Nesher, Israel (ots) – Although externally simple in concept, low concentration devices will require optimization of many parameters involving optical concentration acceptance angle with and without tracking, cost of materials and low cost fabrication methods. This multidisciplinary task is essential for optimizing the techno-economics for a low cost solar solution.
At SolarOr – an Israeli start-up such skills and the basic foundation for a new technology promising low cost solar harvesting performance within the silicon framework, i.e. offering solar conversion efficiencies of about 15% with panel cost rivaling the thin film technology. Based on the LCPV concept, two product lines are in the final stage of development. The first is curtain wall with high efficiencies (~15%) and the second is utility scale panels offered with built in proprietary dual axis trackers. Moreover, SolarOr’s activity is supported by an Israeli solar consortium offering improved collaboration between several key players of the local industry.
1. SolarOr Facade Product Line
For example, SolarOr technology is implemented in a prismatic solar curtain wall product line characterized by diamond like aesthetic appearance. In this application a prismatic glass or plastic elements are used to solve the daunting task of optically concentration on one hand, and to have a relative high acceptance angle on the other hand. By carefully optimizing and simulating the sun movement, an array of prismatic elements each equipped with a solar cell was developed. This array yields a concentration ratio of 2.5 times more (x 2.5) over wide range of sun movement of about 60% (+/- 60%) in respect to its noon time position. The sun’s concentration features cuts the total silicon amount by a factor of 2.5 while keeping the curtain wall efficiency at values close to 15%.
Making the curtain wall optimized to sun trajectory, which is in its upper hemisphere further increases the overall usefulness of the system since it is facilitating selective light handling as follows:
- Light direct plus diffuse from the upper hemisphere is
concentrated and absorbed by solar cells. – Diffused light is from lower hemisphere is transmitted and serves
as interior illumination.
The curtain wall comprises of a solar prismatic array having a beehive appearance with mounted solar cells each cell pointing upwards. Double glazing applied in the back and font completes the overall curtain wall design allowing improved thermal isolation. With a simple yet innovative design it is time to summarize main system advantages.
a. Lout
- Front plane – Low Iron Glass
- Interlayer – LCPV with Solar Cells
- Rear Plane – Float Glass (Thickness according to static load
requirements.)
b. Characteristics of SoalrOr’s BIPV Module are as follows:
- Optimal design for vertical installation offers the best sun
harvesting performance.
- Translucent technology permits light transmission and provides
noise insulation.
- Total internal reflection technology enables back reflection
(towards the sun) of excessive sun energy.
- Best price performance in the industry.
2. LCPV Utility Scale Product Line
Since 2009 the worldwide crisis drove the silicon based panels pricing down to earth where the LCPV Utility Scale Products promise to drive prices further down.
Based on a unique mirror concentration technique ratio of 3 and actual concentration exceeding 2.5, this technology will drive its cots toward 1EUR/Wp in the near future. Together with a built-in proprietary efficient tracker, this technology is offering solar kilo watt hour pricing with near grid parity by replacing expensive silicon material with reflective solar mirrors.
In summary characteristics of SolarOr’s LCPV module and applications are as follows:
Characteristics of SolarOr’s LCPV Module
- Innovative proprietary design with high accuracy, built-in
dual-axis tracker.
- Significantly lower prices compared to competitive systems.
- Best terrain coverage for maximum solar power yield.
- Robust mirror-based LCPV product optimized for large industrial and
utility scale application.
- Low energy consumption tracker.
- Highly reliable tracker with minimal moving parts.
Applications
- On-grid and off-grid commercial and industrial applications.
- Solar power stations
- Other on-grid and off-grid applications
Contact:
POB 3370, 1st Hazait Street, Nesher, Israel 20306
TEL: +972-77-4240906
Email: SolarOr@SolarOR.com
Homepage: www.SolarOr.com
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