Floating solar collector - made of solar cell foils welded between specified light-weight crosslinked plastic foils

摘要

A solar cell collector for the conversion of solar energy in electrical energy has a density of under 1 g/cu.cm so that it floats on the surface of tropical oceans. A solar cell foil (2), coated with photoactive semiconductors, is welded between two transparent plastic foils (1, 3) of crosslinked PE with a density of 0.92 g/cu.cm by watertight welds (4, 5). Punched holes (6) permit the sea water to pass through and reduce the destructive effect of waves. ADVANTAGE - Such collectors are less costly than the earlier suggestion of floating pontoons carrying solar cells. Crosslinked PE foil resists sea water for up to 30 years.