SLIVER cell technology brings solar energy out into the Sun

William Atkins
Thursday, 25 September 2008 18:24

Science - Energy

However, the SLIVER system is still is as powerful than traditional solar panel systems and is able to maintain performance and efficiency even when the Sun is not able to directly hit its panels, such as when the panels are under shadows or leaves have fallen onto the panels.

Dr. Blakers states, ''Moving shadows can be a serious problem with systems that use solar concentrator cells. If a shadow from a stick, a leaf or a bit of bird poop falls across one cell in a string of cells, it can reduce the energy generated by that string of cells to zero.'' [The Canberra Times: “Shadow over solar power removed”]

However, the Blakers-Klaus concept maintains performance and efficiency even when the Sun does not directly fall on the panels. Blakers calls the system “a simple but incredibly useful piece of technology.” [The Canberra Times]

The technology was developed with funding from energy supply company Origin Energy and the Australian Research Council. The effort is also being helped along from the U.S. company Chromasun and China's Tianjin University.

Currently, Origin Energy Solar is making test modules of the SLIVER system under a multi-million Australian dollar project in Regency Park, South Australia.

Once in production, the system is likely to reduce the cost of solar power by 50%.

A photograph of the system is found on The Engineer website “Solar system.”

Learn more about "SLIVER technology" at the Origin Energy website.

[Article corrected, per reader comment, on 9/28/08]