Put sunlight in the tube
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September 04 11:14:00, 2025
A groundbreaking innovation in solar technology has emerged with the introduction of a new type of solar panel composed of 40 tube-like structures resembling light sticks. This design replaces traditional flat panels and effectively addresses the challenge of varying sun angles, making it more efficient regardless of the sun's position.
Solar energy is widely recognized as an affordable and user-friendly method of power generation. However, its real-world application still faces some challenges. One major issue is that when the sun isn't directly facing the panel, the cost of maintaining a solar system for a household can rise significantly.
To tackle this problem, a California-based company has developed an advanced solar panel specifically designed to handle changes in the sun’s direction. Their innovative approach aims to make solar energy more reliable and accessible for all.
Standard solar panels consist of silicon-based photovoltaic cells, similar to computer chips. These cells capture photons from sunlight and convert them into electricity. Solydra, a leading manufacturer in this field, uses unique production methods, much like First Solar, Nano Solar, and Global Solar. By using less material, their panels are more cost-effective. Additionally, they incorporate steel, glass, and plastic at the base, further reducing overall costs.
The most effective component in these thin-film solar devices is CIGS (Copper Indium Gallium Selenide). Although it's not as efficient as silicon in converting sunlight to electricity, it offers advantages such as lower cost and greater flexibility.
Sorrera, one of the pioneers in this space, coated the CIGS layer with glass and then placed it inside a sealed glass tube. These tubes resemble light sticks, and 40 of them are combined into a single solar panel. By using tubes instead of flat panels, the system can capture sunlight from multiple directions, including scattered and reflected light. Unlike traditional panels, which need to be angled and spaced apart, these tubular panels can be installed horizontally across an entire roof.
Moreover, the lightweight design makes them easier to install and adapt to different environments. From a financial perspective, Soredra estimates that the installation cost of this new panel will be about half that of conventional systems.
With over 30 billion square feet of rooftops available in the U.S., Soredra’s CEO, Chris Gronet, is looking to the future. “These roofs have the potential to generate 15 billion kilowatts of electricity—enough to power 16 million homes,†he said. This innovation could mark a significant step forward in making solar energy more practical and widespread.