Sunrgi: Concentrating Solar Claims
A solar startup building solar concentrating systems is coming out of stealth in time for the National Energy Marketers Association convention today and claiming some really incredible figures. Los Angeles-based newcomer Sunrgi says it can use lenses to concentrate sunlight by more than 1,600 times to produce electricity on photovoltaic panels for as little as 5 to 7 cents per kWh.
Other companies (like Soliant Energy) that build similar systems only claim to concentrate sunlight by 500 times, points out GreenTech Media. And most concentrating solar systems are touting electricity prices in the range of 10 cents per kWh, which is already low enough to compete with conventional fossil fuels.
We’re not sure what they’re smoking down in SoCal, but it’s probably laced with the nanotech “goop” that cofounder Paul Sidlo says is behind the innovation. Sunrgi, we’re kidding, but those are very breakthrough claims, so we’re looking forward to checking out the product. Now, about the naming your concentrators Xtreme . . .
Interesting claim. Several things that would be interesting to hear about would be whether their focusing technology could be used to simplify mounting so the panel would produce more energy throughout the day, and whether they have considered the technology the professor at the University of Utah developed that takes heat into a chamber and converts it to sound and then energy. He designed it to cool computers, but if they could marry it up to their chips it could do two things cool the chips and generate a little more electricity.
Hello Ray,
Interteresting comments. It sounds like you may know a fair bit about heat transfer. It would be interesting to discuss your thoughts. If you feel like elaborating go ahead and send me an e-mail at News@Sunrgi.com
Thanks for thinking about SUNRGI
- Patrick