Smart Solar International, a venture company established by the University of Tokyo, has developed a solar cell module equipped with a condenser system that uses a reflector to collect sunlight. In June 2012, the company collaborated with Sopogy Inc., a US company that also used reflectors to collect solar thermal systems, and began to develop systems that use electricity and heat simultaneously. A few days ago, a reporter from this station interviewed the representative director of the company, Tomita Takashi, regarding the future strategy of Smart Solar International.
——Please tell us about the introduction of solar cell modules equipped with a condenser system.
Up to now, there are four import cases in Japan, with a total size of about 20kW. One of the systems used is that in addition to the electricity generated by solar cells, solar heat can also be used. Heat is extracted from the cooling liquid of the cooling solar cells to provide heat for agricultural plastic greenhouses. The thermal combined system is ideal for agricultural applications that require large amounts of heat.
There are currently three additional systems being introduced into our system, including a 100kW system. It is estimated that it can be completed in 2012. In addition, the introduction of a mechanism that can eliminate the instability of solar cell output power is also under consideration. Details do not disclose, is the use of methods other than battery storage power.
- Has the imported system failed?
Some systems have been imported for more than a year. The initial failure has been basically eliminated. Most of the initial failures were rusting on the platform. There has been no failure of the essential part such as the power generation function.
In the future, it must be continued for more than 10 years of time and modestly for verification. For quality companies like us, quality problems can be fatal.
——Does your company carry out technical improvement of solar cell modules?
The output power of the latest module has been increased from the original 150W to 200W. The increase in output power is partly due to an increase in the module volume, in addition to the technical improvements. However, technical details are inconvenient.
Future considerations include the compound multi-junction solar cell. When monocrystalline silicon solar cells are used, module conversion efficiency is 15 to 18%, and using compound multi-junction solar cells can increase module conversion efficiency to 23%. When heat is used again, it is estimated that the total conversion efficiency of solar energy will reach about 40%. We plan to exceed 50% in the future and increase to 65%.
- What is the temperature of the extracted heat?
The system has been set up to extract about 40°C of heat. Our reason for considering compounding multi-junction solar cells also includes increasing the temperature. Crystalline silicon solar cells have a problem in that the output power is reduced by the influence of heat. The compound is less susceptible to heat than silicon, so the temperature of the unit coolant can be increased to extract heat at higher temperatures.
There is still room for discussion on how to extract the heat. In addition to direct use of heat for air conditioning and floor heating, new methods for converting heat into electricity will also be explored. In addition to turbine power generation, there should also be methods using thermoelectric conversion elements and other semiconductor elements.
- Do you consider other developments other than concentrating systems?
In the future, we intend to focus on the concentrating system for development. The ordinary module receives light through the surface, and the light can be received by focusing light, so the amount of material can be reduced. The current converging magnification is about 6 times, so that the use amount of the monocrystalline silicon solar cell can be reduced to about 1/6 as compared with an ordinary solar cell module. Concentrating methods may also exist differently from the current methods.
At present, the price of silicon materials has been relatively low, so there are arguments about whether it is necessary to collect light. However, no one in the future will be able to explain it. It may change dramatically. Judging from the current low price will be misleading, so we need to pay attention.
- What uses are planned for?
Nowadays, the megawatt-level solar energy system has attracted much attention in Japan. This is mainly due to the impact of stimulus policies such as the fixed-price acquisition system. I do not think it is actually demand. In the long run, it is necessary to expand the import of urban areas that consume a lot of energy. We intend to challenge this new use. In order to use heat for air conditioning, solar cells and solar thermal systems are more effective.
Recall that solar cells had been centered on the demand for residential use before 2000. The megawatt-level solar system has emerged as the center of Europe in the last 10 years. The ever-changing market, we can not be static.
In addition, Tomita will also give a speech on the topic "Solar Cell Potential and Technology Development Prospects" held on October 30th, with the theme "Enhancing Photovoltaic Energy through Collective Photovoltaic Power Generation and Collecting Heat System".
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