Monday, July 19, 2010

New Flexible Lightweight Solar Panels and the Unique Plane That Used Them

Every where you look electronics and their related components are becoming both smaller and more powerful. This is a great boon for the environment, as solar panels are now 31 percent efficient. The new expected threshold of 60 percent efficient is well on it's way to becoming a reality.

The technology in today's solar panels is so advanced that the first solely solar powered plane just completed its first 24+ hour flight with three full hours of reserve energy left over.


Domenick Yoney a writer for Autobloggreen wrote, “One of the knocks you hear against solar energy is that the sun doesn't always shine. While true, that seemingly inconvenient fact didn't stop the Swiss team behind the Solar Impulse HB-SIA from attempting to fly their super-size, super-light aircraft for over 24 hours powered by only by photonic goodness. In achieving their goal, not only did they set the record for longest solar flight at 26 hours and nine minutes, they also broke the record for altitude – 8,564 meters (28,097 feet) above sea level.” http://green.autoblog.com/2010/07/08/solar-powered-airplane-flies-all-day-and-night-sets-records/


Solar panels are now so advanced and efficient that they can be mounted on thin sheets and laminated to virtually any surface. Just think of the possibilities as your roof and siding, the top of your mailbox, your fence or any other flat sun facing surface will soon be able to create electricity easier and cheaper then ever before. The panels are so lightweight the average home owner will likely be able to install them.


According to the SoloPower home site, “SoloPower uses a proprietary electroplating-based process to manufacture its CIGS cells on flexible metal foil. The devices are then processed in a moduling line and laminated in an encapsulation system that provides a moisture barrier and environmental integrity. The company expects the low-cost, high-efficiency module to address the commercial and industrial rooftop and distributed solar power generation markets.” http://solopower.com/NREL_conversion_efficiency_solopower_CIGS_PV_modules.html







No comments: