A German architect has developed a new solar power technology that he claims is 50 percent more efficient than existing technology and uses just 25 percent as much solar cell area. Solar experts say the system has promise, but caution that it has drawbacks as well, Smithsonian magazine reports on its website today.
The system developed by Andre Broessel, who works for the solar energy company Rawlemon, uses glass balls filled with water to concentrate light into a narrow beam. The beam, which is 10,000 times more concentrated than light captured without the device, is directed at smaller layouts of cells than traditional systems.
One of the biggest obstacles for solar energy has been the expense and carbon footprint of solar cells, fewer of which would be needed for systems that use the "betaray."
Juris Kalejs, chief technology officer at solar systems developer American Capital Energy, told Smithsonian that Broessel’s concept is impressive, but warned that it will be difficult to manufacture and would have to be scaled up significantly to be cost-effective.