Hewlett-Packard is licensing flat-panel display tech for CPV

[Gold Metal Flake]

http://news.cnet.com/8301-11128_3-9956574-54.html?part=rss&subj=news&tag=2547-1_3-0-20

Hewlett-Packard is licensing flat-panel display technology to a start-up that could lead to dramatically more productive--and aesthetically pleasing--solar panels.

The deal, announced Wednesday, allows Livermore, Calif.-based Xtreme Energetics to use HP-developed Xtreme Energetics will use the technology to create an electronic "tracker" that directs sunlight to hit solar cells straight-on to maximize exposure.

Typically, these trackers are mechanical devices such as ground-mounting systems that position cells to follow the light during the course of the day.

Xtreme says HP's electronics can do the same task of pointing light. But because it's not a motor-driven steel mount, the company will be able reduce the costs of CPV, Williams said.


Forget the "pretty buildings" bull, the application of this technology to electronically track the sun for concentrated photovoltaic generators will significantly reduce the complexity of large-scale CPV arrays, eliminate failure due to ice, wind, dirt and corrosion and thus it will reduce the resistance to CPV from large energy providers. Several advances are about to come together to finally make large-scale CPV installations feasible for major investment:

* Low-cost lenses, such as optically clear RTV castings
* Multi-junction, high-efficiency space-type cells at low cost
* Electronic tracking to replace complicated two-axis mechanical designs

This is very good news.

[aquart]

1. Energy is having a helluva day.

I'm actually feeling a certain giddiness I associate with hope.

[Kolesar]

2. I wonder if tracking matters in a location that has a lot of diffuse sunlight

like here

[Gold Metal Flake]

3. CPV must be aimed directly at the sun.

The sunlight in focused, multiplying the intensity hundreds of times. Some CPV systems focus at a factor of 1000:1, or 100 suns. If the array does not track, it can not pick up the sunlight.