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New Solar Technology May Change Energy Industry
Harnessing the sun's energy through solar power has had some drawbacks in the past, but a company called Sunengy Pty Ltd has now come up with a new concept for harnessing the sun's energy.
Until now, generating solar energy has been very costly to implement, and although it is a fantastic alternative to conventional energy generating methods, it has largely remained outside as an alternative within the energy industry.
That however, may all be changing soonThe company has devised a fresh approach to capturing the sun's energy by creating a solar panel able to float in the water. In fact, it uses the water to dispel some of the heat generated. The liquid solar array power generator, or LSA, is made mostly from plastic, and as mentioned, it floats on water.
The panel only has a small area made up of photovoltaic cells, but a larger rotating plastic focusing lens above the area, both tracks and focusses the sun's rays throughout the day. The water is used to cool the silicon cells.
The lens is also able to submerge when fully rotated, which can then offer some protection during high winds and storms. The lens is robust enough to survive winds of more than 100mph, using the water as protection, despite being only 2mm thick. In addition, the water is also used to clean the lens when dipped under the water.
Now to get to the cost of implementation: The LSA technology has the potential to match the cost of producing fossil fuel. According to the company, the LSA is able to cut the cost of raw solar electricity from USD$5/W to USD$1.30/W in the short term, and in the long term to below USD$0.60/W under the correct conditions. This figure relates to about USD$0.03/kWhr.
Part of what makes this an efficient system is because the LSA system tracks the sun with high efficiency cells, thus generating more uniform power throughout the day than the conventional flat PV systems. The company has produced a working model as well as a 3D computer design of the model, and they believe commercial sales may be a viable within one to three years.
Until now, generating solar energy has been very costly to implement, and although it is a fantastic alternative to conventional energy generating methods, it has largely remained outside as an alternative within the energy industry.
That however, may all be changing soonThe company has devised a fresh approach to capturing the sun's energy by creating a solar panel able to float in the water. In fact, it uses the water to dispel some of the heat generated. The liquid solar array power generator, or LSA, is made mostly from plastic, and as mentioned, it floats on water.
The panel only has a small area made up of photovoltaic cells, but a larger rotating plastic focusing lens above the area, both tracks and focusses the sun's rays throughout the day. The water is used to cool the silicon cells.
The lens is also able to submerge when fully rotated, which can then offer some protection during high winds and storms. The lens is robust enough to survive winds of more than 100mph, using the water as protection, despite being only 2mm thick. In addition, the water is also used to clean the lens when dipped under the water.
Now to get to the cost of implementation: The LSA technology has the potential to match the cost of producing fossil fuel. According to the company, the LSA is able to cut the cost of raw solar electricity from USD$5/W to USD$1.30/W in the short term, and in the long term to below USD$0.60/W under the correct conditions. This figure relates to about USD$0.03/kWhr.
Part of what makes this an efficient system is because the LSA system tracks the sun with high efficiency cells, thus generating more uniform power throughout the day than the conventional flat PV systems. The company has produced a working model as well as a 3D computer design of the model, and they believe commercial sales may be a viable within one to three years.
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