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Technology
SolarOr has developed a novel solar panel based on a patented optical design, enabling drastic cost reductions by shifting costs from expensive photo-voltaic (PV) cells to lower cost optical elements. PV solar panels based on this design will utilize only 40% of Silicon photovoltaic cells of comparable systems.
The company's initial efforts are focused on implementing two product designs: a low concentration, low cost passive tracking solar panel and solar screenwalls.
The key differentiating aspects and value proposition of the company's designs are as follows:
- Inherent low cost design, allowing products to retail at about 50% of standard, commercially available solar panels. This low cost will continue to scale downwards with further reductions in Si PV cell cost and introduction of higher efficiency PV cells.
- Translucent panel design enabling it to function as a skylight or glass block wall, thereby enabling daylight harvesting inside buildings for additional savings in lighting expenses.
- Incorporation of water pipes in the panel for heating of water from solar-thermal operation (model dependent – see products). This feature will also remove heat from the PV cells, further increasing their power generation efficiency.
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