New Solar Brakethough

Constantin

... I thought the typical ground insolation was 1kW/m² max, so getting 3kW out of something that small looked like no mean feat (i.e. a perpetual motion machine)...

RoosterBoy

hay guys what do you think of this we could heat our house with this stuff

http://www.int.iol.co.za/index.php?set_id=1&click_id=143&art_id=vn20060211110132138C184427

here is another link
3kwh solar panels just one will produce 400kwh per month

http://www.dbksolar.com/Residential.htm

i spoke to the guy yesterday and waiting for the dealer to contact me.

i will keep you guys updated.
thanks
Jason

Brad White_9

Interesting, Jason

I would go ahead and gather the information for now, but personally I would let the technology mellow in the can for a few years. First of all, it is "New and Improved!!" and has the language of a press release (replete with mis-spellings). So my initial reaction senses it is geared towards first time investors (read: Venture Capital). Also it is datelined South Africa, a hotbed if Internet Fraud.

(If I could patent a CO detector as good as my BS detector...)

Not to say it is bogus but there is much more information I would need to know before I part with my hard-earned dollars.

And like any PVA type system, the key to the usage is... the batteries. Charging them correctly and managing the output scrupulously.

As the old punchline went, when an investor was given a wristwatch with all of an integral TV, radio, short wave, cell phone, Internet WiFi, GPS and back scratcher in exchange for $10m cash, he was also handed two large and incredibly heavy suitcases.
"Patent materials? Users Manuals? Manufacturing Documentation?" the investor asked.

"No, these are the batteries."

RoosterBoy

hee hee i agree brad trust me i am taking it with a grain of SALT with anything coming from south Africa.

but the dbt 3000w solar panels look promising i talked to a guy from the company in California yesterday and said they are being made in AZ i am hope a sales rep will call me today with more info. id like to see the panels in person with my clamp on meter

thanks brad

Solarstar

Maybe 300 watts since its 1.5 sq. meters and 20 % efficient...Paul

J.C.A._3

Hey...

The perpetual motion machine has already been invented.....I believe it was a "slinky on an ecalator".

My .02. Happy Friday everyone. Chris

terry_5

city offers biz solar

The City of Chicago wants to give a few local businesses a piece of the sun.

The city's Department of Environment is offering 600 solar thermal collectors to businesses that use a lot of hot water and might be struggling with high gas bills -- such as laundromats, health clubs and affordable housing organizations.

The grant program is part of the city's ongoing partnership with Solargenix Energy, a Raleigh, N.C.-based company that makes solar equipment for Chicago buildings, such as fire stations and park district swimming pools.

"The objective is to get more of these solar thermal installations across the city and help industries struggling with gas prices," said Sadhu Johnston, commissioner of the city's Department of Environment.

The city will donate the collectors, worth a total of $1 million. Businesses chosen for the program must pay for installation. Applications will be accepted through the end of the month, and grant awards will be announced in May.

An informational session on the program will be held at Solargenix's plant at 3622 S. Morgan St., March 16 at 6 p.m.

By using existing gas or electric hot water heaters only to supplement solar thermal systems, these systems can reduce water-heating costs by up to 70 percent, according to the city.

Johnston said laundromats and health clubs might need 40 to 100 panels each, depending on a facility's size. He said that by using a federal tax credit toward the installation, a business could start seeing a payback on its investment in a couple of years.

Chicago has about 15 solar thermal installations under construction now for city buildings -- including stables for Chicago Police Department horses, according to Russ Reed, vice president of Solargenix, the country's largest solar equipment maker.

Under its contract with the company, the city purchases Solargenix collectors, made in Chicago, plus engineering and installation, which the company outsources to local contractors.

The technology involves mirrored troughs that reflects the sun's rays onto copper tubes that carry water, Reed explained. The water is heated, then pumped for use in the building.

The collector "gathers and focuses and intensifies the sun's energy," Reed explained. He said the hope is that businesses with solar collectors will act as catalysts, "and other businesses would see this as a pretty good thing."


mwisniewski@suntimes.com

Solarstar

As with heating the same old applies to electricity in this nation, conservation first then efficiency and they wont have to build any more reactors... unfortunately we need to get to some sort of crisis mode before people and politicians wake up and get real...Paul

Brian (Tankless)

The \"Crisis\" is happening

right now, it's called IRAN.

Watch the price of oil in the next few days.

The future is here, now.

Brian, in 78* Swampland. AC weather already

adayton_2

Did any one catch the heating reference

in the end of the fourth paragraph ?

"" The panels are able to generate enough energy to run stoves, geysers, lights, TVs, fridges, computers - in short all the mod-cons of the modern house. ""

Is that "MOD-CONs" I see there (modern conveniences)??

:-).

Alfred

terry_5

they started retro fitting the firehouses and libraries, i'll let you guys know how theyr'e working out in the future

Brad White_43

I saw that too, Alfred

and chose to ignore it. Bloody pagans....