Posted on 02/10/2014 2:04:46 PM PST by grundle
The solar energy industry is still in the process of exploring how to make photovoltaic panels more efficient and less intrusive, and researchers at Stanford have already pushed forward with peel-and-stick solar panels. However, for high power usage the devices must be large and in direct contact with the sun at all times, meaning they need to track its position in the sky using sensors and equipment that are expensive and susceptible to bad weather. Currently seeking funding through Indiegogo, Rawlemon is an alternative in the shape of an oddly beautiful eyeball-shaped lens, that uses refraction to concentrate sunlight with minimal need for tracking.
Designed by German architect Andre Broessel, the invention uses a large glass sphere lens, which collects diffuse light from multiple angles. The shape of the lens focuses this light into a fine beam — much like a magnifying glass — that can deliver a greater amount of sunlight — around 70 percent more — than traditional photovoltaic panels can collect on their own, even when they track the sun. The system enables Broessel to reduce the size of the solar panel to around one percent of the typical PV device. At the same time, the Rawlemon product is arguably much more aesthetically pleasing than the gray, oblong panels currently in use.
(Excerpt) Read more at smallbusiness.yahoo.com ...
But how much will a large glass orb cost?
and they “laughed” at the soothsayers who used crystal balls...
Indeed. And how much energy does it take to make and ship and install the large glass orb?
I have no problem with alternatives to coal, gas, nuclear, LNG, etc. But they have to pull their own weight to be useful in all but niche applications.
Yeah, but what’s going to replace hailstones?
Does it tell fortunes?
Interesting idea. Would necessarily be easier to collect light energy without having to stay on target constantly.
You could fill it with water. Only literally weigh a ton.
That’ll be covered in the next farm bill.
...just had to ruin the fun with inconvenient facts... :-)
Looks HEAVY. That is a LOT of glass. Hard to see that much glass being more cost effective and efficient than the current designs.
Yeah, and just watch as illegals start walking right past the copper wiring and steal the glass orbs.
I’d rather have the orb in my yard than the ugly panels on my roof. It would look kind of cool in a garden setting.
But how much will a large glass orb cost?
Cost will not be a factor when some drugged up or bought out legislator makes a law requiring everyone to have one.
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