Semprius Unveils Powerful Micro Solar Cell That Can Fit On A Pinhead!
Posted By Timon Singh On July 27, 2011 @ 7:09 pm In News,Renewable Energy,Solar Power | 2 Comments
Solar start-up comany Semprius [4] just unveiled an ultra-tiny solar cell that is half the size of a pinhead and (when combined with powerful but inexpensive lenses) can concentrate sunlight [5] more than 11,000 times and convert it to electricity! The minuscule solar cells are created through a low-cost production system that utilizes standard manufacturing processes and micro-transfer printing. This system enables the creation of CPV modules [5] with high performance, high reliability, and low cost – not to mention scalability and high-volume production.
We love it when engineers can fit things on the head of a pin – it just shows ultra-efficiency, magnificent skill and the potential for great things to come. Semprius has been licensing the technology to enable a wide variety of new products requiring large-area, thin, lightweight form factors, unprecedented performance, high reliability and low cost. The pin-sized solar cell is also set to rejuvinate the local economy in Henderson, NC, as Semprius has announced plans to build a new factory in an area where unemployment is as high as 13.3 percent.
In 2007, Semprius won a “NextGen” grant from the Department of Energy to develop the technology, and it earned a coveted spot in the Photovoltaic Incubator Program [6]. With guidance from the National Renewable Energy Laboratory [7], Semprius was able to get the technology into competitive shape for mass market production.
+ Semprius [4]
Via US Energy Department [8]
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[3] Email: mailto:?subject=http://inhabitat.com/semprius-unveils-powerful-micro-solar-cell-that-can-fit-on-a-pinhead/
[4] Semprius: http://www.semprius.com/
[5] concentrate sunlight: http://www.semprius.com/cpv_products.htm
[6] Photovoltaic Incubator Program: http://blog.energy.gov/blog/2011/04/19/advancing-solar-through-photovoltaic-technology-innovations
[7] National Renewable Energy Laboratory: http://www.nrel.gov/
[8] US Energy Department: http://blog.energy.gov/blog/2011/07/25/solar-startup-semprius-create-250-jobs-north-carolina-cutting-edge-pilot-plant
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