CEZ-Elmarco project aim to establish 'nanofibrous' solar panels

30 Nov '09

2 min read

Power-producing group CEZ and ELMARCO have launched a co-operative project, with the aim to establish economically favourable solar panels, which are the first in the world using nanofibres to produce energy. The first stage embodies in testing these panels in effective conditions and comparison of output by conventional silicon panels and the new “nanofibrous” ones based on the technology developed by ELMARCO. Concurrently, both the partners intend to prove the economic profitability of this new way of “green energy” production.

Owing to co-operation of the CEZ Group and the ELMARCO company, which is the world-class supplier of industrial scale nanofibre production equipment and pioneer in nanofibre applications in all spheres of human life, the new types of solar panels using nanofibres for solar energy collection and its conversion to electric power were installed in the premises of nuclear power station Temelín.

“Till now, nowhere in the world were nanofibres used for this particular type of solar panels. Therefore, in order to test their effective functionality, we choose the combination of both silicon and nanofibrous solar panels in one place. They were installed facing all four cardinal points, i.e. not only south, as it is usual by conventional silicon panels. This allows us to compare the behaviour of both conventional and nanofibrous panels in various light and temperature conditions,“Ladislav Mareš, ELMARCO Executive director, stated.

For the CEZ Group, the project forms a part of its research, development and testing of new power-producing technologies. “We anticipate that, owing to its flexibility, this new type of panels could be applied as a part of building structures. Due to their physical characteristics, these panels bid fair to be successfully used even in such light conditions when silicon cells operate with difficulties. If the nanotechnology based panel production is even cheaper in comparison with conventional silicon cells, then it should be a break-through,“Aleš Laciok, CEZ, a. s Research and Development Coordinator, stated.

Unique technology of the most advanced DSSC panels is based on exploitation of inorganic nanofibrous materials made with the NanospiderTM technology, a worldwide proprietary of ELMARCO. The new type of nanofibrous solar panel recently forming a base of mutual project of CEZ Group and ELMARCO had its world premiere during this year's world summit Nanofibers for the 3rd Millennium - Nano for life in Prague.

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