Skyline shows off unique concentrating solar arrays
Skyline Solar, maker of uniquely-shaped concentrating photovoltaic panels, has unveiled its first demo system in San Jose, Calif. The company struck a deal with the Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority to generate more than 30 kilowatts of power.
The architecture of Skyline’s installations sets it apart from other solar equipment makers like Ausra, Heliovolt and Optisolar. Shaped like a W, each long row of panels uses inexpensive reflective material to bounce more sunlight directly onto solar cells positioned on the sides of each panel at opportune angles. The systems also track the sun as it moves, eliminating the need for more silicon solar cells — cutting the cost of utility-scale deployments. The company says its technology actually requires 85 percent less pricey silicon and 66 percent fewer parts than traditional tracking panels.
Based in Mountain View, Calif., the company raised $24.6 million in a first round of funding that closed eight months ago. New Enterprise Associates led the financing, which also included several other solar suppliers and installation companies. Skyline also nabbed a $3 million grant from the Department of Energy’s Solar America Initiative.
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About the Author, Camille Ricketts
Camille is the lead writer for GreenBeat. She came to VentureBeat from Google where she worked on its traditional platforms team, particularly in TV. Before that, she was a reporter for the Wall Street Journal in New York and London. Follow her on Twitter at @camillericketts, and follow VentureBeat on Twitter at @venturebeat.
With GreenBeat 2009, VentureBeat's all-star conference on all things Smart Grid, coming up in November, Camille will be expanding coverage of this exciting space. Stay up to date by following @greenbeat2009 on Twitter or by becoming a fan of the event on Facebook here.
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