Kennewick, Washington based Infinia (which is venture capital backed energy technology company) plans to launch Stirling solar dish, which is approximately the size of a large satellite TV receiver.
If you are wondering what is so different about Infinia’s solar Stirling dishes, well these 21-foot-high dishes instead of using photovoltaic cells use the sun’s heat to produce electricity. The technology used by Infinia is based on the 19th century Stirling engine design, which uses differences in gas temperature to turn a piston. These solar dishes from Infinia are essentially being targeted at larger organizations such as city governments, though I feel they can also be used in villages across countries like India to provide electricity…and all without a grid connection.
In case you are not aware, regular solar photovoltaic panels have an efficiency rate of about 12 percent to 15 percent in converting light to electricity (though not always, as in some cases they can go up to 22 percent). Apparently, Infinia’s planned 3-kilowatt Stirling engine will operate at 24 percent efficiency.
According to the company officials, the Infinia solar dishes apart from being more efficient than traditional photovoltaic panels, will also help to generate electricity at a much cheaper rate.
Interested in taking a look at one of these solar Stirling dishes? You won’t have to wait too long, as some time late in 2008 Infinia will commercially release its solar dishes in the market.
Via: News
