The next generation of solar Ultra hybrid Bi Facials panels

PG Solar Greenergy is launching an innovative ultra-hybrid double-sided solar panel that generates effectively both electricity and hot water at competitive price.

In recent years, the world has seen a revolution in the field of solar energy activity. The advantages of this energy source are well known: a free, renewable and clean energy.

Large solar-panel fields are becoming abundant, but reside often away from places of heavy consumption, thus, their effective use dependent extensively on the electrical transmission network.

PG Solar Greenergy intends to bring the ultra-hybrid solar panels to the roofs of residential buildings, offices and industrial buildings in urban areas, close to the customers. The technology addresses both energy needs of customers: electricity and thermal energy.

An innovative and commercially attractive development combines the two solar technologies: water heating and solar photovoltaic power generation. The company has integrated a solar panel that generates electricity on both sides. This panel absorbs the direct sun radiation from the front side (as in the common PV panels) and, at the same time, the panel generates additional electricity from the rear side of the panel from the reflected radiation of light from the ground and the surrounding (Albedo effect). This bi-facial combination attributes to much higher energy production per square meter compared to the usual PV panel. Additionally, clear tempered glass is attached to the back of the panel with water circulating in the space between the entire BIFACIAL double-sided panel. This modification has two important effects: it allows the extraction of heat from the panel, thus further improves its electricity production efficiency, and  creates hot water for any application. Hot water can be used forsanitary needs, radiant hot water heating, irrigation, swimming pool heating, etc. These innovative systems significantly improve energy efficiency and produce larger amounts of electricity and hot water. The increase in total energy production can be up to 280% (600Wp El & 1080Wp thermal per standard panel of 2m² at STC conditions) on the same physical footprint as compared to total energy production seen in static PV (FIXED) panels.

“The company is supported by The Israeli Innovation Authority (IIA) that invested in us," says Peter Graner, founder, and CEO of PG Solar Greenergy. "I recognized the problem. The traditional practice of adding single-sided PV solar panels to generate electricity alongside solar-thermal panels results in occupying a large area from the roofs and does not justify the cost. The problem with using two separate systems is that the roof space is too small to provide energy for all when the residential, commercial real estate population density is high. Furthermore, the return on investment (ROI) is too long concerning the upfront capital expenses - an investment of tens of thousands of dollars which is offset only after 7-8 years. The systems currently on the market miss out on a considerable amount of energy that can be absorbed. The traditional photovoltaic panel systems use up to 20% of electricity production due to overheating of the panels and sustained exposure to sunlight. Our system, on the other hand, maximizes the absorption of solar energies and does not lose electricity when compared to producing electricity from remote fields. Soon power generation in remote fields and roofs will be filled to capacity with electric solar panels, and the only viable choice will be to shift the production to roofs in urban areas, or offices, commercial and industrial areas - where hybrid solar energy is required. Also with the generation of the hot water and direct connection of the double-sided PV panel is optimized, apart from providing hot water to showers and sinks it can also be utilized in a hybrid air conditioner. This is accomplished with a direct connection to three energy sources and heat pumps for water heating, using hot water to increase efficiency in C.O.P 5.2. This means significant overall savings in electricity costs and a return on investment in the range of 4-5 years.

The surface area we require for all of this is significantly smaller than the competition. This provides a very large amount of energy especially in the hot periods when the power consumption of air conditioners is very large.

 Through our unique system, we have prevented the aging and burnout of photovoltaic cells which normally occurs in the following situations: 1) overheating of PV panels, 2) the lack of use of hot water or malfunction of water circulation that causes irreversible damage to the photovoltaic cells that generate electricity. While the existing hot water collectors need to be discarded and replaced after about 10- 15 years, the PGsolar hybrid panel will have a much greater longevity than competing systems. We are proud that we developed a product that has the approximated longevity of power generation performance for 30 years, that is significantly greater and more robust than any competing system currently available. The ultra-smart double-sided panel is much more attractive than the competition."

Huge savings on electricity and water heating

PGSOLAR ultra-hybrid double-sided panel is presently being piloted by several leading solar companies. At the same time, the company is looking for additional business partners to expand and to initialize the production, distribution, and installation of this revolutionary product. The company’s vision is that homes, hotels, commercial buildings, and greenhouses will all be covered by these smart panels, providing a cost-effective solution for electricity, radiant water heating, and cooling. To provide a smart and functional hybrid system at an unbeatable price compared to any other hybrid product (PVT) that currently exists in the global marketplace.

What about additional implementation challenges?

Peter Graner has set himself the goal in the near future of replacing the traditional roof tiles with a TRIPLE-ENERGY hybrid tile, some of which are transparent. They will provide both rain insulation, as well as thermal insulation benefits. Instead of transferring heat into the house and increasing the power consumption of air conditioners, the hybrid tile absorbs the heat in a double-sided ultra-hybrid solar panel and uses it to reduce power consumption in hybrid air conditioners.

How are you able to succeed in selling such an advanced product at a more competitive price than the existing limited solutions?

"Because it is a 2-in-1 system, without a standard pipe hot water collector, the customer buys one system instead of two separate ones (solar hot water collectors, and photovoltaic system) making it a far more effective and better investment. Consider buying a hybrid collector system which is price competitive with a standard solar hot water collector, and one which also produce electricity as an additional bonus and value added proposition.”

For more details, go to the following web page: www.pgsolar-greenergy.com