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New 29% efficient solar panel combines space-grade PV cells with concentrated glass cover

By Kelly Pickerel | February 19, 2019

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Swiss company Insolight has reached 29% efficiency for its unique solar panel, as verified by the Solar Energy Institute of the Universidad Politécnica de Madrid (IES-UPM). Its patented optical system concentrates light onto an array of tiny space-grade multi-junction PV cells. Compared to traditional non-concentrated PV modules with efficiencies around 19%, Insolight’s pre-production module has been validated at 29% by IES-UPM, two years after the first lab prototype.

solar panel efficiency“For the rooftop market, the real challenge is not only to increase efficiency but to do so in a way that combines cost-effectiveness, ease of installation and durability,” said Laurent Coulot, CEO of Insolight.

The Insolight panel’s protective glass embeds a grid of lenses which concentrate light by several hundred times. Under this optical layer, direct sunlight is focused on high-performance space-grade solar cells. The unit also follows the sun, by mechanically shifting cells horizontally by a few millimeters each day to keep aligned with the glass lenses. The whole system is encased in a frame, similar to standard solar panels, which keeps mechanical parts protected.

Insolight’s product has the same form factor as standard panels and the company said it can be mounted in industry-standard tilt angles on commercial rooftops or the ground.

In addition to the 29% efficiency validation from IES-UPM, modules have also been tested in real-life conditions for a whole year on a pilot installation at the Swiss Institute of Technology in Lausanne (EPFL), successfully enduring extreme heat, winter conditions and storms.

The Insolight concept was first tested on a lab prototype by Fraunhofer ISE in 2016, setting a record for a rooftop technology.

solar panel efficiency insolight“Over the last two years, our team has brought the product from a lab prototype to a full-size solar panel, connected to the grid and monitored 24/7. Our system has been extensively tested, and we are now preparing an industrialization strategy for large-scale production,” said Mathieu Ackermann, CTO of Insolight.

Insolight said its optical lenses can be assembled as an overlay on top of a standard PV panel. This hybrid approach is effective in cloudy conditions, where concentration efficiency decreases, to maintain energy harvesting under diffused sunlight.

Insolight is now discussing with several solar manufacturers to license its technology.

“Our technology involves a few extra assembly steps, which can be added at the end of existing production lines, taking leverage of production capabilities already in place,” said Coulot.

News item from Insolight

About The Author

Kelly Pickerel

Kelly Pickerel has over a decade of experience reporting on the U.S. solar industry and is currently editor in chief of Solar Power World.

Comments

  1. Diana W says

    June 28, 2019 at 11:04 am

    With so many households that have already installed solar panels, will they be coming out with a kit so existing arrays could be upgraded? I was planning to have solar installed this year and am not sure I want to wait another 3 years for this product to come out. As with all new technology, it’ll probably be significantly more expensive for the first few years.

    Reply
    • Kelly Pickerel says

      June 28, 2019 at 11:23 am

      This specific product is likely only ideal for flat commercial rooftops. So if you’re installing solar on a sloped residential roof, you will get excellent power and efficiency from traditional solar PV panels.

      Reply
    • Rahim Naimion says

      February 5, 2022 at 3:45 am

      Where this panels now can be purchased ??
      In topic mentioned that its in closest time become commercialized and presented to global market
      But expired 3years and Iam still didnt see in market 29% panels from any tier1 listed companies

      So where now I can find this panels for buying ?

      Reply
  2. Mark Richardson says

    February 26, 2019 at 4:47 pm

    It’s a good step in the direction for mankind.
    But out of 100 percent we still have mountains to climb.

    Reply
  3. Faruque Ahmed says

    February 22, 2019 at 4:12 am

    Nice to hear such a wonderful progress on efficiency. It can bring revolutionary progress in solar evolution.

    Reply
  4. Kaustubhan Srivathsan says

    February 20, 2019 at 7:20 am

    Excellent, great to hear a 29% efficiency. That beats the earlier record.

    Reply

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