Cylindrical solar
By editor | 23 Feb, 2011
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Flat rooftops around the world are home to cylindrical PV systems from Solyndra. The American company designs and manufactures PV systems, consisting of panels and mounts, for the commercial rooftop market. Using cylindrical modules captures sunlight across a 360° surface, which is capable of converting direct, diffuse and reflected sunlight into electricity. This consistent power generation during the day allows the use of a smaller inverter, reducing costs and improving the overall energy yield of a system over time.

The shape of the modules has other advantages, such as the ability to cope with winter weather. Light snow falls through the panels and will even give a boost of energy as the light reflects from the snow. The modules also attract less dirt and airborne particles, and moisture or rain that lands or forms on the modules works to clean the cylinders. Research shows that energy loss due to soiling on these systems is approximately half of that for conventional flat panels




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