Boffin boosts solar cell size 100-fold

VNU net ^ | 1/8/2008 | Ian Williams

[TC Rider]

I think it’s important to remember that it was Rockefeller who saved the whales, not big government.

[Wonder Warthog]

"The Google guys, who have made it their mission in life to promote alternate energy, are behind it."

I hope these guys, or maybe Paul Allen throw some money behind Bussard's electrodynamically confined fusion concept. I think the Nanosolar crowd has solved the "earth-based" energy problem, but I'd like to go for the whole solar system, and Bussard seems to have found the road to that.

"This company has effectively unlimited VC funding."

Well, I'd agree that the potential VC available if probably quite large----"virtually unlimited" is another matter.

[antiRepublicrat]

Well, I'd agree that the potential VC available if probably quite large----"virtually unlimited" is another matter.

If the initial $100 million Google guys VC produces success, they can get as much as they want. The Google guys are worth over 35 billion together and Google has 11 billion cash on hand if they decide to invest through Google itself (remember, Google plans to be a big consumer of this tech). There's no way this company will need more money than can be provided by their current VC and Google, and I doubt they could get any more through an IPO.

That's what I meant by effectively unlimited.

[Kellis91789]

He is referring to the area in an array of cells. Using larger cells, there is less area wasted in between the cells. It is not well written.

[Kellis91789]

How do you know it is better on all counts ? There is no cost given in the article. It may be cheaper than the $1 per watt NanoSolar cells.

[RightWhale]

Waiting . . .

[Kellis91789]

Since Bussard is now dead, will anyone continue pursuing his ideas on fusion ?

[PeaceBeWithYou]

Area of a square = SidexSide or Side²

1x1=1

10x10=100

I think the 10 is a typo, because the surface area is increased by 100 times.

[Wonder Warthog]

"How do you know it is better on all counts ?"

Because its use of platinum involves a far more expensive material (which the Nanosolar does not) and it's use of a glass substratee says that the energy costs of fabrication will be higher. The probability of it approaching $1/watt is remote, to say the least. Finally, the Nanosolar cell is a done deal, and this is a research curiosity.

[Wonder Warthog]

"Since Bussard is now dead, will anyone continue pursuing his ideas on fusion ?"

Yes. The core of his technology crew is staying together. I think the Navy has resumed some level of funding, and his company is seeking more.

[RandallFlagg]

Look for nanosolar, a company rolling out CIGS solar cells.

I roll out cigs all the time...

[Kellis91789]

I could be a typo, but that isn’t how I read it. I don’t think that was a reference to the sizes of single cells, but to whole arrays of them.

Imagine an area of an entire panel that is 100cm x 100cm.

Now populate it with 1cm x 1cm cells with spacing in between each cell for circuitry and structural attachment. You can only fit 1,000 cells because you need to leave space in between each one. Only 10% of the total area is actively converting sunlight.

Now populate it with 10cm x 10cm cells that require no spacing in between. You are using 100% of the area of the panel. That is a 10 fold increase compared to using the smaller cells.