Fascinating Solar Power Breakthru....

[maxwell's demon]

Maybe we should throw a telethon for them.

jag

LAAAAAAAAAAAAAAADIIIEEEES!

 

[jaguarr]

LAAAAAAAAAAAAAAADIIIEEEES!

His head is going to explode one of these days, mark my words. Hopefully it won't be in a nice restaurant.

jag

 

[redmarvel]

Instead of using expensive photovoltaic cells to convert solar radiation to electricity directly, Matteran’s solution uses far-cheaper thermal-collection technology to heat a synthetic fluid with a very low boiling point (around 58°F), creating enough steam to drive a specially designed turbine. And although a fluid-circuit system converting heat into electricity is nothing new, Matteran’s innovative solution increases the system’s efficiency to a point where small-scale applications make economic sense (see the animation on the company’s Web site for a more thorough explanation).

I'm going to be lazy and ask a few questions instead of trying to find the answers on my own:

1. Since this is a "synthetic fluid", is it environmentally friendly? (If the piping leaks will there be major health problems?)

2. How flammable is the liquid if it boils so quickly? I really don't fancy the idea of putting flammable liquid on my roof.

3. How expensive is it to produce the liquid or to procure it? How widely available is it? (Again, if I have a leak, how hard would it be to replace the stuff).

4. Has the liquid been used for other applications in the past? Do they know what the dangers inherent in it are?

5. How does the liquid handle freezing temperatures?

One advantage this has over photovoltaic cells (solar panels), it doesn't actually require sunlight. Our property is heavily shaded but still gets hot.