Solar Cell holographic concentrators

SyntaxVorlon · Post by **SyntaxVorlon** » 2006-04-25 10:28pm

Holographic Concentrator

This technology looks like it can significantly reduce the amount of space needed for solar electricity production. It doesn't concentrate as much as bulkier systems, but it takes up significantly less space than a comparable solar cell of equal wattage. So this may be a major improvement in commercial solar cell usage.

Kwizard · Post by **Kwizard** » 2006-04-25 10:42pm

Oh heck yes. And they even look rather stylish on top of it all.

SyntaxVorlon · Post by **SyntaxVorlon** » 2006-04-25 11:00pm

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.

This especially caught my eye.

Stile · Post by **Stile** » 2006-04-25 11:46pm

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.

This looks pretty neat also.

drachefly · Post by **drachefly** » 2006-04-26 11:19am

Incidentally, this would also reduce the amount of those noxious chemicals which are needed to make the PV cells in the first place, which would improve their score on some of the issues raised in a thread we had on the subject some months ago.

I also like the feature that it directs light to the right cell based on its color. Mechanical optics can't do that, and it really boosts the efficiency.