Holographic Solar

[midnight armadillo]

http://www.technologyreview.com/read_article.aspx?id=16736&ch=biztech

The main limitation of solar power right now is cost, because the crystalline silicon used to make most solar photovoltaic (PV) cells is very expensive. One approach to overcoming this cost factor is to concentrate light from the sun using mirrors or lenses, thereby reducing the total area of silicon needed to produce a given amount of electricity. But traditional light concentrators are bulky and unattractive -- less than ideal for use on suburban rooftops.

Now Prism Solar Technologies of Stone Ridge, NY, has developed a proof-of-concept solar module that uses holograms to concentrate light, possibly cutting the cost of solar modules by as much as 75 percent, making them competitive with electricity generated from fossil fuels.

The new technology replaces unsightly concentrators with sleek flat panels laminated with holograms. The panels, says Rick Lewandowski, the company's president and CEO, are a "more elegant solution" to traditional concentrators, and can be installed on rooftops -- or even incorporated into windows and glass doors.

{more at link}

[stepnw1f]

1. So Simple Yet So Ingenius

Concentration of sunlight guided by mirrors.

[skids]

2. Daystar has a flat-profile one too...

As does Pacific SolarTech and SolFocus. Good to see yet another entry into the field... I diaried on a bunch of them a couple months ago:

http://www.dailykos.com/storyonly/2006/3/7/114711/9242

[midnight armadillo]

3. That's a nice writeup

Thanks, that was an interesting read.

[skids]

4. Np. if you liked that...

just click on my username there - I've done a lot of diaries like that. Also you can filter dailykos for energy diaries by using the folksonomy system -- http://dailykos.com/tags/energy -- or replace "energy" with anything you're particularly interested in seeing what kossaks have to say about, e.g. "economy", "environment", are a couple tags I use a lot.

[JohnWxy]

5. INteresting. Energy Conversion Devices has developed amorphous silicon

solar panels which are flexible. YOu can nail them on your roof llike roofing tiles. They operate in dimmer light than the crystaline silicon type panels (early morning, late afternoon - even on cloudy (even during the rain!)days!).

http://www.ovonic.com/sol_srv/3_1_solar_sol/solar_case_home.htm

The amorphous silicon (a-Si) technology, pioneered by ECD Ovonics and United
Solar Ovonic, allows for different light absorption properties to be deposited
continuously, one on top of another. The process more effectively captures the
broad solar spectrum and increases energy conversion efficiency, while also
improving stability. This unique layered triple-junction approach has resulted in
world record efficiencies for United Solar Ovonic’s a-Si technology.

[suziedemocrat]

6. Kicked and Recommended!!!