[RE-wrenches] The Genie Lens

Joel Davidson joel.davidson at sbcglobal.net
Fri Aug 13 09:36:12 PDT 2010


Wrenches,

Rick Lewandowski (founder of SunWize) and his team have been making PV 
modules with an optical film. See http://www.prismsolar.com/  Prism Solar's 
primary advantage is less PV cell material lowers cost.

How Prism Solar differs from SolOptics:
- film is laminated with the cell so it does not get wet,
- holographic material is UV stable and is used in extraterrestrial 
applications,
- tests have shown PS holograms degrade less than 0.04% per year compared to 
silicon cells at 0.5-1% per year,
- angular and spectral multiplexed holograms result in cooler running cells 
and useful light down to 0.25 suns.

Rick has worked several years to get Prism Solar ready for primetime. See 
their video and live test results and tell me what you think.

Best regards,
Joel Davidson

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Mark Dickson" <Mark at OasisMontana.com>
To: "'RE-wrenches'" <re-wrenches at lists.re-wrenches.org>
Sent: Thursday, August 12, 2010 9:43 AM
Subject: Re: [RE-wrenches] The Genie Lens


> They claim that their film "should" last the 20 year lifespan of the
> modules.  With most warranties at 25 years and modules lasting much longer
> than that, that claim does not do them much justice.  I can't imagine
> modules will work very well with a tarnished or degrading film on them.
> Imagine how pissed a customer would be trying to peel that crap off after 
> a
> few years getting baked in the sun.
> I am sure the module manus would love to disqualify any warranty claims 
> that
> came back with this stuff on it.
>
> Also, they claim a 4-12.5% increase.
>
> Best regards,
>
> Mark Dickson,
> NABCEP Certified Solar PV Installer T
> Oasis Montana Inc.
>
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: re-wrenches-bounces at lists.re-wrenches.org
> [mailto:re-wrenches-bounces at lists.re-wrenches.org] On Behalf Of Peter
> Parrish
> Sent: Thursday, August 12, 2010 10:17 AM
> To: 'RE-wrenches'
> Subject: [RE-wrenches] The Genie Lens
>
> Anybody know anything about these claims?
>
> SolOptics, the solar division of Genie Lens, has created a new lens design
> that improves solar PV performance by 12.5 percent. The new thin-film 
> design
> can be applied to any PV module, just like a sticker. The new design is
> created by the company's ray tracing software that embosses 
> microstructures
> onto thin polymer film. That film can then be applied to solar panels much
> like tinting film can be applied to a window. In testing, the
> microstructures in the lens improved PV efficiency by 10 to 12.5 percent.
>
> I think the claim of a "lens" is complete hogwash. As for being an
> anti-reflective coating, that might work, but reliability would be my
> concern (UV, heat, moisture). Think how many tinted car windows you have
> seen with blisters all over them?
>
> I am posting this for a client who is a really dedicated solar enthusiast
> and occasionally emails me with questions about solar technology.
>
> - Peter
>
>
> Peter T. Parrish, Ph.D., President
> California Solar Engineering, Inc.
> 820 Cynthia Ave., Los Angeles, CA 90065
> CA Lic. 854779, NABCEP Cert. 031806-26
> peter.parrish at calsolareng.com
> Ph 323-258-8883, Mobile 323-839-6108, Fax 323-258-8885
>
>
>
>
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