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Posted on 12/06/2006 2:28:44 PM PST by Ernest_at_the_Beach
ST. LOUIS, Dec. 06, 2006 -- Boeing [NYSE: BA] today announced that Spectrolab, Inc., a wholly-owned subsidiary, has achieved a new world record in terrestrial concentrator solar cell efficiency. Using concentrated sunlight, Spectrolab demonstrated the ability of a photovoltaic cell to convert 40.7 percent of the sun's energy into electricity. The U.S. Department of Energy's National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) in Golden, Colo., verified the milestone.
"This solar cell performance is the highest efficiency level any photovoltaic device has ever achieved," said Dr. David Lillington, president of Spectrolab. "The terrestrial cell we have developed uses the same technology base as our space-based cells. So, once qualified, they can be manufactured in very high volumes with minimal impact to production flow."
High efficiency multijunction cells have a significant advantage over conventional silicon cells in concentrator systems because fewer solar cells are required to achieve the same power output. This technology will continue to dramatically reduce the cost of generating electricity from solar energy as well as the cost of materials used in high-power space satellites and terrestrial applications.
"These results are particularly encouraging since they were achieved using a new class of metamorphic semiconductor materials, allowing much greater freedom in multijunction cell design for optimal conversion of the solar spectrum," said Dr. Richard R. King, principal investigator of the high efficiency solar cell research and development effort. "The excellent performance of these materials hints at still higher efficiency in future solar cells."
Spectrolab is reducing the cost of solar cell production through research investments and is working with several domestic and international solar concentrator manufacturers on clean, renewable solar energy solutions. Currently, Spectrolab's terrestrial concentrator cells are generating power in a 33-kilowatt full-scale concentrator system in the Australian desert. The company recently signed multi-million dollar contracts for its high efficiency concentrator cells and is anticipating several new contracts in the next few months.
Development of the high-efficiency concentrator cell technology was funded by the NREL's High Performance Photovoltaics program and Spectrolab.
We're getting there. Oh, until the day when we can collectively moon the Middle East.
I worked for Spectrolab in the early 80's
This is very high.
I like that~!
The moon's angular tilt is surprisingly small. Yes, the receiver, whether solar cells or solar dynamic, would have to track to follow the sun. A simple photocell-activated clock motor would suffice.
Dust on Mars would be a problem. I would design arrays that could fold up to shield from storms, and a robot arm would be needed for dusting. To avoid such complexities, simple flat arrays may be preferable, with solar cells made of local materials.
You CAN...in Seattle, under cloud cover, at night...just put the solar cells where they SHOULD be - IN SPACE - then BEAM the energy back to those steel mills, shipyards et al in Seattle and elsewhere; solar power satellites receive full sunlight 24/7/365 in perpetuity.
*sings*
Oh, give me a locus where the gravitons focus
Where the three-body problem is solved,
Where the microwaves play down at three degrees K,
And the cold virus never evolved.
Home, home on LaGrange,
Where the space debris always collects,
We possess, so it seems, two of Man's greatest dreams:
Solar power and zero-gee sex.
We eat algae pie, our vacuum is high,
Our ball bearings are perfectly round.
Our horizon is curved, our warheads are MIRVed,
And a kilogram weighs half a pound.
Home, home on LaGrange,
Where the space debris always collects,
We possess, so it seems, two of Man's greatest dreams:
Solar power and zero-gee sex.
If we run out of space for our burgeoning race
No more Lebensraum left for the Mensch
When we're ready to start, we can take Mars apart,
If we just find a big enough wrench.
Home, home on LaGrange,
Where the space debris always collects,
We possess, so it seems, two of Man's greatest dreams:
Solar power and zero-gee sex.
I'm sick of this place, it's just McDonald's in space,
And living up here is a bore.
Tell the shiggies, "Don't cry," they can kiss me goodbye
'Cause I'm moving next week to L4!
Home, home on LaGrange,
Where the space debris always collects,
We possess, so it seems, two of Man's greatest dreams:
Solar power and zero-gee sex.
Where solar can have biggest impact on energy usage is air conditioning during the summer.
Also note the multijunction flexible product put out by 'UniSolar':
http://www.uni-solar.com/index.asp
They put out a flexible peel and stock roll (feels like linoleum) that can easily confrom to almost any roof. They also put out a shingle product. They presently warrantee their product for 25 years.
In the solar biz, the weakest link is the AC-DC Converter, but they are getting better with longer warranties (> 5 years to now greater than 10 years).
Batteries are a problem in more ways then one.
But looking at grid loads during the summer, air conditioning is a huge percentage of load and if solar systems can take up that load, then oil and other fossil fuel markets will definitely feel it.
!
Thanks for the ping :)
That's not a solar cell, but yes, solar energy is being concentrated there. Cover your lawn with curved mirrors all focused on a water tank painted black and you'd get all the hot water you'd ever need on a hot, sunny summer day.
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