SunCube™ Frequently Asked Questions:
1. What is CPV?
Concentrated solar photovoltaics. CPV uses small solar chips which have been used in satellites and spacecraft for a decade. The chips do not use silicon as standard solar panels do. They use gallium arsenide which can tolerate extreme temperatures. There are actually three cells layered on top of each other. One captures the visible light spectrum, one infrared and one ultraviolet. Standard PV only captures part of the visible light spectrum. So CPV cells are much more efficient at converting sunlight to electricity.
The challenge with CPV is mounting these cells in a mechanism with proper optics to gather and convert as much energy as possible. Naturally the Earth's atmosphere filters some. Then, the sun is a moving target for us. Focusing on the sun and down onto the chips requires tight focal points along with reducing the losses by minimizing the number of optics. Finally, heat resistance and dispersion are important.
2. How does CPV compare to PV?
PV is a great technology and has a vast importance for distributed power needs throughout the world. CPV goes twice the distance.
PV is a mature technology with only small incremental improvements expected in the near future. CPV is just beginning to find its market. The SunCube is at the top of this food chain with its 31% efficiency and upgradability as higher efficiency cells are made available– probably in less than two years.
Silicon cells produce far less power when hot. Gallium Arsenide cells produce a lot more when hot. We could even install arrays in 140ºF desert locations. You cannot do that with silicon panels. Further, silicon cells degrade over time, about .3% to .4% per year. Gallium arsenide cells have zero tracked degradation.
3. What will Vibrant be offering in CPV?
The SunCube™ Mark 9.2 module, for ground mounted arrays. This is a dual axis tracker, re-orienting toward the sun every 30 seconds so it is always in proper alignment for maximum power production. Later we will engineer for flat rooftop arrays.
4. Will Vibrant still offer flat panel PV?
Absolutely. First, the SunCube cannot be mounted on sloped roofs. Second, in urban and many suburban settings lots are not large enough to host a ground mounted array. Shade cast by tress and buildings prohibits ground arrays as well.
5. What is Helios?
Helios Solar LLC is owned by ten Colorado residents (there are other American companies with Helios in their names). Helios is the first, and currently only, USA licensee of the SunCube. We have a 20 year license including exclusive territory of the southwestern USA and Hawaii with rights to build one or more factories to produce the SunCube right here.
6. How are Helios and Vibrant related?
They are separate companies. Four of Helios' owners are also Vibrant owners. Helios has authorized Vibrant to sell and install SunCubes. Vibrant is the only company in the USA so authorized, and they are the only company that understands how to install SunCubes, at present. Vibrant has extensive experience with flat panel arrays having sold 2.2MW over the past four years.
7. What are the manufacturing plans for Helios?
Helios will duplicate the ISO 9001 certified manufacturing plant in Satara, India. This plant can include two assembly lines, each capable of producing 100MW of SunCubes per year.
8. Who are Helios' competitors in Colorado? In the other parts of the Helios/G&G sales region? US?
There are other companies in the CPV market. They have noted efficiencies of 21% to 24%. The SunCube at 31% exceeds all known products, worldwide. But the market is dynamic, the need for CPV solutions is vast. We expect others to get into CPV. That would be a very good thing for the planet.
9. How do competitors compare?
The SunCube delivers more power at a much lower cost per kilowatt hour or megawatt hour.