New concentrator could help solar panels capture more sunlight without tracking

Re:New concentrator could help solar panels capture more sun... by bell-cot on Wednesday June 29, 2022 @03:18AM (#31917370)

If the new optics give X% more power, they compete against "just buy X% more solar panels". (My original "(say)", in front of the "10%", was meant to indicate that the number was arbitrary.)

> Economies of scale might favor the optics if it's cheap enough...

- Quite true. But note that the article describes the inventor of the new optical system as "assistant professor in astronautics and spacecraft engineering". That certainly suggests cost-insensitive, performance-critical applications - such as cubesats.

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Re:New concentrator could help solar panels capture more sun... by h0l0cube on Wednesday June 29, 2022 @05:19AM (#31917962)

You're probably right. Given they seem to be using glass, I'd say it's both too heavy for space (?), and too costly for earth. I guess I'm hoping they take this technique to cheaper easier materials so I can slap this on top of a van and get decent power in a variety of different conditions.

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