QBotix Receives $1M From DoE to Advance Robotic Solar-Panel Technology
12/28/2012
Energy Department Funds Development of Solar-Panel Robots: The QBotix tracking system, shown here, is a robotic system for tilting solar panels toward the sun that can increase the output of the panels by up to 15 percent. The Menlo Park, Calif.-based company received a $1 million grant by the Department of Energy to advance its technology, funds it will use for future demonstrations and to add support for concentrated photovoltaics to the system, a company spokesman said. (Source: QBotix)
Good points, jmiller - there are several variables to consider. Not only could the system optimize tracking with energy efficiency, I could also envision an automated protective cover for extreme weather protection (hail) and a system that could remove debris accumulation - perhaps some type of blower or rake - I wonder if that is on those systems...
I suppose it would also depend on the amount of cloud cover, the time of year, the amount of daylight available. Several different complex variables for a complex system.
I agree I would like to see a follow up later. However, I have never really known the government to follow up and make sure our tax dollars were spent wisely.
That's a good point about the expected deliverables. But, I think ROI will take more than 6-12 months. The US gov't doesn't historically get a quick return on investment. It would be interesting to look at how the development not only helps Qbotix but all solar companies.
More details from Qbotix on youtube: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hKiDeEL0leY
Very interesting - it must be hard to find the balance between energy used tracking the sun and the optimum tracking interval for energy gained tracking the sun.
For the amount of money invested into this technology, it seems that the expected deliverables from this company will be:
"reducing the electricity requirement of the system by 20 percent while increasing the output of the panels by up to 15 percent"
It would be good to see the DoE follow up after 6-12 months to make sure that these deliverables are on-track and that this investment into this solar technology will pay off and come to fruition.
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