SolarBeam Concentrator – Parabolic Solar Concentrator Dish by Solartron Energy Systems Inc
Solartron Energy Systems Inc. has created the SolarBeam Concentrator is the word’s first affordable parabolic solar concentrator for thermal hot water production. One system provides peak 10kw/hour (34000 BTU/hour) of hot water capable to heat a 2400 sq. ft (222 m2) house. The solar collector area of the SolarBeam Concentrator is 121 sq ft (11.3 m2) and concentrates the sun’s heat on a 10″X10″ (25X25 cm) heat exchanger. The SolarBeam has dual-axis sun tracking and is available for commercial, government, and residential applications. Payback is typically 6 years with government incentives. SolarBeam is 262% more efficient than solar flat plate hot water panels and 98% more efficient than evacuated tube panels. The system is also capable of generating 3.5 kW/hour of photovoltaic electricity as well provide air conditioning in conjunction with absorption chillers. SolarTron Energy Systems Inc. is currently looking for global distributors.
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@randommagnum I don’t know about PV panels while 38% is good, you still have to store it and then convert it, PV systems in their current state are still no where near cost effective. If your rich yeah you can spend 40-60k to get off the grid but the panels start losing there whack after 20 years, batteries (probably lead acid) will need to be replace or reconditioned every ten years (more frequently if they were not well maintained). on paper its still cheaper to pay the bill.
@glennimmortal That is a good point. Well, it sounds like a great thing…although, if I owned this company, I’d be getting concentrated photovoltaic on the fast track here. To me, that sounds like the ultimate solution, because it generates electricity up to 38% efficiency from what I’ve heard, and the elements are much smaller and therefore more cost effective that flat PV panels, AND you have to cool them with water…hello thermal energy! It’s a win-win-win.
Been done a million times and you should have no patents involving solar tracking.
If it works so well, build one for the homeowner.
I was on your web site and reviewed the Southern New England distributors presentation. It was straight forward, and assuming that one should pay an arm and leg. I pay $4000/year to heat with propane/hot water. Who has done more installations the VT or Chilmark dealer? I have two local contractors who I know who have done geothermal and solar with new homes. My project would be to make solar thermal primary heating source, relegated propane to back up.
I own farms on several sites. One of these sites I have has a 200 year old farmhouse in which I am planning to repair completley but as a form of solar power station with 100% coverage of the roof area. Can this solar concentrator increase the output of the panels and can it be used as a weapon against thieves? Noone would be living in it but the solar and electrical equipment is expensive and despte this area having a very lowe crime rate, its common sense to protect the facility at all costs.
I wanna see billions of these around the world
@truvak The use of heavy equipment makes the installation faster and more economical since it does not require manual labor. Our systems are not sold specifically for home applications – it is marketed toward commercial, government, industrial applications. Hopefully you can come across a parabolic concentrator with certification that meets your criteria.
so, again a system that requires heavy equipment installation, solves a little problem with a lot of work and investment, but hey! it can be payed in 6 years!… with government incentives of course. Come on, you can do better! I know it is professional and of much better quality that most DIY projects, but with much less money one can solve this in home.
Do sunspots affect solar electric systems?
@ TheDudeRulez09 I do agree with you that many DIY projects have worked on parabolic concentrators. The SolarBeam however is the first affordable commercial system marketed world wide for thermal applications.
@randommagnum it doesn’t matter if the mirror is not not perfect as long as it doesn’t miss the collector at the focal point which can be slightly over size. These work great near the tropics.
ever since I was a geometry student in highscool(1980), I thought of using a parobolic reflector with collection plates at the latus rectum(the point of maximum intersections, collections of waves and particles(photons). It is nice to see a company finally doing this, here, Bravo!
Thanks for your answer
I envision a Stirling engine being powered by the hot water produced with something like this…and then put on that 3.5kWe photovoltaic module, and you’ve got some good power happening.
When you see this thing track around, the mirrors look a little wavy and crude. I wish that was better.