Technology

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

Silicon solar cells absorb 86% of Sun light and converts a fraction of it to electricity, the remaining energy is wasted as heat. ThermoVolt Solar's design harvests this waste heat from silicon solar cells and transports it to a heat exchanger at the back of the module, through a proprietary high temperature thermally conductive solar cell encapsulation material. The entire solar panel is insulated on all sides to minimize heat loss to the environment thereby providing 60 ~ 65 degree Celsius hot water (140 ~ 150 degree Fahrenheit) on a clear day.

ThermoVolt Solar panels generates 1.7kWh electricity and 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, fit into standard PV panel mounting systems. Plumbing connection to the panel is done by a 3/4 inch Copper female adapter.​

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.