Rawlemon’s Spherical Solar Energy-Generating Globes Can Even Harvest Energy from Moon

[ScienceRocks]

Rawlemon’s Spherical Solar Energy-Generating Globes Can Even Harvest Energy from Moonlight

Article | September 16, 2012 - 8:04pm
Comment1
Rawlemon

The solar energy designers at Rawlemon have created a spherical, sun-tracking glass globe that is able to concentrate sunlight (and moonlight) up to 10,000 times. The company claims that its ß.torics system is 35% more efficient than traditional dual-axis photovoltaic designs, and the fully rotational, weatherproof sphere is even capable of harvesting electricity from moonlight.

The ß.torics system was invented by Barcelona-based German Architect André Broessel. He sought to create a solar system that could be embedded in the walls of buildings so that they may act as both windows and energy generators. But the project isn’t only noteworthy for its solar efficiency capabilities - the ß.torics system is designed to generate lunar energy too!

The spheres are able to concentrate diffused moonlight into a steady source of energy. The futuristic ß.torics system is catching a lot of attention for its clean and beautiful design. (Despite solar power’s huge potential, we haven’t seen too many beautiful solar power technologies). We’re excited to see how architects will incorporate these energy generating orbs into alternative energy agendas and future building designs!

24 hours a day energy!

 

[waltky]

Granny says dey should go to Obama - he'll give `em the money...

Solar storm as desert plan to power Europe falters
18 November 2012 - Desertec had ambitious plans to deliver electricity from renewable sources to Europe via undersea cables

An ambitious plan to provide 15% of Europe's power needs from solar plants in North Africa has run into trouble. The Desertec initiative hoped to deliver electricity from a network of renewable energy sources to Europe via cables under the sea. But in recent weeks, two big industrial backers have pulled out. And the Spanish government has baulked at signing an agreement to build solar power plants in Morocco. Desertec was set up in 2009 with a projected budget of 400bn euros to tap the enormous potential of solar and other renewables in North Africa. The hope was that by 2050, around 125 gigawatts of electric power could be generated. This would meet all the local needs and also allow huge amounts of power to be exported to Europe via high-voltage direct current cables under the Mediterranean sea.

But three years later, the project has little to show for its efforts. Two large industrial partners, Siemens and Bosch, have decided they will no longer be part of the initiative. According to Dr Daniel Ayuk Mbi Egbe, a professor at the University of Linz in Austria and an expert on African solar resources, this is not good news. "Siemens and Bosch are very big companies," he told BBC News, "if they don't want to support this initiative it is going to be difficult for Desertec." It seems some governments share this reluctance to go forward. One of the first concrete steps that Desertec announced was a plan to build three solar power plants in Morocco. A declaration of intent was due to be signed recently by a group of countries including Spain and Italy. But the Spanish government demurred, citing difficulties in finding the subsidies the project would need.

Hans-Josef Fell is a Green party MP in the German parliament who has sponsored renewable energy legislation. He's sometimes referred to as the father of the feed-in tariff that has helped wind and solar power succeed in Germany. He thinks the Desertec initiative is too reliant on public subsidies. "The governments get cold feet for one reason, Desertec needs too much support in tax money - all the public budgets are over borrowed - and tax money is not easily available," Mr Fell said.

More BBC News - Solar storm as desert plan to power Europe falters

 

[longknife]

And I have some awesome oceanfront property for sale REAL CHEAP - right outside of Tuscon, Arizona!!

 

[Mr. H.]

If something is spherical, why does it have to be rotated?

 

[flacaltenn]

Good estimate for US solar irradiance on a PV panel --- 190watts/m2

Good estimate for LUNAR irradiance on a PV panel --- 0.001watt/m2

It's not happening. More LUNACY and hype.. Even IF you concentrated it 10,000 times (I doubt that) --- it would generate 1/20 of peak daytime power --- IF the spectral composition was the same ((It is not)).

Sadly -- I'm a huge skeptic again..

 

[flacaltenn]

Best part of this article were the comments.

--- Glad to see You people are bringing ingenuity, and common-sense to a much needed solar technology, hopefully someday, we'll all be able to generate our own energy, and put an end to the ever rising cost of energy, that we purchase from Hydro-Commissions.Keep up the Good work! Sincerely, R. MacMurran

----- The inventor will now get killed and this article will disappear.

------ No, the government is NOT going to make this dissapear if we share it enough. Please gentlemen, a little hope ?!

"a little hope" and sharing.. THAT'S what science and engineering are missing..

And WHEN this idea "DISAPPEARS" (tomorrow) --- the whole generation of conspiracy mongers will be rewarded for their efforts.