New Solar Dish Could Make Cost of Solar Energy Competitive with Fossil Fuels.

The ZenithSolar Concept
The concept of Concentrated Photovoltaic (CPV) systems is to use low cost optics to increase the light incident onto the very high efficiency semiconductor solar cell material, thus reducing overall cost of the system while increasing energy output.

The concentration factor, denoted by X, is a measure of the increased light intensity on the semiconductor cell. X equals approximately the area of the optic collector divided by area of the semiconductor solar cell. ZenithSolar system is designed to a concentration factor of 1000 X.

The ZenithSolar optical dish is based on a patented design, utilizing multiple simple flat mirrors mounted on a plastic surface. The molded plastic surface, divided into four quadrants, is fixed onto a rigid, high precision metal frame assembled onto an azimuth - elevation solar tracking system.

The concentrated solar radiation is reflected from each individual mirror onto an array of solar cells. ZenithSolar uses field proven high efficiency multi-junction III-V solar cells.

In conventional CPV systems, the excess heat generated in the solar cell needs to be removed to avoid damaging the cell and to maintain high efficiency of electricity conversion. ZenithSolar utilizes the heat generated at the solar cell receiver to provide usable hot water heating, improving overall solar power conversion efficiency to 75%

Optic Design
The Zenith Solar`s `Optics in Plastic` is the key to manufacturing efficiency and superior product quality achievement. A 2800 ton injection molding press uses advanced custom thermoplastic composition developed by our scientists for reliable, stable and long life operation. Our solar dish is injection molded with multiple gate radius heated runners to ensure even material flow and minimal warpage with rapid fill. Molding is completed in a world class facility with full material/environmental controls, material sampling and testing of each resin batch. Each dish is subjected to final product check on weighted custom jig fixtures and 3D product scan to ensure product accuracy. We purposely do not use long glass fibers to ensure wider recyclable product application.

Designed for Recyclability
Uniquely specified composite structural materials, mirror panels, control and electronic systems are obtained from the ISO certified world class production suppliers to Zenith Solar exacting standards and unique quality requirements to ensure optimum performance and maximum service life. Key suppliers participate in Zenith Solar APQP System and are encouraged to provide error free products eliminating the cost of incoming quality control inspections as well as annual Value Analysis/Value Engineering (VA/VE) cost savings suggestion improvement program. Steel, composite and glass systems are specified with up to 100% recycled materials and are 100% recyclable. Electronics and control systems use 100% virgin materials and are not recyclable. Electronics and controls account for less than 5% of overall system by weight.

Applications
Due to its high electricity output and high temperature output, ZenithSolar is focusing on customers and projects that will be able to directly benefit from high temperature thermal heat for hot water needs.

Via: Zenith Solar

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