Technology

​ThermoVolt Solar panels are co-generation solar panels that generate electricity and hot water in a single module.

​Conventional silicon solar panels (PV panels) absorb 86% of sun light and converts a fraction, about 1/5th of it to electricity. The remaining 4/5th of the energy is wasted as heat in the silicon solar panels. It is this wasted heat heat that ThermoVolt solar panel uses to produce hot water. 

ThermoVolt Solar panel is made of 72 silicon cells, the heat generated at the silicon cell is transported to a heat exchanger at the bottom of the panel through a proprietary Thermally conductive Encapsulation Material (TEM). The heat exchanger transfers the heat to the fluid passing through it. The entire panel is insulated on all sides and on top to prevent loss of heat to atmosphere. 

Energy Generation & Installation

  • ThermoVolt Solar panel generates 1.7kWh electricity & 15,700 BTU's of heat (160 liters of hot water at 60 deg C) per day at std. test conditions for warm weather.
  •  Installation is similar to PV panels, fits into standard PV panel mounting systems. Plumbing connection to the panel is done by a 3/4 inch Copper female adapter.​

Advantages

  • ​Industry leading > 65% combined electrical + thermal efficiency.
  • Hot water + Electricity from same panel.
  • Generates 1.7kWh of electricity & 15,700 BTU's of heat, i.e. 160 liters of hot wafer at 140 deg Fahrenheit.
  • Higher energy density that std. PV panel and solar thermal panel combo.
  • Standardized - Panel fits regular PV mounting system.
  • Aesthetics - uniform panel for both heat and electricity.
  • Patent pending encapsulation material and design.

Awards

ThermoVolt Solar was the recipient of GE Ventures Renewable Energy Prize at the MIT Clean Energy Prize hosted by Massachusetts Institute of Technology, U.S. Department of Energy, General Electric, and NSTAR. MIT Clean Energy Prize is the premier business plan contest in United States focused on Clean Tech. The contestants are evaluated by Clean Tech business experts from industry, energy utilities, government and technology experts from MIT and U.S. Department of Energy.

ThermoVolt Solar was invited to the U.S. Department of Defense to showcase the technology at the Defense Energy Summit and also to the National Renewable Energy Laboratory's - Industry Growth Forum.