Efficient solar power from Australian, Chinese and Silicon Walley

Published: 05.11.08 - 13:14 CET | 1 Comment | 151 views views |

Researchers from the Australian National University (ANU), Tianjin University in China and Chromasun, a Silicon Valley company joined themselvs to make solar energy cheaper and more efficient.

They found a hybrid solar system that uses 80 meters long 2-axis sollector with 80 mirrors. Those mirrors are focusing sunlignt onto high-efficient solar cells mounted on receivers which are cooled by air. This system was capable to produce 20 kW of Power. With system like this they continue to experiment.

They developed Combined Heat and Power Solar (CHAPS) system which uses the natural heat generated in the photovoltaic linear concentrators to heat water. With eight collectors, storage for hot water, hydronic in-slab floor heating and gas-fired boosters with a 40-kW inverter.

The team then realized the demand for smaller devices in the market and set to combine both the above mentioned systems to make a hybrid microconcentrator that would be available at a lower cost. The supposed system measuring just 1.7 x 1.5 x 0.2 meters has just 7 mirrors which would focus light onto the 20% more efficient crystalline Si micro PV cells connected to a receiver which will deliver heat to the hot water tank.

The team being working together so they was able to adapt their already proved system to smaller, more economical one.

With the car industry producing hybrid cars I wonder when I’l be able to buy a ‘hybrid’ solar power generator…. Soon I hope.

Source: Trendupdates

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