I was ready to put Sliver cells in the "where did that new idea disappear to? basket" but I see they are still trying to get up and running. Origin have now teamed with a US IC manufacturer to make the cells in Idaho. Still not commercially available and no info' on efficiency etc. I wonder if the main benefit (lower amount of silicon per cell) will translate in to lower module prices after all the extra manufacturing complexity ?
Sliver solar cells
(9 posts) (6 voices)-
Lance
Key MasterThe sliver cells were a classic example of an engineer/researcher getting a 'bright idea' but not seeming to have any understanding of the practical issues involved with manufacturing solar panels. The main cause of failure in PVs seems to be the mechanical (solder etc) connections between the cells. Why you would design a panel that replicates this potential problematic feature a hundred fold or more makes no sense from a manufacturing and reliability point of view, and this has been borne out in the problems they have had so far in manufacturing them.
Thin film panels, of all types, are the future of PV, panels made with individual cells manually connected together will eventually go the way of the dodo...
Posted Wednesday 10 Nov 2010 @ 5:32:03 am from IP # -
swanning_it
MemberThe one I personally think offers great hope into the future is the dye solar. Seems the company releases a new press release every 5 minutes or so, but hopefully behind the increasingly wearysome news will be some really positive advances. Imagine painting a house, front fence, cubby house etc with an energy producing paint! Perhaps a roof with a combined thermal insulating/power producing paint.......and Australian has lots of the base ingredient (sorry forgotten the name but it's the same non-toxic stuff that makes toothpaste white from memory).
Sliver cells may also see positive advances, but anyone who's tried to attach surface PCB components without a machine will know what a pain it is......sliver would be worse!
Posted Wednesday 10 Nov 2010 @ 6:31:00 am from IP # -
Benny
MemberGood point Lance. Its always hard to get this sort of practical information on new developments like Sliver. Thats why I thought it was yet another "good idea" that had disappeared. I guess we'll find out when they come out with module prices and warranties - if ever.
I agree about thin film too (thats what I have on my roof), especially the CIGS based materials but from my reading the most advanced CIGS producers are only manufacturing for large scale plants.
I get those Dye solar reports too swanning - just constant reports of another deal with someone to license the technology but no reports of an actual full scale installation or efficiencies/lifetime etc. I hope its not another project that dies out after making heaps of money from licensing.
Hmm I wonder what suncube is up to ? ....Posted Thursday 11 Nov 2010 @ 6:36:16 am from IP # -
swanning_it
MemberSuncube.......now there's a name I haven't heard (nor thought about) for a while
Posted Friday 12 Nov 2010 @ 4:03:41 am from IP # -
Lance
Key MasterLooks like they are manufacturing overseas now, still have to say it's a bad idea, lots of individual trackers is asking for high maintenance requirements. Wonder if they will honour warranties when all the cubes start failing.
Always amazes me how far such iffy ideas can progress to as far as commerciallisation is concerned, just shows how few engineers, investors and customers have a clue when it comes to the practicalities of such designs. Anyway, you can catch up on their progress at http://www.greenandgoldenergy.com.au/
Posted Friday 12 Nov 2010 @ 4:26:28 am from IP # -
GwenMorse
MemberI recieved this reply from an Origin representative today (April 12, 2012):
Origin are just about to release three different sized systems using the Sliver panels however this is being launched in QLD so only available for installations within 300km's from Brisbane.
As yet there are no plans to release the product elsewhere in Australia.
It is an exciting step in the right direction after years of work on the technology.
Origin is hopeful that the launch will be successful enough to consider releasing Australia wide.
Regards,
Lorraine Woodbridge
Telesales Teamleader
Solar & Home ProductsTheir email is: solar_enquiry@originenergy.com.au
PS - I'm not shilling for them, just thought there may be some members near Brisbane interested in being a guinea pig....
Posted Thursday 12 Apr 2012 @ 4:14:38 am from IP # -
ghostgum
Memberhttp://www.theage.com.au/business/origin-flags-solar-stake-writedown-20120530-1ziio.html
Origin Energy has flagged the potential for a writedown of its $134 million stake in Transform Solar, its photovoltaics joint venture in the US which stopped production today.
The joint venture owns the ultra-thin 'Sliver' solar cell technolog
Posted Wednesday 30 May 2012 @ 2:17:58 am from IP #
