New Solar Cell Coating May Eliminate Sun Tracking

November 12, 2008

Researchers at the Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute have created a nano-engineered coating for photovoltaic (PV) cells that increases sunlight absorption to 96.21 percent. Reported in “New nano coating boosts solar efficiency” on CNN.com, this new technology may improve performance of PV by enabling greater energy capture. Importantly, this coating also improves energy absorption for non-direct angles between the sun and PV collector.

Solar reflectivity is only one parameter among a complex array of variables impacting PV performance. Nonetheless, the CNN article suggests that efficient solar energy absorption at high angles may eliminate sun tracking systems, which have parasitic power draws.

Posted by Matthew Traum on November 12, 2008 | Comments (5)

February 19, 2009

In response to: New Solar Cell Coating May Eliminate Sun Tracking
ahmec farghaly commented:

good

November 25, 2008

In response to: New Solar Cell Coating May Eliminate Sun Tracking
jerry commented:

Hi There,

I gues the multileyer flax film technology is known for some years now.As fare as I know the production cost is very low too somewhat abaut $1 per 1Wat. Would you happened to know any company that is producing thin films on a comercial scale yet and willing and able to sell to me? I would appreciate any information.

Thanks.

jwojcik22@sbcglobal.net

Thanks. Jerry

November 25, 2008

In response to: New Solar Cell Coating May Eliminate Sun Tracking
eddy vd wijngaerd commented:

where can we see/hear learn more abot this?

November 25, 2008

In response to: New Solar Cell Coating May Eliminate Sun Tracking
super commented:

what is the power capability of daylight only per square metre -in watts per hour

November 25, 2008

In response to: New Solar Cell Coating May Eliminate Sun Tracking
Matthew J. Traum commented:

Super: I am always annoyed that agencies like NREL do not post instantaneous power flux [watts/m^2] data, but they only report daily integrated solar energy flux [watt-hours/m^2-day]. I suppose the later makes sense for solar array designers, but instantaneous power flux would be helpful for researchers and hobbyists. Instantaneous solar power flux depends on time of day and year, physical location, weather conditions, and orientation to the sun, among other things. However, for a flat surface pointed directly at the sun, the rule of thumb value for the continental United States is about 1000 watts/ m^2.

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