2008 is shaping up to be a pivotal year for solar power for a number of reasons: skyrocketing energy costs, more efficient and affordable PV panels, the issue of renewable energy being championed by all three presidential candidates and rising public consciousness.
Has SunDrum come up with an idea so simple that no one else thought of it?
Or are they compromising efficiency by combining processes that don't play well together?
SunDrum has combined Solar Thermal and Solar Electric panels into one unit. It's potentially more efficient and less clutter on your roof.
A typical photovoltaic cell is 12% to 15% efficient in converting the sun’s energy into useful energy. By combining the SunDrum thermal collector with PV panels, the company claims that 60% of the sun’s energy can be utilized.
Sun Drum collectors attach to existing PV panels, cooling the PV panel to improve electrical efficiency 10%, i.e. from 15% to 16.5% while capturing thermal energy for heating hot water. Thermal energy collection efficiency is greater than 40%. The company's specs are here.
While cruising the trade floor at SOLAR 2008, I kept my eye out for simple turnkey solar systems. Let's be honest, buying a solar electric setup can be a daunting technical challenge for the average homeowner, so any company that tries to simplify the process gets points from me.
Solar in a Box caught my eye.
Ready Solar announced their Solar in a Box system on April 9, 2008 and premiered it at the expo. The idea is pretty simple: Ready Solar assembles many of the components in the factory, so the traditional on-site (and expensive) work is reduced. The company claims the average installation job can be completed in roughly half the time.
Solar Energy's time has finally come.
It's true for economic reasons: the manufacturing costs of solar photovoltaic panels are dropping, even as the cost of oil goes through the roof; but also because of factors like climate change, global competition, and concerns about public health.
But the solar revolution is still moving very slowly. It's not yet apparent to the average American that it's in our best interests to pursue energy efficiency and alternative energy with a zeal our country once displayed for the space program.
