V3Solar photovoltaic Spin Cell generates 20 times more electricity per cell than flat

[ScienceRocks]

V3Solar photovoltaic Spin Cell generates 20 times more electricity per cell than flat panels October 2, 2012
by Bob Yirka Enlarge (Phys.org)—

V3Solar has developed a new way to convert the sun's energy into electricity using traditional technology in a new way, and in so doing have discovered a way to get twenty times more electricity out of the same amount of solar cells. Their new device, called the Spin Cell, does away with the traditional flat panel and instead places the solar cells on a cone shaped frame which are then covered with energy concentrators. Once in operation, the whole works spins, making unnecessary the need for tracking hardware and software. What's more, they actually look nice.

Up till now, virtually all solar arrays have been based on flat panels with solar cells mounted on them. The panels are mounted on poles which allow for tilting to track the sun as it passes overhead in the sky. This new approach turns the old idea completely on its head.

Because of the great potential of solar energy, researchers have looked into increasing the efficiency of solar cells by using lenses or mirrors to direct more of the sun's energy onto them hoping to get more electricity out of the same number of cells. Unfortunately, doing so tends to create so much heat that the cells become useless. The engineers at V3Solar took this idea and modified it to prevent such overheating by mounting the cells on a rotating platform; doing so means that each cell only receives extra heat for a very short amount of time and is then allowed to cool as the cone spins.

The concentrators form an outer skin creating a hermetically sealed inner environment for the triangular shaped blue colored solar cells. The cone is situated on a base of electromagnets powered by some of the energy that has been converted from the sun's energy by the solar cells, creating a nearly frictionless spin. The result is a marvel of engineering and an artistic triumph – a means to produce much more electricity than traditional flat panels in a pleasing, and as the company says, beautiful way.

Read more at: V3Solar photovoltaic Spin Cell generates 20 times more electricity per cell than flat panels

 

[flacaltenn]

Totally valid concept -- but the "20 times" claim is totally fabricated. Even the company states that they've measured 5X. Even that is hard to believe unless the concentrators are doing more work than seems optically possible.

Cells that are not heating are also not producing and to even believe the 5X claim means that they are exceeding 100% efficiency.

So --- I'll let other others invest in this one for awhile until they get more rigorous with their press releases and claims..