Markus Loeffler wrote:It's a nice looking gadget but unfortunately it is not efficient at all. It uses a huge sphere of glass to concentrate light onto a small solar panel that will be moved around to track the sun. This is equal to a dual axis solar tracking mechanism. The amount of energy it can use equals the surface area that is exposed to the sun. Here is a map of the energy levels reaching earth by square meter: http://solar-trap.com/?p=179
For a sphere that is A = 4*Pi*r*r . Because the way the sun moves you can only use half of the sphere: 2*Pi*r*r. As an example: a ball of 40cm diameter will give you 0.5 m2 surface. The same glass sphere has a weight of 0.03 m3 * 2531 kg/m3 = 76kg ~ 167 lbs. Yes, very heavy. You will get a little more surface (0.66 m2) with just one 26' by 40' panel - but that would not be as sexy as the gadget.
It is by far more costly to produce and install a huge glass sphere than mount a small panel. But unfortunately like with the 'Solar Roadways' campaign people get tricked into these gadgets and believe in unrealistic dreams. They on purpose NEVER publish real energy numbers. This one will end up in a landfill after 5 years because then even your phone will use 4x the amount of energy for charging.
Just to let you know I'm not affiliated with Rawlemon by any means. I just searched this forum to see if anyone has this setup/any experience with it, because I'm interested in this product for a log cabin. Please use constructive critique based on hands on experience with the device, instead of tearing something down.
I'm not sure your calculations stand the test, just not my area of expertise. However, based on the manufacturer's specs this system generates twice yield compared with conventional panel, while utilizing only 1% of the conventional panel surface. Not sure what you mean by "not publishing real energy numbers." -- they are listed on their website in the open.
http://www.rawlemon.com/products/beta-ray-1-80
Technical data:
• Lens Design: Acrylic-Polymer ball lens, water filled
• Numerical Aperture: 1.8m diameter
• Electrical Data: 560W (220W/M2)
• Thermal Data: 890W (350W/m2)
• Combined Efficiency: 57% (Hybrid)
• Capacity Per Day: 3.4 kWH max.
• Battery Capacity: 0.5 kWh
• AC/DC Management: 120V / 220V - Client specific option
• Connections: Collector Header/Return Lines, 200V/16A Din-Socket
• Dual Axis Tracking: Low Inertia DC microdrive
• Control Unit: Tracking/ Sun/Moon, positioning LED beam
• Light Energy: 300lm - up to 800m Spot with LED's
• Weight: 3.350Kg (water: 3.055 liters)
• Dimensions: 3.90 x 2.40 x 3.15 meter
• Wind resistance: Up to 120 m/s
So judging by the specs, does anyone else have a hands on opinion of this thing? One good suggestion so far definitely is the failure of the tracking system -- don't want to start a fire.
