so far in the near future where fashion designers may start employing, electronic geeks to help design clothing. Ideal Star, a Tokyo based company, has come up with a rather interesting development, specifically a way to infuse threads with solar cells, and this method actually coats the threads, so it’s claimed that there is no need for expensive equipment to manufacture it. What’s even better is the flexible ability of the threads.

Another example of lit clothing

The Product, still under development and researchers are trying to make these threads longer. Sounds really interesting, lets hope this is put into use quickly.

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IBM Makes Solar Cells Inexpensive

Raats — Thu, 18 Feb 2010 10:21:04 +0000

IBM-solar-cell

IBM researchers have developed a new Solar Cell that could make gadgets cheaper and more efficient. These cells have raw materials made from earth abundant materials that can be found in large quantities and are relatively inexpensive.

ibm-solar-cell

Here are some of the technical details of the chip. The layer that absorbs sunlight to convert it into electricity is made with Copper (Cu), Tin (Sn), Zinc (Zn), Sulfur (S) and/or Selenium (Se). This is pretty abundant compared to the Copper (Cu), Indium (In), Gallium (Ga), and Selenium (Se) that GIGS thin film cells use.

The best part also lies in whats known as a conversion efficiency of the chip which it scored at 9.6 percent!, which is 40 percent higher than previous attempts to create a solar cell made of similar materials. It is a relatively new product and we should see more improvements soon.

IBM says that it “does not plan to manufacture solar technologies, but is open to partnering with solar cell manufacturers to demonstrate the technology.”

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World’s Smallest Solar Sensor Chip

Raats — Thu, 11 Feb 2010 17:56:04 +0000

The smallest solar sensor in the world is 1,000 times smaller than standard systems, and under the right conditions, it could last forever.

tiny solar chiptiny solar chip

According to electrical engineering professor David Blaauw, who participated in the project at the University of Michigan:
“Our system can run nearly perpetually if periodically exposed to reasonable lighting conditions, even indoors. Its only limiting factor is battery wear-out, but the battery would last many years.”

Featuring a tiny ARM cortex M3 Processor, the measurements are an amazing 2.5 x 3.5 x 1 millimeters. Power consumption is about 2,000 times less power in sleep mode than current commercial products. Its total average power consumption? Less than one-billionth of a watt. The chip will need half a volt to operate, its Cymbet battery outputs close to 4 volts.
The chip is being designed to meet all kinds of practical medical uses, up to and including being placed in the body and running on heat or movement.

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indiatechnews.com » Solar

Flexible solar panels on your rooftop soon

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