Seven Days of Solar 1-1-12| Green Energy News

January 23, 2012 – Vol.16 No.45

SEVEN DAYS OF SOLAR 1-1-12.

Photovoltaic solar cells, for all intents and purposes, are two dimensional items – length X width. Yes, true, they have thickness, but they’re very thin and they work by absorbing light on the large flat side, not that thin perimeter edge.

But what if solar cells were thicker and somehow light could be channeled inside to react with photoelectric material, wouldn’t these cells be much more efficient for the area they take up?

At least one company, Solar3D, is working along this theme of three dimensional solar cells with some success.

Solar3D has performed a series of tests of its new silicon solar cell design that projects the efficiency to be 25.47%, dramatically higher than current technology.

The company says its “ innovative solar cell technology utilizes a 3-dimensional design, with increased cell surface area, to permit each solar cell to extract the maximum energy possible out of incident sunlight. Solar3D’s management believes that this breakthrough solar cell design will dramatically change the economics of solar energy.”

“Up to 30% of incident sunlight is currently reflected off the surface of conventional solar cells, and more is lost inside the solar cell materials. Inspired by light management techniques used in fiber optic devices, our innovative solar cell technology utilizes a 3-dimensional design to trap sunlight inside micro-photovoltaic structures where photons bounce around until they are converted into electrons. This next generation solar cell will be dramatically more efficient, resulting in a lower cost per watt that will make solar power affordable for the world.”

Solar3D http://www.Solar3D.com

During the week beginning January 1, 2012, this publication received news announcements regarding nearly 52 megawatts (MW) of solar energy projects completed and more than 11 megawatts (MW) in the development pipeline.

******

Completed.

--- The Energy Alternatives Division of Cupertino Electric (CEI) has completed a rooftop- and parking lot canopy-based 480,340 kilowatt (kW) solar photovoltaic (PV) system for the City of Morgan Hill in Morgan Hill, California. The city’s solar system was designed and built by CEI and was installed on canopies and the city’s Centennial Recreation Center roof between August and November of this year.

The solar canopy will provide covered parking for visitors and shade children playing at the center’s “Kids’ Zone” play area. During construction, Cupertino Electric installed 2,044 solar panels, employed local union labor, and leveraged the talents of several employees living in and around Morgan Hill. As a member of the original Centennial Recreation Center construction team, Cupertino Electric was able to leverage some of the original infrastructure of the building to meet the construction schedule.

Centennial Recreation Center solar project.
http://www.morganhill.ca.gov/index.aspx?NID=1015

Energy Alternatives Division of Cupertino Electric http://www.cei.com/energy

--- SunPower Corporation has completed of four high-efficiency solar power systems, totaling 3.8 MW, at public water agencies and water treatment facilities in California.

Two of the SunPower systems serve Rancho California Water District (RCWD) in Riverside County. One of the RCWD systems is a 1.1 MW system at the Senga Doherty Pump Station, which uses a tracker on the ground-mounted system that rotates the solar panels to follow the sun during the day, increasing energy capture by up to 25 percent over conventional fixed-tilt systems, while reducing land use requirements. A 612-kW solar parking canopy system was also completed at RCWD headquarters. In 2008, SunPower completed another 1.1 MW system at RCWD's Santa Rosa Water Reclamation Facility.

The other two recently completed systems include a 1 MW installation for Castaic Lake Water Agency's Rio Vista Water Treatment Plant in Santa Clarita, and a 983 kW system for the City of Galt's Wastewater Treatment Plant. Both use the SunPower trackers, and are expected to generate the equivalent of 90 percent or more of the facilities' electricity demand.

SunPower Corp. http://www.sunpowercorp.com

--- Solar Nation has announced the installation and commissioning of an 81 kW solar-electric system on Harris Thermal Transfer Products in Newberg, Oregon. Harris Thermal installed the solar-electric system to reduce and stabilize energy costs and to follow through on its long-standing commitment to environmental stewardship.

The 6,000 square-foot solar-electric system was designed, engineered, and installed by Solar Nation. The rooftop array is comprised of 336 solar panels. The solar electric system will meet 8% of Harris Thermal’s electricity needs, providing immediate savings for the company.

Harris Thermal Transfer Products http://www.harristhermal.com
Solar Nation http://www.solarnation.com

In the development pipeline.

--- SPI Solar has been awarded an EPC (engineering, procurement and construction) contract by Seashore Solar Development a New Jersey-based solar development company. As EPC contractor, SPI will design, engineer and construct an 11.3 MW fixed ground mount solar energy facility (SEF) which will provide the southern New Jersey power grid with solar generated electricity.

In addition to helping the state reach RPS-related goals, the project will create approximately 200 local jobs during construction of the SEF. The SEF is scheduled to begin construction in the first quarter of 2012 upon closing of the project financing by Seashore Solar.

SPI Solar http://www.spisolar.com