Singapore-made solar panel more efficient, works even if partially shaded

Singapore-made solar panel more efficient, works even if partially shaded

Local solar firm REC Solar believes it has found a possible solution to
tackle Singapore's lack of space for solar panels. It said its new panel can
convert more of the sun's energy into electricity, compared with a
conventional panel of the same size. The REC TwinPeak solar panel can
produce 280 watts, compared with the usual 260 watts generated by a
conventional solar panel.

Professor Armin Aberle, chief executive of the National University of
Singapore's Solar Energy Research Institute of Singapore, said that
considering Singapore's limited space, it is important to maximise the
energy output from every square metre available for solar panels.

He worked with the REC team on developing the new solar panel, which is also
able to work even if part of it is shaded, something conventional panels
cannot do.

Dr Shankar Sridhara, the firm's vice-president of technology, said the
differences may appear small, but are significant in the quest to make solar
energy a more viable option here.

TwinPeak has higher efficiency because of a number of novel technologies,
such as using smaller solar cells which reduce energy lost to heat, said Dr
Shankar.

A solar panel is made up of many solar cells, and the REC panel uses cells
about half the size of conventional ones. This halves the current running
through the cell, and reduces heat loss.

The REC team also maximises the amount of sunlight absorbed by the panel.
Besides capturing sunlight that hits its surface, the panel harnesses the
infrared energy that passes through it, thanks to a reflective material at
the rear of the solar cell. The infrared light is reflected back into the
cell to be converted into electricity.

Mr Goh Chee Kiong, executive director for cleantech at the Economic
Development Board, which supported TwinPeak's development, said: "Singapore
is grooming clean energy as a growth area, which will address the
opportunities from increasing urbanisation and environmental sustainability
in Asia...

"Innovations such as REC's TwinPeak solar technology are one such example
where companies have successfully tapped Singapore's position as Asia's
clean energy hub to serve the regional markets."

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Link to Original Article:
http://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/environment/spore-made-solar-panel-mor
e-efficient-works-even-if-partially-shaded

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John Diecker
APT Consulting Group Co., Ltd.

www.aptthailand.com