Clean Venture 21 Spherical Solar Cells : DigInfo

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In the search for alternative energy Clean Venture 21 have developed a new spin on solar.
Their Spherical Silicon Solar Array are made from silicon spheres 1mm in diameter which sit in a reflector which is 2.2 to 2.7mm in width.
The sphere catches and stores the incidental light on its n-Si (or sphere surface) and transfers it to the p-Si (its internal sphere) which is in turn connected to a p-electrode. Clean Venture 21 also utilizes traditional flat-type arrays as well.

"These cells here are in a 5cm x 15cm formation- each individual cell has a 1mm silicon ball inside it and it has an overall efficiency conversion rate of about 10%. In other experiments we have had efficiency rates of about 12%. Very soon we'd like to achieve 13 to 14% rates."

The benefits of their Micro condensing type spherical silicon solar array is that it's 5 times cheaper to make, uses 5 times less material, and requires half the energy to reproduce than its contemporaries.

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[twinboost]

I am working on a fiber optic prototype to increase surface area N & P tubing.

[amberjacksolar]

Interesting! Quite informative.

[ManabuKempfer]

@Anothercoilgun imagine a day when solar power reaches 100% efficiency. it can happen!! that would make the world better. =]

[xlightwavex]

so its a double pancake huh inside a glass ball

[Anothercoilgun]

Just waiting for solar cells to reach 50+ percent. Lots of power in small size. I usually do everything myself sans aid from others. Must I because a special materials scientist just so I can hit 50+ percent efficiency in solar tech? Do I have to do everything myself!

[psychosavant]

This is interesting. I always thought that modern day flat panels were sorely inefficient. I had an idea I got from the mechanics used in expanding surface area that intestines use to gather nutrients. This uses a similar philosphy. Photons should be able to be reused once it strikes the silicon surface, if it can be trapped and bounced off multiple surfaces. I'd thought that a more "alternating" surface area would increase exposure, resulting in a smaller more convenient PV system.

[humexavier]

Solar Sphere Panels,used on cars or in space: Energy to move the dishes all day to get the right angle focus on a car, Half the energy is used trying to move all the dishes all the time. Sphere Solar panels on say a truck more aero dynamic for traveling(compared to dish).Nasa space telescopes that have sphere shaped panels because to much energy to move a dish in space. Plus a dish must recharge its battery for dish motion.Battery last 10 years.Sphere solar panels don't need to move for sun