[RE-wrenches] Subterranean solar panels

Tue Sep 15 07:08:11 PDT 2009

Using Fresnel lens technology, a solar collector surface can concentrate the suns energy into very small areas of >1000W/m ² . You still need to capture enough sunlight [1m²] to get the 1000W in the first place. 
The lens' are very thin and can be curved which acts like a convex lens over a cluster of fibers. A collector that flares the fibers would align them directly with the lights rays.
http://www.fresneltech.com/pdf/VariousArrays.pdf#page=3

Entech is very stingy with pictures of their Si based space and terrestrial PV collectors since it's proprietary. 
http://www.entechsolar.com/page.php?sid=35
But your'e right, it ain't cheap since NASA was their primary customer for decades. $60/W was never a problem. 

Jim Duncan
North Texas Renewable Energy Inc
817.917.0527
ntrei at earthlink.net
www.ntrei.com 

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  ----- Original Message ----- 
  From: Brian Teitelbaum 
  To: RE-wrenches 
  Sent: Monday, September 14, 2009 6:48 PM
  Subject: Re: [RE-wrenches] Subterranean solar panels

  A "compact optical device" would still have to work with the sun's energy at 1000W/square.meter, and even if they could get 20% conversion efficiency (highly unlikely), it would still need to cover an area of more than 5 sq.meters per kW output.

  Not very "compact'

  Brian Teitelbaum

  AEE Solar.

  From: re-wrenches-bounces at lists.re-wrenches.org [mailto:re-wrenches-bounces at lists.re-wrenches.org] On Behalf Of Antony Tersol
  Sent: Monday, September 14, 2009 4:27 PM
  To: RE-wrenches; RE Marketing for home scale RE industry
  Subject: [RE-wrenches] Subterranean solar panels

        Not sure if this should be in markets or wrenches.  I'm guessing they don't have a physicist on staff.  My first impression is that this is a hoax.  Does Photon do any due diligence?

        From today's Photon electronic newsletter:

        Subterranean solar panels

        EarthSure Continues National Expansion with Subterranean Solar Panel System

              10.09.2009: EarthSure, a renewable energy company and innovator in alternative energy sources announced today the company's latest patent-pending renewable energy invention. Subterranean Solar, or SubSolarT, is a unique and innovative system of utilizing 'subterranean solar panels" to gather solar power. No unsightly above ground solar panels need to be used anymore. This is an enhancement not only in economics and in the green movement, but a great technological improvement in the area of design and construction as well. Currently, solar panels are secured on rooftops or other open spaces. Depending upon the size of the solar module system, this can require large areas of space, and more times than not, this intrudes upon space that can be utilized more efficiently and effectively. In addition, many homeowner associations throughout the United States have banned roof top installations. In light of this, SubSolar panels are installed underneath the ground, virtually invisible to the naked eye. . Source: EarthSure 

              http://www.earth-sure.com

              and from the website:

              How Does It Work? 

              A compact optical device is installed upon a rooftop or other sunlight-catching environment. This optical device captures and magnifies the sun's rays and transfers the sunlight from its linear or cylindrical lenses though fiber-optic lines leading down into an underground storage of solar panel modules. The subterranean solar panels are buried approx 3-4 feet underground and are encased in cylindrical tubes or in a semi-hermetically sealed box (or boxes made out of PVC that are in a vacuum chamber atmosphere) which will utilize the ultimate light absorption in the box light vacuum chamber that encapsulates the solar panel modules.

              Other than the compact optical device, the solar system is practically invisible. This system keeps unsightly panels and fixtures from effecting the aesthetics of homes and commercial or industrial buildings. Always out of sight, but never out of free energy potential!

              Another benefit of utilizing SubSolarT underground solar panels is that it keeps the equipment out of the elements, elements which can damage the panels and decrease the life span of the equipment. Underground chambers will always stay clean and pristine to aid in better electrical output and eradicate poor performance associated with contaminated modules, making them virtually maintenance free. Also, being under the earth's surface, the solar modules naturally remain cooler, which in turn makes them more productive, preventing overheating for more consistent electrical output.

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