Comments on: MIT’s Solar Funnel Concentrates Solar Energy 100 Times http://inhabitat.com/mit-engineers-construct-concentrated-solar-funnel/ Green design & eco innovation for a better world Sat, 18 May 2013 14:21:36 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=abc By: StevenNia http://inhabitat.com/mit-engineers-construct-concentrated-solar-funnel/comment-page-1/#comment-370360 StevenNia Mon, 02 Jan 2012 08:26:41 +0000 http://inhabitat.com/?p=160731#comment-370360 I fully agree with the eboireau's comments. SolarDon takes a narrow view of what solar concentration may be, and how it may be achieved. Indeed efficient collection techniques, such as the one described here is exactly what the doctor has ordered for the incredibility high potential and amazingly under explored solar industry. I agree with SolarDon, however, regarding the high production costs of carbon nanotubes, at this stage. Just like any other advanced technology, once volume production starts, the costs miraculously go down, faster than anyone can imagine. Overall, I give this innovation team very high marks, for thinking out of the box, which is precisely what we need to bring solar energy into reality. NIA Energy - Steven Nia I fully agree with the eboireau’s comments. SolarDon takes a narrow view of what solar concentration may be, and how it may be achieved. Indeed efficient collection techniques, such as the one described here is exactly what the doctor has ordered for the incredibility high potential and amazingly under explored solar industry.

I agree with SolarDon, however, regarding the high production costs of carbon nanotubes, at this stage. Just like any other advanced technology, once volume production starts, the costs miraculously go down, faster than anyone can imagine.

Overall, I give this innovation team very high marks, for thinking out of the box, which is precisely what we need to bring solar energy into reality.

NIA Energy – Steven Nia

]]> By: eboireau http://inhabitat.com/mit-engineers-construct-concentrated-solar-funnel/comment-page-1/#comment-301914 eboireau Tue, 22 Feb 2011 22:47:03 +0000 http://inhabitat.com/?p=160731#comment-301914 @SolarDon: the article do not said like you that light is concentrated, but that it "collect solar energy" ! The scientist leader was less exact saying "antennas...drive photons into them” !! In fact, it collect and concentrate energy converted from light into excitons. I find this remarkable, but I'm curious about the conversion yield and concentration level that can be achieved. Yet the price of nanotubes and manufacturing such solar device surely will be redihibitive for electric production. Nonetheless, this may be interesting for specific applications! nanotubes can be combined at microscale to surfaces or LEDS, where other solutions are not possible! @SolarDon: the article do not said like you that light is concentrated, but that it “collect solar energy” ! The scientist leader was less exact saying “antennas…drive photons into them” !!

In fact, it collect and concentrate energy converted from light into excitons. I find this remarkable, but I’m curious about the conversion yield and concentration level that can be achieved. Yet the price of nanotubes and manufacturing such solar device surely will be redihibitive for electric production. Nonetheless, this may be interesting for specific applications! nanotubes can be combined at microscale to surfaces or LEDS, where other solutions are not possible!

]]> By: SolarDon http://inhabitat.com/mit-engineers-construct-concentrated-solar-funnel/comment-page-1/#comment-257680 SolarDon Wed, 15 Sep 2010 20:43:48 +0000 http://inhabitat.com/?p=160731#comment-257680 It may be nice to actually know a little bit about what you are reporting on!! Solar cells do not concentrate light. Typically there are optics the direct concentrated light to the solar cell like Sol Focus (www.solfocus.com) or Amonix (www.Amonix.com) or in the case of a Rainbow Concentrator will separate and concentrate the light like Sol Solution (www.sol-solution.net). Using carbon nanotubes in solar energy is so ridiculously expensive that it is laughable. It may be nice to actually know a little bit about what you are reporting on!! Solar cells do not concentrate light. Typically there are optics the direct concentrated light to the solar cell like Sol Focus (www.solfocus.com) or Amonix (www.Amonix.com) or in the case of a Rainbow Concentrator will separate and concentrate the light like Sol Solution (www.sol-solution.net).

Using carbon nanotubes in solar energy is so ridiculously expensive that it is laughable.

]]>