Go Solar Go Dot Com : New Solar-to-grid Efficiency Record

by DeanD — Thursday, February 14th, 2008

Science Daily reported a new solar record today. It was set by Sandia National Laboratories and Stirling Energy Systems (SES), whose solar dish achieved 31.25 percent efficiency for solar-to-grid conversion. This is just short of 2 percent higher than the 1984 record of 29.4 percent, but according to SES President, 2 percent higher is potentially enough to affordably commercialize this type of system.

In fact, SES has already signed two power purchase agreements with two major utility companies: Southern California Edison and San Diego Gas and Electric.

How did their new system become so efficient? According to Sandia engineers, it is a combination of the following factors:

Improved optics
Mirror facets consisting of highly reflective glass with a silver backing to focus a higher percentage of sunlight
A new, more effective radiator and generator
Beautiful New Mexico winter weather

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