Ignite Solar Testing New Panel Technology
Tracking System Increases Energy-Collecting Nearly 30 Percent
HOUSTON, TX–(Marketwire - April 16, 2009) - In Houston, banking and energy often are seen as peas in a pod. Two green-focused companies are continuing the tradition — Ignite Solar LLC is testing its solar panel and sun-tracking technology and using a Green Bank rooftop as the laboratory.
Ignite Solar has mounted a small scale solar panel and motorized tracking system to test the increased energy-collecting efficiency of panels that move with the sun across the day’s sky. The test is currently evaluating the benefits of sun-tracking with thin-film panels, and soon will begin to evaluate the differences of sun-tracking thin-film panels and sun-tracking more expensive, traditional crystalline silicon panels.
“With the addition of optimized tracking, thin film panels perform similarly to silicon panels, but at significant cost savings. These economies lower the threshold for building large-scale solar energy farms and will help bring more renewable energy to the grid,” said Peter Mathey, president and CEO of Ignite Solar.
Currently, most solar farms are constructed with fixed mounted crystalline silicon panels. Developed in the late 1970s, the technology has undergone numerous refinements and advances. Thin-film technology is significantly different, quicker and easier to manufacture — panels roll off the assembly line as if from a printing press. Thin film panels are not as efficient as crystalline panels, but are one third less the cost on a per watt basis. Thin film also delivers more watt hours of power for the same rated panel as crystalline due to its ability to work better in low light and off angle conditions.
“The tipping point for solar energy will be when it can be produced for less than the cost of fossil fuel electricity,” said Geoff Greenwade, president of Green Bank. “After reviewing the location, it appeared to be a perfect test site and the panels were mounted. It’s neat to be Green Bank and get the opportunity to be a part of Houston’s push to be the energy leader for the next century.”
Perched on the Green Bank motor bank at Memorial and Post Oak Lane are two thin-film panels. One is fixed and the other is on a mechanized stand that allows it to track with the sun. Both are monitored and collection capabilities are tracked real-time.
As the earth moves through its yearly cycle, the angle of direct sunlight exposure changes. To maximize collection, panels can be adjusted to remain nearly perpendicular to the sun for longer parts of the day. Although basics settings, like setting solar panel angle to latitude in February or reducing the angle to latitude minus 15 degrees in May, are known, tracking technology optimizes a solar panel’s output at all times of the day between sunrise and sunset.
“Houston’s latitude is similar to that of many solar panel farms in West Texas. We are working to understand the tradeoff between the frequency of adjustments and returns,” said Ignite’s Development Officer, Jason McDonald. “More movement means the consumption of the same energy the system produces and increased maintenance. That means less energy to the grid.”
About Ignite Solar
Ignite Solar, LLC is a Houston, TX based company that offers design, manufacture and installation of solar mounting and tracking systems for large scale photovoltaic installations. Using their extensive experience in materials design and fabrication they are able to provide a product that helps their customers reach grid parity. Ignite’s modular structures can be tailored to fit their clients’ projects requirements based on geographic conditions such as wind and snow loads. Furthermore, Ignite’s mounting systems are the most environmentally-friendly systems on the market. Ignite’s solar mounting structures use proven materials and designs that provide superior strength at a significant price advantage.
In addition to their mounting systems, Ignite Solar now offers a line of thin film modules for large scale PV Installations. Ignite Solar’s photovoltaic modules are made from a thin-film silicon cell structure and are very well suited for utility-scale project deployment. For more information, visit: www.IgniteSolar.com.
About Green Bank
Founded in 2007 to serve growing businesses and leading professionals, Green Bank is a socially-responsible and resource-efficient enterprise that performs to a higher standard.
Headquartered in a LEED certified building, Green Bank was one of the first banks to offer paper-free accounts and is pioneering green mortgage and home improvement loans. Green Bank supports numerous environmental, quality of life and conservation agencies and uses it web site to provide information to the community.