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Cylindrical solar panels, a new approach for powering big buildings
Scoot over solar panels, there's a new solar solution in town: cylinders. Developed by California-based alternative energy startup Solyndra, the cylindrical shape of the solar fixtures is said to generate more energy, as well as be easier to mount on roofs and big buildings. Even more important for the latter, as an array of the solar cylinders — spaced out as they are — catch a lot less in the wind.
The cylinders are composed of curved solar panels made from thin semiconductor sheets fixed to a glass tube. The company touts that the panels are far easier to bracket to a structure than conventional panels, which sounds pretty nice. Imagine if every big building could power itself, completely independent of the grid — sounds pretty nice, right?
Solyndra has a video on its website showing how the cylindrical panels are installed.
Solyndra, via Technology Review
By TJPaladin at 9:39 AM ON 10/08/08
OK -
2 things:
1.
These things aren't mounted to the roof at all.
How is it that they are not easily stolen ?
2. Could putting a eflective surface underneath them make them even move efficient at catching sun rays ?
By budgethero at 9:58 AM ON 10/08/08
i was thinking the same thing paladin, except for the reflective surface (great idea. thought u'll have to install them with sunglasses or at night). although those stand things did have a flat bottom to them. maybe they screw into the roof.
By TJPaladin at 10:14 AM ON 10/08/08
In the video - they just lie them on the flat roof.
I suppose they could esiy be secured to the roof. The screws would obviously need to be sealed so they don't cause leaks.
By David W. Wilson at 1:58 PM ON 10/08/08
Very interesting!
I am extremely interested in this technology.
I was able to learn a great deal working with Solar panels, etc with Powerlight, Inc,Berkeley,CA, a few years ago.
Send me an e-mail if possible. Love to hear more.
Thanks,
dww
David W. Wilson
By Chris Downs at 3:19 PM ON 10/08/08
Nice idea, but to be the most effective, the cells would have to absorb EVERY degree in the light solar spectrum (ie "ROYGBIV" Red, Orange, Yellow, Green, Blue, Indigo, Violet), and also should be orb-shaped, as most things in space are, instead of cylinder...only so that when the light refracts and bends due to atmospheric interference and other variables, all angles would absorb prime amount of energy. Hiven schliven.
By ericmeyer at 7:57 PM ON 10/08/08
What is the percentage of efficiency for these panels? Do they outperform Sun Power solar panels. Sun Power is the subdivision of Cypress Semiconductor (soon to be sold off).
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