Very high efficiency, a cell the size of a dime makes about 40w of power in direct sunlight. No water needed, and way less land than bigger, less efficient panels.
http://emcore.com/solar_photovoltaics/terrestrial_concentrator_photovoltaic_arrays
Ben, every tech Ive found is worse, yes the less efficient panels are cheaper but you have to buy more land. Plus the bigger something left outside is, the better chance of damage by hail, wind, etc.
As to the size difference, you dont compare the cell size to the panel size of the competition, you compare overall size. With the panels included for both, the CPV structure is far smaller. Massive low efficiency solar plants arent an option because land is expensive near cities where the power is needed.
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{ 2 comments… read them below or add one }
Is there a worse technology?
This 2 axis solar tracker is expensive and with so many moving parts, would be subject to breaking down. Cleaning maintenance is harder than conventional PV arrays.
If you want 40W of power – a square metre PV panel will do a better job at a faction of the cost.
You can see from their web site, they’re looking for some starry eyed investors to part with their money. I doubt that technology will ever be commercially compeditive with conventional PV panels.
(edit) Doesn’t take much to impress you Boom – you go ahead and buy some stock in that company so the directors can sell theirs.
The equipment isn’t the size of a dime, just one small part of it is. That’s like saying I have an engine with spark plugs so small they can fit in my hand, or I have a computer with a CPU the size of a wrist watch.
(edit) The customer doesn’t need less land, they will likely need more land. They also need lenses and tracking motors control systems. If you guys are so impressed – buy some stock in the company.
I recently read that a panel which mimics plant photosynthesis better has been developed which converts sunlight into energy even in overcast and indirect sunlight.
I don’t know what will develop from the technology…but 40W from the size of a dime is pretty impressive.