Not a fan of rooftop solar power systems? Perhaps Solarphasec’s Sentinel 3D Spin Cell solar generator might appeal to you.
California-based Solarphasec says the Sentinel’s cone-shaped design allows for a larger photovoltaic surface area for a given area, claiming 40% more electricity generated over the course of the day, a 60 percent gain in power delivery over a year and a 4X improvement in sunlight capture efficiency.
The Sentinel system uses a quarter of the silicon when compared to a similar 1kW array of traditional flat solar panels and an external solar inverter isn’t required as the system outputs AC power.
While heat has a negative impact on a solar panel’s output abilities, the company says the Sentinel’s spinning attribute cools the cells, providing a 15 percent improvement in output performance.
Based on silicon PV cost figures current as of September 2011, Solarphasec says the cost of energy from its innovation is less than half that of a traditional flat panel array.
Solarphasec’s 1 KW Sentinel Solar Spin Cell will be the company’s first product in an intended range of solar spin cell units up to 3.5kW capacity.
According to Sentinel’s inventor, the units “could see solar generated electrical power become the most transportable, affordable and adaptable technology – translating into new economic opportunities for even the most remote and poor communities globally”.
So, how much will one of these units set you back? The Sentinel Spin Cell range isn’t being commercially produced as yet and no prices are mentioned on the company’s web site. In February, the company said it planned to raise $3.5M to fund the full-scale commercial production of its range; but hasn’t given a date as to when it expects the units will be available.
Solarphasec’s Executive President and CEO is Michael Neistat, who founded Skai Computer Systems Pty Ltd in 1983; a company that was acquired by Australian firm Pacific Diamond Pty Ltd. in 1999. Mr Neistat was also a co-founder of Symstream Technology Group; which was established in Melbourne in 2005.
UPDATE: There has been considerable controversy regarding the Spin Cell in relation to claims made about its performance – some of which can be viewed here.
